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Doctoral College Newsletter - 18 March 2024
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Research Showcase 2024 is now open for applications! Research Showcase Week (10-14 June) celebrates the work of our vibrant Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) at the University of Exeter- open to all PGRs at any stage of their doctoral journey.
We have two competitions- Poster Competition and Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. Check out the individual webpages to apply and find out more.
The Streatham Poster display will take place Monday 10-Thursday 13 June in the Forum; Penryn display date and venue is TBC. Three Minute Thesis Competition will take place in-person on Friday 14 June, 1pm-3pm in Queens LT2, Streatham Campus.
The application deadline for Poster Competition is 5pm on Monday 20 May and application deadline for Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is 5pm on Monday 27 May.
Please email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk if you have any queries.
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Call for Papers: Visions Unveiled – Unfolding Narratives of Art History, Visual Culture, and Modern Languages
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We are excited to announce this year's Art History & Visual Culture / Modern Languages PGR Conference, "Visions Unveiled", University of Exeter, Friday 14th June 2024.
We welcome submissions that encourage vibrant dialogues in a diverse range of artistic periods, cultures, language complexities, analytical theories, and visual narratives beyond the confines of a specific epoch or geographical setting. Whatever your area of research, we are eager to hear your interpretations of the theme and share your discoveries while unveiling your research visions.
We welcome proposals in any format from PGRs and ECRs from all disciplines. Potential topics could include, but not limited to:
• Translations across Linguistic, Cultural, and Visual Boundaries
• Art, Identity, and Language
• Cultural Dialogue Through Art
• Digital Art: Reshaping Visual Culture and Contemporary Language
• Transcending Borders and Barriers
For more information, contact VisionsUnveiled2024@exeter.ac.uk, or you can follow them on Twitter @ExeterVisions24.
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SCI Project Showcase: Students' use of Mathematics in Science- Tuesday 19 March
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Date: Tuesday 19 March
Time: 12.00 - 13.00
Venue: Online via Teams
Speaker: Dr Victoria Wong (School of Education, HASS)
In this talk, Dr Victoria Wong will describe her study funded by the SCI conducted in 2023 where she examined patterns in students’ discourse to identify different approaches used as they collaboratively solved quantitative science problems.
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Fika at Penryn Campus- next session Tuesday 19 March
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The Cornwall Wellbeing Network would like to invite you to a Spring edition of our monthly Fika, taking place on Tuesday 19 March at 3pm, in the Stella Turk common room/interactive space.
For those not yet familiar with Fika, it is a low-key monthly gathering of folks who enjoy an afternoon tea break and a chance to meet and chat with new people. It is an entirely cross-departmental event open to PGRs, ECRs and staff from Exeter, Falmouth and FXPlus.
After 6 months of being a “bring-your-own” event, we are delighted to now be able to provide attendees with toasty drinks and tasty treats, please just bring your own mug!
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Nowruz Celebration IAIS Common Room and LT1/2- Wednesday 20 March
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Join us for our Nowruz Celebration IAIS Common Room and LT1/2 on Wednesday 20 March, 6.30pm-9pm
Nowruz is a celebration that marks the beginning of the spring equinox. It is observed worldwide by many diverse communities, religions and ethnicities. For over 3000 years, Nowruz has been observed in Western Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, the Balkans and more.
Nowruz is an eco-friendly holiday that champions unity, peace and solidarity between generations, as well as growth and renewal.
The event includes Iftar/Welcome drinks, talks, dinner and fun activities. Prior to this event, there will be a book talk event from Dr Annika Schmeding, on the topic of Sufi civilities in Afghanistan, which will take place between 5-6.30pm in LT1.
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Exeter Writes - Journal Publishing- Monday 25 March
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"Exeter Writes" builds upon the focus on writing, publishing and promoting books in "Project Monograph," moving on to consider other forms of work such as journal articles, editions, translations, trade books, creative non-fiction, and artistic outputs. In this first workshop, designed for HASS academics, we look specifically at journal publishing, drawing upon the expertise of two colleagues who have edited leading journals as well as writing pathbreaking essays. The workshop will also be interactive, offering attendees the chance to pitch ideas for new journal articles.
