Three-day Writing Retreat for Health and Care Professionals – 30th Nov, 1st Dec, 2nd Dec.

Sponsored by NIHR BRC: Oxford, this three-day writing retreat is open to all health and care professionals; nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, clinical psychologists, pharmacists, healthcare scientists and doctors at any career stage, working at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust or the University of Oxford.

Priority will however be given to underrepresented professions as defined by NIHR. If you have attended this retreat previously, you are welcome to apply however, priority will be given to those who have not attended before.

This retreat offers time and space to focus on writing without interruption. It will also help you to become more aware of your writing processes and use this to help you write more productively.

The retreat will take place on 30 November, 1 and 2 December 2026 at the SAÏD Business School, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HP.

Attendees are required to commit to attending all three days for at least the core hours which will be 10:00 to 16:00 however, you are welcome to arrive any time from 8:30am to begin writing and can remain on site until 6pm. On day 3, the space will be available from 8:30am to 4pm.

Writing projects that could be worked on during the retreat include:

• Doctoral thesis chapter(s)
• Master’s dissertation chapter(s)
• Paper for a peer-reviewed journal from a completed piece of research, service evaluation, quality improvement, audit, or literature review
• Development of a research proposal for future application
• Analysing data that will form part of a report or publication
• Research Grant Application

We will provide a mentor to guide you with your writing. A librarian will be available to provide advice and support related to referencing and literature searching. To get the most out of the event it is important that you come ready to write from the very start of day one. Therefore, you will need to send your mentor an outline of what you plan to write, up to 3 SMART goals and the outcomes you aim to achieve by the end of the writing retreat.

You need to have your line manager’s support and permission to attend.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

There is no parking at SAÏD Business School. The closest park and ride to SAÏD Business School is Seacourt Park and Ride Seacourt Park and Ride – Car Parks in Oxford | Oxford City Council

From there, the number 4A or 4B bus (operated by Oxford Bus Company) travels to the Osney Island stop, which is a 5-minute walk from SAÏD Business School.

Applications:

The deadline for application is 12 noon on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Please put a hold in your diary until you are informed of your application outcome, which will be Monday 12 October.

Apply using MS Forms here: NIHR BRC: Oxford Three-day Writing Retreat (30th November to 2nd December 2026) – Fill in form

Applications will be assessed on:

• Whether you fall within the underrepresented professions as defined by the NIHR.

• Whether the applicant can commit to attending all three days

• Whether the line manager has given approval to attend

• Whether the writing project goal is appropriate for the three-day retreat

• Whether the stated objectives are achievable in the three days

• Whether you have previously attended one of our writing retreats

The writing retreat is sponsored by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr Clair Merriman at [email protected].