NWCDTP EDI Advocate: Blog Post (June)
NWCDTP EDI Advocate: Blog Post (June)
Hello NWCDTP researchers! Here are some key updates and ‘need to knows’ over the next few weeks:
NWCDTP Annual Student Conference
The NWCDTP Annual Student Conference will take place on Tuesday 2nd July (9am-5pm) at Keele University. Our student committee are working hard to distribute the conference schedule (more details soon), and it is shaping up to be a great day!
If you would like to find out more about the conference and venue, or if you wish to register your free attendance, you can do so here.
NWCDTP students can claim travel expenses after the event, and if you would also like accommodation then you need to let the NWCDTP know by Monday 24th June (NWCDTP@manchester.ac.uk).
Our New Widening Participation and Application Support Fellows
In March, we recruited 5 new Widening Participation and Application Support Fellows, who are doing some really exciting work in relation to diversifying our applicant pool, mentoring schemes, outreach with schools and colleges, student-led podcasts, working with our alumni, improving support for current and future PhD researchers, and much more.
One of our Application Support Fellows, Nan, is currently looking to collect sample NWCDTP application forms for the following pathways:
Heritage
Law
Philosophy
Religions
Drama
Media and Cultural Studies
Music
Visual Arts and Design
Language-Based Area Studies
Modern Languages and Translation Studies
If you are willing to submit an application template or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nan (n.song1@lancaster.ac.uk). Out of our concerns for data and privacy protection, please first erase your private information or any information that you feel uncomfortable disclosing when you submit your application templates.
If you would like to learn any more about the Fellows’ work or collaborate, please get in touch with me, and I can pass on details.
Student Rep Recruitment
The NWCDTP is always looking to recruit new Student Reps, particularly from the Royal Northern College of Music (this institution is currently underrepresented across the NWCDTP). If you would like to represent your institution and make sure the student voice is heard, please get in touch with Hannah (h.j.helm@edu.salford.ac.uk) to find out more.
EDI Questionnaire
The NWCDTP’s EDI Questionnaire is now live and accepting responses.
Your feedback is extremely valuable and important for addressing EDI issues within the Consortium, as well as helping us to make positive changes and improvements in the future.
The questionnaire closing date is 31st July 2024. Each NWCDTP researcher who completes the questionnaire before this date will receive a £10 Love2Shop e-voucher as a thank you.
Please click here for a link to the questionnaire.
EDI Training
Here are some details of upcoming EDI Training sessions, which are the final sessions for this academic year. All sessions are online to maximise inclusion and accessibility. Please follow each link to register and find out more:
- Tuesday 25th June @ 1-2:30pm: ‘Introduction to Neurodiversity’ – SIGN UP HERE
- Tuesday 16th July @ 10-11:30am: ‘Developing an Intersectional Approach to Academia’ – SIGN UP HERE
‘Research-in-Progress’ Seminars
I am putting on extra ‘research-in-progress’ seminars in the run up to the NWCDTP Annual Student Conference to support you with your work and paper preparation. You will have been contacted with a joining link already if you have signed up with me directly, but otherwise you can simply attend an online seminar by clicking the joining links below:
- Monday 17th June @ 9-10am – joining link
- Monday 24th June @ 12-1pm – joining link
- Monday 24th June @ 2-3pm – joining link
- Monday 24th June @ 4-5pm – joining link
PGR Network: PhD Support Forum
Undertaking a PhD is a long and difficult process and there may be times when you feel you need a bit of extra support. This may be short-term or on a longer-term basis.
The PhD Support Forum is here to raise any issues you have that the NWCDTP may be able to help you with. This could include things like:
- Negotiating for more notice of NWCDTP events so you can plan your time accordingly (especially for mandatory events).
- Requesting that there is a choice of dates for NWCDTP events since not everyone will be able to make the same day
- Highlighting the need for alternative delivery of NWCDTP events/information (such as live online streams, recordings, different formats for documents)
- Any ideas for events/support that you may have! All ideas are welcome.
The list above is in no way exhaustive. If you would like to discuss any way in which the NWCDTP could help you further, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Below is the joining link for the next meeting in September (online via Teams). Further dates will be announced at the beginning of the next academic year.
- Monday 16thSeptember @ 12-1pm: joining link
PGR Network: Neurodiversity Forum
This forum is a supportive community space for NWCDTP researchers to meet, connect, and network with fellow neurodiversity PhD students who have an understanding and lived experience of navigating academia. This forum allows you to support and seek help, guidance, and strategies from fellow community members. It is also a place to recognise, empower, and celebrate members’ achievements, including your own. These forums will also celebrate everything neurodivergent, including the joys and successes that it creates.
The next meeting will take place in-person at the NWCDTP Annual Student Conference on Tuesday 2nd July @ 12-1pm. Further dates will be announced at the beginning of the next academic year.
EDI Group / EDI Committee
The next EDI Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 25th June 2024 (3-4:30pm) online via Teams to discuss and address current EDI issues within the NWCDTP, as well as strategies for improvement.
If you are interested in EDI and feel passionate about involving student voices in our decision making, then please email me (h.j.helm@edu.salford.ac.uk) to join the EDI Group and for a link to the EDI Committee meeting.
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If you would like to get in touch to discuss the above or anything else, then please email me (h.j.helm@edu.salford.ac.uk) to have a conversation over email or Microsoft Teams.
See you all soon!
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