Welcome to this fortnight's issue of the Doctoral College Newsletter. In the following sections you will find:

• Annual Monitoring Review (AMR) 2022/2023
• PGR Student Absence Policy
• PGR Skills for Wellbeing course
• Training and Development
• 1-2-1 Careers Appointments
• Opportunities
• Wellbeing
• Enquiries

If you have a news story or an opportunity you would like to advertise in the next newsletter (20 February), please email: doctoral.college@exeter.ac.uk by Wednesday 15 February.

AMR was launched last week so please check your emails. The deadline for the report to be completed is Friday 24th February 2023. The report should take 5-10 minutes and it is a requirement for registered PGR students and their supervisors to complete. For further information please check the dedicated AMR webpage or contact your PGR support team.

PGR Student Absence Policy

A new PGR Student Absence Policy is now in place. The policy aims to clarify the different durations of absences and how they are managed. It reduces the administrative pressure on students with disabilities or long-term health conditions for whom short absences are a reasonable adjustment, confirmed in an Individual Leaning Plan (ILP). Further clarification has been made regarding absences before or during a PGR examination or following submission of the thesis. The PGR Student Absence Policy has been linked closely with the PGR Sickness Absence Stipend Policy and the Maternity & Parental Leave Funding Policy.

Sickness Absence Stipend Policy

Amendments have been made to the Sickness Absence Stipend Policy in relation to the new PGR Student Absence Policy. Provision will be made for eligible students who take multiple short periods of absence over a period of study (supported by medical evidence or an ILP) to receive a stipend extension equivalent to the total duration of cumulative short term absences taken throughout the programme. Note that interruptions will not be included in the stipend extension.

Maternity & Parental Leave Funding Policy

Amendments have been made to the Maternity & Parental Leave Funding Policy to confirm that students taking paternity or maternity support leave may request an extension at the time that they take leave, rather than requesting the extension at the end of the period of study.

Personal Absence Form

All students who are absent from their programme for less than one month should complete the PGR Personal Absence Form for all absences other than annual leave, even if the absence is a day or two, and medical evidence supplied where necessary. Absences of one month or longer should be requested via interruption, through MyPGR.

Responsibilities

Students are responsible for managing their own absences and for informing their supervisors and the PGR Support Team (via the PGR Personal Absence Certificate) when they are absent from their programme. Students are responsible for requesting absence from their programme at the time of the absence and not retrospectively.
Supervisors are responsible for advising students and reminding students of the need to maintain accurate absence records and submitting supporting documentation on time.
PGR Support are responsible for providing advice to specific student circumstances and for signposting to other University support services as needed.

Any questions?

We encourage you to read through the FAQs on the Doctoral College website. If your question is not answered, or if we can help further, please do not hesitate to get in touch at doctoral.college@exeter.ac.uk.

This course is specifically tailored for PGRs covering a variety of topics including: building assertiveness, managing perfectionism, reducing stress and improving sleep. The techniques we discuss are based on cognitive behavioural therapy and discussed in a supportive environment with other PGRs via webinar.

Sessions will take place on Fridays 2:30-3:30pm on the following dates.

Session 1             Friday 10th February
Session 2             Friday 17th February
Session 3             Friday 24th February
Session 4             Friday 3rd March

Students can book a place by emailing wellbeing services (wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk) where they will be added to our contact list and sent the information before the session.

The below sessions are now bookable via Inkpath and more will be added very soon! We are aiming to make as many sessions as possible hybrid (accessed online and in person, please check when booking).

You can access Inkpath through your web browser, and by downlading the Inkpath app.

• Kickstart your PhD with joy, clarity and ease (online) – 07/02/2023, 11:00-13:00
• Introduction to Version Control with Git and GitHub- 3 Part Course (hybrid) – 15/02/2023, 13:00-16:00 (Part 1), 22/02/2023, 13:00-16:00 (Part 2) and 01/03/2023, 13:00-16:00 (Part 3). You must attend all three sessions. Register by 08/02/2023.
• Computational Thinking- 2 Part Course (hybrid) – 21/02/2023, 13:00-16:00 (Part 1) and 28/02/2023, 13:00-16:00 (Part 2). You must attend both sessions. Register by 14/02/2023
• What to do when things go wrong: Using challenges, messiness and discomfort as resource – 21/02/2023, 11:00-13:00
• Depositing your work to ORE – 22/02/2023, 10:00-10:45
• Perfectly imperfect writing practices for your thesis – 28/02/2023, 11:00-12:30
• Introduction to R- 3 Part Course (hybrid) – 08/03/2023, 10:00-13:00 (Part 1), 15/03/2022, 10:00-13:00 (Part 2) and 22/03/2023, 10:00-13:00 (Part 3). You must attend all three sessions. Register by 01/03/2023.
• Make no plans: alternative practices for getting work done – 08/03/2023, 10:30-12:00
• How do I manage my research data? (in person) – 10/03/2023, 10:00-11:00
• How do I manage my research data? (online) – 10/03/2023, 10:00-11:00

Please note all of our events have limited spaces; if you cannot attend, kindly remove your booking.

