ANUSA HDR Program – Shut Up and Write 

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

What is Shut Up and Write?

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 minutes bursts, with regular ten-minute rests for coffee, snacks and chatting. Chatting is a good way to have a ‘brain break’, especially between intense periods of focus. Writers work on their own tasks – there are no set exercises or group work. This is a great way to share methods, successes, challenges, and opportunities as writers. Read what the Thesis Whisperer says on how to Shut Up and Write works.

ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions 

Join ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions, a dynamic and supportive writing program designed to fuel your productivity and foster a vibrant writing community. Free lunch or dinner will be provided. Please find below the detailed arrangements.

Our sessions take place every weekly, providing multiple opportunities to dive into your writing projects:

• • Tuesday night session (6pm-9pm; shorter): ANU Drill Hall at Kingsley Street;

• • Wednesday morning session (10am-3pm; longer): University House at Rimmer Street next to Lena Karmel UniLodge (NOT Balmain Cres);

• • Thursday night session (3pm-8pm; longer): ANUSA Boardroom at Di Riddell Student Centre Level 2

• • Friday morning session (10am-3pm; longer): University House at Rimmer Street next to Lena Karmel UniLodge (NOT Balmain Cres)

If you are interested in bringing the Shut Up and Write sessions to your college or accommodation buildings, please reach out to ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator for any support or enquiries.

Who can Attend ANUSA Shut Up and Write Sessions? 

ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions are open to all Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Students, including: 

• • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); 

• • Master of Philosophy (MPhil); 

• • Master students producing a thesis.  

We also welcome postgraduate coursework students, early career academics, and HDR students from other universities to attend by emailing ANUSA Shut Up and Write Coordinator, but they are not eligible for the complimentary meal.  

Who is Eligible for the Complementary Meal?

Free lunch or dinner will be provided to the attendees meeting the following requirements (for our longer sessions):

• • Must be an HDR student;

• • Participate in at least three out of the four 50-minute 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 unsure about meeting the suggested requirements to register for a ‘no meal/BYO ticket.’

Cancellation

As the SUAW 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?

To secure your spot at ANUSA Shut Up and Write sessions, registration is required for each session. Please note that due to catering arrangements, registration for meal tickets of the morning sessions closes 5 days in advance.

 

The Week Starting on 16 December

18 December | Wednesday morning SUAW session @ Wright Hall Dinning Hall, 10:30am-2:30pm 

19 December | Thursday evening SUAW session @ ANUSA Boardroom, 3pm-8pm 

20 December | Friday morning SUAW session @ Wright Hall Dinning Hall, 10:30am-2:30pm