…s to bring her one step closer to her ambition of one-day working in a similar research facility. The Pirbright Institute On a practical level, it will also give her access to facilities that are vital to the completion of her research. The biological elements of Arantza’s research require working with viruses, something she has not done before, as this type of research requires specialised sealed laboratories due to its potentially harmful enviro…
…s to both excellence and fair distribution. Those of us championing a place-based agenda need to find new arguments to navigate these complex issues, while avoiding simplistic interpretations such as the north-south divide and cities vs towns. These ignore the poverty in parts of London and the southwest and the affluence of some towns. The other divide in this election was, of course, between Leave and Remain. Will a landslide victory give the pr…
…r of the Education Select Committee, Robert Halfon MP Executive Chair of Research England, David Sweeney Chief Executive and Chief Nurse from Health Education England Director for Post-16 Strategy at the DfE, Keith Smith Chief Executive and Chair from Innovate UK Skills and Apprentices Minister, Gillian Keegan Shadow Universities Minister Emma Hardy MP Sir Michael Barber, Chair of the OFS Nicola Dandridge, CEO of the OFS 3. We have significantly e…
…ugh these they can then create the informal connections to receive the peer-to-peer support that may become vital for their wellbeing. Develop strong representation systems While it is great that Student Unions (SUs) cover postgraduate representation, I know from my own experience that undergraduate-focused SUs are not the best place for PhD issues to be actively listened to. PhD students need dedicated representation systems and the issues they r…
…projects in more depth. We had the choice to share our work as oral, Pecha-Kucha-style or poster presentations, and the themes – how our research relates to the world outside the university and the interdisciplinary element of our projects – helped reveal shared interests and methods across our projects. The interactive poster session in WonderRoom was particularly fun. We learnt a lot about the work of peers outside of our disciplinary cohorts,…
…skills capacity of the vaccine manufacturing workforce within the Stockton-on-Tees region. Sitting at the nexus between higher education, business and public services, it is often Alliance universities that deliver the commercialisation of findings, translational research, innovation support and skills development necessary to develop ideas into application; delivering real-world innovations in care, services, products and delivery. This role wil…
Blessing is researching sustainable soil-based alternatives to cement A Civil Engineering graduate from Nigeria, Blessing Adeleke investigated the use of magnesium oxide (MgO) waste, and other industrial by-product materials in construction. He is one of several researchers at the University of South Wales who are driving research in soil-based alternatives to cement. Blessing’s PhD explored the use of wastes and industrial by-products in buildin…
…pport those in need. All students can be assured that Alliance universities are doing everything reasonably practicable, following government guidelines, to create a Covid-safe learning environment. For those who are self-isolating, all universities and have established dedicated processes to support them including delivering food packages, wellbeing check-ins and buddy schemes. Find out how our members are supporting their students….
…socialising, which supports motivation while promoting solidarity and peer-to-peer support. One of the key benefits I have gained from my role on the DTA Rep Committee, is developing intimate knowledge of the complexities and challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey we distributed was effective in illustrating its far-reaching negative consequences for our PhD researchers. These include concerns about the continuation of fundi…
…University leaders are also increasingly worried about the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on students – both current and prospective. The 2023-24 admissions cycle has seen the entry rate for the most under-represented students fall by a record margin. One (small) silver lining is that the sector’s concerns are finally beginning to be taken seriously by some politicians and financial commentators. They are also attracting attention ove…
