Focus and Community in the Countryside: Writing Retreat

Target group: all researchers with a PhD

The 2025 Writing Retreat: Focus and Community in the Countryside

We invite you to the lush Styrian countryside for three days! Focus on your writing while staying sane, enjoying the community of other researchers and being/moving in nature. This event is fully funded by the Research Careers Campus. There is no cost to participants. Target group are all researchers with a PhD who are currently employed by the University of Graz, with those on a temporary contract given preference. The retreat is facilitated by an expert in academic writing and productivity, and like in the three years previously, it consists of a melange of focussed work, voluntary exercise and leisure. The language will be a mix of English and German.

TIME SCHEDULE: Participants take the train together to Deutschlandsberg (ca. 10:30am). After a 20 minute walk to the JUFA, the retreat starts with a lunch. The programme finishes on Saturday at 5pm, and participants can take the train home to Graz together.

REGISTRATION: There are 15 spots available, registration is on a first come first serve basis. The registration window is open between June 2 (8am) and June 27, 2025 via email to postdoc(at)uni-graz.at. If you sign up, you need to make time for the mandatory preparation meeting on Mon Jun 30, 11:30-12:30 (in-person in Leechgasse 42, ground floor & online). After we confirm your place, you need to submit an electronic travel application. The full agenda will be sent to partcipants in July.  

ACOMMODATION, COMPANIONS, FOOD, WRITING SET-UP: The location is the JUFA Deutschlandsberg. Accommodation is in large single-occupant rooms. If needed, you can bring a companion and/or child to stay in your room (costs for personal guests to be arranged with the hotel by you). Children must be supervised by someone other that you. For writing, you get a standard desk, chair, and plug socket, bring a pillow for more comfort! Three fresh, local buffet-style meals a day are provided. Coffee is available at breakfast, additional hot and cold drinks can be purchased from staff. Participants contact JUFA directly in case of specific dietary requirements.

FACILITATOR: Dr. Gayannée Kedia is a researcher and teacher in social psychology and neuroscience at the Karl-Franzens University of Graz, Austria. She has degrees in biology and psychology and has worked for several universities in France, the UK, Germany, and Austria. Parallel to her academic activity, she works as a writing coach. She is also the founder of abrilliantmind.blog, a blog aimed at helping scientists be more productive and happier in their professional activity.