To learn more about Inkpath and to get started with your account please watch the following introductory content:

    Continuous tutorial video
    Individual section tutorials

Video Passwords: exeterinkpath2021

You can find all of our sessions on Inkpath under 'Activities.' If you have any technical questions/difficulties using Inkpath please email the helpdesk, info@inkpath.co.uk. If you have any questions about the training programme please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk

Thank you to everyone who attended our Researcher Development Spring/Summer 2022 Training and Development Programme, please note that all Spring/Summer webinars have been recorded and posted on to ELE.

1-2-1 careers appointments with our dedicated PGR careers coach, Kenneth Howgill, are available to book throughout the Spring term on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. Kenneth is a qualified and experienced career coach, lecturer and learning and development professional with over 20 years’ experience within the corporate sector, universities, further and adult education. He has held management roles in the public, corporate and not for profit sectors, leading professional development, coaching programmes, and recruiting graduates. Kenneth is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and holds a business degree, a master's in music and a professional career coaching qualification.

All appointments are 50 minutes long and can be booked via Inkpath.

Webinar on 8th February: 'Birthing across borders: medical illustrations in Dadaab refugee camps.' 

The Routes network is delighted to host Dr Jen Bagelman to give a paper- 'Birthing across borders: medical illustrations in Dadaab refugee camps.' The event will be held on Wednesday 8th February, 3pm to 4:30pm.

You can join us in person in Queens LT 7.2, or online, using the below Zoom details:

https://Universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/93417849338?pwd=RklYWUlyZ2cvSmV3WWVrdnlRQlB6UT09

Please email Hannah Cowdell if you have any queries.

REVISED DATE AND VENUE CHANGE: Join the Institute for Data Science and AI’s Early Career Researcher Network (IDSAI-ECRN) on 8th February

We warmly invite you to join us for the first gathering of the new IDSAI-ECRN at 4pm on Wednesday 8th of February in the SWIoT AI Arena (beneath the Innovation Centre) – there will be drinks, pizza, and networking activities. No matter your background, the IDSAI-ECRN aims to provide opportunities for PGRs and ECRs from across the university with an interest in data science to meet, exchange ideas, and develop as a community. Get involved! Please register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/idsai-early-career-network-launch-tickets-525742037587 or for more information contact idsai@exeter.ac.uk.

Hybrid Seminar on 15th February: Developing data science and AI from a public sector perspective: the Turing Public Policy Programme with Helen Margetts OBE, Professor of Society and the Internet and Director of the Public Policy Programme at the Alan Turing Institute

This seminar on 'Developing data science and AI from a public sector perspective: the Turing Public Policy Programme with Helen Margetts OBE, Professor of Society and the Internet and Director of the Public Policy Programme at the Alan Turing Institute' will be delivered in hybrid mode (Newman Collaborative Lecture Theatre and online).

The seminar will take place on Wednesday 15th February, 14:00-15:00 (GMT) and will be followed with refreshments for in-person attendees.

Register here.

Public panel event on 15th February: How to Fix The Internet

This panel discussion on 'How to Fix The Internet' is run by Agile Rabbit, in partnership with the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Exeter. It is taking place in-person at Exeter Phoenix on Wednesday 15th February, 6pm. There will be a chance for further discussion afterwards in the bar.

Book tickets here.

Teacher Training Open Day on Saturday 25th February (at the St Luke’s Campus)

Have you considered a career in teaching? Do you want to know more about what training to teach entails, and how you can build an exciting and inspiring teaching career? If you do, come to our Teacher Training Open Day. You’ll have the opportunity to hear about the Exeter PGCE, fees and finance, what it’s like to train with us at Exeter, and meet our tutors and like-minded students. You may be eligible for a bursary to go into teaching.

Book your place today: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachertraining/opendays/

GW4 Connect – Apply Today!

New for 2023 from GW4 Alliance, GW4 Connect EDI pilot programmes will offer postgraduate researchers from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to form peer-to-peer networks of support for marginalized and underrepresented communities in higher education. This year GW4 Connect includes:
• A mentorship programme for postgraduate researchers of colour, or,
• A group coaching programme for postgraduate researchers with parental responsibilities
 

You can find out more about the GW4 Connect programmes including the time commitment, eligibility requirements and how to apply by clicking on the links above. Contact talentandskills@gw4.ac.uk for any questions.

Deadline: 12pm on Tuesday 28 March 2023

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
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.

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 10.00am – 3.00pm 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 10.00am – 3.00pm Monday to 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 10.00am – 2.00pm Monday to Friday and 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: doctoral.college@exeter.ac.uk.

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