Purpose of PGR Townhall meetings: To share ideas, learning experiences from across the University, to inform future policy and practice.

Event themes: How do we support researchers to build their professional networks during their research degree? What are the internal and external opportunities and are they open and inclusive to all? What are the barriers? Are we making best use of our alumni and industry networks? What support do researchers and their supervisors need for this?

The event will include lunch, talks and small group discussions, with a focus on sharing of ideas and formulating practical actions.

PROGRAMME

12noon Welcome     Mary Beth Kneafsey, PGR Strategy Manager

Dely Elliot, School of Education, Like trees in a wood’: Impact of Communities on International Doctoral Researchers’ Journeys
Carla Cebula, School of Engineering, Strategic networking as a mean to reduce gender barriers in STEM academia
Jelena Milicev, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Using social network analysis to understand groups and organisations
Zyra Evangelista, School of Psychology and School of Education, PGR development: Fortuitous misadventures in networking and public engagement

Panel discussion

12.45   Lunch

13.20    The PGR perspective

Juliette Irretier, School of Culture and Creative Arts, Networking in Academia and the Cultural Industries
Anna Henschel, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Like, follow, network – navigating social media as a PhD student
Nasira Bradley, Adam Smith Business School, Follow your passion and networks will follow
Michaela Hruskova, Adam Smith Business School, Co-producing strategies for developing solo PhD students into well-connected researchers

Group Discussions and action planning

What do we mean by professional networks?
Who are we trying to build networks with?
What could we do? Which actions to prioritise? Who would do these?
Are there under-represented minorities who face particular challenges?

14.45      Reporting back