Welcome to our weekly update highlighting news and upcoming events for the PGR community for the week ending Friday 12 February 2021.

In our update this week:

  1. Recognition of SHU PhD Student working on COVID Research
  2. ‘Opening Doors’ – Shruti Mandhani’s blog following her 2019 Vitae 3MT® Success
  3. PGR Student Society – Upcoming Events
  4. Earthly Matters Conference – Call for Papers
  5. Tuition Fee Invoices and Instalment Payments

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1.  Recognition of SHU PhD Student working on COVID Research

Photo of Rob Tempest

 

We’re delighted to see this recent news article about Rob Tempest, one of our BMRC PhD students who has been working at the COVID lighthouse labs since August.  He responded to the call that came through to the BMRC in early May 2020.  Some of you may not know he also did his FY, UG degree and an MSc with us!  We can all really celebrate this achievement with Rob and we’re looking forward to having him back in the BMRC from the start of March to continue with his PhD studies.

 He was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield on Thursday afternoon also (with Howard Pressman, 15.15).

Sheffield Hallam PhD student awarded medal by Health Secretary | Sheffield Hallam University (shu.ac.uk)

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2.  ‘Opening Doors’ – Shruti Mandhani’s blog following her 2019 Vitae 3MT® Success

Our PhD candidate, Shruti Mandhani, the Vitae 3MT® 2019 Judges Choice Winner has written a blog about the interesting opportunities and doors that have been opened for her since winning the competition.  It is an inspiring read for anyone considering entering the event.

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3.  PGR Student Society – Upcoming Events

 Focus Thursday – Zoom Meeting (Zoom link published in Friday email).

On Thursday 18 February the Society will be hosting Focus Thursday starting at 1430 and ending at 1630.  Focus Thursday is like a Shut Up and Write session, but with less of a focus on writing and more focus on just getting whatever you need to get done, done!  We work in 30 min sessions with 5 minute breaks in between for chats, drinks, and loo-breaks.  The Zoom forum is great both for ensuring that you work in the work sessions and have some chats in between or get up and get some coffee or tea.  Focus Thursday runs weekly (usually alternating between morning (0930 – 1130) and afternoon (1430 – 1630) sessions), join in as when you can! (sneaking in mid-session is fine too!).

 

Coffee Catch-Ups:  Zoom Meeting:  (Zoom link published in Friday email).

Coffee Catch-Ups are BACK!  We used to hold in-person coffee catch ups once a month and we think that we could all use the chance to chat and vent a bit!  Join us on Wednesday 24 Feb 1630 – 1730 – feel free to pop in and out as suits your schedule.

 

CV Workshop – Thursday 25 February | 1100 – 1200

Nikki Abbott, Senior Employability Adviser from the Careers team will be running an online CV workshop on Thursday 25 Feb 1100 – 1200.  You can sign up here:  https://unihub.shu.ac.uk/students/events/Detail/1179072

Are you a postgraduate student? Need help to construct a successful CV?  Join this Careers Webinar to find out more about how to make a quality CV.

You will also learn how you can continue after the session to further improve your CV.  You will be shown interactive tools to help you develop your CV.

If you can’t make this event, please indicate your availability on this doodle poll:  https://doodle.com/poll/ib2x8ictcqm6h9wb?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link

The Society can’t wait to see you at their events, and as always you can keep in touch with them on Twitter and Instagram (@shsuprss), or drop them an email:  pgresearchsociety@gmail.com

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4.  Earthly Matters Conference – Call for Papers

Earthly Matters Logo

 

Online conference:  6, 13, 20 August 2021

This is a free online event for speakers, presenters, and attendees.

 

 

Proposals are welcomed from postgraduate students and ECRs (within five years of completing their PhD).

Abstracts for papers and presentations should be 250 words, and include a 100-word academic biography.  Submit your abstract to: shuprssconference@gmail.com – and please email if you have any questions

Final day to submit: 12 June 2021

Further information can be found on the conference website via https://shuprssconference.wordpress.com/call-for-papers-2021/

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5.  Tuition Fee Invoices and Instalment Payments

We’ve been made aware that the Finance Department have not been able to provide payment reminders for students paying their fees by instalments.  Therefore, it is important for you to check your original invoice, as this will state all the instalment due dates, and perhaps make a note of these in your diary/calendar.  If you have any queries about your payments, please contact Finance using the telephone number shown on your invoice, and the specialist fee team should be able to help you.

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If you would like to highlight any events that might be of interest to the SHU PGR community, share any good news stories or wish to request any specific development sessions that would appeal to cross-disciplinary PGR students or supervisors, please get in touch via doctoralschool@shu.ac.uk  We’re always pleased to hear from you.

You can find upcoming events in the doctoral school calendar (including the weekly PGR Focus Thursday and PGR Virtual Café events (the link to join the Virtual Café is in the Friday email)  |  https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/doctoralschool/events/

As the lockdown situation continues, the need is as great as ever to look after our physical and mental health and each other.  Please stay connected.  You can find help and information about supporting your wellbeing via the University website on https://www.shu.ac.uk/wellbeing

Best wishes,

Nicola, Elizabeth and Liz