Off-grid Cities writing workshop in Cambridge

From 4-6 September 2023, the Off-Grid Cities project hosted a team writing workshop at Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, England. The project visit to the UK was designed around the team attending and presenting their research at the Annual Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG) Conference 2023, in London, followed by an intensive writing workshop at the University of Cambridge. This writing workshop was a strategic opportunity to build team capacity and to share experiences and methods around writing. The workshop was facilitated by Cambridge Professor and project team member, Charlotte Lemanski, and was designed to be a supportive space to help the team to make progress on written work towards publication. This three-day workshop comprised a mix of activities, ranging from dedicated writing time to paper discussions, writing exercises and experimentations.

In advance of the workshop, each individual prepared and submitted a draft paper. Each paper was reviewed, and feedback was given to each author in small groups, to support the author developing a plan for finalising their paper. Outside of the formal workshop the team explored Cambridge together going out for dinners, ice-cream and open water swimming in the River Cam.

Morning ice-breaker on the first day of the workshop. Left to right: Brian Murahwa, Margot Rubin, Joanna Watterson, Temba Middelmann, Samkelisiwe Khanyile, Fiona Anciano, SJ Cooper-Knock, Christina Culwick Fatti

Post-writing session discussion and walk around the Newnham College grounds. Left to right: Joanna Watterson, Temba Middelmann, Charlotte Lemanski and Margot Rubin

Off-grid team members who attended the writing workshop. Left to right (back row): Charlotte Lemanski, Temba Middelmann, Fiona Anciano, Joanna Watterson, Samkelisiwe Khanyile, SJ Cooper-Knock, Brian Murahwa. (front) Christina Culwick Fatti, Margot Rubin