Exeter Writes
Having launched Exeter Writes at the end of 22-23, our priority has been to embed this support across the Faculty and to broaden our offer to address other forms of writing. The significance of books in Humanities, Arts and Social Science disciplines is clear, but there are often significant barriers in place which prevent colleagues from fully realising their research goals across their careers.
Building on previous years success, during 2025–26, the Faculty delivered a curated programme of research culture and training events designed to strengthen collegiality, enhance professional development, and support researchers across disciplines and career stages. Coordinated by Sanja Djerasimovic (SoE) the programme included:
- Learning from Grant Failures for Future Success – normalising failure and reflecting on the reality that unsuccessful funding applications are a common experience across all career stages. Drawing on candid reflections from Katharine Earnshaw (CAHRT), Clare Saunders (HaSS Cornwall), and Oliver Creighton (A&H), the session reframed failure as a critical learning opportunity with practical strategies for interpreting reviewer feedback, understanding funder expectations, and refining proposals for the future.
- Non‑Traditional Print Research Forms - delivered collaboratively by research and library professionals at the University of Exeter and Bath Spa University, provided guidance on preparing, capturing, and showcasing creative and practice-based portfolios for REF submission. The session demystified processes around non-written and collaborative outputs, while also reinforcing their value within and beyond REF.
- Dealing with a Mid‑Career Malaise: Rediscovering Energy, Reinventing Direction - led by John Niland this session offered a reflective space for mid-career academics to consider questions of meaning, motivation, and professional identity.
- The third year of our HASS Summer School Writing Retreat – once again hosted at the Penryn campus, and providing focussed support for particular cohorts with parallel programmes for Early Career and Mid‑Career Researchers.
‘This has been such a useful discussion, discussing failure is so important in terms of supporting each other! Thanks, Sanja and everyone!’
In addition to this, other sessions and activities included:
- A writing buddying scheme, with the aim to pair colleagues from across disciplines, research areas and career stages where each party can really gain as a writer from their partner.
- ERC session- We welcomed researchers interested in applying for European Research Council (ERC) funding to a panel discussion with current award holders Mark Robinson, Helena Taylor and Chris Sandal‑Wilson. The speakers shared insights from their own ERC funding journeys, covering the application and interview processes, reviewer expectations, and how ERC funding differs from other schemes.
Events planned for next year include:
- Writing for REF - bringing together former REF panellists Claire Dunlop (SPSPA) and David Horrell (CAHRT) to offer their perspectives on what distinguishes a 4* output. Aimed at early and mid-career researchers, the session plans to demystify assessment criteria, encourage critical reflection on writing practices, and equip participants with practical strategies to strengthen their research outputs and publication plans.
- Early Career Researchers’ Panel and Networking Event. Designed for late-stage PGRs, postdoctoral researchers, and newly appointed academics, the event will provide insight into different pathways through academia, while fostering confidence and community.
This year has also seen a growing emphasis on interdisciplinarity – not simply as a strategic priority, but as a lived and evolving practice. Initiatives that bring HASS into dialogue with STEM disciplines, as well as with industry partners and external cultural, policy, and community sectors, demonstrate how our research both contributes to and reshapes wider institutional, entrepreneurial, and societal conversations. This work is often exploratory and open-ended, driven as much by curiosity and imagination as by defined outcomes. It is in these spaces – where ideas are still forming, and where risk-taking is possible – that some of our most innovative thinking begins. Our two Faculty-led interdisciplinary events run with participation from ESE and HLS colleagues showed how playful, nimble thinking and making can, through creative activity, lead naturally on to exciting new cross-faculty research projects. Well over a hundred researchers participated over the three days, and, with a little seed funding, we’re now looking forward to supporting these sprouting projects to see how they grow.
HASS Shapes STEM & Science is Culture
The Faculty was proud to lead three days of creative interdisciplinary events, bringing together colleagues from across the institution to explore cross-faculty responses - creatively and with curiosity - to some of the biggest challenges we face in the world today. More than 115 colleagues joined us over the 3 days including Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Impact) Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (HASS) Gareth Stansfield.
HASS Shapes STEM
Our first day in March explored principles for interdisciplinary collaboration and set the groundwork for two further days in May. It focussed on uncovering and connecting how HASS currently faces on to STEM research, and began the process of collaboration with STEM colleagues that will build interdisciplinary projects facing UK government priorities.
