AIR & LIGHT & TIME And SPACE

Academic Writing Retreat

Tuesday, May 19 - Thursday, May 21, 2026

Mystic Marriot, Groton CT

Overview

In her book Air & Light & Time & Space, Helen Sword reveals the findings of four years of research interviewing successful academicians about the factors that contribute to their success. Her results: there is no single prescription! Each scholar interviewed had cultivated basic habits of mind and behavior that worked for their varied and particular needs. And yet, there are ways in which finding, or making, or carving the time to write remains the holy grail of academic work life productivity in the minds of many.

In ALTAS, Brown University's two-day off-site writing retreat, we aim to offer both: the hallowed conditions of air and light and time and space to write that, more often than not, elude us in the course of our regular lives (thank you, Bukowski); and also the time to reflect on how to create conditions for a sustainable writing practice when we do not have access to a cabin on the lake with our mothers doing our laundry and cooking and delivering our meals to us (you’re welcome, Thoreau). Relatedly, the benefits of this retreat are at least two-fold: 1) it offers a period of dedicated time away from the demands of regular life to relaunch into research and writing; and 2) participants will depart with a plan for maintaining momentum upon returning to the normal rhythms of life. If taken at full advantage, the dividends will prove to be multiplicative.

So, we invite you to receive this opportunity as not merely a gift to yourself, but an investment in yourself. A commitment to the headspace for creating the necessary and sustainable conditions for doing the research and writing that is so vital to our careers, but which is all too often relegated to the back burner when other priorities that possess built-in accountability take over. We invite you to reclaim some time and space. This time is for you. This space is for you.

Program Agenda

Tuesday, May 19

REFLECTION

Welcome Dinner & Orientation

4:00 pm Check-in Available

6:00 pm Welcome Dinner & Discussion:

"Air, Light, Time, Space: Reflecting on the Necessary Conditions for Research and Writing"

Wednesday, May 20

INTENTION

Writing on Site and

Developing Sustainable Strategies

7:30 am Breakfast is available

8:30 am Writing Session 1

10:30 Break

10:45 Writing Session 2

12:45 Lunch

1:30 Flex Time: Writing, Self-Care, or Workshop

3:00 Writing Session 3

6:00 Dinner

7:00pm Writing Session 4

Thursday, May 21

PROPAGATION

Writing on Site and

Actionable Take-aways to Sustain Momentum

7:30 am Breakfast is available

8:30 am Writing Session 5

10:30 Break

10:45 Writing Session 6

12:45 Lunch

1:30 Stretch & Reflect

2:30 Writing Session 7

5:00 End of Writing Day

5:30 Closing Toast & Takeaways

6:30 Depart for home

Day 2 Workshop Session for Registered Participants: "Building the BASE for Sustainable Writing Habits," 1:30-3:00

This fee-based workshop will engage participants in a reflective process on their particular habits around writing, and offer discussion and coaching on whether, when, and how to shift habits for more satisfying and productive habits that are sustainable for one's changing life and career circumstances. Book and materials are included in the workshop fee. Those wishing to attend the workshop should add Day 2 workshop to their cart during checkout.

Resources Folder (will be posted after the program concludes)

The Venue

Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa

625 North Road (Route 117)

Groton, Connecticut, USA, 06340

While this is a working retreat, participants may wish to add time on their stay, either before or after, to enjoy some of the nearby attractions. The Mystic Marriott Hotel is a short drive from downtown Mystic, with its renowned aquarium and the Mystic Seaport Museum. Equally close are Groton’s submarine-themed attractions, including the historic USS Nautilus, and sandy stretches along the Connecticut shoreline, such as Esker Point Beach and Ocean Beach Park.

Visit the

Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa

web site to learn more about hotel amenities.

The Application Process

Space is limited for this intensive writing retreat for academicians. Interested faculty should fully review the details of the program and submit a complete application during the application window below.

COST

The ALTAS Faculty Writing Retreat runs from May 19th, 4:00pm through May 21st, 6:00pm. The cost of this all-inclusive academic writing retreat is $2000. There is also an optional add-on 1.5 hour group coaching workshop that attendees may attend for an additional $200. If accepted, Brown University faculty are eligible for an internal grant to partially mitigate costs of this program; please contact Esther Jones to inquire about details and how to apply.

This retreat is an eligible expense for Brown University faculty start-up funds and research bursary utilization. Non-Brown faculty should inquire with their home institution as to whether this is a qualifying research expense.

APPLICATION WINDOW

Interested faculty should apply during the application window which opens on February 23 and closes on March 23. Accepted applicants will be invited to submit payment after receipt of their notification of acceptance email.

ELIGIBILITY

Priority will be granted to full-time faculty members for whom research is part of their responsibility mix. Applicants will be asked to submit a brief statement about the project that they hope to advance during the retreat and what they hope to accomplish during the retreat. Applicants will be asked whether they can commit to the full 2.25 days; those who can do so will be granted priority consideration.

NOTIFICATION AND PAYMENT TIMELINE

Applicants will be notified of the status of their acceptance by Wednesday, April 8. Accepted applicants will be emailed a link to the payment portal and should complete payment by Wednesday, April 22 to secure your place at the retreat. We will institute a waiting list in case of cancellations.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Due to hotel guarantees and the need to pay conference costs and fees in advance, refunds can not be issued after Friday, May 1, 2026. Should you need to cancel after payment, but before this date, please notify Matt Wheeler in writing before May 1, 2026 at midnight EST.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research is not part of my responsibility mix in my faculty appointment role, but I have a work-related project that is writing intensive; am I eligible to apply?

This workshop is designed primarily for faculty of any rank who have research as part of their core job responsibilities; these candidates will be given first priority. However, faculty who do not have research as part of their responsibility mix may be considered if they have a work-related project that would benefit from dedicated writing time.

Do I have to participate in writing on site, or can I just stay in my room and write?

We expect participants to engage in the collective write-together experience. Evening facilitated discussions are optional, but recommended.

Can I bring my kids/family?

While we will not be able to provide childcare via the program, we are striving to create an experience that enables faculty with families to participate. Children are welcome as long as there is a caregiver or other parent/caregiver/guardian who can provide care while the participating faculty member is working during the day and the optional evening sessions. There are nearby museums and sites that family members can visit during the day while participants are working. The application form will request information from you regarding whether family will come with you to aid us in our reservation process.

If I bring my family, can they join for meals?

Family members may join for breakfasts and dinners.

Mystic seems like an interesting place to visit; can I extend my stay for a day or two beyond the retreat?

Technically, the venue is located in Groton, which is very close to Mystic. But to answer the question, yes; if you would like to pay to extend your time to enjoy nearby local activities, or to simply extend your writing experience, the cost to extend your stay is $199/night, pending availability. Additional nights outside of the program time frame are the responsibility of the participant.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Due to hotel guarantees and the need to pay conference costs and fees in advance, refunds can not be issued after May 1, 2026. Should you need to cancel after payment, but before this date, please notify Matt Wheeler in writing before May 1, 2026 at midnight EST.

Need More Information?

Contact Esther Jones (esther_jones@brown.edu) or Matt Wheeler (matthew_wheeler@brown.edu) in the Office for Faculty Development, Brown University, if you have additional questions.

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