Are you struggling to find time or motivation to write?
Do you have a writing project that needs dusting off?
Would it help to have time and space to talk to others about your writing?
Then ERC’s first writing retreat is for you!
ASME ERC are offering 20 places for our first ever writing retreat at Hinsley Hall in Leeds. The purpose of this event is to give education researchers time and space away from work to write. The writing retreat aims to offer uninterrupted time to make progress towards a self-identified writing goal, whether that be a research proposal, grant or promotion application, postgraduate research dissertation, or article for publication. Though the main activity will be writing, there will also be opportunities to discuss writing challenges with other attendees and gain feedback on drafts. Facilitators will be on hand for advice and after dinner speakers will inspire you to achieve your writing goals.
The registration fee includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals, and writing retreat activities.
Aims of the retreat:
- make progress towards a self-identified writing goal
- share writing challenges with supportive colleagues
Please note this programme is flexible and changes can be made to accommodate registrants’ needs, for example mealtimes during Ramadan
Day 1 – Wednesday March 29th 2023
| Time | Activity |
| 1000 – 1100 | Introductions, orientation to programme, ground rules and goal setting |
| 1100 – 1200 | Writing |
| 1200 – 1300 | Lunch |
| 1300 – 1400 | Walk around the grounds, peer conversation |
| 1400 – 1630 | Writing |
| 1630 – 1730 | Reviewing with peer |
| 1800 – 1900 | Dinner |
| 1930 – 2030 | Inspirational speaker 1 – Gabrielle Finn Q&A |
Day 2 – Thursday March 30th 2023
| Time | Activity |
| 0700 – 0900 | Breakfast |
| 0900 – 0930 | 15 minutes walk fresh air – Reflection on progress, planning for day |
| 0930 – 1200 | Writing |
| 1200 – 1330 | Lunch |
| 1330 – 1600 | Writing |
| 1600 – 1700 | Reviewing with peer |
1800 – 1900 | Dinner |
| 1930 – 2030 | Inspirational speaker 2 – Maddie Morris |
Day 3 – Friday March 31st 2023
| Time | Activity |
| 0700 – 0900 | Breakfast |
| 0900 – 1100 | Writing |
| 1100 – 1200 | Review and action planning with peer Evaluation |
1200 – 1330 | Lunch |
1330 | End – safe journey home! |
Professor Gabrielle Finn
Vice Dean (Teaching, Learning and Students), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester.
Professor Gabrielle Finn is Vice Dean for Teaching, Learning and Students at the University of Manchester for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health. She is Professor of Medical Education in the School of Medical Sciences. Gabrielle has published over 150 research outputs using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Her research interests are broad ranging but include fitness to practise, identity, assessment, and gender discrimination. Gabrielle is a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has been successful in securing research income from a range of funders and regulatory bodies.
Maddie Morris
Maddie Morris is an artist who strives to make a difference in the world. Bold, insightful and refreshingly unique, she takes traditional song in new directions to shine a light on contemporary issues, offering new perspectives about the world we live in today.
After graduating with a first-class honours degree from Leeds Conservatoire, Maddie soon made waves by winning the 2019 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, as well as landing a grant from the Alan Surtees Trust. From these firm foundations, her career has gone from strength to strength, with recent performances including Cropredy and Cambridge Folk Festival.
Folk songs have always told stories, but how Maddie makes her mark is by turning this storytelling into action. Described by Jim Moray as “leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters”, she uses her work to highlight inequality, challenge viewpoints and provide an inclusive space for shared experiences. She was recently commissioned by Rural Arts to explore LGBTQIA+ experiences through traditional music, and has also been proud to collaborate with organisations such as Queer Folk, Esperance and Trans Pride Brighton.
Whether she’s turning a centuries-old ballad on its head or writing something completely new, Maddie places her focus on drawing out true meaning rather than being true to tradition. From tweaking tunings to adding ornamentation, she’s never afraid to put her own stamp on things and create something distinctively her own.
Maddie released her debut EP, Purgatory, in 2020 – a reflection on the experiences of lockdown, which was recorded at home. Two years on, she’s following this up with her first studio release, Upstream, a beautifully crafted collection of songs which amplifies the stories of those often marginalised by society. Passionately political, yet gently understated, this is music that deftly treads the path between art and activism.
“Maddie is a stunning singer, and is leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters.” Jim Moray
“Maddie Morris is an extremely accomplished young singer – not just the possessor of a haunting and delicately ornamented vocal style, but also a performer with serious insight into how to tell a story in song.” – Nancy Kerr
Associate Professor Alison Ledger is chair of ASME ERC and Academic Lead for Staff Development in the Academy for Medical Education, University of Queensland, Australia. Alison has published in a variety of medical education journals and supported countless undergraduate, masters, and PhD students to succeed in completing their theses and/or publishing their work. Alison loves a writing retreat and looks forward to hearing about your writing projects. She is also looking forward to hearing Maddie Morris sing on the Thursday evening!
Dr Amaya Ellawala is a member of the ASME ERC and Lecturer in Medical Education at Hull York Medical School. Amaya supervises undergraduate and MSc level health professions education research and has published in medical education books and journals. She recently completed the Medical Education journal’s internship programme, where she gained valuable insight into writing for publication. Amaya has found writing retreats very useful and is certain attendees will greatly benefit from the supportive, writing-focused environment!
Dr Stephanie Bull is a member of ASME ERC and a Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London, and the University of Exeter. Stephanie has published in biomedical and medical education journals. She teaches students on the MSc in clinical education and supports academics and clinicians, new to education roles, to develop their scholarship. At the writing retreat Stephanie anticipates that there will be much learning between delegates as they share their ideas, habits and struggles. She is looking forward to hearing about how Professor Gabrielle Finn approaches the writing process on Wednesday evening.
Dr Michal Tombs is a Reader in Medical Education at the School of Medicine, Cardiff University. With years of experience in higher education, she has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and is also the Postgraduate Research Lead in Medical Education. Michal has published extensively, she is the series editor of the How To guides and is an experienced peer reviewer of medical educational journal articles and books. Michal’s work is underpinned by her commitment to supporting others in their pursue to develop and believes that the a writing retreat is the best way to re-energise the writing process and
connect with others who are passionate about writing.
ASME’s ERC are offering 3 travel bursaries (up to the value of £200 each) to support those who may need a little more help to get to Leeds.
This will be dependent on receipts and we will award the bursaries to ASME members whose travel costs are highest.
To apply, ASME members should email erc@asme.org.uk by noon, Wednesday 15th February 2023
Deadline for registration is 23 February 2023.
Registration fees
Type Fee
ASME Members £295
Non-members £ 345
Registration closed 23rd February 2023
