Postgrad Community Newsletter: Autumn Edition
Welcome to your postgrad community newsletter from the University Graduate School (UGS). The UGS supports postgraduates at the University of Birmingham, and we offer a variety of academic, social and wellbeing activities throughout the year. In this edition, we’re highlighting postgraduate in-person and online events throughout Semester One, covering postgraduate skills workshops, careers support, community events, Black History Month events and how to become a Postgraduate Rep with the Guild of Students. As always, find a full programme of UGS events in Semester One and beyond here.
Save the date! UGS Talks: Insights into Disability and Research
17 November, 1-2pm, Online
‘UGS Talks’ is a series of thought-provoking, interdisciplinary talks for postgraduates, run by the University Graduate School. November’s event is part of Disability History Month, which takes place 16 November – 16 December 2023. It’s the responsibility of all of us to better understand and support Disabled and/or neurodivergent people in an inclusive postgraduate community, and UGS Talks explores current research into Disability and neurodiversity, inclusive research design, and being a Disabled and/or neurodivergent postgraduate.
Sign up to our EventBrite to book your place and get the announcement of our brilliant speakers!
Your UGS Scholars (PGR) 2023-24
University Graduate School Scholars are here to welcome you into our Postgraduate community and support you throughout your studies with a range of events throughout the year. Meet the team of PGR UGS Scholars for 2023-24 and learn more about them here!
You can join their events on EventBrite throughout Semester One, such as Badminton, PGR Film Club, PhD Chat: Overcoming Writers’ Block, and yet-to-be-announced Christmas celebrations here.
For PGT events run by our new team of UGS Scholars (PGT), keep an eye on our EventBrite page!
Postgraduate Mental Health Workshops
All postgraduates are welcome to attend monthly online and in-person workshops led by Bloomwise, a mental health consultancy.
Bloomwise was established by two UoB PGRs, so they are familiar with the specific challenges of being a postgraduate. The sessions explore topics such as stress management and managing difficult conversations for yourself and others.
Find out about all upcoming Bloomwise workshops here.
Postgraduate Careers Support
The PGR Careers Beyond Academia webinar series is back for 2023! Understand how to research your career options as a postgraduate researcher, how to effectively job hunt beyond academia, how to write convincing applications, and more. Find event listings and sign up here.
For PGTs wanting to explore careers options and develop their CV, the Postgraduate Professional Development Award is a flexible careers programme for PGT students to enhance your employability through a range of Masterclasses and activities delivered by Careers Network. The award also appears on your degree transcript. Find out more on the Canvas site.
Celebrate Black History Month with your Postgraduate Community
For Black History Month, Westmere’s PGR Book Nook is spotlighting Black authors, so you can discover new Black voices or rehome a classic. The Westmere Book Nook is a second-hand book swap in the Lounge of Westmere House (G15 on the campus map), where postgraduate researchers (PGRs) can find new fiction, non-fiction and plays to read, and share the books they’ve loved. Bring a book, get a book!
The full programme of Black History Month events on campus is available here. We particularly recommend joining the online event Sisters Who Slay, which features two current PGRs talking about their experiences as Black female researchers.
Represent Your Postgrad Community as a Student Rep or Postgraduate Research Rep
If you’d like to represent the postgraduate community and the interests of students and researchers at UoB and gain new insight into Higher Education, why not become a Student or Postgraduate Research (PGR) Rep with the Guild of Students?
Being a Rep is a voluntary position, where you’ll represent your fellow postgraduates within your School or College, be the first port of call for students who may be experiencing an issue, and gather feedback to drive change.
Find out more here about becoming a Rep.
Entrepreneurial support for postgraduates
Want to explore the exciting world of start-ups, or are you imagining a different future for yourself using your ideas for new products and services? B-Enterprising can help you with your entrepreneurial journey for any business, social enterprise or freelance undertaking.
It’s a thriving community, with events, 1-2-1 support, even the opportunity to get some funding for your early-stage ideas. Feeling inspired? Further information can be found here to help you start your enterprising future!
Online Group Coaching for PGRs
Join the PhD Life Coach, Dr. Vikki Burns, for online coaching sessions at 10:00 on Tuesdays and 14:00 on Thursdays every week (excluding the main vacation periods). These sessions are designed to support you through common research challenges such as imposter syndrome, self-confidence, and managing your time.
Dr Vikki Burns also offers monthly online workshops on themes such as making decisions, protecting your time, and prioritising conflicting workloads.
Find out more here.
PGT Essentials: Postgraduate Skills and PhD Application Support
The University Graduate School's PGT Essentials is a programme of online workshops designed to support your development as a Postgraduate Taught Student, collaborating with experts from across the University to help you thrive academically and prepare for your next career step.
Our Semester One calendar is now live! Join workshops from the Academic Skills Centre on crucial postgraduate skills such as critical thinking and developing your writing. And if you're thinking about doing a PhD, our workshops with PG Careers cover funding, applications, and what it's really like to do a PhD.
Find the range of workshops and book your place here.
Birmingham PhD Video Abstracts: Opportunity for PGRs close to submission!
PGRs! Have you submitted your thesis, or plan to in the next year?
The Birmingham PhD Video Abstracts is a great way to showcase your research, raise your profile, and extend your reach. Submit a short video about your thesis, and have your video hosted on the University Graduate School YouTube channel and the chance to be chosen to feature on the main University of Birmingham YouTube channel. A link to your video abstract will also accompany your thesis in the UoB eTheses Repository, as an engaging and arresting introduction to your research.
Find the full brief here.