Posted on by Aidan Thompson
Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd November 2026
Villa Palazzola, Rome, Italy
Submission deadline: 1700 on 1st September 2026
The Society for Educational Studies is delighted to invite applications from its members for places on a fully-funded Writing Retreat at the Villa Palazzola in Rocca di Papa, RM, Italy, for five days of writing and focussed scholarship. This is a Retreat designed to increase early career researchers’ understanding of academic publishing and set them on the road to successful publication by enhancing their skills in clarifying and presenting their ideas.
During the week, participants will develop their writing craft in a peaceful, supportive and relaxed environment. Group sessions will provide participants with valuable insights into what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ of journal and monograph publication and experiences of writing for different academic publications. We also offer private one-to-one sessions with in-depth feedback on your writing and a holistic view of your project.
The SES team facilitating the Retreat is Professors Jane Martin and Sally Power, both award-winning writers and distinguished academics. Jane is a former Executive Editor of Educational Review and History of Education, and Sally is a former Editor of Sociology and British Educational Research Journal. They both have extensive experience in academic publishing and in leading writing retreats.
A maximum of 12 fully-funded places are available and SES will meet all reasonable travel expenses, as well as accommodation and full-board at the Villa Palazzola. Please note that successful applicants are required to commit to attending for the full week.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from members of The Society for Educational Studies who are ECRs looking to build their publications portfolio. ECR status is defined as being within eight years of completion of doctoral degree (from the date of a successful viva).
There is no restriction on particular fields within educational studies, but applicants are expected to have a clearly developed idea of a writing project in mind.
How to apply
Applicants are required to send a short CV (two pages maximum) and complete the application form below by 1700 on 1st September 2026 – Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process by 1700 on 15th September 2026.
Applications will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Feasibility of Retreat leading to a published output
- Potential for making an original contribution to debate on critical enquiry in education and / or innovative new theoretical and methodological scholarship in the field of education and educational research
- Capacity to influence scholarly thought in the field of educational studies
- Potential for developing the applicant’s expertise and promoting their academic profile
If any questions arise regarding the Society for Educational Studies academic writing retreat 2026, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
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