A writing retreat is a collaborativ effort of researchers to meet up over a few days to work on individual writing goals in a supportive, non-surveillance environment. The writing process can be shared with the group during joint breaks, also with the intention to help each other out with helpful advice and encouragement.
If you're a PhD student in Early Childhood Research and would like to join our next retreat, keep an eye out for updates on the upcoming autumn session. Details will be shared via the SSECR newsletter, on our homepage, and on LinkedIn. Follow SSECR on LinkedIn to stay updated!
If you have any questions about the next writing retreat, please contact the Junior Network coordinators.
May 2026
Ne travaillez jamais" (never work) was the inscription on a wooden wall at the Tree Museum, located just across from the Gästehaus Lichthof in Jona. A motto that 11 Junior Researchers chose to politely ignore as they made progress on their dissertations during our springtime writing retreat.
Between sessions, the lake view provided a welcome pause, matched by the value of shared insights into other participants research and their PhD journey. Seeking encouragement, engaging in collective reflection, and integrating diverse perspectives are vital to the process. The writing retreat provided the ideal opportunity to experience all of this. And for an even broader perspective, a stroll through a Tree Museum can be a breath of fresh air.
Nine PhD candidates in Early Childhood Research took part in our autumn writing retreat — a weekend entirely devoted to making progress on their dissertations.
With a calm setting in the mountains, participants could dive deeply into their work while also taking time to recharge with walks and fresh air. What made the retreat especially enriching was the mix of research backgrounds. Students from different disciplines came together to share ideas, motivate one another, and explore new perspectives on their work.
Our spring writing retreat was fully booked, with 11 junior researchers gathering for a focused and inspiring weekend dedicated to dissertation work. Set in a peaceful location with stunning mountain views, the retreat offered the perfect balance of productivity and relaxation — including refreshing walks in nature.
Our recent writing retreat from September 27th to 30th welcomed eight junior researchers, each taking valuable time to advance their dissertations in a calm and inspiring atmosphere. The weekend combined dedicated writing sessions with refreshing nature walks, offering participants stunning mountain views and a chance to recharge. This blend of focused work and relaxation created an ideal environment for productivity and reflection.
Eight junior researchers attended, enjoying a lovely and productive weekend devoted to advancing their dissertations in a serene atmosphere. To balance work, we took walks with breathtaking views of the mountains. If you're interested in writing alongside fellow PhD students in Early Childhood Research, be on the lookout for updates on our next writing retreat scheduled for autumn 2024. Stay tuned through the SSECR newsletter!
We finally got to hold our first SSECR Junior Network Writing Retreat from July 22nd to 25th 2022 at Lake Lucerne. We were nine Ph.D. students who spent a lovely and productive weekend at «Bildungshaus Stella Matutina», where we had our own seminar room to write (or whatever one set out to do) in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. To compensate for the work, we exercised in the morning, went swimming during the day, played card games in the evening, and enjoyed the great nature and view whenever we needed a short break. Do you also want to write in great company and get to know other Ph.D. students in Early Childhood Research? We are planning a second writing retreat in summer 2023. Stay tuned for updates in the newsletter of the SSECR Junior Network!