We’re very excited to announce this inaugural event celebrating doctoral research. 🥳🤩❣️🎈🎉🎊
The event will include career pathway panels for current PhDs to explore their futures, a panel on ‘Demystifying the PhD’ for anyone interested in pursuing a PhD, networking, fun activities, and celebratory food and drinks throughout the afternoon.
We will also have distinguished keynote speakers, Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education at UCL IOE and Director of the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity, and Adam Rutherford, renowned scientist, writer and broadcaster, who will be speaking about their doctoral journeys and where it has taken them in their careers. Very chuffed to be hosting such inspiring speakers! 🤩
Who is this event for?
-Current doctoral researchers / PhDs
-Anyone interested in doing a PhD
-Anyone else interested!
When is it?
Date: 14 May 2026
Time: 12:00-6:00pm
Location: Kennedy Lecture Theatre, 30 Guildford Street, UCL GOSICH
This event is open to all UCL staff/students and the public.
For more information and to book your ticket, click the link in our bio!
If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible so we can ensure that support can be put in place.
This event is being held as part of the European Doctoral Day initiative.
#phd #doctoralresearch #researcher #funding #ucl
The 2026 Doctoral School Competitions have officially been launched! 🤪🤩🙏🥳🤓
Enter one or multiple categories for a chance to win CASH PRIZES! 🤑
£400 to the Winner of each category / £100 to the Runners-up 💴
Link to enter in bio.
-More info...
Once a year, we run a series of competitions open to all UCL postgraduate researchers.
Competition entrants will be invited to a June showcase (date tbc) where their entries will be displayed to their peers and the wider research community. An awards ceremony to announce the winners and runners-up will take place on the same day.
-Prizes...
£400 to the Winner of each category
£100 to the Runners-up
-Categories...
Research Poster
Research Images as Art / Art Images as Research
Blog
Vlog
Podcast
#phd #doctoralresearch #research #phdstudent #researchposter
@ucl #pgr #students - check out @blackphdcollective 😻🥳
@blackphdcollective is a community created by and for Black PhD students, providing a space to connect, share experiences, and support one another. 💗
Members can request training or career guidance, which often develops into webinars and workshops tailored to their needs.
Alongside professional development, BPC also fosters friendships and community through social events such as Sip ‘n’ Paint sessions, games nights, and networking evenings. 🎨 🎯💬
Join now using the QR code, or link the bio of @blackphdcollective ’s page.
Our final Keynote Speaker spotlight before TOMORROW’S event 🥳🤩🎉!
We’re very lucky to be hosting Dr. Adam Rutherford as our last keynote of the day!
Dr. Rutherford is a renowned geneticist, author, feature writer, broadcaster and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Start the Week.
Dr. Rutherford did his PhD on the developmental genetics of the mammalian retina at the Institute of Child Health (UCL GOSICH) where we will be hosting our event so he’ll be returning to his Alma Mater!
He’s been an editor at the journal Nature, written extensively for the Guardian and other newspapers and magazines, and written multiple books on genetics, evolution, the origin of life, synthetic biology, race and eugenics. For the BBC, he has written and presented several documentaries for television (including The Cell (2009), The Gene Code (2011), The Beauty of Anatomy (2016), and previously presented the Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry, with UCL alumni, mathematician Hannah Fry for BBC Radio 4.
Adam will be presenting on his experience as a UCL PhD student and the journey it took him on through his career in research, science communication, broadcasting and authorship.
There are a few tickets left 🎟️ via the link 🔗 in our bio - don’t miss out!
Date: Thursday 14 May
Keynote speech time: 17:05-17:40
Where: Kennedy Lecture Theatre, 30 Guilford Street, UCL GOSICH
Full event time: 12:00-18:30
#research #phd #doctoralresearch #socialequity #researchimpact
Today we’re spotlighting the fabulous Professor Louise Archer OBE FBA FAcSS who will be one of our keynote speakers at the Celebration of Doctoral Research event on Thursday! 🙂🤩🥳
Professor Archer holds the Karl Mannheim Chair in Sociology of Education at UCL and is Director of the Centre for Sociology, Education and Equity (CSEE). Her research seeks to understand educational identities and inequalities, particularly in relation to social class, gender and race/ethnicity across primary, secondary, higher and informal learning contexts. She has authored over 180 academic publications and has directed numerous large-scale national and international research studies, including the 14 year, ESRC-funded ASPIRES study, a mixed methods research project examining what shapes the trajectories of young people from age 10-22. Louise is particularly interested in participatory approaches, working with teachers, professionals and young people in ways that can support more equitable educational policies and practices. The impact of her research on supporting diversity and inclusion in STEM has been recognised through prizes from the Royal Society (2022), ESRC (2020) and British Educational Research Association (2019). Her role as original co-founder of the Athena SWAN Charter (now the main gender equity scheme in UK higher education) was recognised through an award from the Royal Society and Institute of Physics (2003). Her services to education were recognised in the 2025 New Years Honours.
