Actions from PGR-GS Liaison Group meeting – 15 May 2024

Previous actions and Graduate School items

Emily circulating maternity guidance as per February agenda item:

• Maternity policy 
• PhDs and parenting (OU Grad Sch podcast) 

Action Terri – to make Team Guidelines an agenda item at June meeting.

Action PGRS - Please can reps reflect on Team Guidelines and be ready to discuss whether they hit the right balance between allowing community discussion and making safe spaces to discuss the doctoral journey. Context: Protected_beliefs_in_higher_education_guidance_May2024_1715841996.pdf  

Issues with lack of clarity on Progress Review process – needs to be done a faculty level. Mate is working on technical fixes.

Action: Lindsay to feed back again to faculties that students are confused about what expectations are.

How to increase the visibility of reps – has been picked up by Rob Wilson, considering a PGRS Reps stand at PGRS Summer Conference 

Action: Emily to put Rob in touch with Reps so that he includes them in conference. 

We note that Melda has stepped down as international rep.  We thank her for her time and hard work.

Action: Reps to send their photos to Rob in order for him to create an introductory flyer.

Action: Melisa to consider who in WELS might take over from her as Rep at this meeting after July; Jurgi Giraud has accepted this position. 

PGRS Reps to note: Please don’t feel that you can’t stand down until after you’ve filled your role.  Any potential reps are welcome to attend now if they wish.

Agenda Items

FASS Items – Jane Stevens

1. Feedback re. the Year 7 Research Grant – the PGR concerned was very happy to learn that they would get funding as they had more events coming up.

2. Are Faculties being consistent about the writing up period?  Regulations say that writing up takes place in year 8.  FASS says writing up takes place in years 7 and 8.  FASS has confirmed that PGRS do get a research grant in Year 7 and have updated their handbook.  Other faculties do not have their own handbooks.

3. Acronyms

Can acronyms be defined in a central place and can we encourage people to spell them out?

Emily has created a list of initialisations and acronyms.  There is a list at the back of the Handbook, but this may be a bit hidden. 

PGRS to note that there is also a list on the Library website, but we’re unsure how comprehensive the list is.

Action Emily to follow up and ask Rob to include something in induction materials.

Action: Emily will circulate ‘stage-specific’ sources and FAQs to reps.

Library update

There is a new resource on autism awareness, with a stand at the conference on the 2nd day, available for drop ins and we’d like your feedback on the day, anything you would like us to offer.  

The library is also launching a new PGR drop in session every other Thursday between 11.00 and 12.00.  See sessions advertised on PGR Manager.

Action Reps to please put it out there that this is available to PGRS if there are any queries such as copyright or thesis submission etc.  This will be informal, with no need to book.  It’s online on Teams.  We can ensure questions about research support service and general questions.

AOB

At the end of November (27th and 28th), will be an ARC Conference.  There will be 20 students attending from various ARCS worldwide and we would really welcome reps meeting with them.