When: Monday 25 March
Where: LSI Seminar rooms A and B
Booking closes: Tuesday 19 March
Any questions please contact Rachel Dallyn.
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GW4 Connect Scheme- Peer Support Scheme- Deadline Wednesday 27 March
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Has your postgraduate research experience been impacted by your neurodivergence, disability, or long-term health condition, including mental ill-health?
If so, you might be interested in applying for the 2024 GW4 Connect programmes, which aim to bring together postgraduate research students from diverse backgrounds to form networks of support for marginalised and underrepresented communities in higher education.
This year, GW4 Connect will be offering two new pilot programmes:
1. A 10-month facilitated peer support programme for 12 postgraduate researchers with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and
2. An 11-month facilitated peer support programme for 16 neurodivergent postgraduate researchers.
These programmes do not require a formal diagnosis. Participants will be offered the opportunity to work with expert facilitators and coaches, alongside their peers, to create a safe space for honest, free conversations outside of institutional structures.
Application deadline: Wednesday 27 March
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GW4 Roadshows 2024 – University of Exeter Roadshow- Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 April
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Join the GW4 Alliance & University of Exeter colleagues on Tuesday 16 April 2024, 11am-1pm in Amory Parker Moot (Streatham Campus) or Wednesday 17 April, 11am-1pm in ESI Trevithick Room (Penryn Campus), for an informative and engaging presentation, lunch and networking session, where you can learn about GW4’s strategic priorities, our programmes of work, and the funding, support & career development opportunities open to staff and PGRs across the University. Open to all, with free lunch & refreshments provided. Register to attend via their website by Tuesday 2 April 2024.
Deadline for registration: Tuesday 2 April 2024.
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Unveiling GenAI Bias Hackathon- Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April
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The University of Exeter is hosting a two-day hybrid hackathon as part of the THE Digital Universities UK Conference.
Students are invited to take part and work in teams to interrogate ChatGPT’s algorithmic bias and develop solutions that prioritize equality, diversity and inclusion and amplify – rather than marginalize – diverse voices.
When: Wednesday 17 April - Thursday 18 April 2024
Where: Hybrid/In-person at Digital Humanities Lab, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter.
Over two days you will be guided by the hackathon team and supported by mentors from across the University of Exeter and conference delegates, to take part in:
• Context, training and information workshops
• Ideation sessions to formulate solutions
• Collaborate in teams to hack and develop a solution
• Showcase final solution to a panel of judges for a chance to receive an award
Contact educationincubator@exeter.ac.uk for more information.
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Developing Business-Aware Academics Workshops- Tuesday 30 April
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Date: Tuesday 30 April
Time: 13.45-17.00
Venue: Reed Hall, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter
Developing Business-Aware Academics is a new project offering doctoral and early-career researchers (from across all disciplines) the knowledge, skills and networking opportunities to engage effectively with industry. PGRs, early-career researchers, PhD supervisors and researcher developers are invited to come and find out more about the opportunities within the Developing Business-Aware Academics project and explore some of the experiences, challenges and barriers that face doctoral and early-career researchers in collaborating and
working across academia and industry. Afternoon tea will be provided.
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Creative Researching workshop series- April, May and June
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Experiment with new techniques to diversify your approaches to data collection, analysis, reflection, and outreach. Focal methods will include: painting, drawing, collage, LEGO® modelling, sculpture, mandalas, sand trays, card decks…and more!
The series will be run at the Streatham Campus and comprise six sessions: Monday 29 April, Thursday 9 May, Monday 13 May, Monday 20 May, Thursday 30 May, and Monday 3 June. All sessions will run from 10am-12pm, and materials and snacks will be provided. The events will be facilitated by PGRs Elaine Hutchinson (creative therapist, clinical supervisor) and Caitlin Kight (lecturer, artist).
