P18 - Using PGRs as student ambassadors

Engaging undergraduate students to act as ambassadors is a common practice in higher education. In particular, students are used to market institutions by undertaking aspirational and attainment-raising work. At Cardiff University, the Doctoral Academy has recently established its own student ambassadors scheme, aimed at current and former PGRs. Those recruited engage with the Academy in different ways, including contributing to blog posts, speaking at community events, and providing a dialogue about the needs of PGRs.

This poster will give an overview of the scheme and share its outcomes to date. It will outline how establishing such a scheme can help to:

• showcase the achievements of PGRs to internal and external stakeholders;
• develop links with external partners through alumni networks; 
• demonstrate the wider impact of doctoral research; 
• foster a sense of community amongst PGRs and improve research culture; 
• encourage students to engage in professional development.