Welcome to the Doctoral College Newsletter - your fortnightly update for events, opportunities and news specifically relevant to postgraduate researchers.

Here are just some of the highlights this week:

• Winners of the Poster Competition have been chosen! Please see the News section for details.
• Check out the announcement of this year’s recipients of the two Dean’s Commendations Awards in the News Section.
• Plan your visit to the Poster Competition exhibition in Penryn on 28 and 29 May and sign up to the 'Meet the Researcher’ session on 29 May in the Festival of PGR Research Section.

To find out more about these, and everything else at the University for PGRs, jump to the relevant sections using our linked contents list:

News

Festival of PGR Research

Opportunities

Events

Reminders

Community

Careers Support

Wellbeing Support and Sessions

Enquiries

The next newsletter will go out on Tuesday 9 June 2026. Please submit items for the next newsletter by Wednesday 3 June 2026. Please refer to our style guide before submitting your item.

You can also share your news and events on PGR Community Hub on Viva Engage, or on our Bluesky account.

The place to look for training and development opportunities at the University and beyond is our Postgraduate Researcher Training and Development Bulletin.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a poster for our Festival of PGR Research Poster Competition. All the entries have been fantastic to see and we appreciate that a lot of time and effort goes into putting these together. 

The winners of the 2026 poster competition are as follows:

STEMM

• 1st Place: Christine Laessing "Unblocking Opportunities for a Sustainable Future"
• 2nd Place: Veronica White "Exploring visions for the future of farming in England"
• 3rd Place: Chloe Hutton "AI-enhanced dementia prevention using large language models"

HASS

• 1st Place: Vic Kendall Weiss "Re/Role the Past: Tabletop Storytelling as Queer, Radical Pedagogy in Heritage Spaces"
• 2nd Place: Emma Weaver "Investigating factors affecting student feedback engagement: A Design Based Intervention"
• 3rd Place: Sophie Stenson "Learning From Best Practice in Sustainable Governance Performance"

Most Innovative Poster:

• Vic Kendall Weiss "Re/Role the Past: Tabletop Storytelling as Queer, Radical Pedagogy in Heritage Spaces"

The judges also wanted to give a special mention to the following posters:
• Adler Santana De Medeiros "From top to roots: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules inhabit leaf litter and can colonise new plants"
• Sofia Cano Toyos "Stepping into Prevention: Mixed Reality for Diabetic Foot Care"
• Emma Squire "Motivating the Masses: Behavioural Content in Biodiversity Recording Apps"

All posters are on display at Penryn Campus, in the Upper Stannary on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May.

Please also remember to sign up to and attend the 'Meet the Researcher' session on Friday 29 May, 12.00-13.00 at Penryn Campus where you will have the opportunity to talk to the PGR poster creators about their research. These are Penryn-based PGRs so we hope you will support them and look forward to seeing many of you there.

The Dean of PGR and the Doctoral College are delighted to announce the awardees of the 2026 Dean’s Commendations.

There are two categories; one for PGRs and one for PGR Supervisors.

The Excellence in Academic Citizenship recognises PGRs who contribute to a supportive and inclusive research community, while the Excellence in PGR Supervision acknowledges those who go above and beyond their basic supervisory role requirements.

Congratulations to all the nominees and recipients!

The list of this year's recipients can be found on our Dean's Commendations webpage.

Have you seen the exciting programme of events coming up in May and June for the Festival of PGR Research 2026 yet?

There are a wide range of activities designed to showcase research, encourage collaboration and support professional development and opportunities for you to get involved either as a participant and/or an audience member.

So why not sign up for one of our workshops, learn how to write a blog post in 60 minutes or visit the Poster Competition display at Penryn? Or be part of the audience for the 3MT final? There is so much to get involved with, so do check out the events calendar and book yourself in!

If you have any queries, please email our dedicated email address: PGRFestival@exeter.ac.uk.

As part of the Festival of PGR Research 2026 we are hosting an exhibition of all posters created by our PGR researchers for the Poster Competition at Penryn Campus.

We loved meeting the poster creators at 'Meet the Researchers' in Streatham last week (see photo on the right). You are invited to join our PGR poster creators for the 'Meet the Researcher' session on Friday 29 May in the Upper Stannary at Penryn Campus to learn more about their research and to view all the amazing posters on display.

