Competitions and Opportunities
Exciting opportunities for personal growth
Competitions and applying for opportunities for postgraduate research students are a brilliant way to test your skills.
Here’s a roundup of some of the current and forthcoming opportunities for postgraduate research students. Many happen once per year, but some you can take part in more regularly.
Step outside your day-to-day student life and practice public speaking, entrepreneurship, teaching and more.
Our mission is to connect and nurture PGRs, aspiring PGRs and Early Career Researchers who are interested in developing their understanding about how sustainability can enhance the rationale for and impact of their research.
Newcastle University is working with Bournemouth University and University of Cardiff to provide opportunities for Postgraduate Research (PGR) students from all disciplines to connect with each other and learn about how sustainability can enhance their doctoral research.
We launched the SPROUT Collective (Sustainability-Promoting Researchers Organising Unity to Nurture Tomorrow) in February 2024 and would love you to join us.
We will be holding a programme of monthly online events with the following aims:
- To build confidence amongst PGRs, aspiring PGRs and ECRs in engaging with SDGs.
- Provide opportunities for you to develop others' understanding of sustainability
- To increase awareness of sustainability's contribution to employability and funding opportunities.
- To provide collaborative opportunities for PGRs and ECRs to develop a range of competencies applicable to their own research and personal/ professional contexts.
The network is a legacy of SustainaWHAT?! a series of events held in 2021 and 2023 which connected PGRs to the sustainability agenda and sought to facilitate a cross-institution PGR network for ongoing support and inspiration of SDG-informed research.
If you came to SustainaWHAT?! do join us. If you didn't come to SustainaWHAT?! this is your opportunity to join this exciting network of PGRs.
The next event is taking place on the 18th March 2024.
Interested in SustainaWHAT?! or SPROUT?
Contact: rosalind.beaumont@newcastle.ac.uk (School X)
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 six half day online workshops. 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.
ACTION 2024 runs from May to July 2024 - Full details can be found on the Teams site.
SustainaWHAT?! is a multi-disciplinary, cross-faculty and cross-institutional gathering which aims to connect PGRs with the sustainability agenda.
It seeks to facilitate dialogue to support and inspire sustainability-informed research, and to explore the relationship between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and professional and personal development.
It is co-created by academics and PGRs from across disciplines.
Read about previous gatherings:
SustainaWHAT?! 2021 (Newcastle) and this short film
PGR Leads: Wahbi Albasyouni (Architecture, Planning & Landscape); Jecel Censoro (Politics); Anna Christy (Engineering); Duong Nguyen (Marketing); Andy Oroke (Engineering); Anand Roy (Business & Sustainability)
Academic Lead: Rosalind Beaumont (Senior Lecturer, School X)
SustainaWHAT?! 2023 (Newcastle, Cardiff and Bournemouth)
Newcastle PGR Leads: Chang Liu (Education, Communication and Language Sciences); Melisa Maida (Geography); Charlie Osborne (Natural and Earth Sciences); Tina Meparishvili (Architecture, Planning & Landscape); Anand Roy (Business & Sustainability)
Academic Lead: Rosalind Beaumont (Senior Lecturer, School X)
SPROUT - the sustainability collective is a legacy of the first two events.
Bournemouth, Cardiff and Newcastle universities are seeking to create a cross-institutional network for PGRs, early career researchers, and others to explore sustainability in their contexts.
Interested in SustainaWHAT?! or SPROUT?
Contact: rosalind.beaumont@newcastle.ac.uk (School X)
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Disobedience, Rebellion and Mischief.
May 23rd, 2024 - ARMBG.70, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University.
The zoom link for anyone that wants to watch online:
Meeting ID: 898 0451 1183
Panel 1: Early Modern Mischief
9:00 - 10:00
- Harriet Palin, Newcastle University, “Parents groans over their wicked children” or How to drive your Parents Mad and Suffer the Consequences in Early Modern England.
- Chantal Berry, University of York, Soundscapes of Disorder in Earls Colne, Essex 1570-1680.
- Scarlet Stevens, University of York, Reading "Bookes Of Love": Romances And Seventeenth Century Women's Reading Pleasure.
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Break 10:00-10:15
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Panel 2: Reconstructing Remarkable Women
10:15 - 11:15
- Meghmala Bhattacharya, Northumbria University, Betrayal, Hoodwink and Deception: The Friendships of Bengali Women Revolutionaries (1928-1934).
- Abby Hammond, Northumbria University, A Lady of the Most Exemplary Life’: The Life, Death, and Memorialisation of Dame Jane Clavering.
- Holly Boyd-Gill, University of Edinburgh, Celebrity Biopics as Adaptations: The Memorialised Cultural Gesture of Marilyn Monroe.
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Break 11:15-11:30
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Panel 3: Voices Against the Authority
11:30-12:30
- Ally Keane, Newcastle University, ‘It became a symbol of my incapacity and I hated it’: User Resistance of High-Technology Augmentative and Alternative Communication, c.1970-present.
- Bernardo Carvalho de Mello, Newcastle University, Voices of Defiance: Global South Narratives of Rebellion in International Human Rights Law.
- Ceren Senturk, Newcastle University, Collage as a Catalyst for Dialogue in Contested Spaces.
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Lunch Break 12:30-14:30
+ Poster Competition
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Panel 4: Deciphering Diverging Legacies
14:30-15:30
- Lewis Kimberley, Northumbria University, White Supremacist, Klansman, Martyr?: Jim Hadnot in Fact and Fabrication.
- Steve Kendall, Newcastle University, The Franks Casket: talking to a whalebone box about poetry.
