PGR Society - October 2023 Update

Hi all,

For those that might not recognise me, my name is Kris, a third year PhD Researcher based in the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics & Literature (SASSHPL). My research looks at the evolution of student political activism through digital media. Today however, I write this blog in my capacity as the Student Representative to the Graduate School Management Board and the President / Co-Founder of the PGR Society. This blog is very much an update / raising of awareness of the Postgraduate Research Society (PGRSoc).

The society was set up by myself, Cameron Campbell-Stanway (PhD, TECH) and Nadine Sadler (PhD, SASSHPL) in the early summer, as a way of connecting and bringing students together from all walks of life. Currently, we have over 50 members, from across all five Faculties at the University, but also at different levels of their research degrees. As such, the group is incredibly diverse, and we all have a passion for connectivity, collaboration and community. Whether you’ve heard of the society or not, all are welcome to join (it’s free!), and you are able to join HERE. Once you’ve joined, please email me at kris.nolan@port.ac.uk, and you can be added to our WhatsApp group. We’re also on Instagram, @uop_pgr_society. 

Relating to this blog specifically though, I wanted to comment on and share some successes / achievements of society members over the summer, moving into the new academic year. As PGRs, our time is often spent far apart, and not physically in a community at the University. As such, these achievements bring each other together and allow us to celebrate students across the globe. As a highlight, we ran a virtual pub quiz in September with students as far as Germany:

Overall, the event was a resounding success. It was a fun evening of challenging questions, funny revelations, the occasional glass of wine, and group bonding. Moving into the new academic year, we intend to run more sessions such as these, for both on-campus and distance learning students. As PGR students it is vitally important to have access to such services, due to common issues on research degrees including loneliness and lack of support. The society was set up to combat these issues, with each student bringing their own story, their own accomplishments, and their own skills to the wider University. A few examples of these successes include:

• Abstract accepted to the Political Studies Association’s Media & Politics Group Conference in October
• Co-edited a local history book, and presented a copy of it to His Majesty The King
• Paper on executive coaching published based on MSc thesis (Birkbeck College) thanks to the support of Portsmouth University supervisor and a former member of staff.
• Variety of virtual collaborative working spaces
• Impromptu get-togethers on campus
• Evenings at the pub!

It’s so fantastic to see such accomplishments from across the University. Being as separated as we are, we often forget to celebrate with each other. The society aims to change this - by giving each student a space that is student-led and student-managed - and to look after each other!

Overall, the society has been a lot of fun so far, it’s been fantastic to promote it to new and returning PGRs and help students see what the University can offer to them. For now though, thanks for reading, and I hope to have constructive conversations with many of you as we settle into the new academic year!