This is a great opportunity to talk to our PGRs and to find out about the wealth of research happening across this vibrant community of researchers.

We hope that you will come and show your support for our PGR poster creators. Please let us know you’re planning to join us by completing this short form.

All poster competition entries will be on display at Penryn Campus on Thursday 28 & Friday 29 May.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a National competition for postgraduate research students, run by research organisation Vitae. 3MT® challenges doctoral candidates to present a compelling spoken presentation on their research topic and its significance in just three minutes.

Would you like to support our Three Minute Thesis competition finalists and vote for the People's Choice award? Book your free ticket to watch the in-person final, taking place on Thursday 28 May, 10.00-12.00 in Lecture Theatre B, Streatham Court, Streatham Campus. Please ensure that you arrive before 10.00 in order not to miss the presentations. If you are selected as a finalist for the Three Minute Thesis, you do not need to book a ticket as there will be reserved seating for presenters.

Applications are now open for the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026.The 2026 Festival theme is ‘Money, Finance and the Cost of Living’ however all ideas and topics within ESRC remit are welcomed in addition to this.

Awards available of up to £1000 for in person, online or hybrid events for a non-academic audience such as talks, exhibitions, quizzes, performances, craft activities, debates, pop-up stalls and more.

All successful applicants will receive free training and support with marketing events.

Open to all colleagues and PhD students with a project within ESRC remit (PHD supervisor must approve and act as budget holder, please see applicant guidance for full details).

Please read the FoSS Applicant Guidance before applying to assist you in your application.

Apply here. Deadline for applications: Monday 20 July 2026.

For further information and guidance please visit our Internal Funding Page or email us at esrcfestival@exeter.ac.uk

Date: Thursday 2 July
Time:  09.30 - 16.00
Venue: The Positive Lights Project, 184–187 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RD

The natural environment can play a powerful role in children and young people’s health and wellbeing. However, not all children and young people can access or benefit from nature in the same way, and the relationship between nature and health is complex. At Exeter, researchers approach these topics from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, capturing what happens in brains, in bodies, and in the social world when children and young people engage with nature. This one-day in-person workshop will bring these academics together with external partners to share learning, find synergies, and to open doors for new collaborations.

The event is open to anyone with an interest in nature, health and wellbeing for children and young people to this event. It will include short presentations, informal discussion over coffee and lunch, and breakout groups.

Please register via this form by Friday 29 May. Please email cypwellbeing@exeter.ac.uk if you have any questions or would like more information.

• Date: Tuesday 9 June
• Time: 09.30 - 15.45
• Location: South Cloisters - Room 3.06, St Lukes Campus

This event has been organised in collaboration with colleagues across the University of Exeter, from Health and Community Sciences, Public Health and Sports Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology.

A combination of short plenary sessions, workshops, invited presentations and ECR/PGR lightning talks will cover a variety of topics, centred on rural and remote health, the social determinants of health, public engagement and approaches to developing inter-disciplinary research networks and research collaborations.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Whilst we strongly encourage in-person attendance to get the most out of the day, for those who cannot attend in person we have also set up a separate registration link for online attendance.

This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.

Join us on Monday 1 June at 17:30 in the foyer of the Old Library for the opening of our new exhibition to mark the centenary of the birth of one of the world’s greatest icons, Marilyn Monroe, born 1 June 1926.

There will be an opening talk by Dr Phil Wickham at 18.00 and the chance to celebrate with us with a drinks reception. Register via EventBrite.

The exhibition showcases the museum’s huge collection of Marilynalia from the beginnings of her stardom in the early 1950s to the present day and explores why Marilyn still matters through objects and images that show her skill as a performer and the resonance of her legacy on contemporary culture.

Call for applications to join a free, online conference for anyone interested in the study of human relations with other animals.

The Anthrozoology as International Practice (AIP) conference aims to spotlight research being undertaken by students around the world, in the hopes of building a global support network of like-minded individuals. This year's event takes online 4-5 September 2026, is free, and encourages all students, not limited to but including: undergraduates as well as masters and PhD researchers to participate. Senior academics are invited to attend to support their students and engage with the next generation of aspiring scholars.

Submit an abstract here (Deadline 1 June 2026).

First-time presenter? Unsure if you are eligible? Don’t know how to write an abstract? Visit our website for FAQ and informational videos designed for you!

