The 2025 AIMS@JCU writing retreat took place over three idyllic days on Magnetic Island, set in a beautiful Airbnb. Ten PhD students came together with a unified objective: to enhance their academic writing and move closer to completing their degrees. Each day kicked off with invigorating beach yoga sessions, followed by engaging discussions with guest speakers focused on boosting productivity and effective daily planning. Participants also took part in productive pomodoro writing sessions—25 minutes of focused writing followed by a mandatory 5-minute break.

Three postdoctoral researchers shared insights into their own PhD journeys, offering strategic advice on what helped them succeed and how they’ve transitioned into their current roles—providing both inspiration and practical guidance for students at earlier stages.

Throughout the retreat, attendees savoured delicious meals, enjoyed stunning vistas, and took leisurely strolls along the beach with fellow peers. Social gatherings like barbecues and a dinner out also provided a supportive atmosphere for students to unwind and exchange valuable advice on navigating the challenges of PhD candidature.

Testimonials:

“Opportunities to present and receive feedback on our work were integral to the retreat experience. All of us achieved our initial writing goals with significant progress made in drafting chapters and publications. Prior to the retreat, many of us felt that our chapters and publications were in rough shape; by its conclusion, they had been well drafted and edited with the help of thoughtful peers. Several of us have attended multiple AIMS@JCU retreats and can attest to their transformative impact. Each time we leave reinvigorated, motivated, and feeling profoundly accomplished. The retreat’s structured environment, free from everyday distractions like meal planning and commuting to AIMS/JCU, proved pivotal in accelerating manuscript and chapter drafting processes." 

“The people make or break a retreat! We had an awesome crew this time that was really fun. We took our breaks together, swapped work, shared stories, shared resources, vented, etc.
The main difference in work output was the I've come a long way in my writing abilities and I'm able to produce quality writing/editing/feedback so much faster. I produced so much more new and
improved writing than at any previous retreat. Having this retreat in the last two months of my PhD was perfect and will lead to a much more refined and well constructed thesis.”