This blog post is part of a series of monthly posts detailing the activities of the DR President’s Team (President: Leah Henrickson; Vice-President: Hugh Tawell).

Note: This post refers to PhD/EngD Students as Doctoral Researchers (DR) and Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs). This is because the University uses the former language, and the Union uses the latter.

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Are you all still keeping up with your New Year’s resolutions? Our resolution was to keep working hard to ensure that the Loughborough doctoral experience is as good as it can be – and we’re still trying our best!

First, what you have to look forward to.

Postgraduate Quiz Night (4^th February 2019, 7PM – 10PM)

Get your thinking caps on, and join us for a postgraduate quiz night on 4^th February – with prizes! Come individually, or as a team. Co-hosted in collaboration with the LSU Postgrad EO and the PhD Social & Support Network.

Postgraduate Union Night Out (23^rd February 2019, 10PM – 3AM)

Ready for the next postgrad-exclusive Union night out? Here’s your chance to see what the Union is like as a nightclub. Get ready to let your hair down and party with other postgrads on 23^rd February! £1 entry for all Loughborough postgrads (bring your student ID card) and their guests (18+). Entry closes at midnight. Co-hosted with the LSU Postgrad EO.

Now, the stuff we did in January.

Meeting with LSU Postgrad EO (Kamal)

We meet with Kamal, the LSU Postgrad Executive Office, regularly to plan social events and talk about any issues we may have faced in our roles. At our latest meeting on 15^th January, we planned the two events listed above and got started on planning our events in March. Kamal also laid out his plans for postgraduate representation through the LSU this year. Then we spent a little while chatting about friend things because, you know, we’re friends.

Doctoral College Induction

On 16^th January, Leah welcomed the newest cohort of Loughborough doctoral researchers at the Doctoral College’s January Induction. She introduced them to the PGR Rep system and gave them the 4-1-1 on how to balance research and life. They laughed at her jokes, so they’re winners.

Meeting with London LSU Representative

Leah trekked down to Loughborough’s London campus on 21^st January to meet with Charlene, who is the new LSU London Education & Advice Administrator, and to get a tour of the campus. Leah and Charlene discussed ways in which the London student’s experience could be improved. Because we’re still looking for PGR Reps in London (hint, hint!), making changes on the London campus can be difficult, but – with the help of the LSU, the Doctoral College, and the University in general – we’re committed to helping make the London campus the best that it can be.

The photo accompanying this post is of the London campus’ library.

Doctoral College Sub-Committee

Hugh represented doctoral researchers at the most recent Doctoral College Sub-Committee on 22^nd January. The Directors of Doctoral Programmes (DDPs) in attendance appreciated that we had sent them the minutes from our latest PGR Rep meeting, and noted how well all the Reps were doing in their roles.

And that was January! If you want to keep up-to-date with our activity, join the ‘Doctoral Researchers of Loughborough University’ Facebook group and follow us on Twitter. If you’re a London student, join the ‘Loughborough Students’ Union London 2018-2019’ Facebook group.

Leah and Hugh.