Welcome to the latest YGRS Newsletter, where we promise to avoid any mention of the football World Cup, by-elections or heatwaves! Instead, I’m happy to share some excellent news about access to scholarly journals. I know that this is a very important issue for many, if not most of our PGRs, so the University’s return to ‘read and publish’ deals with most of the major publishers will be very welcome. I mentioned in the April newsletter that a January 2027 recommencement was being explored, and this is now confirmed for Oxford University Press, Sage, Springer, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley.

 In common with many UK universities, we are not rejoining the Elsevier deal due to a prohibitive cost and their reluctance to engage with the sector during renegotiation. Your collective voice as PGRs was represented to the University as part of the discussions here and was an important consideration in the decision. Our Library colleagues have also been taking time to explore your thoughts in more depth - you can read more here about what they found and proposed actions in response.

Last month, I mentioned the project which postgraduate researchers on placement would be conducting with YGRS to understand PGR housing and commuting preferences and constraints. We’re now underway, and we’re looking for PGR participants to interview for the project. It’s really important that we speak to PGRs across both the range of study experiences (full-time and part-time, UK and international, different disciplines) and housing and commuting situations. We are keen to hear from those of you living in University accommodation, in purpose-built private student residences, the private rented sector or your own home; and those travelling different distances and in different ways to campus. Please see below for more information and how to contact us to take part.

Congratulations to Gabriella Holland (Chemistry) who took first place in last month’s Three Minute Thesis competition as part of the University’s Festival of Ideas. A packed audience in the Ron Cooke Hub auditorium heard eleven amazing presentations from York PGRs, condensing a combined minimum of 33 years of research into just 33 minutes! Special mention to Dean McGettigan (Chemistry, 2nd place), Prasad Sandbhoor (IGGI/Computer Science, 3rd place) and Alex Roof (Biology, People’s Choice award). Alex and Gabriella shared the People’s Choice award in the first dead heat ever seen in York’s 3MT - but fortunately for them did not have to share the prize money. Good luck to Gabriella in the next round.

Best wishes,
Paul

Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery has announced that he is stepping down. Professor Ken Badcock, our current Deputy Vice-Chancellor, will take over as interim VC from 1 September as we recruit a permanent Vice-Chancellor. Read Charlie’s message.

The University Library recently conducted research to better understand how PGRs make use of the range of library tools and services currently on offer, as well as their preferences for future improvements. Explore the summary of their findings, and see the full project report for more information. 

From the start of Semester 1, YGRS will be implementing a standardised approach to Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) and progression meetings across all schools/departments for PGRs for new and continuing PGRs (with a transition period in place for the latter). Find out more about the upcoming changes. 

In order to best support the PGR experience and ensure it is factored into University plans, YGRS are conducting research into PGR-specific experiences with housing, commuting and rising costs. As part of the first wave of research, the team are looking for PGRs willing to take part in 30-45 minute interviews (online or in-person) and share their views. Participants will be offered a £10 voucher as a thank you for their time. 

Find out more about the project, and register your interest by contacting Lindiwe Seotsanyana (tqv519@york.ac.uk).

The King's Manor car park will close on 16 July 2026. University permit holders should make alternative parking arrangements from this date, as the site will no longer be owned by the University of York. 

Staying in York over the summer vacation? From quizzes to exciting day trips, there are plenty of social events taking place to help you meet other students, have fun and make the most of your summer in York! July highlights include:

Stay active with the College Summer Sport series - with all equipment supplied for you, turn up in comfy clothes and trainers and join a team! 

For those with a competitive or creative streak who don’t want to wait for the next 3MT to come around, have you considered college sport or college music? One of the benefits of York as a collegiate university is the opportunity to engage in sport on a semi-competitive or social basis. There are also opportunities to practice music in dedicated rehearsal spaces in some of the colleges, borrow instruments and even hire a recording studio!

The University offers a huge range of services, resources and support to help you succeed during your time at York. But, with so much information across our web pages, finding exactly what you need or knowing who to contact might sometimes feel difficult. We’re redesigning our student support web content to fix this and we need your help to get the structure right - complete our website survey now!

Want to meet friendly faces from across the University, get involved in community-building projects, and enjoy an exciting programme of weekly events and activities? The Colleges' Community Network is open to all staff and PhD students and is a great way to get out of the office and expand your campus network. This month's events include: Doughnut Day, Crafternoon, the Big Staff Quiz, Vinyl Club, and our Book Swap.

York SU Advice & Support provides free, independent and confidential advice and guidance to students on a range of matters, including academic, wellbeing and personal issues. In particular, they provide advice and support for students when navigating, engaging with, or responding to University policies and processes. 

The service is open year-round, 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and students can receive advice via email or by virtual, in-person or phone appointments. The team can be contacted at advice@yorksu.org.

The Careers and Placements building will be closed during the summer vacation period in preparation for relocation to the Fairhurst Building. Staff are still available for contact, and careers advice appointments are available to book in Handshake, but will be online only. In-person appointments may be available on request - contact careers@york.ac.uk.

Careers information for PGRs is available on the YGRS website and Central Careers website.  

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.

York SU are looking for postgraduates to showcase any research they’ve done around disability at their upcoming Disability Pride Research Spotlight. If you want to share your work and network with fellow researchers, this is the event for you. Sign up to present at the Spotlight event. 

Congratulations to all PGRs graduating at the July ceremonies (16 - 22 July)!

The University’s latest Research Journey follows Dr Jay Harrison, YGRS Alum and Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, on his unconventional journey from touring the country with a self-playing slate instrument to shaping policies for the creative industries. Read the full feature. 

Last week (3 July) saw the fourth (and sadly, final) 'Race' and Socially Engaged Research Conference held at the University of York. Co-organised (and founded) by PGRs Mel Williams and Susy Williams (Politics & International Relations), with support from other York PGRs and colleagues, the event explored the theme of ‘Resistance, Global Solidarities and Imagining Otherwise’ and featured contributions from across the social sciences and humanities.

Next week (17 July) the University’s Global China Studies ECR Network’s 2026 conference ‘Rethinking China in a Changing Global Order: Governance, Justice, and Social Change’ will take place on campus and online. Led by a PGR organising committee which includes PGRs Tonghua Li, Ziyu Yan and Lin Qin from Politics & International Relations and Economics, the event will bring together speakers from Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, UK and USA

Are you organising a conference or event?

Let us know at student-communications@york.ac.uk and we will do our best to include it in the YGRS newsletter.

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