Even more May sessions added!

Upcoming Sessions 

Stay tuned for updates about further sessions!

What is Shut Up and Write?

The Shut Up and Write (SUAW) program has been run by students, for students, at ANU since 2012. Over the years, Shut Up and Write has helped hundreds of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students make progress in their degrees. 

Shut Up and Write sessions are for you to get together regularly and focus on short, intense bursts of productive writing in a supportive environment, using the Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves writing in silence for 50-minute bursts, with regular ten-minute rests for coffee, snacks and chatting. Writers work on their own tasks – there are no set exercises or group work. Chatting in between sessions is a good way to have a ‘brain break’ and to share methods, successes, challenges, and opportunities as writers. For more information, read what the Thesis Whisperer says on how Shut Up and Write works.

ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions 

Our sessions take place most weeks of the academic year, with free lunch or dinner provided for a limited number of HDR students in each session. Please see below for more details.

Wednesday morning sessions | 10 am – 3 pm

• During teaching breaks
• Location: Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Kambri – please check event-specific information for further details about the exact venue

Thursday night sessions | 3 – 8 pm

• Weekly (with exceptions)
• Location: ANUSA Boardroom, Level 2 of Di Riddell Student Centre, Kambri

Friday morning sessions | 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

• Weekly (with exceptions)
• Location: McDonald Room, Menzies Library

If you wish to bring Shut Up and Write sessions to your college or residential buildings, please reach out to the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator for further enquiries.

Who can Attend ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions? 

ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions are open to all HDR students, including: 

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); 

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil); 

• Master students producing a thesis.  

We also welcome Honours students, postgraduate coursework students, and early career academics. However, please note that non-HDR attendees may not be eligible for a complimentary meal. To enquire about catering as a non-HDR student, please email the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator.

Who is Eligible for the Complimentary Meal?

Free lunch or dinner tickets will be provided to attendees who meet the following requirements:

• Be an HDR student;

• Participate in at least three out of the four writing sprints;

• Have writing tasks to work on during the sessions (e.g., thesis, papers, or coding) rather than drafting emails or doing online courses, etc.

As the number of meal tickets is limited and in high demand for each session, we kindly ask those who are unsure about whether they meet the suggested requirements to register for a ‘no meal/BYO ticket’ instead.

Non-HDR students (e.g., Honours students, coursework postgraduate students): if you would like to be catered, please email the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator.

Cancellation

Because the Shut Up and Write sessions are catered, we kindly request that if you are unable to attend a session, please notify the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator at least 3 days in advance. Persistent bookings without attendance and without prior notice may result in the suspension of your ability to attend future sessions.

How can I register to join ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions?

Walk-in attendance is welcome, subject to venue capacity!

To secure the complimentary meals at ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions, registration is required. Registration for complimentary meals for the current week’s sessions closes on Monday at 10 am. If you miss the registration and would like to have a complimentary meal, please email the ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator at sa.suaw@anu.edu.au