2. What can the Graduate School do for
you?
• From the website:
– The Graduate School promotes excellence in Arts and Languages
Research. It is an online and physical community where postgraduate
students can meet each other, access resources and organise events.
As part of our stimulating Graduate School you join a cutting-edge
gathering of researchers
• Graduate School is about community of PG students, PSS staff and
academics – possibly demonstrated by new website distinct from SALC
• Research development – training, supervision, identity, resource – for PGT
and PGR
• Provide some resource and logistical support for issues relating to PG
students
3. Recap: why a Graduate School?
• Bring SALC in line with other Schools
• Maintain the competitiveness of SALC
regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Demonstrate SALC credibility in future funding
bids such as AHRC BGP II
• Enable growth in numbers to be sustainable
• Provide robust support structures for current
and future students
• Enhance the PG experience now and in the
future
Guiding principles established Feb 2012
4. Some utilitarian reasons for a GS
• Fold the development of the GS and its cohort
identity into our future plans with FoH
• Focus for funding applications (SIRF money)
• Think strategically about how to develop PG
provision in SALC and provide leadership/
support/ protection
• Bid for budget to develop key areas for PG:
training (PGT), space, facilities
• Recruitment – anecdotal evidence that this is
helping significantly in differentiating our
provision at PG level
5. Why a Graduate School (less utilitarian
reasons)?
• Cohort identity for the PG student body
(whilst acknowledging difference between
types of student)
• Social and training events for PG students
• Support and advocacy for PG students
– Examples: Space; GTA issues; Careers week
• Development of a PG team supporting the
students – academic and PSS
• Development of PG online provision (website
etc)
6. Why come to Manchester?
• Graduate School – a community of
postgraduate scholars
• World-class supervision and teaching
• Amazing libraries, learning resources,
institutions and organisations in the city
• Excellent support for learning and studying
• Great new facilities – space, common room
• Innovative training enhancing experience and
employability
Slide used at PG open day
7. Update - progress
• Website – developing as a tool for
recruitment/ gateway site for current students
– being developed – and also outward facing
– Blog, twitter, news, profiles
– Coordinate PG websites across SALC
– PGR student profiles
– New pages: Employability; Social Responsibility
• News and communications – newsletter
template
• Budgets – PGT training discussions
8. Update: Progress
• Space – in discussions
with Estates about the
use of the CEL in Ellen
Wilkinson for GS (likely to
get, but some way from a
decision)
– Concerns – use of the
space and configuration
– Concerns – distance from
home departments
– Concerns: PGT/ PGR usage
9. BUT: it is exceptional space that will
create a world-class facility for our
students
• Discussion – space for
PG community – how to
use space – email
Jerome.degroot@manc
hester.ac.uk
• How best to develop
and expand our
provision
10. So far: ‘Success’
• PGR reps report satisfaction • Contribution of GS to
amongst community, advertising the new School
particularly relating to to prospective PGT/ PGR
Space issues (redrafting of publicity)
• Events run by GS • Contribution of GS as
• Establishment of SALC PG evidence for SALC REF
Society (student-run) documentation
• GS involvement in PG open • Contribution of GS
days investment/ narrative to
• Usage of space by PG AHRC BGP II application for
students – reading groups, the University
training, social events
• Development of models for
GTA recruitment, training,
development
11. Future measures of success
• Increased Student • Happier, more
Satisfaction (PRES, PTES productive students
just about to open) • Development of space
• Enhanced collegiality in for GS and identity
GS community • Contribution to key
• Website development issues yet to be tackled:
and enhancement – Mentoring
• Embed GS in School PG – Pastoral
community (students, – GTAs (increasing issue)
staff, PSS) – PGT training