You can see highlights of the event here - March Event
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Science is Culture
The two-day Science is Culture event built on the foundations laid in May, and saw colleagues across all three Faculties working together to develop interdisciplinary project ideas mapping on to funder and institutional priorities. We looked at things in a different, fun and creative way, unlocking new ideas and building new partnerships. We are delighted some of these will be continuing using seed funding to develop ideas further.
Upcoming staff events, links and information
Buddy Scheme 2025-26
Over the past year we have been running a writing buddying scheme, which many of us have found really helpful. Our aim is to pair colleagues from across disciplines, research areas and career stages. If you would like to join the scheme and for us to find you a buddy, please email Rachel Dallyn (R.S.Dallyn@exeter.ac.uk.
Buddy scheme EOI form (2026/27)
Recording of Exeter Writes Activities
Exeter Writes has placed book-writing at the heart of our research culture. We have held many events and workshops over the past few years. Click here to watch the recordings.
For further details of these activities please email Rachel Dallyn
Upcoming Staff Events
- Writing for REF - bringing together former REF panellists Claire Dunlop (SPSPA) and David Horrell (CAHRT) to offer their perspectives on what distinguishes a 4* output. Aimed at early and mid-career researchers, the session plans to demystify assessment criteria, encourage critical reflection on writing practices, and equip participants with practical strategies to strengthen their research outputs and publication plans.
- Early Career Researchers’ Panel and Networking Event. Designed for late-stage PGRs, postdoctoral researchers, and newly appointed academics, the event will provide insight into different pathways through academia, while fostering confidence and community.
Useful Links
Quotes
Below are some quotes and feedback we have received from our Exeter Writes activities.
Overall comment
'The events and activities have been pivotal in enhancing research culture. Previously, there was a focus on the 'culture' itself, but little by way of actual support in order to foster that very culture. Providing space, time, and especially seed funding, has enabled the monograph to progress towards fruition. More than this, my book buddy and I have met on a weekly basis to support each other, discuss potential collaborations, and will hopefully apply for funding together to deliver a cross-disciplinary project; this was truly an unexpected but welcome outcome from this process. Thank you!'
Journal publishing event
'I am grateful for the support and the communities Exeter Writes initiative has provided along with a sustained space to facilitate my research and writing.'
Monograph Day - Penryn
'I have got a clear picture about monograph publication process...'
Online writing group and monograph day (Streatham)
'The online writing group was very beneficial, as was the monograph day workshop. I wish I could have attended some of the others too. There are small tips and a feeling of community that really help energize my work.'
Monograph Fixes Fund
'The fund helped secure the integrity and high quality of the publication. My co-editor based at the University of Texas at Austin thinks very highly of the level of support Exeter provides to its staff's research'
Buddy scheme
'I love the buddy scheme it has massively helped me keep a rhythm with my writing and I've gained a fab new colleague I'd never have met and I get to read their interesting work. We now do regular online writing slots together and it keeps us both motivated and accountable. Their feedback has also been really encouraging and really valuable as it comes from someone outside my discipline. The emotional support is also very valuable when you feel stuck or like you will never finish the book. '
Writing book proposals event
'Attending the book proposal event was enlightening and gave me new energy and hope for publication. Fantastic event, and speaker!'
Dartington writing retreats
'This gave me much needed and invaluable focused time to return to writing a monograph I had not been able to look at for a while. The incentive of going away for a week forced me to focus, and the environment was relaxing and friendly and very conducive to concentrated periods of writing. The spaces to work and relax are absolutely beautiful and food was nourishing. What a useful luxury! I think it will help everyone who participates in it not only with their writing but also their general health.'
'The retreat went beyond my expectations and I have benefitted tremendously from it. It created an environment conducive to creative work. I think the fact that it took place over a few (three) days, in a location away from the University / my normal place of work, was very important: I had been to daily writing retreats in the past, but I felt much more productive in this one. I think it took me perhaps half a day to get into a good/productive writing mode, but days 2 and 3 in particular were incredibly productive.'
'It was the most productive week I've had in years. Usually, I write alone and worked furiously on my own projects, writing 10k of a piece of narrative non-fiction, benefiting from being surrounded by colleagues from other departments. But by the end of the week, I'd also established networks and potential research bids and papers with a number of other colleagues. These were overlapping interests and backgrounds that I would have had no idea about had we not had the time to get to know each other. I'm meeting two others to do a joint paper involving elements of my PhD, as well as a joint research bid. Hugely beneficial. Thank you!'
'I wanted to take a moment to convey my deepest gratitude for organising the Dartington retreat. It truly exceeded my expectations, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
The retreat provided the perfect environment for focused work, and I am delighted to share that I was able to achieve a lot during my time there....
