Modern Languages Postgraduate Research Liaison Forum

University of Exeter

College of Humanities

Modern Languages Postgraduate Research Liaison Forum

9th November 2016

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Present

Gert Vonhoff (DPGR), Edward Mills (PGRLF Rep), MariaSelezneva, Sandra Daroczi, Giada Alessandroni, Cathryn Baker (GSO)

Apologies:

Minutes From the last meeting

GV thanked MS for being the rep last year.
GV to email PGR Students in ML to inform him about their teaching roles and plans; GV the to meet Andrew Thorpe to remind him of his promise (from early 2015) to look into finding some funding for teaching for ML PGRS.

Welcome to new PGRLF Rep

GV welcomed EMas the new discipline rep. EM gave an update on what he has done to date and has emailed summaries of the meetings that he has attended, the meeting was reminded that these are not official minutes, just notes of points discussed. It was agreed that the summaries were very useful. GV asked if EM might wish to find a deputy, this has happened in previous years and has proved to be very useful. EM to see if anyone in the discipline is interested.

Action: EM

Planning for 12 December – “Day of Humanities Postgraduate Research”

A copy of the suggested plan for the day has been emailed to all PGRs via reps and students who attended a recent meeting to discuss PGR student activity. GV gave a summary of the feedback that he hadalready received, which on the whole was not very positive with many suggesting some of the proposed workshops were already offered by the central Researcher Development team. SD mentioned that whilst the feedback was not very positive it does demonstrate that the PGR community can come together, but for similar events in the future it might be better to consult more with the PGR community and give more time for student input. GV asked what workshops students might be interested in and encouraged students to email him.

Training Needs – what are you looking for at College of Humanities level

The meeting was reminded about possible student led workshop suggestions that were included in the recent newsletter. SD mentioned that from the 3rd year training needs to be more discipline focussed for example, how do you get published in Modern Languages, employment opportunities in Modern Languages. SD also proposed the idea of a PTA forum, whereby PTA’s can come together to discuss experiences, this was positively received. It was agreed that this would be added to the list of student- led workshops that have already been emailed.

Action: GSO

GV reminded the meeting of the Impact & Research Communication Skills workshop that is taking place on the 16th November. If the workshop is a success and there is further interest, there is the possibility of a follow up session early in 2017.

Planning for the HUMS PG Conference in 2017

The date for the PGR Conference has been confirmed, 12th&13th June. Room bookings have been particularly difficult this year. We will test this late date this academic year and if need be make the conference a compulsory event next academic year to allow for earlier room bookings.

Resources

GV reminded all that printing is now unlimited, this has received a very positive response from all of the PGR community. Students pointed out the new PGR study offices were very nice. If students need a top up of their inter-library loan allowance they are asked to email the Graduate School with a supporting email from the first supervisor.

GV will be emailing details of the Niklaus CartwrightTravel Bursary to undertake research or attend a conference in France, this is for ML students only.

GV updated the meeting to say that following requests, the allocation of desk space has recently been discussed. The following suggestion will be discussed further at the next GRSG meeting; sharing a desk would be voluntary, 6 desks will be made available to part time students and 6 desks made available for students once submitted.

Supervision

GV reminded all that the role of the PGR Mentor has been replaced by a PGR Pastoral Tutor. The Doctoral College are putting some training and guidance together for staff in this new role. Everyone should receive an email from their Pastoral Mentor this term.

Hums PGR Pudsey Cream tea & Quiz

The meeting was reminded of the Children in Need Quiz taking place on 18 Nov, 4pm, OL 134: everyone was encouraged to get involved.

Any other Business

SD raised the issues surrounding PTA teaching, there was a delay with the issue of contracts again; also this year the way that students are paid for their work has switch to e-claims, which has brought many students many issues and caused a lot of frustration for students. The system just does not work for PTA teaching, with all the problems that is causes it does not send out a very positive message to PTAs, again there was no consultation or warning that this new payment system was being brought in. Whilst the Graduate School were supportive, no one seems to know how best to use this system, it would have been good to have been given some warning and the opportunity to have support to set up the e claim account. Also, students have to input their hours each month to ensure payment; it was suggested that the Graduate School email all PTA’s to remind them to complete and submit their claim. GV was unaware of these issues but will speak to James Clark and Morwenna Hussey, he will also email all PTA students to ask for feedback.

Action: GV & GSO

An update was given on the ‘War in other Words’ project – material has been uploaded onto the website

Widening participation will reimburse train fares for the teaching workshops carried out in Taunton by members of the WioW project.

Grand Challenges are now recruiting for staff, this is paid work

Date and time of next meeting to be confirmed