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:

• The winners of Images of Research 2025 have been announced; head to our News section to see the full list
• The Doctoral College is recruiting up to five postgraduate researchers (PGRs) as paid interns to help deliver the Doctoral College Strategy 2030; more details in our Opportunities section
• Catch up with the latest episode of Exeter Postgraduate Researcher Podcast in our Reminders 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 9 December 2025 (our last edition for 2025!). Please submit copy for the next newsletter by Wednesday 3 December 2025.

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

Please refer to our style guide before submitting your item.

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

Our Images of Research competition gives Early Career Researchers - and for the first time this year, postgraduate research students also - the opportunity to communicate their research to a non-specialist audience with just an eye-catching image and no more than 150 words.

We are pleased to announce this year’s winners are:

Postgraduate Research Students
Winner - The Mongoose Spa, Leela Channer
Runner up - Seeking Shade in a Warming World, Veronica White

Early Career Researchers
Winner - Spawning Abalone: The Release of New Life, Susanne Vogeler
Runner up - Synergy, Nicholas Clifton & Alice Franklin

The Arts and Culture Award also went to Susanne Vogeler for her fantastic entry. Congratulations to our 2025 winners and thanks to everyone who took the time to enter!

You can view the top scoring images in the Forum, Streatham Campus between Tuesday 6 January - 3 February 2026, with exhibitions also being planned in the New Year at Penryn. Please see our webpage for the latest information. We will also add an online booklet containing all entries to the webpage shortly.

Now that the end of this year is not far off, this is the perfect time to review your staff profile to ensure it is up-to-date.

A public profile enables you to be more discoverable, promoting collaborative opportunities, connections, and visibility.  Although not mandatory, all PGRs are encouraged to have a public profile. Visit the SharePoint site which has a quick start video, comprehensive guidance, and FAQs about how to set up your profile. Once you have made your profile public (all guidance on the SharePoint site), it will be displayed on the University’s powerful search tool, Discovery- where you can connect with our community to explore exciting new possibilities.

Date: Friday 12 December 2025
Time: 11:30-13:30
Venue: SWIoT AI Arena, Streatham Campus

Join this in-person workshop to explore how we can understand and reduce our environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI) at the University. As a part of the University’s commitment to taking meaningful action on the climate emergency crisis, it is important to consider the sustainability of our growing use of artificial intelligence. AI impact goes beyond the energy consumption - it also includes water usage, material resources, and wider impacts of data creation, model training and the use of cloud-based systems. These issues span the use of large language models, simulation-based research, high performance computing – but also our everyday teaching and academic workflows (and even a simple search in Google!). 

This workshop is a part of the Research Sessions at the Computer Science Department with lunch sponsored by the Centre for Environmental Intelligence & the Environmental Intelligence.

The agenda will include a few short presentations about ongoing work in this area. If you would like to give a presentation, please contact Dr May Rodriguez at m.rodriguez3@exeter.ac.uk.

The Doctoral College is recruiting up to five postgraduate researchers (PGRs) as interns to help deliver the Doctoral College Strategy 2030 and enhance the PGR experience. Interns will work with academic and professional services teams to support policy development, implement action plans, and strengthen research culture and community. Roles offer insight into UK higher education strategy and may include research, quality development, workshops, communications, and cross-university collaboration.

Positions are part of the Student Campus Partnership scheme: 6 hours per week for 12 weeks (Jan–July 2026), remote working available.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Stacey Hynd at S.Hynd@exeter.ac.uk.

We have an opportunity for a Postgraduate Researcher to join our CoARA (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment) Working Group. The group will develop an action plan over the course of 12 months, based on the ten CoARA commitments, which will help shape our research assessment practices, contributing to fairness for all, and ultimately improving the quality and impact of the university’s research. This is a voluntary role requiring a minimum commitment of 10 one-hour meetings across a year. You will work with a small, varied team of Academic and Professional Services colleagues to identify priorities and develop an action plan. If you are interested, please contact Becky Euesden at r.s.euesden@exeter.ac.uk with a few words explaining why you would like to join the working group by 31 December 2025.

Exeter is part of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) – a national initiative promoting open, transparent, and reproducible research across all disciplines.
The UKRN Exeter local network supports departments and research groups in improving research quality, transparency, and reproducibility. We’ll be running events and initiatives that offer training opportunities and celebrate excellence in open research across the University.

👉 Join the UKRN Exeter mailing list to stay informed by completing this form
👉 Get in touch with us with any questions or ideas: ukrn@exeter.ac.uk

Let’s work together to strengthen Exeter’s culture of open and reproducible research.

University of Liverpool are running a study on behalf of UKRI, looking at career development for postgraduate researchers. Share your experiences—whatever your discipline, stage of study, or location in the UK. Your voice matters! If you’re part of a cohort or not, full-time or part-time we want to hear from you.

