2016 promises to be an exciting year for postgraduate researchers at UWE. At the end of 2015, frustrated by the lack of coordinated activities, a number of us came together to form DocSoc, a new society for PGRs and a new forum for the incubation of a collaborative research community.
Those of you familiar with the PhD comics strip will recognise that the satirical outlook of the main protagonists are all too often reflected in reality (except the absentee professors, they’re always there for us right?). The PhD journey can be a lonely path, replete with obstacles and divergent routes; dead ends and endless procrastinations that frustrate the itinerant researcher. Dealing with these impediments can disillusion even the most energetic and resolute, but we must be strong for ‘that way madness lies.’ We have skills to learn, ontological views to ponder, epistemologies to refute, ahem, I mean respect…all whilst (to quote a wise man) writing ‘little and often’ as we chip away at our magnum opus…
If it was easy I guess everyone would be doing it!
But does it have to be that hard?
Having spoken to a number of colleagues and fellow PGR reps it seems that many of the themes are recurring and despite the vast gamut of research being undertaken there are frustrations or little niggles that we all share. The recurrent feeling of being an imposter, the isolation, Kafkaesque administration and the love for tea in the afternoon are experienced across all our research domains, but for some reason we are minded to keep these to ourselves, maybe they show weaknesses. Well not any more, they can be our strength.
DocSoc aim to provide a social and academic support network that is run by researchers, for researchers. We all too often forget about the people behind the ideas as we are rushing to respond to yet another call for papers, but it is well known (sic) that the sharing of experiences not only leads to peer to peer knowledge transfer, but can also inspire innovation in research approaches or form the basis of collaborative ideas and projects. There is lots to be gained through engagement in a wider network of almost certainly unrelated research approaches and even if the thought of chatting to someone about architectural theory (that’d be me!) bores you to tears, I’m sure hearing how I really enjoyed and valued my year 1 progression exam, (despite the outcome and need to re-submit; spoiler alert! It wasn’t the end of the world!) may inspire a little confidence and reassurance where previously it was lacking.
We are a diverse group of students comprising 173 full-time, 168 part-time PhDs, MPhils and DPhils and 10 full-time, 154 part-time Prof Docs across all faculties of the university. We herald from all over the world, speak many languages and have a vast range of cultural and social differences, yet we all know the frustration of the printer running out of toner just as you’re printing off your seminar hand outs!
So far we have organised a successful welcome event for the new January cohort and our first of many time for tea afternoon socials, both of which were well attended and I hope enjoyed by everyone who could make it. We are continually improving our Facebook page and will be doing our best to also keep our Students Union website up to date too as we develop a wider programme of events. Over the next few months we have a number of exciting activities planned.
The first of a number of peer led study sessions that employ the Pomodoro technique to enable focussed bursts of writing/content generation interspersed with coffee & cake.
A purely social get together over food.Keep an eye out on Facebook for a poll for agreeing dates and locations
A full day of activities with workshops in the morning, 3 minute thesis competition & screening of PHD the movie 2 in the afternoon.Lunch will be provided to all 3MT entrants
A weekend away for PGRs at all stages providing a change of scenery for focusing upon reading and writing skills development with workshops, guided study and time to relax.
The first UWE Thesis Bootcamp, hosted by Dr Peta Freestone from the University of Melbourne will provide an intense weekend of productivity for final stage PGRs who have submitted their draft thesis (PR3) and are in need of some bootcamp style motivation to get themselves across the finish line.
Booking details and costs will be published on the DocSoc Website (Here) where you will also be able to purchase an annual membership for only £5.
We hope that you’ll be able to join us at these events and with your support and input we hope to be offering even more events throughout the year. If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to get in touch via email at: docsoc.uwe@gmail.com