May 2024
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This conference assessed the future of postgraduate research in the UK.
It brought policymakers, regulators and stakeholders together to examine the way forward for PGR in light of UKRI’s New Deal for Postgraduate Research, published in September 2023, which outlines aims for widening participation, alongside maintaining the attractiveness and internationally competitive standards of UK PGR.
Sessions in the agenda examined sector responses to the UKRI’s call for input on the New Deal last year, including calls for improvement in supervision and funding structures, as well as flexibility and avenues for employment for those in postgraduate study with concerns raised over the difficulty of advancing careers in research.
It was an opportunity to assess approaches to improving PGR links with industry, in light of government initiatives to encourage the commercialisation of research, outlined in the Autumn Statement and the Government’s response to the Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies in November 2023.
Delegates also discussed further developments relating to PhD and research degree funding and training, including reviews that have taken place across the UK’s research councils.
Further sessions considered priorities and strategic options for maintaining the UK’s internationally competitive standing as a centre for postgraduate study and research, including attracting international talent to the UK.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Professor Christopher Smith, Chief Executive, UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council; Ewan Nicholas, Senior Policy Advisor, UKRI; and Francesca Long, Head of Training and Talent Development, The Faraday Institution.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- New Deal for PGR: assessing responses to the call for input - key priorities
- funding: finance structures for PGR - increasing the stipend spend for PhD students - investment in doctoral training programmes - changes to the distribution of training grants - role of the Postgraduate Research Funders and Providers Forum
- engagement: approaches to widening participation, including distanced and part-time courses - proposals for PhD flexibility and multi-disciplinary programmes
- support: priorities for students and research departments across the sector - enhancing research supervision and the student experience - increasing the accessibility of research careers - transitioning to the workplace
- partnerships: strengthening relationships between research departments and employers
- wider impact: priorities for the commercialisation of research - embedding research in wider society - attracting international talent - maintaining the UK’s global research standing
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DfE; Ofsted; DBT; DAERA, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DWP; and IPO.
