While the current academic year for students on taught programmes is entering its final lap, postgraduate research speeds on into the summer!

This month I have enjoyed meeting PGRs from the Department of English & Related Literature at their festival, and as I write this I am anticipating the Department of Biology’s PGR symposium in a few days’ time. 

I was also lucky enough to attend the YCEDE Scholars Board’s Trespasser Syndrome conference last week. Trespasser Syndrome challenges the idea of ‘imposter syndrome’ - a trespasser does not fear being ‘found out’, but is instead made to feel that they have intruded. This was explored in relation to racially minoritised and other marginalised PGRs with contributions from York and beyond. It’s not very often that we feature poetry in the YGRS newsletter, but I wanted to share these two profound poems which were written especially for the event:

Finally, among the very many exciting events and opportunities listed below, I’d like to highlight two. First, our annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is packed with talented York PGRs and their research. Second, YGRS and York SU will jointly host two PGR Forums in June and July, one in person and one online. This is a chance to discuss matters important to you and to hear about some forthcoming developments.

Best wishes,
Paul

Thank you to all of those who took the time to respond to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES). As an institution, our response rate was 40%, which is likely to be substantially above the national mean. We will receive the results over the summer, and will share the analysis with departments, including PGRs, early in the new academic year. 

The next PGR Forum is on Tuesday 24 June, 12.30-2pm (venue TBC), with a separate online meeting on Tuesday 8 July for those that cannot attend in person. PGR representatives will receive an invite but any PGRs who want to contribute are welcome. On the agenda will be proposed changes to TAPs and progression, PGR accommodation, and how the University can ensure that PGRs are protected from harassment. More details in the next newsletter. 

The Responsible AI Use in Research Policy and Best Practice Document for Researchers is now available and applies to postgraduate researchers. This should be read alongside the existing Guidance on the use of generative AI in PGR programmes.

Join the York-Maastricht Partnership for an intensive summer school opportunity this August. The Robotics Doctoral Summer School offers doctoral researchers in robotics the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the field, and connect with colleagues from around the world. Application deadline: Sunday 25 May

In June, as part of the phased changes to academic activity on the King’s Manor Campus, the Library will be making some key changes to physical services offered at King’s Manor.

Find out more about how the EDI Research Centre used a multidimensional approach to achieve its aim of integrating EDI within the research culture at the University. Reserve your place at the EDI Research Centre End-of-year Showcase taking place on Monday 16 June. RSVP by Monday 9 June.

Spend less time searching and more time finding with the Library’s 7 tips to find the literature you need. Stuck behind a paywall? Discover the browser extension which automatically detects when you’re on a page with a Library-subscribed article or freely available content. Can’t get to something you need? Find how you can request books, journal articles or other resources not currently available in the Library. 

If you work with sensitive research data, our Managing sensitive research data session on 18 June will outline some of the key principles to bear in mind. Starting with planning for the management of sensitive data, to storing, collecting, archiving, sharing and protecting the sensitive data you may encounter as part of your work.

Could AI help with your note-taking? Wondering how to come up with a workable research question? Searching for a better way to manage your data? Our forthcoming digital skills sessions will give you some tips.

The visual display of data is one of the most powerful tools for communicating research – but it’s often overlooked and rarely approached with a clear strategy in mind. This series of four sessions, open to PGRs and research staff, can be attended individually or in sequence, and will cover: Strategy for Successful Research Communication; Guide to Effective Data Visualisation; Optimising for Posters and Presentations; and Refining for Reports and Publications.

In a challenge against the clock, the competing York Three Minute Thesis PGR finalists have just three minutes to outline the power of their research and explain how it will improve society and our lives. Who will be crowned winner on Saturday 7 June? Book your free York 3MT final tickets.

Our Enhancing the Postgraduate Researcher Journey project is focused on identifying, highlighting, and amplifying best practices in supporting our PGR community. Please complete the survey to help us identify key trends and develop recommendations to enhance the support resources offered by departments, schools, and centres.

Engaging in EDI work can be an emotional struggle as a core part of our identities is deeply involved in how the work develops. Research is essential in creating and influencing policy change and regulations for more equitable treatment. The Department of Psychology is hosting student focus groups to hear about your experiences. Participants receive £10 as a thank you. Get involved with the EDI student focus groups.

Are you a 2nd or 3rd/final year postgraduate researcher? Join the PGR mentor scheme to be matched with a postdoc/Early Career Researcher who can share their knowledge and experience. The scheme is designed to complement (not replace) the supervisory relationship by providing an opportunity for PGRs to discuss and develop their skills, behaviours and approaches to the research experience with a more experienced postdoctoral researcher. Application deadline: Friday 30 May

Have you been affected by the lack of childcare funding for postgraduates? White Rose University Consortium wants to understand the impact. Your experiences will be used to create case studies, driving a campaign to close the government's childcare funding loophole. If you're a PGR at York affected by this issue and would like to share your story, please email info@whiterose.ac.uk.

The Science and Technology Network are hosting two online sessions where you can hear current Fast Streamers talk about their experiences of working with science and technology in government. Panel session followed by Q&A. Register for: 5 June event; 17 June event.

Our Working in Policy Panel Event on Wednesday 4 June aims to explore entry routes into policy work and consider how postgrads could leverage their degree and/or work experience to access policy and research roles. 

See any 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.

The recipients of this year’s York Open Research Awards have been announced, celebrating a wide range of projects from PGRs, ECRs and students across the University. 

Need a break from your studies? Come along for a walk and chat with fellow postgraduates on the Campus Tree Trail Walk and Talk on Campus West on Tuesday 10 June.

Check out forthcoming postgraduate activities planned for the summer on the York SU website, including a Postgraduate Crafternoon, Book Shop Crawl and trip to Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay.

University of York
YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
www.york.ac.uk

ygrs@york.ac.uk

Privacy notice