Creative retreat fosters collaboration and wellness

Members of the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems recently spent three days at a creative writing and wellness retreat. 

Before the pandemic, our team had a vibrant community culture, where staff and students interacted and engaged with each other on a daily basis. 

Post-pandemic hybrid work created accessibility and flexibility but did make it harder for colleagues to see each other more often.

In an effort to rebuild the community culture and create opportunities for PhD student skill-building, students and staff were granted a Student Experience Grant to fund the the Creative Catalyst: Community of Practice & Wellbeing retreat project. 

Rebuilding community

Our goal was to host a writing retreat that included activities focused on wellbeing and relationship-building.. 

Sixteen students and staff stayed three days at the rural Comrie Croft in Perthshire. We walked through woodlands and green rolling hills all the while enjoying the sunny spring weather.

Writing focus

At the heart of the retreat was a full day dedicated to writing: participants set individual writing goals, worked independently, and then reconvened to share progress and reflections with the group.

We wrapped up the retreat with a visit to a local organic meat farmer to learn about their sustainable farming practices and explore the challenges and opportunities they face.

Ongoing impact

“It was especially rewarding seeing PhD students from different years getting to know each other in person and everyone bouncing project ideas off of each other, sharing insights and having fun in a laid-back, supportive setting.”

The success of this event has already inspired new ideas of how to create small writing retreats at Easter Bush campus and students have begun planning more yoga and tai chi sessions throughout the summer.