queen mary university of london phd induction · 2 days ago · other things to do! events we will...
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Queen Mary University of London PhD Induction
October 2020
Some things to know during your PhD.
Zi Parker
• You are entitled to annual leave.
• You are entitled to the SAME annual leave as QMUL staff.
• 30 days a year + college closure days (at Christmas) and UK Bank Holidays.
• Your weekend is your time.
Annual Leave
1) Select the day(s) you would like to take Annual Leave.
2) You should be able to take up to two weeks together without any further discussion.
3) Discuss your annual leave request with your supervisor, make sure you put your request in writing via email!
4) Monitor the days of Annual Leave you take.
• For more information see QMUL Code of Practice, p. 9, point 43, http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/media/arcs/policyzone/Research_Degrees_Code_of_Practice_2019-20.pdf
To take Annual Leave
School support structures:
• Your supervisor
• Your PGR manager
• Your Director of Graduate Studies
• Me.
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/about-us/contact/key-faculty--contacts/
Funding available…
Postgraduate Research FundUp to £2000 available for research travel.Up to £1000 available for conference presentations. You may only apply once to the fund. Deadlines: 1st November, 1st February, 1st June
Doctoral College Initiative FundMaximum of £1000 to fund ‘novel’ and innovative activities at QMUL. Priority is given to multi-disciplinary activities and those who have not applied to the fund.Deadlines: 1st November, 1st February, 1st June
Graduate Festival FundUp to £500 available to support graduate festival events.You may apply once annually for events within the Graduate Festival period. Call for this will be circulated directly. https://www.qmul.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/phd-students/funding/
PRES 2021
Equality and DiversityZi Parker
• SMD – 2018/19, 61% Female Students
• S&E – 2018/19, 36% Female Students
• HSS - 2018/19, 58% Female Students
Gender balance at PGR level
58%
36%
61%
42%
64%
39%
HSS
S&E
SMD
%Female %Male
Home/International student population.
888
286
590
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000
UK
EU-NON UK
NON EU
Female/male academic and research staff ratio by grade and year.
The Glass Cliff:
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
4 5 6 7 8
Fem
ale
:Male
Ratio
Grade
Graph A. Female:Male Ratio
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
The Glass Cliff:
Data for percentages of students by ethnicity in UGT, PGT, and PGR courses at Queen Mary, 19/20 year
Ethnicity Group UG Taught PG Taught PG Research
Arab 3 3 2
Asian 45 28 16
Black 11 13 3
Mixed 4 4 2
Other 6 4 5
White 31 48 72
TOTAL 100 100 100
Where are we in 2020?
Doing the work…
• Taking positive action.
• In academic year 2020/21 we have a number of students attending QMUL on
BAME studentships which were ring-fenced. This will be replicated in 2021/22
• Increasing representation, without increasing burden on underrepresented
groups.
• Working alongside Senior Exectutive and Extneral contacts t look at what
increasing representation in PGR looks like.
• Do we need to consider the career prospects that come from a PhD?
• What are the limitations on underrepresented groups joining us for
postgraduate research?
• What major, sector wide change do we need to strive for?
• The Doctoral College monitors all PhD applications and acceptances to try and promote gender equality across all three faculties.
• All PhD supervisory staff are trained in Equality and Diversity issues and all staff are encouraged to go on unconscious bias training.
• QMUL is an Athena Swan Silver institution.
• QMUL has 7 Athena Swan Awards and 1 Gender Equality mark.
• QMUL endeavours to give 6 weeks notice of meetings and events that are held out of core hours (10am – 4pm) to allow those with caring responsibilities to attend.
What does this mean for you?
Athena Swan
Staying well during your PhD
Dr Fryni PanayidouResearcher Development Adviser [email protected]
(in the midst of a pandemic!)
• Introduce yourself
• What School/Institute you’re from
• One thing that you enjoy doing (non-academic!)
• Share some of your worries or concerns about starting a PhD
• You have 7 minutes!
• (if you’ve got time left, you can briefly talk about what your research is on)
In groups...
Breakout Groups
Common PhD issues:
• Moving from structured to unstructured study• Anxiety, lack of motivation, self-doubt / imposter
• Isolation / Homesickness / Culture shock
• Overworking/Work-life balance
• Uncertainty caused by the pandemic...
The importance of your wellbeing
Step 1: Acknowledge what you’re feeling or experiencing
Step 2: Make changes / seek support to help remedy (or prevent) these feelings
Coping with these challenges
• You’re not meant to know everything, this is why you have supervisors!
