I start this month’s update with a very heavy heart. I am sure that you will have already read the University’s message about the tragic death of Prof Jason Arday of the University of Cambridge.

I have seen on my social media feed and in messages from friends and colleagues just how much this has affected so many people, and that many Black and racially minoritised, and neurodiverse people have been very significantly impacted by the ferocity and relentlessness of media attention in the days leading up to his death and afterwards. 

The YCEDE project, which has been a central part of YGRS’ work over the last four years, arose from the excellent work Jason and his ‘Leading Routes’ colleagues undertook on race/ethnicity and doctoral funding. Several of us were lucky enough to listen to, meet and talk with him during this time. Please do reach out for support if you have been affected. It is my sincere hope that Jason’s legacy will be a fairer and kinder academia and public discourse where such a tragedy does not happen again.

In the rhythm of the academic and research year, summer usually signals an abundance of two things. One is lots of out-of-office email replies as people take a well-earned break - please make sure you do too! The other is the arrival of the main academic conference season. Going to a conference is not always easy - it can be expensive and sometimes difficult to get a paper accepted - but the rewards are fantastic, such as meeting people with similar interests to yours, or equally, people with quite different approaches and perspectives to yours. 

To help you get there, if you don’t have training funds to draw on, you can always approach the YGRS Conference Fund. But perhaps a more exciting alternative is to Do It Yourself: organise and run your own conference! It’s something I did (twice) when I was a PhD student with a group of friends and it proved both very intellectually stimulating and a whole lot of fun. I learnt a lot about organisation, communication and problem solving, as well as about making the most of limited resources. I’m pleased to note several PGR-organised and led conferences over the last few months, meaning there is a lot of experience to draw on if this is something you would be interested in (please let us know at ygrs@york.ac.uk of any conference-organising plans).

Alongside some holiday time, here within YGRS we are continuing with our summer project to understand more about your housing and commuting constraints and preferences. Last month I mentioned the in-depth interview element of this research. This month we will be launching our survey for PGRs. It is vital that we get as many responses as possible from you to this survey so that we have the widest range of PGRs represented. Please look out for the survey invitation and be sure to complete it. (And for those of you who are running your own research surveys as part of your postgraduate research, be aware of ‘survey karma’: if you want people to fill your survey in, you have to fill in other people’s!)

Looking ahead, late summer and early autumn is typically the time when the highest volume of theses are submitted. For those of you enrolled at PhD level, that means the viva examination is not far away. There are lots of ways to prepare for your viva, including speaking to your supervisor, or arranging a ‘mock viva’. and registering for a future Research Culture and Researcher Development team’s Preparing for your viva session in autumn. Another great way is to follow the lead of recent PhD graduate Abby (this month’s ‘Meet the PGR’) and arrange a ‘friends and family viva’ where you present your research to your nearest and dearest. It’s a nice way to share what you have been working so hard on for so long with them, but also to get some practice in answering surprising questions in a more relaxed environment. And with a wider range of refreshments available than the typical viva!

Best wishes,
Paul

Whether you’re a brand new PhD or Masters by Research student, or you missed our previous induction events, you are warmly welcomed to the upcoming University of York Induction for new Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs)! Meet your fellow PGRs, learn about key information and support available to you, hear practical advice from current PGRs and join us afterwards for refreshments and networking. Please book your place for catering purposes.

We are pleased to share the news that, following a competitive internal process, Karen Rowlingson (Dean of Social Sciences) will step into the role of Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1 September 2026. Her appointment follows Ken Badcock taking on the role of Interim Vice-Chancellor while the recruitment process for a permanent Vice-Chancellor continues. We will begin the recruitment process for an interim Dean of Social Sciences as soon as possible.

The postgraduate student finance application service 2026/27 is now open for postgraduate taught and research students in England and Wales. Students should apply as soon as possible to help make sure their funding is in place before their course starts. 

Following the first wave of the Housing and Commuting research project, we are now launching a survey to gather the views of the whole PGR cohort. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete, and we encourage as many PGRs to participate as possible, so that the widest range of experiences may be presented as findings to university management. 

Further information about how your data will be processed and used can be found on the information page at the beginning of the survey - please take time to read this thoroughly and consent to the statements provided, before beginning the survey.

Please use energy responsibly during warmer weather. Try natural cooling methods like opening windows before switching on AC cooling. If AC cooling is needed, close windows first, set the temperature to no lower than 24°C, and switch it off when you leave. Small actions like these can make a big difference in reducing our energy use as part of our Energy Saving Campaign.

Make the most of your summer in York! Upcoming highlights include:

A welcoming space for postgraduate researchers to connect and learn from each other. In our monthly meet ups, we explore how research is experienced across disciplines and share the realities of postgraduate life at York - over a cuppa and cake!

Join the Humanities Research Centre every Wednesday in August to practise languages in a relaxed, informal, and friendly environment. With weekly sessions alternating between in person and online settings, whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced speaker, everyone is welcome. Contact the HRC (hrc-admin@york.ac.uk) for more information and to register to attend. 

EXPLORE is a series of nine short online sessions (45 minutes each) introducing you to key fellowship topics - perfect if you’re considering an early career fellowship for your next career step. The series starts again in October 2026, with sessions running until the Winter break. See the full list of sessions under the ‘York Fellowship Launchpad’ dropdown on the YGRS Researcher Development webpage, or by searching for ‘Explore’ on SkillsForge.

The Careers and Placements department is recruiting 5 casual Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to help deliver the York Strengths programme to first-year undergraduates. Find out more about the roles and apply by 1 September.

Organised by the White Rose University Consortium, the fair creates a shared space for networking, career exploration and knowledge exchange, showcasing the breadth of opportunities open to PhD researchers both within and beyond academia. Confirmed employers are now listed on the website and include Leeds Museums and Galleries, Charity Horizons and the National Railway Museum. Travel costs up to £30 can be reimbursed.  Learn more about the event, including reimbursement rules. 

Open to PGRs funded by UKRI research councils, these internships offer a three-month paid placement in a UK or devolved government office or agency. Develop your broader skills, apply your knowledge to relevant policy questions and gain experience in the public sector. Find out more and apply by 8 September. 

See all current Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) teaching opportunities on Handshake.

If you're planning to teach as a GTA at York, you need to complete Introduction to Teaching and Learning training first. There are three different workshops; you should complete the one recommended by your department. For any queries, please contact the Academic Practice Team: academic-practice@york.ac.uk.

From Autumn 2026/27, this training will be delivered through a revised structure of online preparation and in-person workshop activity. The current three site versions will also be consolidated into a single integrated site, which will be released in Summer 2026.

Please note: the current VLE sites are intended only for participants enrolled in the 2025/26 workshop cycle. If you are not currently scheduled to attend, please do not begin the online activities.

Embark on a literary adventure through the charming streets of York. Join fellow bookworms for a delightful journey exploring the city's hidden literary gems, led by York SU staff. From cosy and independent to old and historic, York has a bookstore for every reader.

'...I had a practice viva with my friends and family where I presented my research, and they asked me questions about why I did certain things or anything they were interested in!'

Meet Dr Abigail Bowling, recent graduate from the Department of Education, and our next PGR spotlight. As we head into submission season, we asked Abigail to talk us through her highlights from her research, top tips for preparing for a viva and her plans for her next chapter now she's received her doctorate! 

Could you be our next spotlight? Contact our newsletter team at student-communications@york.ac.uk for more information on taking part in upcoming ‘Meet The PGR’ features.

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