The PGR Community Hub is a collaborative online space for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Exeter. Posts can be uploaded by PGRs, The Exeter Students' Guild or The Falmouth and Exeter Students' Union, alongside teams that support PGRs such as the Researcher Development and Research Culture Team. Please use this space to discuss ideas, share best practice, ask questions and keep up to date with the latest activities, events and opportunities. Here you can have your voice heard and shape our community and research culture.

Please do not use this channel to advertise/search for rooms to rent; the University has its own Viva Engage channel where you can do this.

Join fellow PGRs in this online space, led by PGRs for PGRs to focus individually on whatever tasks you would like to work on. You can join the PGR Study Space Microsoft Teams Group here.

The PGR Study Space facilitated hours are as and when facilitators are available.

There are unfacilitated sessions outside of these hours so you can fit it around your working patterns.

If you have any queries, please contact PGRStudySpace@exeter.ac.uk. 

The Exeter Wellbeing Network is a social group for staff and PGRs run by volunteers, hosting a variety of events to help colleagues based at Streatham, St. Luke's or online to connect with one another. Recurring events include StaffCraft, singing, Walk and Talk and Fika; find the full list on our webpage.

You can also contact us at wellbeing-network@exeter.ac.uk.

If you are looking for information about activities at Penryn, Falmouth and Truro, please visit the Cornwall Wellbeing Network webpage.

There are a wide range of societies and/or groups that you may like to join, such as the Mature Students Society and the PG Society (Exeter).

Check out the Doctoral College Networks webpage for full information. Don't forget to also take a look at the societies on offer at Exeter Students' Guild and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union websites, which include a society for international students as well as various sports and interests.

The University has some excellent resources to help with careers. Whether you plan to work in industry, set up your own business, join the third sector, stay in academia, or are not yet sure and want to explore your options, you can find guidance and helpful pointers using these resources:

• PGR Career Planning Guide - a dedicated website to support your career development. This resource provides in-depth information and practical guidance specifically tailored towards postgraduate researchers whether you are thinking about working in academia, industry, self-employment or research.
• Career Zone- much of the online content is open to all current Exeter students, including PGRs
• PGR Training & Development Resources SharePoint- contains presentation slides from past training sessions. For career skills, check out the Personal Effectiveness section
• PGR Training and Development Bulletin- find out what courses and opportunities are happening at the University in this monthly newsletter, which all PGRs are signed up to
• Upcoming training courses- our training programme is available to book now

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.

 

Spectrum.Life
Spectrum.Life provides a confidential telephone, video, and live chat counselling service to help with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, bereavement and more  (sign up using your University of Exeter email address).. The Spectrum Life web portal offers wellbeing courses, mindfulness, healthy eating resources and online fitness classes to help you to stay well.

Wellbeing Centre
If you would like to speak to PGR Education Welfare Team for Welfare, they 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 is a powerful practice of training our attention and an evidence-based way to tackle anxiety, stress and low mood. If you’re interested in exploring more, there is a variety of free internal options available for all colleagues.

Sessions from the internal Mood Disorders Centre mindfulness team include: an eight-week MBCT-L course (2hrs weekly), an eight-week ‘deeper mindfulness’ course for those who’ve completed the MBCT-L course and bespoke ‘healthy mind’ sessions for whole teams, which can be delivered in-person or online.

You may also be interested in trying mindful meditation in 30 min online sessions each Thursday lunchtime. This is a secular practice run by the Chaplaincy.

Details on how you can contact the PGR support team, either via email, telephone or face to face via our hubs (located on all campuses) is available on our contact us webpage.

Remember you can come along and meet the team or to ask any enquiries you might have at either of our helpdesk hubs below at any of our campuses:

The Streatham PGR Hub is open from 10.00 – 15.00 Monday to Friday. The Streatham Hub is situated in the Old Library Ground Floor next to the Quiet Study Space and Bill Douglas Centre.

The St Luke’s PGR Hub is open from 10.00 – 15.00 on a Monday and a Thursday. Students wishing to access the hub should go to the Info at St Luke’s desk and request PGR support, the PGR team will then be called to see you.

The Penryn PGR Support Office is open from 10.00 – 14.00 Monday to Friday. It is based in the Postgraduate Suite in Daphne Du Maurier building 3 (next to the SU and opposite the Stannary).

For enquiries surrounding training and development, please contact the team on: ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk

You can view previous versions of the newsletter here.