PGR representation
The Faculty of Humanities works with School postgraduate research administration, Research Degrees and Researcher Development (RDRD) Team and the Students’ Union (SU) to provide coordinated support to help assist representatives, to create synergy between all parties and to continuously work with newly elected reps with new initiatives to meet the needs of new student cohorts.
The representatives' roles are to represent the views and voice of their cohort, bring ideas to relevant bodies to action in order to improve the PGR provision in their research group, school, faculty or even the whole University.
A PGR rep's office term usually lasts one academic year, from October to September. Representatives have the opportunity to develop a number of skills such as networking, communication, organisation and leadership, develop an understanding of the University governance structure and higher education sector and most important of all, an opportunity to make a difference.
Representation at University level
Humanities PGR reps (between one and three reps) are invited to sit on the Manchester Doctoral College Strategy Group (MDCSG). The MDCSG’s aims are to develop and drive strategies to enable excellent postgraduate research provision at the University of Manchester. Items covered in this group include University wide PGR funding bids, PGR internationalisation (e.g. dual awards and collaboration), PGR experience, Researcher Development for PGR and supervisors, PGR policies and procedures. It is chaired by the Associate Vice President for Postgraduate Research, Professor Melissa Westwood with participation from the Associate Deans for PGR, PGR reps and PGR Managers from the University’s three faculties: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Faculty of Humanities, the Research Degrees and Researcher Development Team, the Library and other University directorates. More information about the work of the Manchester Doctoral College (MDC) can be found here. The meeting dates are enclosed.
MDCSG meetings are held on a monthly basis. Faculty of Humanities MDCSG PGR reps will work with Faculty Associate Dean for PGR to represent Humanities PGR and provide input into the University-wide postgraduate research strategy and development.
Representation at Faculty level
Humanities Postgraduate Research Committee (PGRC) is responsible for the strategic and policy matters relating to PGRs in Humanities and is chaired by the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research. It consists of the PGR Directors from each school, a PGR representative, PGR officers and PGR Services Managers. The Associate Dean meets the Faculty representatives once a semester to support their participation in the Faculty PGRC. PGR Committee meet 6 times a year. More information about the Faculty of Humanities PGRC can be found here. The Faculty PGR representative for 2023/24 is to be confirmed.
Representation at School level
Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) – Reps attend School PGR Committee and there are regular School meetings with all reps.
Arts, Languages and Cultures (SALC) – Reps are invited to School PGR Committee and there are regular School meetings with all reps.
Environment, Education and Development (SEED) – Reps attend School PGR Committee and have one to one meetings with the PGR Director.
Social Sciences (SoSS) – Reps attend School PGR Committee meetings, as well as the School Policy and Resources Committee, the Equality and Diversity Committee and the School Health & Safety Committee. There are regular schools meetings with all of the representatives.
Lists of School PGR representatives can be found in PGR handbooks.
Student representatives can find information about the roles and responsibilities in the Student Representation Policy for Postgraduate Research Students, Students’ Union and from the School PGR office.