Seeking Wytham Woods' next Writer in Residence

The Wytham Woods team are seeking applications from writers who would like to be Writer in Residence for 2023-24. The year-long residency starts in June. The full description of the role is below, and can also be downloaded here.

This year to assist us in narrowing down the range of applications we are specifically seeking a poet, with the intention of appointing a non-poet in 2024-25. As we state in the role description, we welcome applications from writers at all stages of their writing careers, and we expect new creative outlooks to have an impact upon the residency.

The Woodland Words Writing Residency

About Wytham Woods

Wytham Woods is an ancient semi-natural woodland, which has been owned and maintained by the University of Oxford since 1942. It is internationally renowned for its scientific research, with its 1000 acres being a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, and one of the most researched pieces of woodland in the world. Wytham is exceptionally rich in flora and fauna, with over 500 species of plants, a wealth of woodland habitats, and 800 species of butterflies and moths. The Woods are enjoyed by walkers, wildlife enthusiasts, and school children, in addition to the researchers both from the University and around the world.

However the Woods are not famous for science alone, and have also inspired many people from across the divide between Arts and Science, perhaps most famously in Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse novel, The Way Through The Woods. The Wytham team are keen to expand involvement with the arts, and in recent years have hosted music performances, art installations and exhibitions.

For further information on Wytham Woods please visit: www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk. For insight into research projects carried out, there is a series of short films available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjgO-QqeHQ3vRHZhBZzFFDMpQov5IkDZb

Description of Residency

As the Woodland Words Residency is still relatively new, we have enjoyed seeing it grow and change. This year we are seeking to appoint a poet, with the intention of seeking a non-poet during the following year (2024-25). However we expect new creative outlooks to have an impact upon the residency and therefore the prescriptions in the list of duties are open to change. We welcome applications from writers at all stages of their writing careers.

Please read the list of duties, provisions, expected outcomes and the note on fees carefully. Any further questions should be directed to: wytham.woods@admin.ox.ac.uk

For further information on previous residencies, please visit: https://www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk/the-woodland-words-residency

Duration:

One year: 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024.

Duties:

• To actively engage with the local community (defined as all site users, including all visitors, walkers, and local schools) and to develop ideas for, and implement, workshops/competitions/any other plans in conjunction with the Conservator and Marketing & Engagement Officer*

• Attendance at a quarterly meeting with the Conservator and Marketing & Engagement Officer to set objectives and to ensure the Woods team provide the necessary support. To also attend a handover meeting with the outgoing Writer in Residence.

• To provide text for and arrange editing of an anthology of c. 20 poems. The funding of the publication will be supported by the Woods up to a sum of £1000. The design of the publication will be specified by Wytham Woods.

• To provide content for the Woodland Words area of the Wytham Woods website, in the style of a blog. Support will be provided by the Marketing & Engagement Officer.

• To assist with the recruitment of the subsequent Writer in Residence.

* See ‘Fees’.

The University will provide:

• A bursary of £1000 for the year – to be paid quarterly.

• 10 days of lodging at the Chalet (use of private bedroom, shared kitchen and wash facilities, and seminar room.)

• A University email account.

• Insurance cover for any workshops involving the public.

• Publicity for events and other public outputs, including costs incurred.

Expected outcomes:

• To increase the public awareness of Wytham Woods and its research community.

• To raise the profile of the Writer in Residence, and the Woodland Words Residency.

• To engage with new groups and grow new audiences both for the Woods and the Writer in Residence.

• Following the residency, the appointee is invited to maintain a connection with Wytham Woods as an Associate Writer. (We would like to continue a working partnership with all our writers, as we have with the previous two Writers in Residence.)

Fees:

• The bursary is simply to assist with day-to-day expenses. Any further input to workshops or training events would be at a jointly agreed daily fee.

• Any events organised under the auspices of the Writer in Residence for which the post-holder is paid a fee and/or charges for attendance would need to be confirmed with the Conservator of Wytham Woods.

How to apply:

To apply for the Woodland Words residency please submit a proposal of what you would wish to achieve during the year, in terms of creative output, workshop ideas, and raising awareness. (Maximum 1 A4 page, font size 12.)

Please also submit an extract of your work, no more 4 poems. Please make sure that your full name is included on each document. Documents should be either in Microsoft Word or PDF format, or as scanned images. (.pages files cannot be opened).

Applications and queries should be sent to Lucy Kilbey: lucy.kilbey@admin.ox.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is 16 April 2023.