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Doctoral College PGR Events Programme

Coming together as a community is important part of the doctoral experience. In previous years, we've held an annual Festival of Doctoral Research (find out more below) but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the value of regular connection and community so from 22/23 we'll have a longer programme of events to celebrate and connect our doctoral researchers. Through our year-long Doctoral College PGR Events Programme, we offer a wide range of events for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from across the University to connect with each other. From writing retreats, PGR seminars, research showcases, to social events, there's something for everyone. Our activity fund will support a variety of PGR-led events and activities for the wider doctoral community. Whether PGRs want to talk research or anything but research, we aim to give them space to do just that.

Awards Ceremony and 3 Minute Thesis University Final

The Doctoral College are busy preparing for their PGR celebration afternoon taking place on Friday 17 June, bringing together two celebrations into one event – the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) live final and the Doctoral College awards ceremony. Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and their supervisors are invited to come along and hear about the exciting research being conducted by our doctoral students as part of the 3MT final. After the 3MT final, the Doctoral College awards ceremony will celebrate the exceptional achievements of our PGRs across a number of areas, including research, education, enterprise, community, public engagement and more.

Winners of the 3MT® competition will be announced by Professor Chris Howls, Director of the Doctoral College, as part of the awards. Register your place here.

If you are a current postgraduate researcher or supervisor at the University of Southampton, please visit our Doctoral College PGR Events Programme SharePoint site for more information.

Find out how you can get involved!

Festival of Doctoral Research 2021: 9-10 June

We're really excited to be taking this year's Festival of Doctoral Research online. The Festival is the key point during the year in which we can come together as a community of PGRs, supervisors and other staff who support doctoral research to recognise the many and varied achievements of postgraduate researchers.

In this two-day conference-style event on the 9 and 10 June 2021, we will consider the unique challenges that have faced PGRs this year, to celebrate PGRs' achievements in the face of these, and to reflect upon what PGRs' experiences during the pandemic mean for their future and that of doctoral research. 

If you are a current PGR or member of staff, please visit our Festival of Doctoral Research SharePoint site to find out more about what's going to be happening during the Festival, the competitions and events, as well as PGR awards.

You can also find out more about previous year's festivals below.

Visit the 2021 Festival site

Festival of Doctoral Research 2020

The winners of the Three Minute Thesis competition and the Director's Awards and Research Awards were announced at the Doctoral College Awards Ceremony on 30 June 2020, by professor Chris Howls, Director of the Doctoral College.

Please follow the links to the relevant webpages, to find out who the winners were!

Doctoral College Director's Awards

Celebrating exceptional achievements and contributions of the University’s doctoral researchers.

Doctoral College Research Awards

The Research Awards recognise the exceptional contribution of doctoral researchers to research group, School, Faculty or University research strategy.

Three Minute Thesis Competition

Find out about the Three Minute Thesis Competition.

Meet our 2020 Festival Interns

Meet our 2020 Festival Interns, Sien and Florence.

Digital Doctoral Festival

The Digital Doctoral Festival was a new celebration of diverse PGRs, their inspiring research and vibrant lives.

The Festival of Doctoral Research over the years

The Festival of Doctoral Research is the perfect opportunity to foster a sense of togetherness and share interests across our wide range of research disciplines.