Putting Words to Paper whilst Fostering Meaningful Interdisciplinary Collaboration: SCAF's Fifth Writing Retreat
Published: 20 July 2026
Reflections from the latest SCAF writing retreat, held 1-4 June at Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE), in Loch Lomond.
Writing retreats are one of SCAF’s key activities. They support one of our core aims - facilitating connections across disciplines and sectors to enable collaborative research. They also provide our members with a supportive and productive environment, allowing them dedicated writing time to progress projects and create and develop ideas.
Our fifth retreat took place at Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE), returning to the same location as our first and second retreats, and following the third and fourth events at The Burn and Loch Insh. With 18 participants in attendance, the group expertise spanned human nutrition, public health nutrition, mathematics, food security, translation studies, global health, health and behaviour, education, computing science, pharmacology, culture in society, and consumer ethics and sustainability – a unique opportunity to learn more about how food is perceived and studied across sectors and disciplines.
SCAF retreats include quiet, structured writing blocks with peer support and accountability, as well as goal setting. These focused blocks are supplemented with group activities, including an opportunity to come together and create a collective artefact on ‘Strategies to make a better food future happen’ with perspectives on People, Funding, Innovation, Culture, Values, and Traditions.
A participant's highlight was making significant progress on personal projects and fostering meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations by making new connections and strengthening existing ones.
“As a freelancer working in the food and health world, I get very little free time to focus on either my writing or to reflect on my work projects. The retreat delivered on both of these, big style. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people in related fields and gaining from their experiences.” Robin Ireland, Senior Adviser, Obesity Action Scotland and Honorary Research Fellow, University of Glasgow
“The experience was fantastic. Not only did I achieve my objectives, but taking a break from daily household routines allowed me to fully concentrate on my writing. Additionally, I expanded my network with several great new contacts while strengthening existing connections.” Sarah Nájera Espinosa, Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Outside of structured writing time and collaborative work, the beautiful surroundings at Loch Lomond offered a chance to explore. Amy Rankine, PhD student at QMU and professional foraging guide, led the group on a foraging walk, and some participants braved (multiple) swims in the loch. In the evenings, Jess Enright stepped in as game master for a few rounds of ‘Blood on the Clocktower’ and led this year’s quiz, both excellent ways to socialise.
“My personal goals were several and with the help of this retreat I managed to make a huge progress in my work. Thank you.” Monika Gostic, Director, Dr Monika Gostic Nutrition Ltd
“This was another excellent event. It is so helpful to have the dedicated time to write surrounded by colleagues. I made good progress and valuable new connections.” Cindy Gray, Interdisciplinary Professor of Health and Behaviour, University of Glasgow
Existing members who would like to attend the next writing retreat should check Slack and the newsletter for details of upcoming events.
If you are not yet a member and would like to benefit from opportunities like the writing retreat, you can join the alliance here.
First published: 20 July 2026