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Writing ritual explained

Would you like to know more about the writing ritual activity Docturne organizes? Then here’s your chance. Geraldine, an active participant in the writing ritual meetings, explains how the activity works and why it has been so well liked among our members.

Although the actual writing of your papers, articles and thesis can seem a lonely and solitary affair at times, Docturne’s writing ritual has proven that there is strength in numbers and regular meet ups. Throughout last year, the writing rituals saw a regular flow of doctoral colleagues meeting for 2 hours, 3-4 times per week. A minute’s mediation to free the mind and some simple stretching exercises kicked off each session. Attendees would write or work on other related items for 45 minutes, alone, but alongside other supportive members. A short 10-minute break usually involved a quick visit to the kitchen to brew tea or coffee, often enjoyed with some shared ‘virtual’ cakes. Some members used this time to chat, either about personal, everyday stuff or asking and offering advice about PhD related topics. Promptly, after 10 minutes, our very own task master, Yoojin, would remind us that it was time to start the final 45-minute slot. Stretching and a restorative meditation ended the writing ritual with many of us continuing to write or work productively, since the ritual had set an inspiring tone to the day or evening.

Knowing that someone is working in companionable silence alongside us is not only a powerful and motivating tool, but the ritual also helped forge new friendships and connections. A small group of us had a fun and inspiring day to mark the end of the semester and celebrate the lifting of Covid restrictions. We met in person to do some writing (not much it has to be said), and enjoyed discussing our PhD journeys, getting to know each other better over a picnic, a walk and of course an open air, wind blowing through the trees, restorative meditation.

Join us for writing rituals this Autumn term to help set the tempo for your research and writing and create new connections and friendships within the Docturne community.

Written by: Geraldine Chell, doctoral researcher (OPPI)

Autumn 2020 in Docturne

The autumn semester 2020 was the first full semester of Docturne. We kicked off the semester with the General Assembly in September. In the General Assembly we elected a new board for the association for the next term and made decisions regarding how to run the association.

The autumn semester was also the time to launch Docturne Lift Ups: the discussion events regarding current matters in academia, research work or other relevant topics. During autumn 2020 we held two Lift Up events. The first one was ‘Let her speak – Gender equality in academia’ in which we got into deep discussions of gender equality issues in our line of work. The second Docturne Lift Up session dealt with anxiety in academia. We shared our thoughts and feelings about what causes us anxiety in the academic setting, why we might feel anxious, and what could be done to mitigate the anxiety that people working in academia experience.

In addition to the more academically focused events, Docturne also wants to enhance the communality of all doctoral students in the faculty. We think this is especially important during the pandemic when everyone is working from home and the connections to a work community might be non-existent. To do that we also try to organize some leisure time activities. In the name of supporting communality, we started hosting coffee breaks in Zoom to offer a safe place for some chitchat during the work week. We also held a Happy Holidays Party to end the year with some fun activities together. In addition, we have started a book club that meets occasionally to share opinions and thoughts about books we’ve all read (or tried to read, at least!).

In addition to the events and activities, during the autumn semester the board of Docturne also did quite a lot of work towards promoting the interest of all doctoral candidates in our faculty. We discussed with the faculty about the organization of seminar groups for doctoral students, took part in the workshop offered to supervisors of doctoral candidates, among many other things.

Thank you for everyone who took part in any of the events and activities Docturne organized during the year 2020! And remember to check the Events page for information regarding our upcoming events and activities!