Opportunities and Events
Build your network, sharpen your skills and share your research with the world.
Grow in confidence and have fun
Here’s your chance to shine. Events allow you to:
- grow in confidence
- develop career skills
- network
- have fun
Discover postgraduate research events, and how you can get involved below. The list below gives you a flavour of events on offer, but isn’t definitive.
Keep your eye on our events pages for details of more activities taking place throughout the academic year.
Step outside your day-to-day student life and practice public speaking, entrepreneurship, teaching and more.
INSIGHTS Public Lecture: New voices on science, agriculture and engineering
Date/Time: Tuesday 5 December 2023, 5.30pm
Venue: Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University
All our events remain free and open to all, but pre-booking is required. Bookings for this lecture will open at 10.00am on 28 November.
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/events/noticeboard/item/051223insightspubliclecturenewvoices.html
Three early-career researchers from the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering at Newcastle University will have the opportunity to deliver a Public Lecture, describing their cutting-edge research.
The winning entries have now been decided by public vote:
Anna Christy - School of Engineering
Carbon Accounting in the English Water Sector
We all are customers of the Water Sector, but do we know where our money goes? The Sector needs to achieve NetZero, but how much money is genuinely being used to reduce our carbon footprint? With standardised carbon accounting, we can ensure that water companies actually use our bills to deliver NetZero rather than to perform potential carbon accounting wizardry. We need accountability and tangible results, to ensure every penny counts and is accounted for.
Asid Ur Rehman – School of Engineering
CONFIGURE: A smart approach to prepare cities for growing flood risks
Making cities adaptable to floods caused by climate change is crucial. One way to achieve this is by using natural features, such as green spaces and ponds. However, the effectiveness of these features in reducing flooding depends on their construction location. Identifying the most suitable spots presents a significant challenge. To address this problem, my study develops a computer program that automatically locates the right areas for building these features to enable sustainable urban planning.
Samuel Ruthven Ward – School of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics
An Extragalactic Murder Mystery: Can Black Holes Kill Galaxies?
There are galaxy-killers on the loose. Previously star-forming galaxies are being transformed into quenched systems, devoid of new star creation. The most-wanted suspect? Supermassive black holes: sat at the heart of galaxies; devouring nearby gas; and belching out huge jets and outflows with the power to remove or destroy the raw materials needed for the galaxy to keep producing new stars. Using powerful supercomputer simulations and ground-breaking new telescopes, can we hunt down these galaxy-killers?
You are warmly invited to our Research Seminar Series that is open to ALL looking to learn and engage with our NUAcT fellows.
Come along to meet our fellows and the NUAcT team and be inspired by the diverse research happening at NU! The seminar series showcases fellows latest research, research culture initiatives & fellowships journeys. All welcome to attend.
Date: Wed 6th December
Time: 2-4pm (talks 1-2 festive refreshments and chat after)
Venue: Bedson Building (Barbara Strang Teaching Centre) BSTC 1.48
With Festive Refreshments!
Speakers:
Obinna’s current research is in the emerging field of quantum science and technology with the aim of realizing efficient quantum thermal devices and quantum dynamic processes. I combine a variety of tools to model quantum devices as well as quantum dynamics processes that are operating far from equilibrium. Obinna is a co-convener of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics working group for African Strategy for Fundamental and Applied Physics.
Hannah’s research focuses on Climate resilient net-zero energy systems. A key goal of her work is to demonstrate how weather and climate information can be clearly communicated to end users including: industry professionals, other academics, policy makers, and the general public. Hannah has recently been thinking about the weather conditions that could be particularly good or bad for wind and solar power generation over Africa. The whole Continent has been considered initially, followed by detailed studies for existing wind and solar farms in Senegal and Kenya.
Spread the Word:
Help us create a vibrant community at Newcastle University. Share this invitation with your colleagues to expand the reach of our seminar series.
Learning Opportunities:
Open to all researchers, students and professional services staff.
For more information contact us at nuact.admin@newcastle.ac.uk or follow us on Twitter.
Conception X is a fully-funded, 9-month programme that helps STEM PhD students like you to translate your research. Through a structured training programme and coaching, you’ll learn how to launch and accelerate a deeptech startup based on your research, connect with industry experts, become eligible for innovation grants, awards and venture capital funding, and access networking opportunities. The programme is designed to fit around your commitments as a PhD student and has a two-track approach to support those ready to launch a startup and those looking to explore research commercialisation.
Conception X founders are Venture Scientists, at the intersection of scientific research and tech entrepreneurship. The programme offers a proven innovation model, having built 350+ founding teams with its portfolio startups going on to raise £57 million in capital and grants. Conception X’s first exit – quantum drug discovery company Rahko – was also the world’s first quantum machine learning-focused startup to reach the exit stage. The best performing companies in Cohort 7 focusing on AI, quantum computing, robotics, biotech and other breakthrough technologies will have the chance to be considered for £100,000 in funding through the programme’s partnership with XTX Ventures.