- Roberto Di Tuccio, Durham University, “We Want Sex”: Rebel Hetairai in Lucian’s Dialogues of the Courtesans.
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Post-conference discussion 15:30-17:00
+ Light refreshments
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Any queries should be directed to h.reynolds4@newcastle.ac.uk
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Boost your public speaking skills, and disseminate your research ideas in a concise & engaging manner
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Celebrate your research and connect with research students across disciplines & faculties
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Enter the Newcastle University’s 3MT Competition as a competitor by 26 April 2024 by completing the form via the link/ QR code: tiny.cc/ncl3mt2024enter
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Attend the Heats and Final as an audience member only – to experience the events, support your peers, and a chance to network with others across contexts and disciplines: https://workshops.ncl.ac.uk/
DATES for your DIARY:
26/04 Deadline for applications
10/05 Institutional Heats (in-person, HDB6.16)
13+14/05 1-1 Training for finalists
22/05 Institutional final (in-person, HDB6.16)
20/06 Regional final (provisional date)
tbc National final
We’d love to have lots of people at these events to support and celebrate your research and to provide networking opportunities for research students across disciplines & faculties
We look forward to seeing you at the Heats – either as a competitor or audience member!
Watch other PGRs taking part in 3MT: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au/watch-3mt
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.
Contact: hass.pgtraining@ncl.ac.uk
Hosted by Faculty PGR training and development: Rosalind Beaumont (HaSS), Dr Gail de Blaquiere (SAgE) and Dr Richy Hetherington (FMS).
Please see the webpage for full details and to apply.
The Newcastle University Open Research Awards recognise colleagues and students who have used open practices to make research more accessible, transparent or reproducible, and demonstrate an understanding of the aims of open research.
The awards are open to all students and colleagues working in any research-related role, at any stage, within any area of the University. Prizes will be awarded as vouchers to the winner of the Open Research Award (£500), second place (£250) and third place (£100). Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the panel. This year we are also encouraging nominations for prizes of £50 each to recognise those who have helped to make research more open, but do not wish to submit a full case study.
These awards were made possible thanks to Newcastle University’s Enhancing Research Culture Project Fund in support of our Research Culture Action Plan.
Important Dates (2024)
Submission opens | February 19th |
Submission closes | May 31st |
Panel shortlisting | June 12th |
Celebration event | June 19th (14.30-16.00) |
How to apply for an award
Applications for an open research award must be submitted as a brief case study (no more than 750 words) describing how open practices were used in a research context, focussing on the benefits and the challenges faced. Submissions should be written for a general audience, and avoiding overly technical language.
Entries must be submitted by 17:00 on May 31st 2024.
How to nominate someone for a prize
We are also accepting nominations for open research prizes (£50 each) for colleagues who you feel deserve recognition for helping to make research more open and transparent, but who would not wish to submit a full case study for an award. For example, technical or administrative colleagues who have provided excellent support with open research practices or researchers making their first steps to adopt an open research practice that is uncommon in their discipline.
Nominations must be submitted by 17:00 on May 31st 2024.
Celebration Event
Join us at the Open Research Awards 2024 celebration event to hear presentations from those shortlisted for an award, to find out who the award winners are and enjoy celebratory drinks after the event!
- Date: Wednesday 19th June
- Time: 14.30-16.00 (followed by drinks reception)
- Venue: Boiler House
Calling all PGRs!
You are warmly invited to join us at the PGR Community Hub, where we’ll regularly be hosting a range of events throughout the academic year to allow you to share ideas, make connections and make progress in your research.
What is the PGR Community Hub?
The PGR Community Hub is a collaborative initiative from the NUSU PGR Community, Doctoral College and Research Culture Team. that aims to create a friendly and informal interdisciplinary space where PGRs from all faculties can come together, share ideas and make progress in their research. Events are primarily run by PGRs and designed to create a relaxed space to shar experiences and develop your skills as a researcher.
We’ll be hosting monthly Accountability Groups, Discussion Groups and Practice Sharing Groups both online (via Zoom or Teams) and in-person (Henry-Daysh Building 6.19), which are open to all Newcastle University PGRs.
If you’d like to attend any of the events, just book a place here.
So come along and join your PGR Community!
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.
Next meeting dates:
Date: Wednesday 28th February 2024
Time: 10am-11.30am
Venue: Armstrong Building, Room 1.48 (St3DO)
Date: Wednesday 27th March 2024
Time: 10am - 11,30am
Venue: Bedson Teaching Centre (BSTC), Room 2.51
The Brilliant Club provides postgraduate researchers training in widening participation, research communication, and teaching. Researchers are then paid to deliver academically rigorous programmes to small groups of pupils in state schools across the UK.
On The Scholars Programme, tutors are trained to create a course based on their own academic research pitched at pupils in Key Stage 4 or 5. Tutors also have the opportunity to deliver a pre-designed programme to younger pupils aged 8-10. They deliver this course in university-style tutorials to groups of 7. To help fit alongside their other commitments, tutors indicate their availability on a termly basis. Placements are paid from £550 per placement, with an additional £121 for designing a Scholars Programme course (plus London weighting). Travel expenses are also paid.
We also have a new video from a tutor talking about their experience working What it's like being a PhD tutor on The Scholars Programme - YouTube
Applications are now closed for 2023/24.
The next recruitment cycle will begin in March 2024. Applications submitted before this date will be held in a pool.
For more information, register to attend an online information event
To apply, fill in the application form here
If you have any queries, please get in touch via apply@thebrilliantclub.org
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) 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
Funding that has now closed for 2023/24
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.
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.
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.
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
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: