In July, researchers from Newcastle University’s Chemical Biology community stepped away from the lab and headed to Cockle Park Farm for a one-day writing retreat designed to support high-quality scientific writing and provide dedicated time for focused research activity.
The day began with a practical session led by Dr Tom McAllister, who shared insights and techniques for effective scientific writing. Following the workshop, participants spent much of the day engaged in uninterrupted writing and analysis. Researchers worked on a range of projects, including journal papers, theses, progression reports, undergraduate project reports, and data analysis. By stepping away from the demands of experiments and day-to-day responsibilities, attendees were able to focus on making meaningful progress in a supportive, distraction-free environment.
The retreat also included short flash talks, providing an opportunity for researchers to share updates on their work, and helped strengthen connections across the Chemical Biology community by bringing colleagues together around a shared goal.
The day concluded with a tour of Cockle Park Farm, where participants explored the farm’s livestock and crops while enjoying the Northumberland countryside!
A huge thank you to Dr Tom McAllister and Dr Tim Bell for organising the retreat, and to the Newcastle University People’s Fund for supporting the event’s catering. The retreat highlighted the value of dedicated writing time in developing high-quality scientific outputs while fostering a strong and collaborative research culture.
