B6 - The changing world of postgraduate researcher well-being

Day 1 at 16:30 - The changing world of postgraduate researcher well-being
Day Day 1
Session B
Start time 16:30
Strand

Postgraduate researchers 

Code B6
Presenters

Dr Katryna Kalawsky, Postgraduate Research Student Development Officer, Loughborough University

Parmjit Dhugga, Head of Researcher Development, University of Nottingham

Workshop overview: 

Doctoral well-being is an important area in higher education. Potential consequences of poor well-being could include poor student health outcomes, impaired academic performance, reduced student retention and reduced completion rates. Prompted by the results of a Doctoral Well-Being and Support Survey, this workshop will consider the support needed by and available to Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs). The well-being of PGRs will be considered from a variety of perspectives (i.e. PGRs themselves, Researcher Developers, Supervisors and Researcher Leaders) and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss questions such as:

a) Who is/should be responsible for PGR well-being?

b) What could be done to raise awareness of and engagement with issues of PGR well-being?

c) What practical solutions are available to address issues of PGR well-being?

d) What are the perceived and actual barriers to PGRs receiving/accessing support?

The workshop will also provide the opportunity for attendees to share examples of best practice.

Workshop topics covered: 

  • Perspectives of PGR well-being.
  • Accountability of PGR well-being.
  • Raising awareness of and engagement with PGR well-being.
  • Solutions to PGR well-being issues.
  • Barriers to support.
  • Examples of best practice.

Themes covered:

  • Engaging research leaders, principal investigators and supervisors to transform professional development of researchers and embed professional development in the research environment

Workshop outcomes: 

Participants will:

  • Have a greater awareness of the challenges facing PGRs and those who support them.
  • Explore approaches to PGR support (including who is responsible, what has been done, what institutions would like to do, and perceived/actual barriers).
  • Identify actions to share with their institutions.

Format:

The format of the workshop will include information, interaction and discussion. Participants should also be prepared to include examples from their own institution and experience.