Welcome to this fortnight's issue of the Doctoral College Newsletter. 

In the following sections you will find the following:

• PGR News
• Opportunities
• The SU update
• Women in Data Seminar Series
• Networks
• Podcasts 
• Researcher Experience Blogs
• Training and Development resources 
• Wellbeing

If you have a news story or an opportunity you would like to advertise in the newsletter please email: doctoral.college@exeter.ac.uk.

Congratulations to John Blackmore, English Literature PhD candidate, who has been chosen to be a part of Edinburgh Festival’s TV PhD Talent scheme! You can read more about the 2021 scheme here. 

Connecting with Industry: A training programme

Are you a Social Sciences or Law Early Career Researcher or PhD student looking to engage with companies?  The universities of Exeter and Bristol and the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) are collaborating to provide this fully funded training programme that will equip participants with the tools, skills and confidence required to work more effectively with or in industry. The course starts Tuesday 10 August 2021 for six consecutive weeks and will take place 2.00-4.00pm BST. To register for a place and confirm your eligibility please complete this online form.

Alexander Fleming Prize 2021

The prize is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is a £20,000 prize for a doctoral thesis level project which will benefit global public health, particularly health issues affecting people living in low and middle income countries. Deadline:15 August 2021. See full details here. 

Communicating Science to Wider Audiences

What makes well communicated science? On Friday 20 August 2021 4.30pm-6.00pm BST, Dr Stacey Bedwell will deliver a webinar on communicating science to wider audiences. For more information and to book a place follow this link. Numbers are limited.

Defence and Security Doctoral Symposium 2021

DSDS21 is a national conference that is hosted by Cranfield University and is sponsored by AWE and Dstl. The aim of the event is to showcase the work of research students and early career researchers in the areas of defence and security, covering the social sciences as well as the technical and scientific aspects of defence and security. The final date for submission of abstracts is 26 August 2021 and that the event is free of charge. When? 9 November 2021. See there website for full details.

The DICE Champion Programme

Diversity - Inclusion - Cohesion - Equality. Do you want to operate with authenticity on DICE matters, in business and in life? Then the DICE programme is for you. Book onto their free course. It provides the foundational knowledge required to take a deeper dive and engage in richer discussion throughout the programme. Access will expire Tuesday 31 August 2021.

Futures 2021

On 24 & 25 September Agile Rabbit are leading an event called Futures 2021 on behalf of the University, as part of European Researchers’ Night that takes place across 200 cities. They are on the lookout for researchers with exciting ideas for interactive engagement with the general public. If you are interested in learning more or being involved please contact k.baker2@exeter.ac.uk or contact@agile-rabbit.com.

Hello from your Students' Union! We are hosting an Open Feedback Forum meeting on the 19 August which will be a space for PGR students and student reps to give feedback on any aspect of their university experience (from teaching to funding and accommodation). It is also an opportunity for you to meet and talk (virtually) with members of the SU who represent you like the SU Presidents who work on your behalf to solve any issues and improve your university experience. For more information, please look in your inbox for an email from the SU. See you there!

As researchers, we dream of helping to solve the world’s problems. Data holds the key to understanding the urgent global issues our world is facing, so it’s no surprise that data-related jobs present the fastest growing industry in the world. But there is a big problem in the world of big data. According to The Alan Turing Institute “women represent 47% of the workforce, yet hold less than 17% of all available tech jobs.” Join us for a brand new seminar series featuring inspirational women sharing their career and tips for students considering data-related careers.

If you are interested in joining a society for Women+ in Data, please express your interest here. We will accumulate responses and aim to open the society at the beginning of the academic year.

Seminar 1: Watch here

Dr Monique Kuglitsch shares her story and tips for getting into the field of AI, as well as the challenges and opportunities that she is currently facing with the application of AI for natural disaster management.

Seminar 2: Watch here

Dr Anjali Mazumder shares her story and tips for getting into AI, and discusses her work on the prevention of slavery and push for equality.

Qualitative and Social Research Discuss Forum

This forum is a space to ask questions about methods, share ideas/information and examples of innovative practice. Join the new Yammer group here.

Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Research Network

The Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Research Network are looking to establish a network of researchers at the University of Exeter with an interest in any aspect of neuroscience. This includes basic neuroscientists, psychologists, clinical neuroscientists, mathematicians, geneticists, and also individuals working in the humanities and social sciences. If you are interested in joining this network and helping to shape the future of the neuroscience community in Exeter, please complete this short form.

Beyond Your Research Degree

"..towards the end of my PhD, I was starting to get a little bit anxious about what was going to come next"

Katie Finning (Senior Research Officer, Health Analysis and Pandemic Insights, Office for National Statistics) Listen here.

We are currently seeking Postgraduate researchers to contribute short written blogs (approx. 500 words) for our Doctoral College webpage. We are looking for a wide variety of submissions, for example: academics you look up to, fieldwork, how you manage your research degree or challenges that you have faced.

If you are be interested or have any questions regarding your written article please contact: researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk with the header 'PGR Blogs 2021'

The Summer Training and Development Programme has now finished.

Please find all online resources and recordings available on ELE.

Over the summer period you can still attend the Doctoral College online Writing Group sessions; each using the renowned pomodoro method. All you need to do is join the Microsoft 'Team' here.

Precarity, prosperity and everything in between: PGR identities & wellbeing online event

Join us as we bring together PGRs and supervisors across institutions and disciplines, to explore the identities of a doctoral student. Wednesday 8 September 2021, 10.30am- 3.00pm BST. Register here.

Every Mind Matters

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The NHS have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. See their website here. 
Top tips to improve your mental wellbeing.

Spectrum.Life

Sprectrum.Life provides a confidential telephone, video, and live chat counselling service to help with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, bereavement and more.

Wellbeing Centre

If you would like to speak to our PGR Support Advisor for Welfare, Cathryn Baker can be contacted at: welfare.pgr@exeter.ac.uk or tel: 01392 726207. Further wellbeing information, tools and support can be found on our wellbeing webpages, 

Mindfulness - Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.30am

@UoEWellbeing

Remember we are currently not in the office however you can still contact us via email or via a Teams appointment. Full details on how to get in touch with your PGR support team, please see our enquiries webpage.

For enquries surrounding training and development please contact the team on: doctoral.college@exeter.ac.uk.

To view previous versions of the newsletter you can do so here.