Mennonite Graduate School 2026
Every year, researchers, including PhD students, master’s students, and professors, all gather for a weekend together. This year, we gathered in Doopersduin from January 23 to 25, 2026.
This weekend always reminds us that being a researcher is not just about sitting alone in front of our laptop working on each of our research projects. There is another part that is just as important, which is spending time together. Whether through casual conversations, walking among the sand dunes, having coffee together during breaks, or just sitting and talking about life outside of academia — and yes, also about conferences, publications, and developing networks. These seemingly small moments actually matter more than we sometimes realize. We were reminded that a good research process also requires community, people you can talk to and think with.
In between all that, of course, we also listened to each other, learned, and shared our ideas. Each of us brought our ongoing research projects and shared where we were in our writing processes and research developments. For example, one participant researched how historical sites, pilgrimage practices, and fieldwork can revive religious communities that have been almost forgotten, and how this contributes to the preservation of vulnerable cultural heritage. Another explored the relationship between climate activism and peace in faith communities, while yet another studied peace theology in the context of Myanmar.
In that room, we learned to listen to each other, give feedback, and even challenge each other — discussing what had developed, what was still stuck, and which questions remained unanswered. What struck me about the discussions was how open and enthusiastic everyone was. People asked questions, gave input, and sought clarification on points that intrigued them. There was no hierarchy in the room; everyone, regardless of where they were in their academic journey/career, listened and gave each other space to speak.
Each day began and ended with vespers. This space gave us time to pause, reflect on what was happening — in our research, in our lives, or in the wider world — and remember where we stand. The weekend was also brought to a close with the breaking and sharing of bread, as part of the World Fellowship Day of Mennonite World Conference 2026, with the theme of solidarity. We were invited to sit with a question that felt close to everything we had been discussing: “And who is my neighbor?” — and further, “How do I become a neighbor?” A fitting end to a weekend that reminded us, again, that research does not happen in isolation, and neither does being human
This gathering, I think, is what made the weekend feel whole. I used to think that “spending time together” was not productive, especially in an academic setting. But academia is not only about theory and publications; informal spaces like this are where people can actually strengthen each other. Being an academic is also about connectedness, humility, and making room to just be human.
From Doopersduin, we went home with more to think about and more people to think with.
Looking forward to meeting again next year, January 29-31, 2027!
Written by: Mikhael Ardiyanto
