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SSEAC writing retreat supports researchers to achieve their goals
19 December 2023
Connecting with peers helps researchers tackle writing challenges
SSEAC’s popular writing retreat provides postgraduate and early and mid-career researchers an end of year boost.
In early December SSEAC held one of its regular writing retreats for postgraduate and early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) working on Southeast Asia. Designed to support PhD students and EMCRs make meaningful progress on their academic writing, around 60 participants gathered in Sydney’s Kirribilli for three days of focused writing time.
The writing retreats are also an opportunity to connect with other researchers from across disciplines and for participants to support each other through daily work-in-progress sessions and discussions about writing goals and challenges.
Participants report that these retreats significantly improve their writing outputs, but as Dr Natali Pearson, SSEAC’s Curriculum Coordinator and writing retreat facilitator, notes, “Sometimes discussions with researchers reveal that these retreats are more impactful than we could ever have imagined.”
This was especially the case with one participant who shared his story.
“The SSEAC Writing Fellowship and the opportunity to join the EMCR writing retreat were of the greatest help for me at a critical time,” says Dr Chieh-Ming Lai.
Dr Chieh-Ming Lai celebrating on graduation day at the University of Sydney
“As a new University of Sydney PhD awardee seeking academic career opportunities, I have been aware that I must publish my doctoral research as soon as possible to increase my chances and ability to be competitive.
“Leaving the campus and returning to Taiwan following my thesis submission, however, took me away from my academic peers, impacting the refinement of my writing work. The work almost ground to a halt when I took on caring responsibilities for my mother who was hospitalised for weeks. Meanwhile, my earlier job applications were turned down.
“It was at this hard time that being awarded a SSEAC Writing Fellowship encouraged me immensely. The grant provided me with immediate financial respite and an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with academic peers through the writing retreat.
SSEAC writing retreat participants (from left) Dr Justin See (Sydney Environment Institute), Dr Chieh-Ming Lai (SSEAC Writing Fellow) and Dr Edward Gorgon (Faculty of Medicine and Health)
“During the three-day writing and reflection sessions, I made significant writing progress and learned practical strategies from peers to tackle writing challenges. In addition, hearing about senior researchers’ experiences in picking suitable journal outlets and addressing reviewers’ comments were exactly what I needed at this stage.
“It was also rewarding that I could share my experiences of completing my PhD study with postgraduates from the University of Sydney and other Australian universities.
“This well-designed Writing Fellowship enabled me to not only regain but maintain the writing momentum. I am most grateful to SSEAC for this timely and generous support.”