MESSAGE organised a Coastal Writing Retreat in Annalong, Northern Ireland, from the 26-28th of May. Founding members Tomas Buitendijk, Geertje Schuitema and Mark Coughlan were joined by research assistant Emma Millet and five Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from various backgrounds and disciplines. Our participants engaged in research such as Marine Ecology, Marine Spatial planning, Carbon Sequestration and Ecosystem Services, Offshore Renewable Energy, as well as marketing.
On the 26th of May, we set off together from UCD and arrived at the “Brambles Retreat” in the early evening. At the very beginning of the programme, everyone was asked to fill in their own “Commitment Board”, listing what they wished to get done during their time at the Brambles. One of the aims of the event was to create a quiet yet productive space, where applicants would be able to focus their time and energy on their ongoing papers and research projects. Once introductions were made and commitments proclaimed, we set off for a walk down to the sea. After a rather rainy day, the evening skies of Annalong greeted us with a gentle blaze.
Figure 1. View from Annalong harbour after a storm.
The next morning, we were joined by our speaker Emer Caslin from iCRAG, who spoke about Funding & Industry opportunities. This fuelled some very interesting discussions between organisers and ECR participants. Emer was kind enough to stay on after her talk to train participants in “Elevator Pitch” sessions, to promote their research to possible funders. One of the main aims of MESSAGE’s Coastal Writing Retreat was to provide support and guidance to ECRs in the Marine and Coastal Research fields. After the event, participants were asked to submit a short report on their time at the retreat. Participants wrote that these interventions by Emer and the MESSAGE founding members allowed them to think more strategically about presenting their “work to broader publics and to explore opportunities for public engagement, such as policy briefs or outreach writing.”
Figure 2. Emer Caslin giving her talk on Funding & Industry.
After Emer’s intervention, participants were invited to check in with themselves and their commitments, reassessing their writing focus for the remaining time of the Retreat. Mornings and early afternoons were spent with everyone working away on their dedicated projects and papers. One participant declared that working “in the same space with like-minded researchers, all dedicated to their writing, created a great sense of motivation and momentum.” This engaging atmosphere allowed for hours of deep focus.
Figure 3. Participants working away during the writing hours, with the Commitment Boards on the right.
MESSAGE also aspired to create a space of encounters for ECRs working in the Marine,Coastal, and Energy research fields. Research can be a lonely endeavour at times, especially for an ECR in the early stages of their career. The Retreat intended to encourage ECRs to form their own interdisciplinary projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. One participant noted that “one of the most valuable aspects of the retreat was the opportunity to engage with researchers from a range of disciplines and career stages.” The Writing Retreat allowed for a balance of formal and informal discussions and exchanges to take place between researchers. Another participant wrote that “informal conversations during meals and breaks sparked several new ideas, particularly around potential interdisciplinary collaborations. These discussions were intellectually enriching and have already led to follow-up conversations about future joint projects.”
Figure 4. MESSAGE founding member, Tomas Buitendijk, updating his Commitment Board.
One of the outcomes of the writing retreat is a monthly social event “MESSAGE-meets-at-Seapoint” which was a suggestion from several participants who went for a swim during the retreat. This reoccurring social event offers (potential) members an informal opportunity to meet and connect.This forms a good basis to establish more long-term connections and collaborations.
Future events and collaborations were also discussed and new connections were formed. On our last day, the weather allowed for breakfast in the sun. It was then time to wrap up the MESSAGE Writing Retreat, taking a last look at our Commitment Boards and the sea, before setting back on the road to UCD.
Figure 5. MESSAGE Writing Retreat participants enjoying the morning sunshine.
We are grateful to all participants for their inputs and inspiring presence!
The MESSAGE Writing Retreat was made possible by the Marine Institute “Networking and Marine Research Communication Awards.” The Networking Initiative is funded by the Marine Institute under the Marine Research Programme with the support of the Government of Ireland.