• Champion the views and needs of PGRs across divisions, departments, schools, faculties, and the university.
• Identify opportunities and solutions to enhance your research journey.
• Ensure PGR feedback directly shapes decisions and improvements.

• PGR reps are active at every level—local divisions, departments, schools, faculties, and university-wide.
• Representation follows a pyramid structure: local reps feed into school and faculty reps, culminating with the Students’ Union-elected PGR Officer representing all PGRs at the top.
• The number of reps reflects the size and needs of each area to ensure every voice is heard without overwhelming workloads.

‌

• PGR reps are active at every level—local divisions, departments, schools, faculties, and university-wide.
• Representation follows a pyramid structure: local reps feed into school and faculty reps, culminating with the Students’ Union-elected PGR Officer representing all PGRs at the top.
• The number of reps reflects the size and needs of each area to ensure every voice is heard without overwhelming workloads.

University divisions, departments, schools, and faculties support you by:

• Informing all PGRs about how representation works and how to get involved.
• Running fair and transparent processes to appoint reps and keeping contact lists up to date.
• Nominating a dedicated PGR rep coordinator in every area.

As a PGR rep, you will:

• Attend relevant committee meetings to share feedback and raise issues.
• Find an alternative rep to attend if you’re unavailable.
• Participate in training and briefing sessions.
• Engage with fellow PGRs to gather their views.
• Give regular updates and feedback to your PGR community.
• Contribute to the development of local and university-wide policy.
• Bring your PGR community together through events and meetings.
• Participate in Open Days, Inductions, and social/networking events.
• Know the support services available and signpost as needed.
• Work collaboratively with PGRs and staff to make meaningful changes.
• Communicate the impact of your representation back to your peers.

You’ll connect with a wide network including:

• Other PGR reps
• PGR Directors
• Faculty-based Associate Deans
• PGR professional services teams
• The Students’ Union

Great reps are:

• Clear communicators who act professionally.
• Good listeners who engage with all PGRs, including those less vocal or off-campus.
• Knowledgeable about the group they represent and their diverse needs.
• Aware of when to escalate issues and respect confidentiality.
• Active participants in training and representative activities.

Effective engagement is key—here’s how:

• Introduce yourself to the PGRs you represent; share a bio and contact details.
• Gather feedback in person, via email, online surveys, social media, or suggestion boxes.
• Be solution-focused when raising issues and discuss positive changes.
• Make sure everyone’s heard, especially part-time, remote, or less vocal PGRs

Tips for Gathering Opinions

• Start with friends and colleagues, then reach out more widely.
• Use informal settings, blogs, and social media to keep in touch.
• Ask focused, specific questions for better responses.
• Assure PGRs that their feedback is anonymous if shared in meetings.

Communicating and Giving Feedback

Great communication means:

• Attending and contributing to meetings at all levels.
• Passing on issues to relevant teams and keeping your PGR community informed.
• Using multiple communication methods—face to face and online.
• Being approachable and asking open-ended questions.

Handling Challenging Conversations

• Be clear, concise, and well-prepared.
• Stay solution-focused and listen actively.
• Watch your nonverbal cues and agree on next steps.

Effective Feedback: The ABCD Method

• Accurate: Be specific and provide evidence where possible.
• Balanced: Share both positive and negative feedback.
• Constructive: Suggest solutions along with issues.
• Depersonalisation: Focus on the experience, not individuals.

If you need to make a formal complaint about an individual, contact the relevant PGR Doctoral Academy.

Before:

• Know who the chair and secretary are, and get meeting details in advance.
• Read all papers and minutes ahead of time; prepare any points to raise.

During:

• Be punctual and prepared to take notes.
• Clarify next steps for any issues discussed.
• Ask questions and use the ABCD feedback approach.

After:

• Follow up on action points and report back to your PGRs.
• Check minutes and clarify anything you’re unsure about.