.....I am pleased to inform you that I made significant progress on a chapter I have been working on. Above all, it instilled the conviction that I can disconnect from less important commitments and dedicate my time to writing.
I must also say that the cohort was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to interact and forge relationships with colleagues from other departments. Some of us are even exploring opportunities to continue collaborating in different capacities, which is very exciting.'
Future Research Leadership Programme
'It was a useful opportunity to get feedback on projects, to interact with the research support team and to get a better overview of what to bear in mind when developing bids etc. The course had a good balance of activities that unpacked different components of the process and thought about a mixture of immediate funding needs and long term career planning, which was really helpful.'
Penryn Summer school
'I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for organising the writing retreat in Penryn. It was a fantastic opportunity to focus on writing in a comfortable setting. The environment was ideal for productivity and I appreciated the opportunity to connect with brilliant colleagues. Thank you for making this possible.'
'Thank you so much! It was really good. I achieved what I wanted to achieve (finished a long-neglected book proposal which I have found really difficult to carve out the time to complete) and was also able to connect with colleagues that I don't typically see. The setting was ideal, and I also really appreciate the support with childcare to allow me to attend all five days.'
'The Summer School was a fantastic opportunity to focus on writing in a comfortable setting. The environment was ideal for productivity and I appreciated the opportunity to connect with brilliant colleagues.'
Learning from Grant Failures for Future Success
‘This has been such a useful discussion, discussing failure is so important in terms of supporting each other! Thanks, Sanja and everyone!’
Science is Culture
"It's about what we must do together that we cannot do alone."
“We never thought that something that started so tentatively at the HASS-STEM workshop would grow into something so concrete and exciting”
Facts and figures
| 2025-26 Events | Date | Registrations/Attendees |
|---|---|---|
|
Buddy scheme - A writing buddying scheme, the aim is to pair colleagues from across disciplines, research areas and career stages where each party can really gain as a writer from their partner. |
||
|
ERC session- We welcomed researchers interested in applying for European Research Council (ERC) funding to a panel discussion with current award holders Mark Robinson, Helena Taylor and Chris Sandal‑Wilson. The speakers shared insights from their own ERC funding journeys, covering the application and interview processes, reviewer expectations, and how ERC funding differs from other schemes. |
25th Feb 2026 | 15 |
|
HASS Summer School Writing Retreat- Building on last year’s success, we will host two parallel programmes—one for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and one for Mid‑Career Researchers (MCRs). Both retreats will run during the same week, creating a vibrant, supportive, and productive community of writers across career stages. |
6th July 2026 |
| 2024-25 Events | Date | Registrations/Attendees |
|---|---|---|
|
Weekly retreats – Penryn - Timetabled weekly in-person writing retreats on the Penryn (Fridays) campus |
Weekly |
varied by week |
|
Weekly retreats – Streatham - Timetabled weekly, in-person, writing retreats on the Streatham (Tuesdays) campus |
Weekly |
varied by week |
|
Weekly retreats – Online - Timetabled weekly virtual writing retreats (Thursdays) |
Weekly |
varied by week |
|
Buddy scheme - A writing buddying scheme, the aim is to pair colleagues from across disciplines, research areas and career stages where each party can really gain as a writer from their partner. |
2024-25 |
11 |
|
Publishing your book in a series and pitching a new series to a publisher - Hybrid This session looked at the publishing of monographs as parts of lists or series. It looked at the practicalities of pitching a proposal to both the academic and publishing editors of a series, as well as exploring the ways in which new lists and series can be proposed to academic publishers and presses. Drawing on the experiences of both academic colleagues and industry professionals. |
16/01/2025 |
11 |
|
Non traditional output assessment workshop - Hybrid - A discussion on non-traditional output quality (and) assessment, that could be tied in with the institutional output review, so colleagues could get some tips and insights ahead of the process. The speakers will briefly share their experiences of producing, submitting, reviewing non-traditional outputs and any lessons learned. This was followed by time to ask questions and have a group discussion. |
28/01/2025 |
21 |
|
Revise and resubmit - It is far more likely that first submissions of articles will be returned to authors for revisions before finally being deemed to be publishable or not. This so-called process of "revise and resubmit" is an art which is not often discussed among peers, so the aim of this workshop was to provide colleagues with practical tips as to how to make the process work for them. We are fortunate that two Exeter scholars with a great deal of editorial and publishing experience offered to lead an interactive workshop which helped all participants gain a clearer understanding as to what editors and journals are really asking for when they invite you to resubmit your work. |
