MarDATA Writing Retreat
MarDATA doctoral researchers from AWI and GEOMAR recently gathered on Helgoland for a four-day writing retreat. In a focused and distraction-free setting, they worked on dissertations, articles, and proposals - supported by writing workshops, keynote talks, and peer exchange tailored to the needs of interdisciplinary marine data science.
Writing in Isolation: Marine Data Science Doctoral Researchers Take Part in Four-Day Retreat on the Remote Island of Helgoland
Helgoland, May 2025 – Against the rugged backdrop of the North Sea, a group of doctoral researchers from MarDATA came together on the island of Helgoland for a unique purpose: to write. From May 12 to 15, MarDATA hosted a four-day writing retreat specifically designed for doctoral researchers in the final phase of their PhDs.
The retreat provided participants with an opportunity to step away from their daily routines and concentrate fully on their writing - whether working on dissertations, journal articles, or research proposals. With research spanning diverse fields such as physical oceanography, sea ice, geophysics, numerical modeling, and machine learning, the interdisciplinary group found common ground in the shared challenges and rewards of “getting it done” and finally completing that one document that had been sitting on their desks for far too long.
Helgoland - far from everyday distractions and rich in scientific heritage - offered the ideal environment for focused work and peer support. The retreat program combined extended writing blocks with academic writing masterclasses and keynote talks delivered by senior researchers from MarDATA. These sessions provided insights into the writing process from experienced academics accustomed to navigating the complexities of interdisciplinary research.
An important element of the retreat was the informal, self-organized peer exchanges, where participants independently shared their goals, discuss writing strategies, and offer feedback. These spontaneous interactions often transcended disciplinary boundaries, fostering fresh perspectives on how to clearly and effectively communicate complex, data-driven research.
Our goal was to create not only a space for productivity but also a shared experience that addresses the specific challenges of interdisciplinary research and doctoral projects
Dr. Enno Prigge, Head of Early Career Support at GEOMAR & MarDATA Coordinator
The retreat exemplified the strong collaboration between AWI and GEOMAR within MarDATA and underscored the growing need for tailored academic support in data-intensive research fields. Participants returned to their home institutions with clearer texts, renewed motivation, and a stronger sense of connection across institutional and disciplinary boundaries.
Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback, MarDATA is already exploring plans to make the Helgoland retreat a permanent fixture in its training program - an annual opportunity for focused writing and professional reflection for the next generation of marine data scientists.
