PGR Led Engagement
Introduction
The Doctoral College provides financial support for PGRs to take part in, design, and lead engagement activities that enhance research culture and enrich the wider university community. Funding can support participation in existing activities and national competitions, as well as the development and delivery of PGR-led initiatives such as conferences, public engagement events and creative outputs. These opportunities are intended as value-added activities that complement - but remain distinct from - core research. They often focus on providing spaces to develop skills, share research creatively, and engage with wider audiences in innovative and meaningful ways.
Applying for funding
Examples of PGR-led activities could include PGR-led Conferences, Symposia, Workshops, Exhibitions or Community Engagement. The activities must be able to be delivered at scale, have demonstrable impact or benefits to our PGR Community and be supported by your Academic Supervisor. Please note we do not support applications for individual funding support.
Applications must demonstrate how the activity will:
- Support the sharing of research and engagement with a wider audience
- Provide an opportunity for PGRs to collaborate across disciplines and institutes
They could also focus on:
- Translating research into creative or accessible formats
- Enhance public engagement with our PGR community through community engagement activities and events
Below are examples of previously supported PGR-led initiatives and events:
Annual Events and Competitions
The Doctoral College supports PGR participation in a range of established annual, national and sector-wide opportunities designed to sharpen your communication, impact, and research engagement skills. They offer a chance to step outside of day-to-day research activity, build confidence, and raise your profile. Examples include:
3 Minute Thesis (3MT)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges doctoral students to explain their research in just three minutes, using only a single slide, to a non-specialist audience. Originally developed by the University of Queensland, Australia, 3MT has since been adopted by universities worldwide. The competition provides training and support, followed by the opportunity to compete in a University heat. The winner then progresses to the national competition.
For further information, please contact: laura.leonardo@newcastle.ac.uk
YES Enterprise Programme
The Brilliant Club
The Brilliant Club is a charity that provides postgraduate researchers with the opportunity to teach small groups of pupils in state schools across the UK, typically at Key Stage 4 or 5. Tutors are trained to design and deliver courses based on their own academic research, or to deliver pre-designed programmes. Sessions take place in small-group, university-style tutorials, helping pupils to develop the skills and confidence needed for higher education. This opportunity allows PGRs to develop experience in teaching and widening participation, while strengthening their ability to communicate research clearly to non-specialist audiences.
For more information, see here: https://thebrilliantclub.org/ and contact: universities@thebrilliantclub.org
Leading our own opportunities is a great way for PGR students to develop and shape our individual career paths, and to get a hands-on experience of what an HE teaching position might entail.
PGR-Led Initiatives & Events
The Doctoral College also supports PGRs in developing and delivering their own engagement initiatives. These may include university-wide events, conferences, exhibitions, or creative outputs linked to their research.
These activities provide opportunities for PGRs to:
- Share their research with wider audiences
- Develop public engagement and leadership skills
- Collaborate across disciplines and institutions
- Translate research into creative or accessible formats
Below are examples of previously supported PGR-led initiatives and events:
