Weekly Update

As PGR students we appreciate the importance of clear goals and boundaries during supervisory meetings and at key milestones. To help ensure a consistent approach for all our PGRs we would like to invite you to attend a workshop to help design a PHD contract which can be used during these meetings and throughout your PhD journey. This is a joint partnership between Student's Union and the Graduate School and will involve participation from both academic and professional support staff and students.

The session will held in the Graduate School on the 22nd Jan 11.00-13.00.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of the PHD /supervisor relationship.

Register here.

The Graduate School's Shared Spaces Programme Expression of Interest

Doing International Fieldwork

13 January 2026 | Newcastle University

A one-day workshop for PhD researchers planning international qualitative fieldwork, covering ethics, practical planning, and in-field challenges.

Participatory Action Research (PAR) with Neurodivergent Children & Young People

20 January 2026 | Durham University

A two-day interactive course focused on ethical, neuro-inclusive participatory research, with practical tools and collaborative learning.

From Uncertainty to Action: Preparing for Life Beyond Your PhD

21 January 2026 | Online

An interactive careers workshop to help you take proactive steps during your PhD, build confidence, and plan next steps without needing a fixed career plan.

Postgraduate Ethnographic Writing: Writing Across Boundaries

25–27 March 2026 | Durham University

An intensive residential workshop for third-year social science PhD students focusing on ethnographic writing, reflection, and supported writing time.

How to book

All workshops are booked via NINE DTP Inkpath using your institutional email address. Once verified, select “Find” to browse and book available sessions.

Sessions include portrait and location photography, combining photographic skills with the potential benefits of this medium on wellbeing.  Photo journaling can support the processing of emotions and enable a better understanding of yourself. 

While this is a six-week programme, you can join at any stage and don’t have to commit to the whole six weeks.  For more information please contact su.mhwbevents@qub.ac.uk.  Due to limited places, sign-up is required.  Places will be confirmed by email. 

Expression of Interest

This program increases their global impact through research opportunities, networking, and hospitality for a cohort of graduate students matriculated at partnering universities.

Start Date: June 08, 2026

Time Period: June 08- August 08

Benefits:
•Round-trip, economy-class airfare to Boston
•Housing, provided through University services
•A modest living stipend, to cover living expenses (including fellow’s purchase of health insurance)
•Library privileges
•University internet access

Application Details: The applicant should submit the application along with their CV.  The application should include a description of the intended research project, including how the applicant’s time spent at Boston College would contribute to the overall success of the project.

Deadline: January 31st, 2026

Requirements: The fellow must have a major research project. The fellow has the option to deliver one public lecture during their stay.

The deadline for applications is January 31st.

For more information go to their website.

The launch of Thesis with Publications was officially marked by an informative webinar on 3 April 2025. If you missed it, don’t worry, watch the webinar recording here. The webinar brought together postgraduate research students, supervisors, and staff who offered an overview of TWP and advice on its application.

Be sure to tap into the updated TWP FAQs and Additional Resources if you have not yet seen them.  

Find Out More Here!

Or check out the video on sharepoint.

Through a large team of freelance Support Providers, The Register of Support Providers at Queen’s supports disabled students across a number of different roles.

The Register is currently seeking to engage additional Support Providers for the new academic year across a number of different support roles including as Campus Assistants, Academic Mental Health Tutors, Note Takers and exam assistants to support students with disabilities / long-term conditions across the University. 

The Register is particularly keen to engage STEM subject Note Takers (£15 per hour) capable of taking notes in subject areas such as Computer Science, Engineering (all strands - Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace), Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing etc .  Individuals will also be required for Specialist Campus Assistant roles (£17 per hour) to support students in practical / laboratory settings and with using particular statistical packages such as SPSS etc.

Further information about the Note Taker and other support roles may be found on the main Queen's website.

If you would be interested in joining the freelance team (interviews anticipated August / September), please complete / return the following Expression of Interest form as soon as possible to supportprovider@qub.ac.uk

As you will be working on a freelance / self-employed basis (ie not paid via QWork), there are no restrictions in relation to the number of hours worked per week.  Unfortunately however, if you are residing in the UK on a student visa (previously Tier 4 student visa), you cannot work on a self-employed basis so we would not be able to progress your Expression of Interest on that premise.

If you have any queries at all (about the type of work involved, nature of engagement, payments etc) please contact Kirsti, Disability Support Manager at k.alexander@qub.ac.uk

You can find the current list of available roles here.

A symposium you're keen to curate, or a cultural celebration that would bring the postgraduate community together?

Then you should apply to host a Postgraduate-Led Initiative and receive up to £400 funding from the Thomas J. Moran Graduate School.

You'll gain experience in project management, working with budgets, and showcase your leadership skills when you successfully carry out your own Postgraduate-Led Initiative.

And you can apply for your own Postgraduate Led Initiative here.

You might like the idea of befriending an older person; campaigning on humanitarian issues; fundraising for a local charity or getting involved in conservation in urban areas, whatever you’re passionate about we will be able to find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.

If you know you want to do something but you’re not quite sure what, never fear, we will be able to provide you with a range of volunteering options and just know something will spark your interest!

Discover more on the Student Union website.