Interested? Find out more in the participant information sheet then fill out the Expression of interest form.

Heriot-Watt University invite you to take part in a national study exploring the lived experience of bullying and sexual harassment in the UK’s research and innovation (R&I) sector. This study, open until 22 November 2025, forms part of a wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) research initiative funded by UKRI and the British Academy through the EDI Caucus.

The study builds on their previous work examining the impact of Covid-19 on EDI across the R&I landscape (2020–2023). While earlier findings revealed institutional progress in policy and awareness, many participants described a persistent gap between formal commitments to inclusion and the realities of everyday workplace culture. This new phase focuses specifically on bullying and sexual harassment to understand how these issues continue to shape experiences across roles, disciplines, and career stages.

Anyone working or studying within the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem- including researchers, postgraduate research students, lab technicians, professional services staff, R&I managers, and administrators- can participate. Participation involves completing a confidential 10–20 minute online survey.

Survey closes: Sunday 30 November 2025

PGR Matilda Nightingale talks to PGR Tasha Hammond (Founder of Postgraduate Peer Group and Co-Chair and Events Officer (Cornwall) for Exeter Wellbeing Network) about the importance of building a PGR community to help the wellbeing of PGRs and how you can get involved.

❗Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions around mental health and mention of suicidal thoughts

Exeter Postgraduate Researcher Podcast is a PGR podcast, by PGRs for PGRs, and this series is a mix of personal experience and practical advice. All our presenters are current PGRs and their guests are a mix of current PGRs, Exeter staff and Exeter alumni, delving into the subjects that interest you- from sharing perspectives as mature students to a panel discussion with alumni working in industry and academia

Follow us on Spotify, Amazon Music, Podbean and Apple Podcasts for the latest updates; you'll also be able to access the episodes on our Essentials webpage.

The Doctoral College has developed new guidance on the use of AI for PGR research, which will help PGRs, supervisors and examiners to understand how AI can be safely, effectively and ethically used in your Postgraduate research.

You may use AI in your research, but the use of AI must be declared and documented. You are asked to document your use of AI so your examiners can clearly see how it has been used, and to help you remember how you have used it so you can discuss if required in your examinations. The documentation should be brief, just outline how, where and why AI has been used. If you have been using AI in your research already, just document any main uses so far and keep a record going forward.

If you have any feedback, please share this with dcqualitydevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

There's lots to catch up with in our Doctoral College Blog, from building community to PGR life. We have recently published a three-part series of blog posts: Q and As in which Health and Life Sciences PGRs Hayley Redman, Keira Evans and Amy Chinner explore the upgrade process. The first post covers the preparation stage; the second discusses the authors' experiences of their upgrade viva and the final part includes tips and advice for moving on post-upgrade viva.

We always welcome new contributions, whether you'd like to offer tips and advice, discuss your personal PhD journey or share your research area with a non-specialist audience. Our team can offer guidance and look over drafts. Email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk if you'd like to get involved.

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.

When: Monday and Friday lunchtimes (dates/times are listed in the sign-up form below)
Where: Multifaith chaplaincy near Tremough Barton farmhouse (start and end point)

Break up your day with a one-hour forest bathing session involving a walk and short mindful activities in the outdoors led by local practitioner, Paul Simmons. Forest bathing is a playful, slow and childlike exploration of the woodland surroundings with all our senses. Be prepared for all weather and bring something waterproof to sit on! Optional tea/coffee at the end of the session in the chaplaincy.

This event has been organised by the Cornwall Wellbeing Network, a campus staff community network, and is open to all staff and postgraduate students from the University of Exeter, Falmouth University, FX Plus and the SU.

Please sign up here. You are very welcome to email Paul (ps527@exeter.ac.uk) with any questions.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Parent and Family Support (PAFs) is a community of university wide student parents that currently has 100 registered members from the University of Exeter, with individuals choosing to attend inclusive events that best fit their schedules and family responsibilities. The group has expanded to support a wider community, as well as ‘mature-mature’ students with or without children, and postdoctoral researchers, at the University of Exeter who were drawn to our inclusive community.

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.

The Nurture-U team are offering FREE resources and therapies to help with confidence and stress while doing your PhD.
We have:
1. An online toolkit, to help you track your mood over time and manage your busy lives
2. An innovative app to build confidence,
3. Online therapy, with a therapist or self-guided, and
4. A resilience workbook, with support from a therapist.
All these options have been proven to work, we’re just researching who responds best to what type of support. You can hopefully improve your wellbeing, earn shopping vouchers, and help other students in the future by contributing to research!

Any questions, please email nurture-u@exeter.ac.uk. You can also follow us on Instagram.

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.