The Doctoral College is delighted to re-launch the PGR Research Culture and Community Grant for its third year to support PGR-led activity across researcher development, research culture and research community building initiatives.
This grant is aimed at supporting researcher-led social and/or academic events. It may be used towards a social event, training activity, analysis workshop, digital skills session, writing session or other activity to enhance the PGR student experience.听In addition to community building, the purpose of the grant is to enable PGRs to gain transferable skills and experience in planning, organising, promoting and implementing PGR engagement activities.
This year grants of up to 拢500 per activity are available.
Full details on how to apply can be found on the听 (accessible to postgraduate researchers only).
Applications opened Monday 9 September听2024
Applications close Monday 28 October 2024听(midnight)
Previously the grant has funded activities including:
Faculty of Media听& Communication (FMC) UK Parliament Week, November 2023
A thought-provoking conference on the theme of "The role of social media and its impact on education; deciding who regulates.听The conference aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the influence of social media, deliberating on aspects of law, and safeguarding for children online, data protection, brand advertising and online influencers. It provided a platform for scholars and experts to exchange insights and share their research findings.
"It has been a rewarding experience and a wonderful opportunity to gain experience, collaborate and share experience working with institutions, organisations and my grant sponsors." - MacDonald Amaran, Faculty of Media & Communication
3-Minute Thesis Competition, March 2024
PGRs presented their research topics in three minutes with one presentation slide and received feedback from judges. This event aimed to help enhance PGRs听presentation skills and research outcomes.听
"Through听organising听the event, we gained valuable experience in coordinating logistics, managing timelines, and ensuring it ran smoothly. This experience helped听us听build relationships with others and contribute to the overall enrichment of BU's听academic culture." - Aziean Jamin and Bohan Liu, 天美传媒 Business School
Appreciative Inquiry Workshops, June 2024
Workshops discussed what appreciative inquiry is and how it can support PGRs research.听Appreciative inquiry is an action research approach that's used to help participants uncover existing strengths, advantages, or opportunities in their communities, organisations, or teams. This听approach focuses on what is working, rather than trying to fix a problem, which leads to people sharing ideas and best practices.
"I developed networking and planning skills by arranging these workshops. The workshops included an overview of the model of appreciative inquiry and how the 4D cycle is used in a strengths-based approach." - Sara Stride, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
PGR Badminton Tournament, June 2024
Connecting with PGRs over games of badminton. The games aimed to get together an exercise group for the PGR community. The free badminton games took place during World Wellbeing Week (24 - 30 June 2024).听
"Many PGRs neglect the significance of maintaining a regular exercise routine due to their busy research schedules. Thanks to the Doctoral College's support, we can gather and exchange our experiences in exercises like badminton." - Zhiqi Li & Boyuan Cheng, Faculty of Media & Communication
Write Wise: Crafting Scholarly Success 听
This seminar series aimed to create a supportive and collaborative enviornment for PGRs to share ideas, insights, and experiences related to scholarly writing and professional development.听Through interactive sessions, PGRs have had the opportunity to enhance their academic skills and build networks and connections with peers across disciplines.
"This experience has developed my听professional and personal growth. Organising and facilitating these seminars has allowed me to refine my leadership, communication, and organisational skills, all of which are essential for success in academia and beyond." -听Tahmeena Javaid Adeel, Aneta Postek-Mioduszewska, Armin Sheibanifard, Abdul Rehman,听Faculty of Media & Communication
Generalized Linear Mixed Models Workshop
A training workshop on Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) for Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) from the Psychology department. This event facilitated an interactive and collaborative learning environment, enhancing the PGR research culture where PGRs shared their research and discussed GLMM application in their projects. The skills they acquired are applicable to their work and have the potential to improve their research outputs.
"The training workshop gave me a deeper understanding of advanced statistical method for analysing complex datasets. This knowledge will be useful in my future research." - Damla Kulelih, Faculty of Science & Technology
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Paper Reading Seminar
A research seminar focused on the innovative use of diffusion models for image generation. PGRs engaged with others research to enhance their knowledge and research skills. PGRs with听various research backgrounds attended which enabled broader conversations on a variety of subjects.
"We developed听our understanding of diffusion models and developed听essential skills in event planning, leadership, and community building." - Zhiqi Li & Boyuan Cheng, Faculty of Media & Communication
Winter Holiday Party
This end of year party brought together PGRs from across faculties and research areas. It provided a relaxed environment to network and share experiences to enrich PGR research.
鈥淧GRs were eager to unwind, celebrate, and connect with their peers. The evening was filled with festive cheer, delicious food, and lively conversations. The party kicked off at Dylan's Bar, where students mingled and shared their research experiences and aspirations. This initial networking paved the way for a more cohesive and collaborative PGR community.鈥 鈥 John Christopher, Faculty of Science & Technology
Women's Health Research Symposium, July 2024
The symposium took place on Talbot Campus and included听keynote speakers from women鈥檚 health research in Dorset. Keynote speakers at included,听Dr Michael Dooley, Consultant Gynaecologist and Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and Helen Crook, Programme Manager - Transformation Delivery at NHS Dorset and lead for the Dorset Women鈥檚 Health Hub. The event听showcased the听Faculty of Health & Social Sciences,听PhD听researchers听 and created an opportunity for academics, clinicians, researchers, and those from the charity sector to network, discuss ideas, and outline key priorities in women鈥檚 healthcare.
"This experience helped me gain experience in applying for funding and learn about other researchers in my area of expertise." - Kate Rattley, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences
Find out more about听postgraduate research opportunities听at听天美传媒.