The retreat offers a unique opportunity to break away from the distractions of university life and immerse yourself in focused, productive writing time, all while enjoying the calming surroundings of nature and the support of fellow PhD students. You’ll have uninterrupted time to focus on your writing while being guided by an experienced writing coach, prof. dr. Wybo Houkes, who will help you develop strategies to move past common challenges and will also be available for one-on-one sessions. While the daytime hours are dedicated to intensive writing, the evenings will feature fun and relaxing activities designed to help you recharge and enjoy the company of other colleagues.
What to expect:
- 📚 Productive writing sessions (with and without our coaches)
- ☕ Unlimited coffee/tea
- 🍫 Snack breaks
- 👥 Brainstorming together
- 🌲 Relaxing downtime in nature (or for napping)
Aim / objective
The aim is to enable students to get a lot of writing done for their dissertation. In addition, a few workshops will help PhD students to become a better writer.
Program
Monday May 26
11:00-12:00 Welcome at Het Voorhuys (Moergestel)
12:00-12:30 Unpacking and coffee/teatime
12:30-13:00 Introduction by the PhD Council and Wybo Houkes
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:30 Setting goals and communicating them to Wybo
14:30-17:30 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
17:30-18:30 Walk / free time
18:30-21:00 Dinner
Tuesday May 27
9:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-13:00 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-17:30 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
18:00-19:00 Dinner
19:00-21:00 Board games night
Wednesday May 28
9:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
11:30-13:00 Peer reading session
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:30 Peer reading session
15:30-17:30 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
17:30-18:30 Walk / free time
18:30-19:30 Dinner
19:30-21:30 Film night
Thursday May 29
9:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-13:00 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-17:30 Writing (individual coaching sessions possible)
18:00-22:00 Dinner and drinks
Friday May 30
9:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-10:30 Packing
11:00-12:00 Feedback on the writing retreat (optional)
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00 Check-out
Assessment
PhDs are obligatory to attend the whole retreat. There will be no assessment.
Location and date
The writing retreat of May 2025 will be held in Moergestel, Brabant. The accomodation is Beukenhaeghe, het Voorhuys. This venue is surrounded by nature to give you the possibility to let your thought flow and to write.
The retreat will be held 26-30 May 2025.
Credit points
Study load is the equivalent of: 2.5 ECTS.
Costs
There is an own contribution of €100.
Registration/application form
The deadline for registration is 12 May. You can register for the writing retreat using this form.
More information
For more information, contact the PhD council.