Postgraduate Education Practitioners’ Network
Previously known as the Graduate Education Managers’ network, this is a community for professional colleagues involved in the administration or management of postgraduate education and research.
Purpose
The Postgraduate Education Practitioner (PEP) Network is a community of practice which brings together and supports higher education professionals involved in any aspect of the administration or management of postgraduate education and research. Its aims include:
- Providing a supportive environment for colleagues to share their experiences, and work through current challenges, enabling peer-to-peer support.
- Keeping colleagues informed of sector developments.
- Supporting colleagues’ professional development by exposing them to an extensive network of practitioners at all levels, creating opportunities to learn, collaborate, make contacts, and build knowledge and confidence.
- Championing the critical role played by postgraduate education practitioners – and the specialist nature of their expertise – to the wider UKCGE community and the sector more broadly.
Our Network discussions also inform the UKCGE’s strategy, priorities and good practice guides, for example:
Get involved
As a member of the PEP Network, you will be able to:
1. Keep up to date with sector developments and emerging practice.
2. Join the conversation at our annual programme of events. We offer:
- regular online seminars where we take a deep dive into a current issue during an afternoon of discussion and debate;
- a full day face-to-face themed workshop, which provides a confidential and supportive setting in which to discuss current issues, network, and share experiences;
- and a symposium at the UKCGE Annual Conference in the summer.
3. Connect with colleagues across the sector via our LinkedIn group.
Free to Join
We warmly invite new colleagues at all levels to join the PEP community. We welcome practitioners involved in any aspect of the administration or management of postgraduate education and research, including but not limited to: managing the student academic journey, policy, regulations and compliance, funding management, and training and development. This might include professionals based in Graduate Schools (or equivalent structures), registry functions, academic units, or Centres for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnerships.
Please note that if you are not a member of UKCGE (either individually or via your university) you will not be able to take advantage of free entry to many PEP events. Those with institutional membership, please use your university email address to book onto our events.
Who runs the network
The network is run by postgraduate education professionals, for postgraduate education professionals. We welcome suggestions for events and ideas for keeping the PEP community connected and supported.
Professional networks such as PEP have been crucial throughout my career, providing safe and supportive spaces to share practice, bounce the big issues, and ask questions.Susanna Broom, Co-Chair UKCGE PEP Network
We are all dealing with similar issues in supporting postgraduate students and programmes in our respective institutions. The network provides an opportunity for us to share practice and learn from each other in a collegial and supportive way.Kerri Gardiner, Co-Chair UKCGE PEP Network
Susanna Broom
Co-Chair, UKCGE PEP Network | Head of the Doctoral School, University of Sussex
Kerri Gardiner
Co-Chair, UKCGE PEP Network | Head of the Postgraduate Research Office, University of CambridgeMary Beth Kneafsey | PGR Strategy Manager, University of Glasgow
Rachel Van Krimpen | Doctoral Training Partnership Manager (BBSRC and NERC) | University of Nottingham
Dr Ross English | Manager of the Doctoral College | University of Brighton
Carolyn Wynne | Doctoral College Manager | Coventry University
Paul Roberts | Head of Business Engagement | University of Sussex
Laura Lane | Graduate School Manager | Imperial College