Social Complexity Retreat based on The Atlas of Social Complexity

On the 12th and 13th of June, the Durham Research Methods Centre (DRMC) held its first Social Complexity Retreat based on The Atlas of Social Complexity. Our hope is that this will be an ongoing event.

For those who've not been on an academic retreat, it is not a workshop and is, most certainly, 180 degrees opposite of a conference. 

 

RETREATS ARE NOT WORKSHOPS OR CONFERENCES 

Unlike a conference or workshop, a retreat offers time for deep focus, personal reflection, and informal exchange, rather than a litany of scheduled talks or formal presentations. This slower pace allows participants to think more creatively, build stronger connections, and explore new ideas without the pressure to present finished work. However, as anyone who has led an academic retreat knows, the more structured and organised the event is, the more relaxed and free-to-think people become.

 QUICK OVERVIEW OF OUR RETREAT

The academic retreat held in Durham offered participants a valuable opportunity to step back from their everyday routines and focus on their own work. It created a space to think, write, and reflect without the usual pressures of email, meetings, or digital interruptions. Attendees were encouraged to treat the time as a break from daily responsibilities and to be as present as possible—keeping phones off, avoiding social media, and setting clear out-of-office messages.

Organised around the themes of the Atlas of Social Complexity, the retreat used the book as a starting point for thinking about the future of the field and how a “social complexity imagination” might help shape new research and methods. Participants brought their own projects, questions, and challenges into the mix, contributing to a rich and open exchange of ideas.

In addition to individual work time, the retreat included several creativity exercises and small group sessions. These activities encouraged participants to approach their research from fresh angles, share work-in-progress, and make use of the collective expertise in the room. Whether writing, talking, or taking time to reflect, everyone was given the freedom to define success on their own terms. The retreat was a chance to slow down, connect with others, and make meaningful progress.

For those potentially interested, we will announce via our social media and communication channels when we will host the next retreat.