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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!