• Research isn’t about perfection. Set realistic standards
• Expect setbacks – they are a natural part of research
• If you’re not motivated or you procrastinate: set short-term deadlines and start with what’s easy
Feeling lost / Anxiety around progress
Try to connect with others:
• Make the most of the online environment
• Attend research seminars, reading groups, training (we always try to get you to talk to each other!)
• Other PhD students are going through very similar challenges
• Talk to your friends and family
Isolation/ homesickness / culture shock
• 35 hours a week (Full Time)
• Take GUILT-FREEbreaks / annual leave
• Do things other than just your PhD: exercise, games, dancing, singing, cooking, learning a language, films
Overworking & work-life balance
Experiencing a moment of happiness, the grad student is immediately consumed with guilt.
- Lego Grad Student
• Living With Worry And Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty –practical guide, translated into several languages
• Student Minds – Coronavirus Resources
• Mental Health Foundation – Coronavirus Resources
Anxiety and worries around Covid-19
• Training:• Imposter syndrome, Stress, Resilience and Strengths (more coming soon)
• PhD Support Group: Talk to others who are going though similar experiences as you in a safe and confidential space.
• Advice and Counselling Service: emotional and psychological support
• Mental Health team: mentoring and practical support for students experiencing mental health difficulties
• Online resources on Researcher Development webpages (Wellbeing)
Seek support when you need it!
• Write down 3 things that can help support you during this first stage of your PhD journey – make a commitment
• Put a reminder in your diary for 3 months’ time to check whether you’ve been doing these things
Your homework...
Introduction to the Students' Union!
Postgraduate Welcome
33
Your Executive Officers 2020-21
Shamima Akhter
President
@PresidentQMSU
Jack Juckes
VP Welfare
@WelfareQMSU
Cameron Storey
VP Humanities & Social Sciences
@VPHSSQMSU
TianaDinard-Samuel
VP Communities
@communitiesqmsu
Aphrodite Liddington
VP Science & Engineering
@VPSEQMSU
Mat Robathan
VP Barts and The London
@officialblsa
Also follow us on TikTok: vm.tiktok.com/ZMJkS7gYx/
About usQueen Mary Students’ Union is the voice of all students studying at Queen Mary University of London.
We work to improve your experience by representing your views, supporting your development and providing you with hundreds of student-led activities and services.
We also provide lots of opportunities and events for you to get involved in throughout the year! We want to make your time at Queen Mary the best it can be!
Welcome to Queen Mary Students’ Union!
Barts andThe London
Students’ AssociationBLSA is run by students who
are voted into positions every year in elections. It is led by the Student President, who is
supported in their role by a whole range of
representatives called the BLSA Board.
Barts and The London Students’
Association (BLSA) is a student-run
organisation within Queen Mary
Student’s Union (QMSU) that is here
to represent BL students and provide
them with support and opportunities
throughout your time here.
This includes educational, financial
and welfare support. We also run
facilities, flagship events and student
groups for you to get involved in!@officialblsa
bartslondon.com
SocietiesWe have over 200 student-led Societies. These include academic, campaigning, cultural, faith, educational, music groups and more.
Volunteering GroupsFrom one-off one-day opportunities to regular roles, there are loads of ways students can volunteer and make a difference in the local community.
Student Media OutletsOur Student Media Outlets cover filmmaking, journalism and radio broadcasting.
RAG GroupsOur RAG Groups raise thousands of pounds for charity every year and run trekking, cycling and running challenges.
Green Mary & SustainabilityIf you're passionate about the environment get involved in our Green Mary projects and campaigns!
Get Involved You can
join our
student
groups at
any point in
the year!
Our groups
will be
offering
online and
on-campus
opportunities
Club SportWe offer over 70 Sports Clubs who provide opportunities to get involved in competitive & non-competitive sport through training sessions, social events and participation in local, national and international competitions.
QmotionOur on-campus Sport and Fitness Centre offering great facilities, flexible memberships and daily fitness classes.
Get ActiveThe Students’ Union’s turn up and play, no commitment sports programme offering a variety of sports in a relaxed and fun environment.
Sport LeaguesCreate a team and join a low-commitment Sport League with your friends!
Community SportOur Community Sport coaching programme can help you give back to the local community through sport.
Campus GamesYour chance to participate in different activities throughout the year, with points being awarded to your school for participation. At the end of the year, your schools could hold the Campus Games Trophy!
