In this fortnight's issue of the Doctoral College Newsletter, you will find the following:

Spotlight on...

Mental Health Awareness Week

Exeter & Falmouth Researcher Drop-in Lunch Break- Wednesday 15 May

PGR Hybrid Writing Retreat May and June- Updated Links

Academic Job Hunting Community- Thursday 23 and Thursday 30 May

CBS (St Luke’s and RILD) Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) Launch – tea, coffee and chat- Wednesday 29 May

Call for Papers: Visions Unveiled – Unfolding Narratives of Art History, Visual Culture, and Modern Languages

Call for Speakers- Art History & Visual Culture/Modern Languages (AHVC/ML) PGR seminars

Social Group: PGRs and Families (PAFs)

Are you ready to transfer to Continuation Status?

Research Studies

PGR Study Space

1-2-1 career appointments available

Wellbeing Support and Sessions

Enquiries

If you have a news story or an opportunity you would like to advertise in the next newsletter (Tuesday 28 May, due to the Bank Holiday), please email ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk by Wednesday 22 May.

Please refer to our style guide before submitting your item.

The new place to look for training and development opportunities at the University and beyond is our fortnightly Postgraduate Researcher Training and Development Bulletin. The next bulletin will be sent out on Wednesday 22 May.

The deadlines for our Research Showcase competitions are fast approaching! Applications for our Poster Competition will close at 5pm on Monday 20 May and applications for Three Minute Thesis will close at 5pm on Monday 27 May.

Check out presentation tips from previous 3 Minute Thesis winner Michael Schrauben, who went on to reach the semi final in the Vitae competition, and poster tips from Katy Humberstone, who won 1st place for HASS in Poster Competition 2022.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme is ‘moving more for our mental health’. By building movement into our day, we can positively impact productivity and focus.  For ideas about including more movement in your life, do explore our physical activity page, including the Sports Park’s Ex-Hale Staff Wellness Membership. Our new EAP portal has a fitness section containing tailored workouts and a Digital Gym with online fitness sessions.

Join us for the FX Creative Exchange drop-in lunch break for researchers with coffee, cake & two micro talk tasters (5 mins) with:

• Dr. Rachael Jones from Falmouth University - Thinking through Filmmaking

A research practice that explores the possibilities of film to not just capture and record but promote new nonlinear ways of thinking and experiencing landscape and place.

• Professor Jamie Hampson from University of Exeter - Indigenous rock art: sacred landscapes and images of power.

When: Wednesday 15 May, 12:00-13:00

Where: Trevithick Room/ Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), Penryn Campus.

Open to all engaged or interested in research from University of Exeter and Falmouth University.
Bring your lunch and your re-useable cup (if you have one). Coffee, tea and cake provided.
This is an in-person event.

Future dates for your calendar:
Wednesday 19 June, 12:00-13.00 – venue tbc & join us in July for an opening and social at our Creative Exchanges exhibition at Gray’s Wharf Gallery, Penryn, date tbc.

Supported by the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) University of Exeter, Falmouth University and Arts and Culture University of Exeter.

Here are updated links for the upcoming PGR Hybrid writing retreats taking place in May and June.

PGR Hybrid Writing Retreat (Online and Face-to-face at Streatham Campus) Wednesday 15 May 2024, 10:00-16:00
Spaces limited to 35 face-to-face, online unlimited
Venue: ONE/TR01 - Pearson Teaching Room /Building:One
Last sign up is Tuesday 14 May 2024- sign up here.

Updated Teams link.

 

PGR Online Writing Retreat (Online and Face-to-face at Penryn Campus) Tuesday 18 June 2024, 10:00-16:00
Spaces limited to 30 face-to-face, online unlimited
Venue: B018E-161 - PL Seminar 03
Last sign up is Monday 17 June 2024- sign up here.

Updated Teams link.

 

PGR Online Writing Retreat (Online and Face-to-face at Streatham Campus) Wednesday 19 June 2024, 10:00-16:00
Spaces limited to 35 face-to-face, online unlimited
Venue: OLD/134 - 134 /Old Library
Last sign up is Tuesday 18 June 2024- sign up here.

Updated Teams link.

