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Dedicated time and shared accountability are keys to productive writing sessions at Summer Writing Retreat

Group photo of the participants on June 12 of the Summer Writing Retreat.

Steve Sears, MacPherson Institute

“Having dedicated time, surrounded by other folks that have similar writing goals, helps to get it done.”  

That’s the idea that brought Shaiya Robinson and 34 other instructors from McMaster’s teaching and learning community to the MacPherson Institute’s annual 3-day Summer Writing Retreat on June 10-12.  

“I couldn’t think of a better place to write up my study than here at the MacPherson Institute,” says Robinson, who is an assistant professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Science. “Being surrounded by a community of folks that are focused also helps me focus—and there is less distraction.” 

Photo of Shaiya Robinson, assistant professor, working on a writing project during the Summer Writing Retreat.
Photo of Shaiya Robinson, assistant professor, working on a writing project during the Summer Writing Retreat.

 

Launching in 2022, the MacPherson Institute’s Summer Writing Retreat began in response to grant and award winners expressing how challenging it was to find time to write for their Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research projects. Since then, the retreat has become open to all educators at McMaster who are looking for protected time and space, in a quiet working environment, to make progress on a SoTL writing project. Throughout the retreat there are opportunities to share writing goals, connect with other instructors, and participate in programming designed to inform and motivate participants.   

“Writing can be a daunting or fearful task so we provide a supportive and caring environment for people to make progress – no matter how big or small,” says Kris Knorr, Educational Developer at the MacPherson Institute. “We encourage folks to set small goals to start and over time, goals increase in size, and people make incredible progress.” 

Sharonna Greenberg, associate professor, works on a writing project at the Summer Writing Retreat on June 12. 
Sharonna Greenberg, associate professor, works on a writing project at the Summer Writing Retreat on June 12.

 

Sharonna Greenberg, associate professor in the Faculty of Science, has attended the Summer Writing Retreat several years in a row and has found value in it each time.  

“There’s a big activation barrier for me to get started and follow through,” she says. “I like setting goals and I like the accountability the Retreat provides. You’re sitting in a room with everyone else who is writing so you feel more accountable to your process.” 

Participants are invited to use the dedicated space and time to work on manuscripts, teaching portfolios or any writing project connected to their teaching work. It is also a space where instructors can learn and connect with each other about their projects and the process of writing about their research.  

“Speaking to the other folks, hearing about their progress, seeing their writing goals and reading what people are aspiring to accomplish is really motivating for me.”  

This is the fourth year the MacPherson Institute has offered the Summer Writing Retreat, with increasing attendance each year.  

“I’ll definitely come back next year,” said Robinson. “I got more accomplished than I could have imagined!”  

The MacPherson Institute offers monthly writing retreat days from September to April as an ongoing opportunity for instructors to use dedicated time and space for their writing projects. To learn more, reach out to mi@mcmaster.ca. 

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