CHERTL hosts successful writing retreat at Postgraduate Village

A four-day writing retreat provided academics with focused time to make significant progress or complete scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) writing projects.

From time to time, heavy sighs and fervent paging through dog-eared notebooks interjected the rhythmic clattering of keyboards. The morning breezed by as hunched shoulders eased when an aha moment was experienced. Although dressed for comfort, the tools of the trade gave away that this was no ordinary academic day - it was a day for putting pen to paper to refine those scholarly ideas and shape them into SoTL texts.  

These were some of the notable moments colleagues at the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching, and Learning (CHERTL) were fortunate to share with academics at Rhodes who attended the recent SoTL writing retreat at the Postgraduate Village. From Monday, 20 May 2024, academics dedicated to advancing their research and writing were able to hone in on their SoTL writing projects, such as teaching portfolios, CATALyst course assignments, Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDip HE) module assignments and SoTL publications.  

The writing retreats form part of CHERTL’s professional development initiatives and its commitment to fostering academic excellence in teaching and learning, as well as supporting academics in developing as scholarly teachers and researchers. Thanks to a structured, yet flexible programme at the writing retreats, tea and lunch times become invaluable opportunities to connect with peers and share ideas on writing practices.

If you’d like to join this growing SoTL community of practice, please join us at our next writing retreat during Swot Week, 14-18 October.