Setting the Foundations for your Doctoral Journey
Each October, the Doctoral College welcomes incoming and existing postgraduate researchers (PGRs) to its annual Postgraduate Researcher Orientation.
Orientation is designed to give PGRs the knowledge, connections and confidence to make the most of their time at UL, from their first weeks through to graduation.
Why Orientation Matters
A doctorate is a huge undertaking, and the early months can shape the whole experience. Researchers who understand from the outset how the University works, where to find support and what is expected of them are better placed to manage their research, overcome challenges and plan for life beyond the PhD.
Orientation brings this information together in one place. Rather than piecing together policies and services over time, PGRs hear directly from the people who support them and gain a clear picture of the resources available at every stage of their doctoral journey.
Expertise from across the University
Orientation features contributions from colleagues across UL, each offering insight into an important area of research life:
- Associate Vice President, Doctoral College: the strategic vision for doctoral education at UL and the support the Doctoral College provides
- Regulations Manager, Doctoral College: academic regulations, progression and key milestones
- Research Services, Glucksman Library: literature searching, research data, publishing and library support
- Healthy UL: wellbeing supports and maintaining a healthy work-life balance throughout the doctorate
- Postgraduate Students' Union: representation, advocacy and the PGR community
- Postgraduate Researcher Development Officer, Doctoral College: training, events and professional development opportunities
- Research Integrity Officer: good research practice, ethics and responsible conduct of research
- Research Information System: using PURE to record and showcase research outputs
- UL Global: support for international researchers and global opportunities
- Health and Safety: working safely in labs, fieldwork and other research settings
- Postgraduate Careers Advisor: career planning within and beyond academia
Support Beyond Orientation
Orientation is a starting point, not a one-off event. Many researchers return to the contacts and resources introduced at Orientation at various stages, such as preparing for progression, publishing their work, planning their careers or looking after their wellbeing.
Orientation also brings PGRs together across disciplines, helping to build the peer networks that are so valuable during doctoral study. Existing researchers are always welcome, whether to refresh their knowledge or reconnect with the wider research community.
By bringing together expertise from across the University, the Doctoral College aims to make sure every postgraduate researcher at UL feels informed, supported and connected from the very beginning of their doctoral journey.
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