On 14 June, 16 satisfied LiU PhD students left the 2024 retreat ready to resume their academic journey equipped with new tools and renewed energy. The knowledge retreat is more than just a place for academic development; it is an inspiring and creative platform for doctoral students to meet and reflect on their research in a cross-disciplinary atmosphere in the countryside over four days.
“Having the time to make connections in a calm environment where everyone is going in the same direction is priceless. This is difficult to find elsewhere. I find it rewarding to get to bounce ideas and collaborate with so many smart people,” says Anna Eriksson, PhD student in education with a focus on research into bullying.
Workshops that engage and inspire
The theme of this year's programme was "Communicating research, bridging boundaries and sharing knowledge beyond academia" and included three different workshops. Åsa Burman, known for her expertise in academic productivity, held a workshop where she shared hands-on techniques to structure thesis work. Amanda Norling, a PhD student in social science didactics, says that she learned how to allocate her working hours in order to be satisfied with what she achieves during a working day; she now sees the value of accomplishments other than simply producing text. Oscar Bauer, PhD student in psychology:
“I got new perspectives on setting goals and good techniques for avoiding tunnel vision during the thesis process. Now I will be able to work more efficiently.”
Ruhi Tyson, docent in education, together with Anusha Tyson, an artist working for Historieberättarna, held workshops focusing on artistic processes and storytelling. They engaged the participants with interactive exercises that promoted creativity as well as writing and organisational skills.
“Drawing and writing with Ruhi was so valuable. I learned to let go and dare to be creative without having to be productive,” says Anna Eriksson.
Keti Chukrov is an art and culture theorist, researcher and artist and has been a visiting professor in Tage Danielsson’s name at LiU for the past year. She gave a presentation and led a discussion about language, philosophy, culture and art.
“For me, the more informal discussions were the most rewarding. Putting your research into words and explaining it to someone who is outside your own field makes you see your research with new eyes,” says Lena Hollstenius, PhD student in literature didactics.
A generous and long-lasting donation
Viveka Adelswärd, linguist and professor emerita at LiU, is the heart behind the initiative. For three years her generosity has created these retreats, which have proven to be an invaluable resource for PhD students. She wants current doctoral students to have the opportunity to experience the same kind of cross-disciplinary atmosphere at LiU as she did.
“I have the impression that many PhD students in the subjects that are close to my heart feel quite lonely,” says Viveka Adelswärd, and she hopes the retreats will continue.
Viveka Adelswärd has created a space where they experience community and engage in personal and professional development that will stay with them for a long time to come.
“What I will take with me is valuable ways of thinking in terms of my thesis work. I’ve learned to manage myself, to take advantage of the wisdom of people around me, and that others are struggling too, with various things. But discussions and reflections have made us move forward together,” says Helena Myllymäki Jonsson, PhD student in behavioural sciences and learning.
Network for future collaborations
The retreat exceeded the participants’ expectations and became an important starting point for future collaborations. Joakim Söderström, PhD student in geography education, highlighted the importance of networking and the safe and social environment. Several participants emphasised how much they valued the opportunity to share their research with people who had similar interests, something they had previously been lacking.
“The most important thing for me was to get in touch with other PhD students. I am new as a PhD student and the retreat has given me a greater understanding of academia,” says Amanda Norling, PhD student in education.
Participants left the knowledge retreat with newfound inspiration, renewed motivation, new colleagues, and practical tools with which to structure their work.
Participating PhD students in 2024
Group photo, top to bottom, left to right: Hossam Sultan, Amanda Norling, Anna Lundvall, Natalie Söderpil Jakauby, Oscar Bauer, Anna Eriksson, Anna Alvemark (obstructed), Lena Hollstenius, Sara Peltokangas, Joakim Söderström, Burak Alp Çakar, Theodor Mejias Nihlén, Ali Amiri Mohammad and Lena Christl de Kloe. (Dakota Lagercrantz and Helena Myllymäki Jonsson not visible in photo).
