Part-time & Distance PGR Volunteers Wanted!
Are you a Part Time and/or Distance Learning Postgraduate Researcher?
If you are a PhD or MRes student who studies, or has studied, Part Time or as a Distance Learner at the University of Birmingham, this study may be for you!
A University of Birmingham, Educational Enhancement Fund (EEF) funded project is looking to recruit PhD and MRes students who are, or who have been, enrolled as part time (PT) and/or distance learning (DL) postgraduate researchers (PGRs). The project is a study exploring how PT and DL PGRs understand and engage with the University’s research culture and how they might be better supported.
The Royal Society defines research culture as: ‘the behaviours, values, expectations, attitudes and norms of our research communities’ and reminds us that culture ‘influences researchers’ career paths and determines the way that research is conducted and communicated.’ Therefore, being ‘off campus’ can profoundly affect the ways in which culture is absorbed. This project intends to explore different methods for enhancing PT and DL participation and engagement with ‘research culture’, and to help identify ways to improve outcomes for this cohort (degree results and experience).
Participants will be asked to join either an online or in-person Focus Group lasting 60-90 minutes, with other PGRs with experience of DL or PT programmes, exploring understandings of, and engagement with, research culture. In-person focus groups will be held at a venue on the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston Campus.
Participants may be invited to contribute to a ‘Project Development Forum’ made up of academic and professional colleagues as well as representatives from The Guild of Students and the PGR community.
All participants will be entered into a Prize Draw to win £50 worth of vouchers.
Interested? If you are, or have been, a PT or DL postgraduate researcher based anywhere in the University of Birmingham, please contact Amy Houghton-Barnes (a.barnes@bham.ac.uk) by 10th March 2022.
If you have any questions about the study, or would like more information, please contact one of the lead investigators, either Dr Emma Foster (e.a.foster@bham.ac.uk) or Prof Nicola Gale (n.gale@bham.ac.uk).