It’s common to feel isolated, self-doubt and anxious when we run into tough times during our academic job hunt so this academic job hunt community aims to reduce students’ job hunting anxiety, improve students’ well-being, build connections across faculty, and improve students’ career management skills. Please come and join us! The sessions take place on:

• Thursday 23 May, 11.30-12.30 at Creative Quadrant (CQ), Streatham Campus
• Thursday 30 May, 13.00-14.00 at Creative Quadrant (CQ), Streatham Campus

Everyone is welcome! You can also play board games.

This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.

The Clinical and Biomedical Sciences (for St Luke’s and RILD) Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) are delighted to invite all ECRs and PGRs within the department to our launch event! Come and join us for tea, coffee and treats and chat to us to see what we have planned and to have your say on what you would like to be included in our programme of events (you can also do this via QR code on this flyer or in the newsletter image). Our current thoughts are to have alternating seminars (basic science and clinical) and wellness sessions, to develop a connected and supportive community.

When: Wednesday 29th May, pop-in any time between 15:30-17:00
Where: Exeter Medical School, Room F20, St Luke’s campus (how to get there)
Who: All PGRs and ECRs within CBS based at St Luke’s or RILD

Please email Sophie, Katie, Christiana and Joe at CBS-ECRN@exeter.ac.uk for more information or to help organise future events!

There is still time to submit to 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 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

The deadline is Friday 17 May and submissions should be sent to VisionsUnveiled2024@exeter.ac.uk.

We are continuing our series of Modern Language/Art History & Visual Culture (ML/AHVC) PGR seminars in term 3 (on alternate weeks). They will be scheduled around lunchtime. Actual dates and timings to be confirmed.

Why not share your research with a supportive audience of PGRs? We are looking for 2 speakers for each seminar. Each talk will be 15 minutes plus time for discussions. The talk can be about any aspect of your research. You will be able to speak in person or online.

If you would like to share your research at a seminar or have any queries, please email js1187@exeter.ac.uk.

Calling all Postgraduate Researchers with families! PAFs is a mature PGR group aimed at PGRs with parents and/or partners. Our group runs various meet-ups and events throughout the year. We started in November 2023, so the group is fairly new and we have a lovely and supportive group of PhD students who like to connect with other students with family responsibilities. So far, we have organised an end of year family party, workshops on how the UK school system works, PAF-ed Out Yoga for stressed PGR parents, picnics, Ramadan Iftar, weekend meetups, and this June we have the big family picnic coming up with lots of fun and games. We aim to be inclusive, so whether you are campus or distance based, please connect with us and we try will organise events around the needs of all PGRs.  If you would like to join our supportive and friendly group, please join our mailing list to be kept up to date with the events we organise or contact Lyndsey Carmichael (lc823@exeter.ac.uk).

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.

What's the study about?

We're exploring the potential benefits of Faradarmani and meditation on overall health and well-being.

Who can join?

We are seeking 78 adult volunteers (18 years or older) without diagnosed mental illness.

What's involved?

• Short questionnaires before and after the study
• Random assignment to one of three groups:       
• Faradarmani group: A simple mind-body practice
• Meditation group: Practice guided meditation
• Control group: No intervention
• 4-week study period
• Short practice sessions (10-15 minutes), 3 times a week
• Participate from the comfort of your home!

If you would like to take part please contact Sina on sm1396@exeter.ac.uk

Are you a neurodiverse PGR? Your input will help us develop targeted support for the unique challenges neurodiverse scholars face during pivotal academic phases:

Impact Areas:
1. Targeted upgrade support.
2. Completing the PhD journey.
3. VIVA exam strategies.

Act Now! Shape the future of inclusive academia.

Fill in the questionnaire by Sunday 16 June.

Thank you for paving the way forward!

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.

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.

April is Stress Awareness Month- please check out our resources and sessions below to help develop and maintain good mental health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This month’s ✨ Fika ✨ is taking place on Tuesday 21st May at 3pm, in the Stella Turk kitchen/collaboratory space.

As May is mental health awareness month, we will be combining our tea break with fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine with a jaunt to the walled garden to bring some extra movement and connection with nature into our day. Of course, it’s also completely fine if you would prefer to remain indoors! Tea, coffee and biscuits will be laid out for the whole hour ☕

Please contact Tasha Hammond (nh510@exeter.ac.uk) if you have any queries.

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.