Sport & Fitness
Other things to do! EventsWe will be running on-campus and online events throughout the year, including events dedicated to Postgraduate students!
For example you can catch classic films at our outdoor cinema nights, enjoy live comedy or attend one of our online events such as our Virtual Escape Rooms or Quiz Nights.
ActivitiesWe offer a huge range of activities to take part in throughout the year. Put your creative skills to good use at one of our free Crafternoons, painting or photography sessions or join us at events such as our Lunar New Year celebrations.
Club NightsWe are home to some of the biggest and best on-campus club nights in London, including indie-night Monday’s Calling and the legendary sports night Hail Mary. Our Club Nights will be back once it is safe for them to take place, in the meantime we’ll still be bringing you the party with online specials of our most popular nights.
Stand for election
The Students’ Union Elections run in September and February. We have some positions available now that you can stand for that give you the opportunity to campaign on the things that matter to you!
Attend a Student Meeting
Student Council sessions take place regularly throughout the year or attend our Annual Members’ Meeting. These student meetings are also streamed online so you can get involved wherever you are.
Surveys and feedback
Have your say through Students’ Union and University surveys throughout the year!
Tell Us your ideas
Submit your ideas at qmsu.org/ideas
Have Your Say
Course RepsCourse Reps are the voice of students on your course and liaise with different staff in your department. Contact your Course Reps if you have ideas or concerns relating to your course.
Student Council Representatives & NUS Delegates
Student Council is made up of student representatives who are elected to represent students. This includes the Postgraduate Research representatives.
Voting opens on the 6th October, 10am for the Course Rep Elections and other positions on Student Council –including the HSS Postgraduate Research Rep. Voting closes on 8th October, 4pm. Visit qmsu.org/elections for more information
Autumn Elections 2020
PhDs are campaigning for fully funded six-month extensions for QMUL-funded courses.
QMUL students to be treated in the same way as UKRI funded students.
Other accommodations due to Covid-19:
• QMUL paying for international students'
visa extensions.
• QMUL running a library postal service.
• QMUL offering more for disabled students
and students with mental health issues.
42
PhD Campaign
Academic Advice ServiceThe Students’ Union’s Academic Advice Service is here to help if you encounter academic problems while studying, offering confidential advice and guidance on appeals, complains, assessment offences and de-registration
Welfare WorkYour Welfare Representatives work to campaign on issues relating to mental health, housing and student finance.
Education WorkYour Education Representatives work to improve the quality of your education and your educational experiences through Course Reps and Student-Staff Liaison Committees.
Liberation WorkWe have dedicated, elected Liberation Representatives to assist with any needs. We also run liberation campaigns throughout the year.
Report & SupportThis is the University’s reporting system for anyone who has experienced bullying or harassment, a hate incident or gender-based violence. You can report it anonymously or with contact details, and also access any support information about specialist services.
Help & Support
Every penny of profit from the money you spend in our commercial spaces is reinvested back into your student experience through the activities, campaigns and opportunities we provide to you!
Bars & Restaurants
Drapers Bar and Kitchen and the Griff Inn have a great selection of food and drink at affordable prices! Don’t forget to check out Godward Square for our brand new outdoor pop-up and also new for 2020 – Burrito Cantina!
Cafés
Fancy a coffee or a bite to eat between classes either to eat-in or takeaway? Ground Café has a wide selection of food and great coffee!
Shops
Head over to the Village Shop or the Union Shop for great value meal deals, stationery, groceries and Queen Mary clothing and merch! Our online shop also offers a great range that can be delivered to your door or you can use click & collect if you’re on campus.
Places & Spaces
If you need somewhere to chill out our study, the Students’ Union Hub and The Nest are great places to spend time between lectures. Our Multi-Faith Centre is also located in the Students’ Union Hub.
Our Places and Spaces
How we’re keeping you safe
We’re taking a number of steps to keep you safe whilst you’re in our spaces or attending one of our events; • You’ll find social distancing measures in place,
clear signage, lots of hand sanitiser stations and new online ways of ordering food and drinks in our venues.
• We’ll be doing regular extra cleaning throughout the day.
• We’ve adapted our services so you can also access them online from wherever you are.
• We’ve also learnt lots about the best ways to support you – so you can trust us to be there for you when you need us most.
• Like most things right now things can change quickly so stay up to date by reading our emails and looking at our website.
• If you think there’s something we could be doing differently, or you have an idea to improve our activities and spaces please get in touch with us!
www.bartslondon.com
and officialblsa