Please visit use this link to register by close of play on Sunday 14 April; you can also email any questions/comments to Caitlin at c.r.kight@exeter.ac.uk.
Deadline: Sunday 14 April
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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, or for further information, please contact Jo Sutherst.
The PGR Study Space core facilitated hours are:
Monday 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday 10:00am-12:00pm
There are unfacilitated sessions outside of these hours so you can fit it around your working patterns.
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Here are some of our upcoming courses (if you are working off-campus, you will need to log into the University VPN to access these links):
We use PGR iTrent as our booking system for training. Please note that PGR iTrent is separate from staff iTrent; we advise bookmarking this page so that you know you are using the correct links.
You can find presentation slides and recordings of some of our previous courses on ELE. Further resources are also available on researcher-development.co.uk.
You will need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access iTrent if you are working off campus or not on the University network. You can access information about how to use VPN on the University’s webpages.
We are launching a new fortnightly Postgraduate Researcher Training and Development Bulletin; the first edition is due on Wednesday 27 March so that will be the new place to look for your training and development needs.
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The Coding for Reproducible Research are running a series of software training sessions. Please register your interest via the registration form (the deadline is one week before the start of the course, or earlier if the course is over-subscribed). The Coding for Reproducible Research team will email you to confirm whether you have a place.
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Computational Thinking, 1-4pm, Friday 12 & Friday 19 April, Training Room 4, Old Library, Streatham Campus
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Software Development Best Practice, 10am-12pm, Tuesday 16 & Tuesday 23 April, Training Room 4, Old Library, Streatham Campus
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Advanced Regression Analysis, 10am-1pm, Friday 26 April, Training Room 4, Old Library, Streatham Campus
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Call for Papers: 18th Annual MEMSA Conference on ‘Fear and Loathing in the Medieval and Early Modern World’
Less than one month left to submit a paper for the 18th Annual MEMSA Conference on the theme of ‘Fear and Loathing in the Medieval and Early Modern World.’
The conference will be held over 15-16 July 2024 in the Pemberton Rooms on Palace Green. Both the conference itself and the association more generally are oriented towards promoting Postgraduate and Early Career research. It offers attendees the opportunity to both present their own research as well as attend panels on current research directions. It also provides crucial networking opportunities for building connections between Early Career and senior academics across a range of disciplines in Medieval and Early Modern Studies.
To apply, please submit a short abstract of no more than 250 words, along with a brief biographical statement, to memsa.conference@durham.ac.uk.
Deadline for submissions: Friday 5 April
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ICURe Engage opportunity - South West and Wales
ICURe ENGAGE is a 4-week, part-time programme tailored for bioscience research students and technicians. This programme aims to identify potential beneficiaries of bioscience research, introduce participants to tools for commercialisation, and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving societal impact and a viable career choice.
Please note that BBSRC ICURe Engage programmes have a regional focus. This one runs specifically for Wales and the South West of England. Although this is not a “hard” eligibility criteria, people applying from this area of the UK will be given priority.
Across 2024 and early 2025, cohorts will run specifically for the following five regions: Wales & the South West of England, Midlands (England), Scotland, South East of England & London, and Northern Ireland & the North of England. The full schedule can be found on the ICURe programme website.
Deadline for applications: Friday 12 April
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Teaching Awards Nominations- Deadline Saturday 6 April
Has your supervisor really made a difference to your research, or your support staff have gone the extra mile? Why not consider nominating them for a Teaching Award?
Deadline: 08.00am on Saturday 6 April
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1-2-1 career appointments available
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1-2-1 careers appointments with our dedicated PGR careers coach, Kenneth Howgill, are available to book on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 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. Please contact researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk if there are any technical difficulties.
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Wellbeing Support and Sessions
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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 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.
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Free Mindfulness Sessions for Wellbeing
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.
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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. 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.
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