Leeds Doctoral College to be launched
The University is to launch a Doctoral College, providing overarching support and enhancement opportunities for all its postgraduate researchers.
The Doctoral College, which will be led by Professor Claire Honess, Dean of Postgraduate Research (PGR) Studies, is due to open in September 2017.
The establishment of a vibrant postgraduate and postdoctoral community is one of the key aims of the University’s Strategic Plan 2015-20, and of the new research and innovation delivery plan.
The creation of the Doctoral College will:
- strengthen the University’s ability to enhance the overall PGR experience
- help the University meet its strategic objective of growing PGR numbers
- contribute to the development of a distinctive ‘Leeds PhD’ brand.
The Doctoral College will enable a clear and consistent coordination and communication of the strong work being done by academic and support staff across the whole University, including by:
- Organisational Development and Professional Learning
- the Library
- the Language Centre
- Student Support Services
- IT (especially through support for the new GRAD system)
- Leeds University Union
- Faculty Graduate Schools
- Schools and Institutes.
It will co-ordinate PGR-facing and PGR-led events, including training sessions, research seminars and lectures, and will sponsor the annual and very popular PGR Showcase.
The Doctoral College’s central office will be located on Level 12 of the Ziff Building, making it easily accessible for all PGRs, and information will also be made available online via a ‘virtual Doctoral College’ within the new Portal.
By providing a more coherent way of presenting the support that the University offers to PGRs and of enabling them to access it, the Doctoral College will transform the experience of studying for a research degree at Leeds.
Claire Honess said, "This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to our PGRs, and will help us to create the kind of vibrant PGR community that our strategic plan envisions in a truly meaningful way."
More information about the launch of the Doctoral College and its activities will be available in the next few months.
Banner image shows Nafisul Haque, PGR student.
Posted in: Research and innovationStudent education