By Kathy Davies
Over the course of last semester, the Postgraduate Research Students’ Society built a community of PGR students from across a variety of disciplines and levels of study at SHU. We set up the society with the intention of bringing PGR students together for non-academic purposes, encourage networking, and to help students to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Having a group of like-minded fellow researchers from all areas of the university to socialise with, share concerns with, and feel supported by, is invaluable. Initially, the society committee were unsure whether there would be any interest in the group at all, so we were very pleased when 18 students from all faculties turned up to meet other PG researchers at our first event in October 2017. The turnout and conversations had during the ‘Welcome Lunch’ showed us that there was a genuine interest, need, and place for the society, and the momentum has not stopped since then. Our other events have included a pub quiz social at Bierkeller Sheffield (we came 2nd!), a walk around Damflask Reservoir in the Peak District, and a day trip to York. These events have helped the society grow to over 50 members, and have strengthened our community which continues to try to enhance the postgraduate research experience for everyone involved.
Our final event of last semester was our PG researchers Christmas Social. We put on a showing of Home Alone at The Void Cinema, which was followed by an evening of festive food and drinks at the Students’ Union, courtesy of the Doctoral School. We were thrilled when our application to the researcher-led activities fund for the event was accepted, and the funding we received helped the society and the other PGR students who attended, finish off the year together.
The Doctoral School’s researcher-led activities fund is also enabling us to put on some great events this year, and after a successful semester 1 we can’t wait for what we have planned for 2018 so far. We have a night at Jump Inc. Trampoline park, a walking tour of Sheffield, and day trips to Liverpool and the seaside organised over the coming months. Our next event is the ‘Welcome Back Lunch’ is taking place on 24th January in the Students Union bar at 12pm – all are welcome to attend. It’ll be a great chance for new members to meet the society, grab a drink and something to eat, and get to know more of the PGR student community.
Check out the full 2018 society social calendar here.
Join us!
All SHU PGR students can join the Postgraduate Research Students’ Society for free HERE.
Get in touch or keep updated:
Postgraduate Research Students’ Society (SHSU)
@shsuprss
Society Committee:
Kathy Davies, President
Joseph Stanley, Vice President & Treasurer
Karen Porter, Secretary
Steven Burke, Equality and Diversity Officer
