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Doctoral College Newsletter - 29 April 2024
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Looking to meet other PGRs in a more informal setting? Why not check out the many social and special interest groups at the University, open to PGRs and staff? There is a mix of online and in-person groups, across different campuses, so wherever you are based, there is always something to get involved with!
Don't forget the Postgraduate Society at the Guild, and for peer support when working, our online PGR Study Space is a handy resource to keep focused on a task as well as meeting new PGRs.
If you are running a network not listed on the above webpages, please get in touch with researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.
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Notification of upgrade to Symplectic Elements
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RIME Symplectic Elements is the system which enables you to deposit the final version of your thesis to our open access Doctoral thesis repository. We will be upgrading the system from Wednesday 8 May 2024. This much needed update will provide an enhanced set of user experiences and functionalities and ensure the continuing support and optimal performance of the system.
To support the upgrade process, Symplectic Elements will be unavailable between 7.00 on Wednesday 8 May to 12.00 on Wednesday 15 May 2024.
If you are eligible to upload your thesis before this time we recommend doing so by Tuesday 7 May at the latest.
If you become eligible to upload your final thesis while the system is closed, then the PGR admin team will be in touch with you directly.
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New wellbeing web portal from Spectrum Life
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Our EAP Spectrum Life is available to you for confidential support, advice and counselling 365 days a year.
In addition to the 24/7 telephone and chat services, we now have access to a new and improved web portal. The portal offers even more free support and evidence-based resources including bookable appointments with a range of experts from financial advisors to dieticians, mindfulness on demand, relationship support, wellbeing courses, nutrition and recipes, online fitness classes and much more. To sign up to the web portal, please use your exeter.ac.uk email address.
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Are you ready to transfer to Continuation Status?
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If you will not undertake any significant additional research/data gathering and no longer require normal levels of supervision you may be eligible to transfer to Continuation Status - please refer to the TQA for details. This is especially relevant for self-funded students, and those whose funding ends before their completion deadline as when funding ends students become personally liable for tuition fees.
You must apply to transfer to continuation status through MyPGR when you are 3-6 months away from submitting your thesis – it is not automatic.
• Students who enrolled after 01 August 2019: continuation status will only be granted when supervisory team have received a near complete draft thesis, and you expect to submit within 3 to 6 months.
• Students who enrolled before 01 August 2019: the requirements may be different; please refer to the TQA for details.
Please discuss continuation status with your supervisors and PGR Support Team for more information.
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Abstract Submissions Open- PGR and ECR Research Ethics Conference (PEREC) 2024
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All PGRS and ECRs from the University of Exeter are invited to participate in the PGR and ECR Research Ethics Conference (PEREC) 2024, hosted by the Research Ethics Association (REA), which will take place on Friday 5 July at the University of Bath. Registration is free, thanks to funding provided by the University of Exeter, as well as support from the Research Ethics Association, Research England, University of Bath and other organisations and institutions. All refreshments and lunch will be provided as well as a drinks reception.
The event offers opportunities to:
• Engage in thought-provoking discussions on ethical considerations in research.
• Present their research findings and contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue.
• Network with peers and mentors from academia and industry.
Abstract submission for PEREC 2024 is now open. Abstracts can cover a wide range of topics related to research ethics, reflecting their research, experiences, thoughts, literature reviews or anything else related to ethics.
Registration will open Wednesday 1 May.
If you have any queries, please contact info@ethics-association.org.
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Post-Graduate Peer Group (PGPG)- Wednesday 8 May- Penryn Campus
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The brand-new ✨ Post-Graduate Peer Group (PGPG) ✨ will be launching on Wednesday 8 May at 13.00 in the Exchange Lecture Theatre, Penryn Campus, with an information session, a personal development workshop and a focus group. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what the PGPG offers; experience one of the many wellness-themed workshops we’ll be running; and have chance to contribute insight and suggestions for what you would like to see in a long-term PGR Peer Mentorship scheme.
13:00: Arrival for tea/coffee and games
13.20: Introduction to the Postgrad Peer Group (PGPG)
13.30: ‘Playful Learning: being a PGR’; run by the University’s Peer Support team, this playful session uses a range of guided activities, including Playmobil and LEGO, allowing you to connect with other PGRs and literally build your dream PGR experience.