Next Step – Join a Discovery Session
Conception X’s Northern Deeptech Hub supports the next generation of PhD founders in the Northeast. Register for the upcoming Discovery Session at Newcastle University, 14th December 2023, to meet Conception X alumni and find out if the programme is for you. If you still have questions, please reach out to hello@conceptionx.org
The legacy of Branco Weiss, a well-known Swiss entrepreneur and science patron, was to dedicate nearly all of his wealth to supporting exemplary postdoctoral fellows (see https://brancoweissfellowship.org). Since its inception in 2002, the Branco Weiss Fellowship - Society in Science has supported more than 150 promising researchers. Fellows may carry out their projects at any academic institution in the world that best suits their research.
The ideal applicant for a Branco Weiss Fellowship leverages the freedom offered by the fellowship to design a surprisingly novel and scientifically rigorous research project. The fellowship addresses junior researchers with a record of outstanding scientific achievement and a passion for venturing into new territory (see: Mission).
To give you an impression of what kind of qualifications a typical Branco Weiss Fellow should have, please check the current fellow profiles, as well as selected alumni portraits.
Before applying please read the information on this website carefully.
The registration portal for the 2024 fellowship intake is now open for the January 15, 2024 deadline.
To avoid server-overload, please submit your application at least 1 to 2 days before the deadline.
The annual SAgE Postgraduate Research conference for the academic year 2023/24 will take place between the 23th-25th January 2024. It will be held in person at the Frederick Douglass building on the Helix site, Newcastle University.
The main theme of this year’s conference is ‘Career’ and we are expecting involvement from a range of interesting businesses and potential employers.
There will be a range of events running throughout the week, from PGR presentation and poster sessions to guest speakers and more social activities. Attendance is open to all postgraduate researchers from across the University.
Full details will be available soon.
Join us on the last Wednesday of every month - an informal event to discuss all things Research Culture.
All welcome, refreshments included. Find out more on our Research Culture webpages.
Each month, we’ll be running an open Research Culture Café as an opportunity to chat about all things ‘research culture’ and the work happening across the University.
Please come along for a coffee and cake and to chat to us and other colleagues and postgraduate research students – all welcome! We'd also love to hear what's happening in your area, what you are involved in and any changes you are seeing at Newcastle.
Get support and guidance to help you manage stress, tackle negative thoughts, and adjust to UK culture when studying abroad.
Join now - just started.
Thrive in your study abroad experience
The UK is known for its world-leading universities, which are highly regarded by employers all around the world. But despite the huge benefits of the UK education, international students can face challenges along the way.
This three-week course from the British Council and Newcastle University provides tailored support and guidance for international students. From understanding British culture to accessing relevant support, you’ll get the information you need to thrive in the UK.
Understand the UK culture and education system
Moving to a new country to study can be daunting, but knowing a bit about British culture will make integrating easy.
In Week 1 of the course, you’ll be given an introduction to the UK culture and education system. You’ll hear from current international students, who’ll tell you a bit about their experience of moving to the UK.
Get tips to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing
The focus of this course is on equipping international students with practical strategies for monitoring and managing their mental health and wellbeing. Guided by mental health experts at Newcastle University, you’ll develop techniques for maintaining study-life balance, building self-esteem, and combating negative thinking.
You’ll join a support network of current and past international students, who’ll share personal experiences and specialised advice.
Learn where international students can go for help and support
In the last week of the course, you’ll discover where and how you can access the support you need as an international student. You’ll also create a wellbeing plan to help you cope during periods when you feel anxious or under pressure.
By the end of the course, you’ll be confident and ready to get stuck into studying abroad.
Research Culture Community Funds
Changing Research Culture takes time and motivation, but it also takes support and resource!
The Enhancing Research Culture Funds aim to enable our community to change their culture for research.
Together, let’s shape our culture for research. Change belongs to all of us.
QR Enhancing Research Culture (ERC) Project Fund
We want to support innovative and experimental projects and activities proposed and delivered by our research community that help build a more positive research culture. These could be local projects, activities that inform institutional practices or have impact nationally and/or internationally. We want to encourage applications for activities that could lead to sustained improvements in research culture and offer the opportunity for us (and others) to learn from them. We are allocating up to £60K to the Enhancing Research Culture Project Fund to support community-led projects aligned with our Research Culture Action Plan. Applicants can apply for up to £20k per project per year, and projects can last until June 30th 2025. Application deadline 5pm Thursday 30th November 2023.
QR Enhancing Research Culture (ERC) People Fund
The people fund aims to enhance personal and professional development of colleagues from across the organisation to open up new opportunities in facilitating, supporting, enabling and promoting research, as well as enable a more positive research culture. Applications can be made by individuals or teams. There is no application fund limit, although applications <£1000 are encouraged. There is no closing date, but funds are limited. We encourage early applications, particularly those that end before 30th June 2024. Postgraduate researchers please see the aligned Doctoral College Enhancement Fund
Enhancing Research Culture Research Retreat-type activity
Our community have demonstrated a clear need for time and space to focus on their research-related activity. To promote this, we are allocating £10K to pilot a project of ‘research-retreat’ activities. We want to work with the community to understand how we can offer research retreat opportunities more broadly, improving accessibility and sustainability. We want the research retreats to offer a time to focus on your research-related activity, be that writing grants, fellowships, books or papers, analysing data, strategic project planning or deep-thinking. Whether you have a pre-defined idea of a research retreat you’d like to run, or if you are curious about the opportunity, please apply to our Enhancing Research Culture Research Retreat. Application deadline 5pm Thursday 30th November 2023.
The Careers Service Make It Happen Fund supports Newcastle University students and recent graduates to take the next step in their career development.
You can use a Make it Happen Fund bursary to enhance your skills and experience and to access or create opportunities.
Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. You can only apply for one bursary per year.
Who is it for?
- current Newcastle University students - all subjects and stages
- recent graduates - up to 12 months after graduation
You can apply for funding to support with the costs of:
- attending interviews and work experience
- attending a conference
- funding a project or initiative
To apply, please complete the online form after reading the Make it Happen Fund Terms and Conditions
Once you have applied, please allow 5 working days for a reply.
For any questions please contact mihf@newcastle.ac.uk.
START UP is a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and creatives.
We work with any student or recent graduate who wants to be self-employed, full or part-time. If you want to start or grow a business, freelance career or social enterprise, we can help.
Whether you’re just curious, considering it or already doing it, we'll support you and your goals at every stage of your start-up journey, from pre-idea to launch and beyond.
Begin your journey with us by booking a one-to-one appointment - see webpage for booking system..
Stay up-to-date by signing up to our newsletter.
Explore the relationship between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and research, professional and personal development.
SustainaWHAT?! 2023 is a series of events co-created by PGR Research and Education for Sustainable Development Team (PGR RESD) – a multidisciplinary group of PGRs and staff from across Newcastle University (and School X) in collaboration with PGR/staff teams at Cardiff and Bournemouth universities.
The first gathering took place on the 7th of March.
The second and third events followed in April.
We want to encourage PGRs (+ PGTs and Post-Docs) participation in these events to help them develop awareness about the SDGs. They will have an opportunity to explore their research through the sustainability lens, share ideas and skills with a sustainability-minded community, and hear from interdisciplinary speakers, and extend their network.
See what happened at SustainaWHAT?! 2021 in this short film and case study.
See you there!
PGRRESD Team: Chang Liu (PGR, ECLS), Melisa Maida (PGR, GPS), Charlie Osborne (PGR, SNES), Tina Meparishvili, (PGR, APL), Anand Roy (PGR, NUBS), and Rosalind Beaumont (Senior Lecturer, School X)
Contact: pgrresd@ncl.ac.uk
Follow us on Twitter: @pgrresd
Interested in Open Science and how to improve your research?
Come and have a cup of tea, learn about open science and join in the chat at Newcastle University's branch of the ReproducibiliTea journal club!
More information is available on the Opening Research blog and you can register your interest here
ACTION is an innovation and entrepreneurial awareness development programme specifically designed for STEM postgraduate researchers to think about how you can create value and impact from your research whether now or in your future research career. We are looking for individual researchers, keen to take up this development challenge. You do not need to have a specific idea (we can help you come up with one to work through the programme) but those who want to explore existing ideas, establish an innovative or novel approach or use their skills and specialisms to create your own opportunities are equally encouraged to apply.
ACTION will involve participating in four half day online workshops. Two optional workshops are offered before the programme's application deadline to help support you in the process. Additional in person support is available throughout the programme. We have access to a wealth of expertise from within the University including the Careers Service and Business Development Teams to support and mentor you through the process. The programme is not a competition as such but will culminate in participants bidding into a fund which can be used to further help your entrepreneurial development (e.g centre of excellence visit or specialist training funds) or take your idea forward to the next stage (e.g. Impact Fellowships). Awards and their value are decided by an expert judging panel during the programme finale.
Information is available on the Teams site.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition asks doctoral students to explain their research in just three minutes using only one slide. The explanation should be easily understood by a non-specialist. Originally developed by the University of Queensland, Australia it has been taken up by Universities across the world. The competition offers training followed by the opportunity to compete in a University final. The winner will then go forward to compete in the national competition.
Are you a budding scientific entrepreneur? YES is scientific researchers’ answer to The Apprentice.
As a team of 4 or 5 you will:
- attend presentations from leading industry figures on the commercialisation of ideas
- prepare an oral business plan presentation for a hypothetical start-up company
- take part in a series of five, three-day workshops
The workshops are on the themes of:
- digital
- energy, engineering and environment
- biosciences, health and wellbeing
- plant, microbial and environment
- biomedical
The winning teams from each workshop will go forward to the final. Finalists will have the chance to win prizes from a £15,000 prize fund.
Join us at a YES information session to find out more.
Each year, each faculty runs a postgraduate public speaking prize. Winners gain the chance to speak as part of the INSIGHTS Public Lecture Series.
Ready to share your research with the wider world?
Your faculty posts details of upcoming Public Lecture Prize events on its research development programme pages. Visit your faculty below to find out more: