Professor David Amigoni Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise University PGR Induction 25 September 2018 Professor David Amigoni Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise

This Afternoon’s Programme The Keele Postgraduate Association (KPA) Keele Sabbatical Officers What is a Keele Research Degree Student? Professor Paul Horrocks – Strategic Lead for Postgraduate Research Supporting Your Progress in Year 1 (FT) / Years 1-2 (PT) Dr Edward Smith – Postgraduate Officer (Student & Academic Services) & Dr Rachel Westwood – Researcher Developer (Keele Institute for Innovation & Teaching Excellence) The ePDLP and Research Training Opportunities Dr Edward Smith & Dr Rachel Westwood Student Services Claire Slater – Head of Student Support (SAS) Event Ends approx. 4:00pm

Importance of Research to Keele Research is key to Keele’s mission as a leading research-led institution: 97% of our research was deemed to be world-leading, or of international importance, in the REF 2014. Commitment to excellence in both research and education World-leading research in Health, Natural Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences Strong research culture and environment is essential – become a part of it, contribute to it Postgraduate research students and researchers are vital to creating a strong research environment PGR students and increasing the PGR population is vital to our mission

What is a Research Culture? A Keele PGR student’s story… “I first came to Keele as an MA student and I stand by my first impressions: collegial, close and supportive. As a PhD student I enjoyed the benefits of working alongside my supervisor … as both a student and peer: I was offered encouragement and criticism whenever it was needed, and in turn we collaborated on research, events and publications. I was fortunate to teach on a variety of undergraduate modules, gaining valuable hands-on experience and a teaching qualification to boot. Colleagues in the School were always ready with advice, as were my fellow PhD students -- many a problem was teased out and solved over a jacket potato or 'door stop' sandwich at the KPA. Keele's postgraduate community really is second-to-none! So my advice is to persevere, to realise that we all doubt ourselves sometimes, to remember the joys to be had in the pursuit of new ideas.”

Keele’s PGR Student Community Current PGR student population (September 2018): 557 students 382 FT students, 175 PT students 426 Home/EU students, 131 Overseas students Faculty split: community! 215 181 161

Research Structures - Enhanced role for Schools in research Health University Research Centres Applied Sciences Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty of Natural Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences HUMSS Research Office ISTM FNS Research Office PC&HS Humanities Life Sciences Psychology SPIRE Medicine Pharmacy Law Physical & Geographical Sciences Nursing & Midwifery Computing & Maths SS&PP Health & Rehab KMS Sociology & Criminology - Enhanced role for Schools in research Health Sustainability Ageing

PGR Submission Rates Submission rates significantly improved in recent years >80% F/T PhD students submitted within 4 years 80% is threshold used by Research Councils It is very important that we maintain this record Work closely with your supervisors, get into regular rhythms and patterns of work

Welcome to a thriving PGR community! Going Forward… Keep us posted, and seek support if you do run into problems: we are here to support you. Welcome to a thriving PGR community!