07/03/2025 |
17 |
|
Narrating and evidencing impact arising from research which produces NTOs - Narration of impact arising from academic research is seldom straightforward, especially in humanities, arts, and social sciences, where work tends not to follow a linear movement from discovery to application modelled by some natural science disciplines. Narration of impact arising from research that was not underpinned by ‘traditional’ (i.e. written) outputs in the format of an impact case study is trickier still. This session looked at some examples of portraying the cyclical, iterative, and coincidental forms of research/impact in projects that had creative products as their key outputs and heard from colleagues about their experience of navigating this issue. |
08/05/2025 |
7 |
|
Summer school - Week 1 |
30/6/24 - 4/7/25 |
20 |
|
Summer school - Week 2 |
7/7/24 - 11/7/24 |
25 |
|
|
24/06/25 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm |
13 |
| 2023-24 Events | Date | Registrations/Attendees |
|---|---|---|
|
Weekly retreats – Penryn - Timetabled weekly in-person writing retreats on the Penryn campus (Friday) |
2023-24 |
varied by week |
|
Weekly retreats – Streatham - Timetabled weekly, in-person, writing retreats on the Streatham campus (Tuesday) |
2023-24 |
varied by week |
|
Weekly retreats – Online - Timetabled weekly virtual writing retreats (Thursday) |
2023-24 |
varied by week |
|
Buddy scheme - A writing buddying scheme, the aim is to pair colleagues from across disciplines, research areas and career stages where each party can really gain as a writer from their partner. |
2023-24 |
32 |
|
Monograph Fixes - Providing support to writers for additional costs which outputs may incur. These could include indexing, rights and permission, digital and design needs etc. |
2023-24 |
34 |
|
Monograph Day – Streatham/Hybrid - A roster of speakers on a variety of topics relating to writing and publishing. Targeted at academic colleagues, particularly ECRs, and will provide networking opportunities and the possibility to forge communities of practice with other scholars. |
05/01/2024 |
29 |
|
Monograph Day – Penryn - A day focused on book-writing. This featured a variety of speakers from across the as well as sessions focused on writing a book proposal. |
23/2/2024 |
15 |
|
Journal Publishing event – Streatham - We looked specifically at journal publishing, drawing upon the expertise of two colleagues who have edited leading journals as well as writing pathbreaking essays. |
25/03/2024 |
32 |
|
In-person writing retreat at Dartington – May - This opportunity was massively oversubscribed but gave us a chance to support colleagues writing their first books and those who came from underserved or minority communities |
13-16 May 2024 |
9 |
|
Writing book proposals: a workshop with Rob Langham (Routledge): This event is specifically targeted at ECRs and those who have not had an opportunity to publish a book. Led by the publisher Robert Langham, was event in which all participants learnt how to develop their proposals in a supportive and critical setting. |
23/05/2024 |
32 |
|
Journal Publishing event – Penryn - a roundtable in the morning where we will be joined online and in person by a range of senior colleagues who are Editors-in-Chief of major journals, followed by an interactive workshop in the afternoon where each attendee brought something related to a journal article that they are working on. |
07/06/2024 |
10 |
|
Creating and assessing non-traditional outputs: An exploratory workshop - Streatham/Hybrid - This workshop had two goals:
Looking at, among others, translations, performances, curation, software development and artistic practice, an ancillary aim of the event was to expose disciplines which have been largely wedded to journal articles, book chapters and monographs, the range of ways in which research can now be made manifest. We also looked in detail at cultures of assessment across academic disciplines, as well as hopefully forging a greater sense of congeniality for those who produce work in non-traditional ways. |
19/06/2024 |
20 |
|
In-person writing retreat at Dartington – June - This opportunity was massively oversubscribed but gave us a chance to support colleagues writing their first books and those who came from underserved or minority communities |
24-26 June 2024 |
14 |
|
In-person writing retreat at Dartington – July - This opportunity was massively oversubscribed but gave us a chance to support colleagues writing their first books and those who came from underserved or minority communities |
1-5 July 2024 |
9 |
|
Unveiling Open Access Monograph Publishing – Streatham/Hybrid - An exploration of Open Access Monograph Publishing in a collaborative event hosted by the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (as part of its Project Monograph initiative) and the Open Research team at the University of Exeter. For academics, researchers, or those simply curious about the world of Open Access monograph publishing, this event was a gateway to understanding the changing landscape of scholarly publishing. |
15/11/2023 |
|