14.10: Wrap-up and Q&A
14.25: Focus group - ATTENDANCE OPTIONAL
Any student who chooses to remain for the optional focus group will receive a £5 voucher to spend at any of the food & drink outlets on campus. PLEASE SIGN UP so that we know how many vouchers to order! Please direct any queries to nh510@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.
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New Episode from Exeter Postgraduate Researcher Podcast
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In our Exeter Postgraduate Researcher Podcast, we covers the skills and knowledge needed for postgraduate researchers’ professional development. The latest episode features Dr Chris Tibbs (Research Data Officer at University of Exeter) in conversation with Professor Sabina Leonelli (Professor of Philosophy and History of Science at University of Exeter). It covers key topics of open research, the use of Artificial Intelligence in research, and the importance of understanding the diversity of research environments when
implementing open research practices.
The episode is available here, via Spotify, or Amazon Music.
If you have any ideas for future topics for the podcast, we'd love to hear from you; please email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.
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Survey: Student Wellbeing Services Student Feedback: develop training to look after your friend
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as 'a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community'.
The University is committed to a community approach to mental health and supporting mental distress, recognising that we can all make a difference to the wellbeing of others. We are now looking to support our student population to have knowledge and confidence to support each other and signpost appropriately.
We are now developing training for students and would really value your views on what would be most helpful. We really welcome your help - thank you!
If you’re happy to be involved in a more in-depth survey, please contact us on wellbeingtrainingteam@exeter.ac.uk. If you fill out this extra survey, we will reimburse you £10 for 15-20mins of your time.
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Summer Webinar Series- Medical and Digital Humanities
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Please see below upcoming online lectures hosted by the Literature and Science Forum. For news on upcoming events our Instagram and X (Twitter) can both be found at @ _literaturesa.
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Wednesday 1 May (12:00 BST) Dr Tyne Sumner (The Australian National University)- Subjectivity & Distributed Cognition in the Contemporary‘Social Media’ Novel
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Wednesday 15 May (15:00 BST) Dr Claire O’Callaghan (Loughborough University)- ‘An arrest of the disease might yet be procured’: Rethinking Anne Brontë, Tuberculosis, and Victorian Medicine
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Wednesday 5 June (15:00 BST) Dr Arya Thampuran (Durham University)- Attending to Race, Place, and Care in the Critical Medical Humanities
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Wednesday 19 June (15:00 BST) Professor Andrew Mangham (University of Reading)- ‘Nature’s Experiments’: Balzac, Brain Trauma, and the Birth of Tragic Realism
Zoom Link: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/98152094443
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Survey relating to neurodivergence in Higher Education- University of Warwick
The survey is related to a research project at University of Warwick – entitled “Understanding Self” – which is looking at barriers and experiences of all staff and PhD students at universities across the UK, regarding neurodiversity.
The survey is 100% anonymous and will take about 2-3 minutes to complete. It is aimed at both people who identify as neurodiverse and those who do not.
Anyone is also welcome to contact Dr Tara Schiller (t.l.schiller@warwick.ac.uk) or Dr Jennifer Rolls (jen.rolls@warwick.ac.uk), for further information.
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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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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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April is Stress Awareness Month- please check out our resources and sessions below to help develop and maintain good mental health.
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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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Nurture-U: Help with imposter syndrome and stress
The Nurture-U team are offering FREE resources and therapies to help with confidence, imposter syndrome, 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.
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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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Power Walk and Talk Group
Join a lunchtime group for a power walk- meet outside Washington Singer Labs, Streatham Campus.
When: 12.30 every Thursday
What: Brisk 20 mins power walk around the university grounds
Who: Open to all – students, staff and even their dogs!
Why: Get active, socialise, enjoy fresh air and natural beauty, improve PM productivity
This concept was selected by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Group to receive funding assistance from the Wellness Creation fund.
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The Cornwall Wellbeing Network would like to invite you to this month’s Fika, taking place on Tuesday 16 April at 15:00, in the Peter Lanyon kitchen/staff room.
This month we are collaborating with ✨ Flapjackery ✨ to provide you with a selection of award-winning flapjacks from their newly opened Falmouth shop. Tea and coffee are provided, please just bring your own mug!
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, FXPlus and the SU. Sharing of home baked goods is encouraged but not enforced 😉
Please contact Tasha Hammond (nh510@exeter.ac.uk) if you have any queries.
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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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