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Target Audience: Who the course is aimed at

This is a live in-person event.

Join us in kicking off Strathclyde’s newest initiative, the Power Hour of Writing, in a festive-themed in-person writing opportunity followed by some optional networking over hot drinks and mince pies. This is a chance for researchers to write distraction-free, build community, and celebrate progress.

Join us for the first in-person session of Power Hour of Writing, Strathclyde’s newest monthly initiative. Power Hour of Writing was created by Dr Stephanie Zihms, currently at Glasgow Caledonian University, and is designed to help researchers carve out protected time for writing, foster a sense of community, and celebrate progress together. This hour is yours to write without distractions, whether you’re drafting a grant proposal or finishing your thesis. There will then be a chance to network over some hot drinks and mince pies.  

For more information about the Power Hour of Writing, see their website. 

This is a joint initiative between the Researcher Development Teams for postgraduate researchers and research staff to foster a supportive and inclusive environment.

The evidence it works 

Dr Stephanie Zihms (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Dr Clare Reid Mackie (University of the West of Scotland) found that researchers attending the Power Hour of Writing reported greater writing-related confidence, an improved sense of belonging within academic communities, and felt the initiative enabled them to legitimise time writing (Zihms and Mackie, 2023).  

In-person festive kick-off event details 

Date: Friday 12 December 2025 

Time: 9.30 – 11.30 (includes optional 30 min networking from 11.00 – 11.30) 

Location: Doctoral training room, TIC 

Additional information: Festive jumpers are not mandatory but are highly encouraged!  

References 

Zihms, S.G. and Mackie, C.R., 2023. The Power Hour of Writing: An empirical evaluation of our online writing community. Journal of Academic Writing, 13(1), pp.22-34

This is a one-off event, there is no wait list.

Accessibility

On-campus activity

• Full access information for the venue is available via AccessAble 
• Hybrid provision is not available 
• There will be audience participation
• You are asked to attend the whole session
• This is a short session without a break
• The session is relaxed – this means you can stretch, move around, stim etc.
• In line with current University health and safety guidance, attendees are encouraged to use face masks
• The room has mechanical ventilation / The room has passive ventilation (i.e. open windows
• Please contact osdu-equity@strath.ac.uk to discuss any further access requirements

Prerequisites

Cancellation Policy

When applying for a course, you should note that there will be a £50* charge to your Department / School if you do not attend your place on the course. There will be no charge as long as you cancel your booked place before the event or notify our staff at osdu@strath.ac.uk that you can no longer attend.

A Department / School is welcome to send someone else in your place if they wish without incurring a charge, providing that person has the necessary prerequisites for the course. In the case of courses split over more than one day, you are expected to attend ALL parts of the course.

*This is the standard charge for cancellation or non-attendance of a course of 1-day duration or less. For some courses, there may be a higher cancellation charge and if this is the case you will be advised of this at the time of booking.