Postgraduate Research Festival 2022

A celebration of postgraduate research at the University of Birmingham.

The University Graduate School are working with a committee of PGRs to organise a Postgraduate Research Festival, 1pm-5pm on the 16th and 17th June 2022.

This is the biggest celebration of postgraduate research at the University of Birmingham, giving postgraduates from different disciplines the opportunity to share their work with the wider University and beyond.

The Festival includes a packed programme with most events open to all staff, students, and partners of the University interested in postgraduate research (a particular welcome to PGTs and UGs applying for/considering PG studies!). When registering for the Festival, you can select which events you would like to attend.

You can keep up to date with the latest news, including how you can get involved with the Festival here: www.linktr.ee/UoBGradSchool

Many of our events will be livestreamed and our Research Poster Exhibition and Images of Research Exhibition will be displayed online throughout the Festival. You do not need to register to access the online provision, just follow our Linktree account above for links during the Festival. 

Our 2022 Festival Theme: Civic Researchers in Action

Celebrating Postgraduate Researchers Making a Difference

The University of Birmingham was founded as the first civic university in the UK and ‘Civic and Global’ in one of the six pillars of the Birmingham 2030 Strategic Framework. Our PGRs are regularly working with local people, policy makers, businesses, and charities with the aim of bettering the experience of communities. This year, we want to highlight the amazing work that is taking place in our communities, so the theme of ‘Civic Researchers in Action’ will be interwoven throughout the Postgraduate Research Festival.

 Our Research Poster and Images of Research exhibition will be located in the Alan Walters Foyer for the duration of the event, as well as being accessible online. Keep an eye on our Linktree for information about how to access online.

Images of Research Display

Images of Research offers postgraduates the opportunity to showcase their research in a creative and innovative manner - in a single image. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at the festival and attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favourite.

Research Poster Exhibition

The annual Research Poster Competition is back and this year, we confer online in a two-day event with shortlisted posters being shown on campus across both days of the festival, giving postgraduate researchers the opportunity to showcase their posters and research to members of the public, postgraduate researchers, and members of staff from across the University. 

DAY ONE - Thursday 16th June

Welcome Address & Keynote Speaker

1-1.45pm, Alan Walters G03

Join us for the introductory session of the Postgraduate Research Festival 2022, with our Dean of Postgraduates, Duncan Shepherd, opening the festival.  Following this, we are excited to host our first keynote speaker relating to our Festival theme ‘Civic Researchers in Action' - Prof Simon Collinson

PGR Talks

Part One - 2-3pm, Alan Walters G03

Networking and refreshments - 3-4pm, Alan Walter Foyer

Part Two - 4-5pm, Alan Walters G03

 PGR Talks seeks to highlight the work being done by postgraduate researchers at the University of Birmingham, by inviting them to talk about their experiences relating to our Festival theme ‘Civic Researchers in Action'. We'll hear from PGRs doing collaborative research, outreach, and public engagement work. The two sessions are joined with a networking session in Alan Walters Foyer with refreshments provided. The deadline for registering your interest for giving a PGR Talk is the 8th June - find out more here.

DAY TWO - Friday 17th June

Keynote Speaker

1-1.30pm, Alan Walters G03

Join us for our Day Two Keynote Speaker relating to our Festival theme ‘Civic Researchers in Action' - Prof Andrew Beggs.

UGS Discussions - Current Postgraduate Only!

2-3.30pm, Alan Walters G11

Centred on the theme of civic researchers in action, current postgraduates at the University are invited to join us for a knowledge exchange session to discuss the 'why' - why is public engagement work important, why are researchers encouraged to work with communities outside of the university, why is research striving for open access, and why do our universities strive to embed civic responsibility within its researchers?

Following several short ‘lightning talks’ on the topic, you will explore these questions through group discussions, where you will have the chance to share your thoughts and experiences regarding why and if we should 'do' civic responsibility.

UGS Awards Ceremony and Drinks Reception

3:45-5pm, Alan Walters G03 and Alan Walters Foyer

Join us for our awards ceremony, where we will announce the winners of the Images of Research and Research Poster Competition, the The Michael K. O'Rourke Best Publication Awards, Awards for Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision, and our 3MT People's Choice award. Join us to congratulate our winners, followed by a drinks reception in the Alan Walters Foyer.