MSHS Learning and Teaching Retreat 2024
On 12-14 March 2024, ten academic staff from the Melbourne School of Health Sciences attended a two-day writing retreat that supported professional development and overall well-being.
This exciting opportunity, led by A/Prof Kwang Cham, consisted of five hours of writing per day and interdisciplinary collaborative peer review. The manuscript write ups included a diverse range of initiatives such as the UoM LTI Grant, MDHS Seed Funding Grant, MDHS Diversity and Inclusion Grant, Student Research Project, and Education focused PhD Work.
In alignment with the School, Faculty and University Strategies and Values, this program provided time and resources to nurture staff development and wellbeing. The writing retreat has helped boost staff morale and provided the opportunities for meaningful engagement across disciplines. We look forward to seeing these manuscripts written up and submitted by the end of the year.
Below are some quotes from the attendees:
Dr Tara Fitzgerald, Lecturer in Physiotherapy:
The MSHS writing retreat was really beneficial for me, as large chunks of protected research time are very hard for me to schedule in my day-to-day work. Working alongside other MSHS academics was very motivating and kept me on task throughout the retreat. It was also great to network with other academics, and I found the peer review aspect of the retreat very beneficial.
Dr Patrick Bowers, Associate Lecturer in Audiology and Speech Pathology:
The 2024 MSHS Writing Retreat was a great experience that allowed me the time to connect with colleagues from across the school, share ideas and learn more about the fantastic work that we are all doing. In addition to this, it gave me the time and space to complete a manuscript draft much faster than if I hadn’t attended (and gain valuable feedback from an outsider’s perspective). The greenery/peace and quiet were also highlights!
