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:

• Our top news story is that nominations for Dean's Commendations are now open! This is a great way to recognise your fellow PGRs; find out more in the News section
• We have a new section of our Newsletters! In order for you to keep track of all the events and competitions happening as part of PGR Festival of Research, head straight to the PGR Festival of Research section. Key announcements relating to the Festival will appear in the News section
• In other news, welcome to our new PGR Study Space Coordinator: Yanira Becerra! Read more about Yanira and PGR Study Space in our News section
• Do you work in emotionally demanding health research? Join a panel discussion on this important topic; full details in our Events 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

Events

Reminders

Community

Careers Support

Wellbeing Support and Sessions

Enquiries

The next newsletter will go out on Tuesday 28 April 2026. Please submit items for the next newsletter by Wednesday 22 April 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.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the two 2026 Dean’s Commendation awards celebrating postgraduate researchers and their supervisors.

The Excellence in Academic Citizenship Commendation celebrates PGRs who positively contribute to a supportive and inclusive research community and is open to nominations for all PGRs at any stage of their studies.

The Excellence in PGR Supervision award recognises supervisors who go above and beyond the basic role requirements.

Nominations are open to all – PGRs, Directors of PGR, support teams, professional service staff and supervisors.

Nomination forms and full details of awards criteria and eligibility can be found on the Dean’s Commendation webpage.

Nominations close at 12.00 (midday) on Tuesday 5 May 2026.

Award outcomes will be announced at the end of May, and award holders will be invited to a celebratory reception at Streatham on Wednesday 3 June or Penryn on Thursday 4 June.

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.

You are invited to join our PGR poster creators for two special 'Meet the Researcher' sessions 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 register your intention to attend by clicking on the links below and completing the short form. Thank you.

• Tuesday 19 May - 12.00-13.00 in the Forum Street at Streatham Campus
• Friday 29 May - 12-1pm in the Upper Stannary at Penryn Campus

All poster competition entries will be on display at Streatham Campus between Monday 18-Wednesday 20 May and at Penryn Campus on Thursday 28 & Friday 29 May.

A big thank you to Ellie Hepworth, our outgoing PGR Study Space Coordinator and a huge welcome to Yanira! Read about Yanira in her own words, below:

'Hello, I am Yanira Becerra, a PhD student in Education. I come from Chile, one of the southernmost countries in the world! My research interests include dictionaries, academic writing, and postgraduate student participation. I’m really pleased to be part of the PGR Study Space and always happy to support others and answer any questions. I have a strong interest in inclusive and supportive learning environments, particularly for students with diverse or non-traditional trajectories'

If you are looking for a supportive and inclusive online co-working community then why not join the PGR Study Space, run by PGRs for PGRs. You can join the PGR Study Space Microsoft Teams Group here.

There are lots of ways to be involved in the Festival of PGR Research, from the poster and 3MT competitions, to nominating a fellow PGR or supervisor for a Dean’s Commendation or to helping out as a volunteer. Or perhaps you have an idea for a workshop or activity that you would like to run as part of the Festival? For details of how to get involved, please check out the Festival of PGR Research webpages and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries: PGRFestival@exeter.ac.uk

Just two weeks left to enter the Poster Competition!

Please note the deadline for entry via Microsoft Forms is Tuesday 28 April 2026 at 17.00. Any entries received after this date will unfortunately not be displayed or entered into the competition. Physical copies of the posters must be received by Wednesday 13 May 2026.

Our Poster Competition, part of our month-long Festival of PGR Research, is designed to showcase the vibrant research of all of our current Postgraduate Researchers (held at both Penryn and Streatham Campuses). Winners will be selected by a judging panel with a range of prizes to be won!

The competition aims to challenge PGRs to communicate and disseminate their research to a lay audience. This is a fantastic opportunity for PGRs to practice various skills such as communication, written, presentation and creativity skills. This can be a chance to practice showcasing your research in preparation for conference attendance and participation.

Don't forget that the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is still open for entries!

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.

Are you up for the challenge? Head to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) webpage to find out more.

Last year's winner Anh Ngo has written a blog post all about her experience of 3MT and useful advice and tips for preparing and delivering your 3MT presentation.

Deadline for entries: 5pm on Monday 11 May

Date: Tuesday 19 May
Time: 10.30-12.30
Where: Baring Court 112 (option to join online), St Luke's Campus

This panel will bring together experienced health researchers from across disciplines at the University of Exeter to share insights, practical tips, and tools into managing both the personal and systemic challenges researchers can face whilst working on emotionally demanding projects, followed by a Q&A.

This session is open to anyone involved in delivering and supporting emotionally demanding health research. PGRs, ECRs, and their supervisors are particularly encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, please email either 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. 

Date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Time: 09.00-17.00
Location: Xfi Building, Streatham Campus

This free event is designed for early career researchers (ECRs) who are curious about how neuroimaging could complement their work but are unsure where to start (no imaging expertise required). Through talks, discussion, and practical guidance, we will explore how neuroimaging can be integrated across different fields and how NeuroimEx network can support you.

We will hear from neuroimaging researchers from across the globe, keynote speakers and ECR speakers from Exeter, including MSc and BSc students.
 
Call for short talks: We are inviting 5-10 minute presentations from Exeter ECRs who would like to share their work or ideas related to neuroimaging. Submit a few words about your proposal.
We will offer optional guidance and support before the event to help presenters prepare and build confidence.

Lunch and refreshments are provided. 

While the event focuses on ECR and student networking and support, it is open to all University of Exeter peers, creating opportunities to connect with more senior colleagues across disciplines.

This event is supported by an ECRN Enhancement Award from the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.

Join the Wild Wednesdays group on a series of walks through Streatham campus. Everybody welcome- please let Clara Kleininger-Wanik know if the group can support your access in any way.

The upcoming events are:

• 'What's wrong with being a tree-hugger?', Wednesday 22 April, 15.30
• Botanical History and Tree Walk, Wednesday 6 May, 12.30 - 13.15

Wild Wednesdays are a collaborative, inclusive HASS-led initiative to support and inspire creative and community engagement with the natural environment of the Streatham Campus. In a series of seven walks from February to September, they will explore the campus together from diverse perspectives, gathering impressions, notes, words, leaves and photos. These will be made into seven illustration-maps by our two artists, Sam Godfrey and Rebecca Lockyear, which we will be able to share, leaving a trace of our paths and encounters.

Image by Clara Kleininger-Wanik.

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.

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.