The Doctoral College Newsletter provides you with fortnightly updates for events, opportunities and news specifically relevant to postgraduate researchers.

Here are just some of the highlights this week:

• PGR Emma Weaver is investigating PGR views on GenAI; head to the News section to find out more
• We have some exciting events running as part of Researcher-led initiatives; you can find these alongside many other events in our Events section
• Help drive change at the University by completing the Race Equality Charter survey; for the link and more details, go to the Opportunities 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

Events

Opportunities

External Opportunities

Reminders

Community

Careers Support

Wellbeing Support and Sessions

Enquiries

The next newsletter will go out on Tuesday 31 March 2026. Please submit items for the next newsletter by Wednesday 25 March 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.

In October 2025 we launched the Guidance on the Use of AI in PGR Research to help you determine if, why, and how to use AI – including GenAI – in your research. Feedback has indicated that this is helpful, but that some of you are struggling to find the guidance.

To help, we have linked the Guidance on the Use of AI in PGR Research directly from the ‘Current Students’ page of the revamped Doctoral College website. It’s also linked in the Quick Links section on the PGR Training & Development Resources SharePoint.

We know that AI and its use in research is evolving rapidly, so we are monitoring the guidance and will update it in response to developments. If you have any feedback or suggestions of where we need to update or extend the guidance, please let us know. Emma Weaver, one of our fantastic Doctoral College Policy Interns is investigating this on your behalf, and you can leave feedback on this PGR Views on Gen AI Padlet.

Title: Engaging with Tensions and Dilemmas in Inclusive Pedagogical Practice through the Lens of Critical Realism
Speaker: Dr Zitian Zeng (Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge)
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 11.30–12.30
Location: St Luke’s Campus, Baring Court 03 and online via Teams

This session will explore how critical realism can serve as an analytic lens for understanding the complexities teachers encounter in inclusive pedagogical practice, drawing on case studies from Hong Kong primary classrooms. The presentation will be followed by a discussion.

This event is hosted by the WIDER PhD Committee within the School of Education and the Wellbeing, Inclusion and Disability in Educational Research (WIDER) Centre. We look forward to seeing you and warmly encourage in-person participation where possible to support discussion and engagement.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Wenyu Li (wl423@exeter.ac.uk).

If you are not able to join in-person, you can join online:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/33391084162891?p=9fYSZtygP7Jd5QJ4Az

Meeting ID: 333 910 841 628 91

Passcode: HU3Jc99i

Whether you’re exploring sensitive topics, engaging with marginalised communities, or reflecting on your own identity and experiences, the emotional impact of health research can be profound. The Emotionally Demanding Health Research Network aims to offer an informal space to bring together PGR and ECR health researchers from across disciplines to offer peer support and a place to share information and resources.

Join us for our first session on Friday 20 March where we will be joined by Rachel Griffiths, to explore how reflective journalling can support the emotional process of research. Going forward, session aims and activities will be shaped by group members. You can sign up via Eventbrite.

If you have any queries please email Hayley (hlrr202@exeter.ac.uk) or Ellie (eh728@exeter.ac.uk).

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

Theme: Identifying your research development needs and getting support from your PGR community
Date and time: Friday 20 March, 15.30–16.30,
Location: Greenhouse, Devonshire House & Hybrid on Teams Join online

Every doctoral journey comes with different challenges and development needs. But you don’t have to navigate them alone! This session will provide a relaxed and supportive space for PGRs to reflect on their research development, share experiences, and explore the kinds of support available within the PGR community. This is a great opportunity to exchange ideas, hear different perspectives, and connect with fellow researchers who may be facing similar challenges.

Coffee and biscuits will be provided! No sign up is required, just join us on the day.

We look forward to seeing you there!
All the best,
PGR Officer Team | Student Guild

Join PGRs and ECRs from across faculties for a session exploring the importance of rest and wellbeing for researchers with parenting or caring responsibilities. The session will begin with a reflective discussion by ECRs sharing the challenges of balancing caring commitments with research demands.

This will be followed by a workshop facilitated by Ludmila Segovia. Through a short visual presentation, participants will explore collage techniques and elements of art as tools for expression and reflection. The workshop will include demonstrations and guidance in a supportive environment, with soft music to encourage relaxation and creativity.

Participants will connect with other researchers, strengthen their wellbeing and resilience, gain practical strategies to apply immediately and be eligible for a nature retreat at Dartmoor on 8 May designed to give researchers a restorative break from ongoing pressures and support the development of a creative resilience toolkit.

Please sign up via Eventbrite.

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

Help drive real change. The University of Exeter is developing its next Race Equality Action Plan — and your voice is essential.

Complete our Race Equality Charter survey before Friday 27 March to share your views on racial equality at the University. This will inform our future actions as part of our 2027 Race Equality Charter application. All University of Exeter students are eligible to complete the survey and have the option of being entered into a prize draw (10 x £25 campus vouchers).

Since our last Race Equality Charter survey in 2020 we have made progress against our inclusive education aims through Success for All, transitioned to our new Support and Report platform for accessing support and reporting and monitoring incidents, funded annual student-led anti-racism projects, and undertaken a review of our terminology to ensure we are using the most appropriate language to discuss race and ethnicity at the University.

A postgraduate researcher is looking to speak with multilingual parents or primary caregivers of children diagnosed with ADHD. The study explores families’ experiences of home language use after diagnosis.

Participation involves a 30–45 minute online interview on Microsoft Teams. All information is confidential, voluntary, and anonymised.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact:
Millie Norman (Postgraduate Researcher).
 

The 2026 Nuffield Foundation POST Fellowship Scheme is now accepting applications from PhD students in the natural and social sciences looking at how scientific evidence can be brought to Parliament. This 13-week scheme is a unique opportunity for recent or current PhD students past the first year of their programme to learn about how evidence can be disseminated to improve policy development.

Deadline for applications: Monday 23 March at 11.55pm.

 

Are you championing open and reproducible research in your PhD? The Exeter Open Research Awards 2026 are now open to registered doctoral students across the University.

Submit a short case study showcasing best practice in open research within your discipline. This could include publishing preprints, sharing code or data, conducting a registered report, developing open-source software, pre-publication peer review, or promoting open research in teaching.

Prize vouchers will be awarded in each Faculty, and winners will present their work at the Award Ceremony on Thursday 18 June 2026 at the South West Institute of Technology (SWIOT), Streatham Campus. This is your opportunity to gain recognition for advancing transparency, rigour, and accessibility in research.

Please note: previous prize or commendation winners are not eligible this year.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 29 April 2026
 

Are you removing, storing or using any human tissue for research or teaching?  The Human Tissue Act (HTA) training is mandatory for anyone working with human tissue samples at the University of Exeter.  The next session is on Tuesday 31 March at 10.00 (online).

If you plan to collect informed consent as part of your research, you need to attend the Informed Consent training, also held on Tuesday 31 March at 11.15 (online).

You should attend these training sessions even if the human tissues that you work with are later rendered acellular (for example, plasma or urine). This helps ensure that all researchers at the University understand their responsibilities under the Human Tissue Act and feel confident in meeting those obligations. If you have previously completed this training but have not stored samples or taken consent in previous two years, then you should re-attend.

Please contact the HTA team on HTA-return@exeter.ac.uk for further enquiries or to book your place.

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.

A relaxed, informal singing group to promote positive wellbeing and a sense of community and connection across our lovely campus. No experience necessary! Open to all staff and postgraduate students from Exeter, Falmouth, FX Plus, the SU, and any other organisation that is based on Penryn campus. If you know someone who might like to join, please encourage them to fill out this interest form.

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.