I have always loved writing on train journeys, something about the movement, the ever-changing scenery passing by, and somehow being confined with few distractions. Every time I have a longer journey and manage to get a good seat, I’m surprised how much writing I get done. So, would others benefit too, and can you host a successful writing retreat on train? I had mentioned this idea a few times, but nothing ever happened. When I changed jobs in March 2023, to join GCU as a Lecturer in Academic Writing, I saw another chance. With some money left in the budget, and the team looking for new ideas, I pitched the idea again. And we did it. Below is a summary report that outlines why and how we did this style of writing retreat, and what the participants thought. 

The best part of this has been the whole day – writing in a community, enjoying the landscape fly by, hearing fingers tapping away on keyboards and of course the networking lunch. Having had the shared experience of the train journey up really helped people to start conversations, and in that space, everyone was a researcher, irrespective of their experience. Having everyone join the lunch and be so open with their experiences was fantastic, and as some said this really added to the community aspect of this retreat. 

After the Power Hour of Writing, this has been one of my career highlights and I can’t wait to do another writing retreat on the move. 

Summary

Academic writing is a key aspect of professional practice for staff and postgraduate researchers (PGRs) at universities; interestingly, much writing tends to happen while the writer is working alone, often outwith standard working hours, due to competing demands on their time (Dobele & Veer, 2018). Therefore, many writers are engaging with the writing process unsupported, which can lead to a decrease in writing confidence and overall enjoyment of writing (Wilmot & McKenna, 2018; Namakula & Prozesky, 2019). Considering that writing is such an important part of academic life, it is arguably a shared goal to ensure that staff and students are supported across all stages of the writing and research process. 

The Academic Writing Centre at GCU uses creative and innovative methods to support PGRs and staff with their writing, from regular Power Hours of Writing to cohort-based courses. The Write-Away! On the move writing retreat on a train fits well into this remit. In line with other writing interventions, we sought ethical approval to investigate and research this style of writing support. Ethical approval was given from the GCU Ethics committee on 23rd August 2023. Therefore, the first running of this new writing retreat format made a great pilot project. 

Write-Away! On the move writing schedule

Glasgow > Aberdeen 9:40 > 12:40

12:50 – 14:00 Optional networking lunch 

Aberdeen > Glasgow 14:44 > 17:18

Write-Away! On the move cost

Train tickets and lunch were provided for all participants. 20 researchers and 2 facilitators. Total cost for the writing retreat was £3000, or £137 per participant for a day of focused and supported writing time, and lunch. First class tickets were purchased to ensure every researcher had a table space and plug for the duration of the writing time, as well appropriate seating to work effectively. This was not to cover travel but a dedicated workspace, similar to booking a space off campus for a writing retreat. In addition, we ended up having exclusive use of the 1st class carriage adding to the atmosphere of the retreat. (Due to a train fault, we did not get the nice 1st class on the way back, but we managed and got a refund for some tickets from ScotRail.) 

Write-Away! On the move feedback

The below themes emerged from the participant feedback (100% response rate). Researchers from across GCU attended the retreat and all participants indicated that they would like to see more retreats in this format. 

The key themes based on the open questions from the feedback are: focus and energy, novel and unique, new surroundings, community.

Focus and energy: Participants managed to focus well on the train, and even commented on the seating arrangements helping with that. Being arranged more conversational, rather than all facing the front of a classroom. Being on the train also aided feeling energised and productive, having the changing scenery to take in and being on a journey. 

“An uplifting day out. I got writing done, as productively or more so than if I was writing in the office but I felt energised by the day rather than exhausted at the end of the day…” Member of staff

“I enjoyed the pressure of being somewhere I couldn’t just up and leave, it definitely helped me focus.” PGR

Novel and unique: Participants commented on the change of scenery and the novel approach of using a train as the writing venue. Many were surprised how well they managed to concentrate and work productively in this setting. With a few mentioning that they might do this by themselves every now and then. 

“Excellent, I felt nurtured, included and it helped me to sustain me in my writing. Bravo, I am so impressed by your thoughtfulness and creativity in finding new ways to support people.” Member of staff 

“This was a really unique approach to the idea of protected writing time. The different environment provided a new drive to achieve some milestones in my research writing.” PGR

New surroundings: Changing the writing set up helped participants to plan and get organised for this trip. Knowing what to work on during this retreat helped many to be more productive than anticipated. 

“Better than I thought – I expected to be more distracted, however I got a lot more work done that I thought I would.” Member of staff

“It was amazing. I have been working on my thesis for several days in one spot. This was a massive change in environment for me and was actually productive.” PGR

Community: Participants commented on the ease they could talk to each other at the start of the retreat and during the reflection. The lunch provided additional opportunity for people to get to know each other. Participants also appreciated the mix of PGRs and staff, to feel part of the GCU researcher community. 

“Social time with colleagues helped strengthen existing relationships and was an opportunity to develop relationships. It helps to make me feel like I am part of a writing community at GCU.” Member of staff

“I felt motivated and part of something which minimised my tendency to overthink and procrastinate. I was physically rooted, tethered to the spot…” PGR

Due to an issue with the train, we were not in the same level of 1st class, as on the way to Aberdeen. This really impacted people’s productivity and highlights the importance of considering the writing environment when designing innovative writing retreats. 

Conclusion

Overall, the Write-Away! On the move train writing retreat was a success and the feedback clearly shows that PGRs and staff had a productive writing and networking day. Based on this positive response we look forward to getting started with our research project now that we have ethics approval in place and can’t wait to share more of our findings at researcher development conferences in 2024. 

If you want to host a similar retreat, feel free to get in touch and we’ll be happy to share more about the organisation and facilitation of this unique writing retreat format.