Louise will be presenting on her own research journey and the insights she gained from it to share with future researchers.
Date: Thursday 14 May
Keynote speech time: 14:40-15:15
Where: Kennedy Lecture Theatre, 30 Guilford Street, UCL GOSICH
Full event time: 12:00-18:30
#research #phd #doctoralresearch #socialequity #researchimpact
We are very excited to be hosting historian, research fellow, broadcaster and UCL PhD alumni, @estelleprnq at our Celebration for Doctoral Research: From Academia to Society event next Thursday 14 May! 💜🩵
Dr. Paranque will be chairing the panel ‘Broadcasting and media - how to effectively disseminate your research and build a profile’.
She will be sharing her career path post PhD, how she became involved in promoting her historical research through various medias, and tips for making your research accessible (and fun!) to a wider-lay audience.
Date: Thursday 14 May
Panel time: 15:25 - 16:05
Where: Kennedy Lecture Theatre, 30 Guilford Street, UCL GOSICH
Full event time: 12:00 - 18:30
Ticket link in bio!
#research #researchcommunication #phd #doctoralresearch #researchinmedia
Final-year doctoral students! 🛎️
AI-assisted grant writing is accelerating fast. Researchers across disciplines are already using these tools to sharpen their arguments, streamline their processes, and boost the clarity and impact of their applications for those increasingly competitive pots of gold.
AI for Funding Applications - 23 April 2026
This workshop supports final-year doctoral students build skills in using Microsoft Copilot as a supportive tool to improve efficiency around the funding application process.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Use Microsoft Copilot in ways consistent with funder and institutional expectations.
- Use prompting techniques to improve structure, clarity and alignment with funder criteria.
- Use Copilot’s secure settings and safe handling practices to reduce IP and confidentiality risks.
- Critically review AI outputs and strengthen them using your own researcher judgement.
- Identify relevant UCL grant and support services and when to use them.
Register via Inkpath today 🙂
#researcher #phd #aifunding #doctoralstudents
Spring has sprung - don’t forget to grow your skills with the Doctoral Skills Development Programme! Term 3 courses are available to register for via Inkpath so jump in now!
#skillsdevelopment #futurefocused #PhDLife
Have you recently started your PhD at UCL? Build the foundations you need to thrive. Organisational Development's 'Skills Development: Harness your potential for PhD success and beyond' session will guide you through the essential tools, training and support available throughout your doctoral journey and beyond.
Join in person and make the most out of the session - enjoy light refreshments 🍵 while connecting with your fellow researchers.
#PhDSuccess #uclphd #pgrresearchers #phd #research #doctoralresearch #researcher #researchskills
New year, fresh goals! 🎯
Don't forget to add developing your research skills to your 2026 resolutions list. The Doctoral Skills Development Programme has you covered - explore our Term 2 courses on Inkpath and commit to the growth your future self will thank you for! 🌱
Link in bio! 🔗
Also, check out what courses are available to you through the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network!
#ucl #skillsdevelopment #futurefocused #phdlife
💡 Calling all UCL PGRs!
Take a break from your research and join us for the UCL Research Students’ Network Lunchtime Social - a friendly, informal get-together designed to help you meet fellow researchers from all faculties.
🥗 Free lunch & drinks provided
🗓 Mon 10 Nov | 13:00–15:00
📍 25 Gordon Square, Room 107
Whether you’re a first-year MPhil, a final-year PhD, or pursuing a Professional Doctorate 🥰 This is your chance to unwind, connect, and share stories from your research journey.
✨ Everyone’s welcome! Just bring yourself (and your appetite)! ❤️ Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.
Sign up in the link in bio☺️
Have you just begun your #doctoraljourney @ucl ? 🚀
Here are the first 5 steps 🪜 to complete as a UCL Doctoral Researcher to help you settle in and get started.
The 5 steps should be completed over the first 1 to 3 months of your time at UCL.
Step 1: Attend local inductions held by your UCL faculty, department, and / or research group.
Step 2: Attend the Skills Development session
Step 3: Read the Code of Practice
Step 4: Complete the mandatory training
Step 5: Set an initial meeting with your Supervisory Team
Welcome to UCL and good luck! ❤️
