News and blog

On January 21st 2026, the Co-Chairs of our Postgraduate Education Practitioners’ (PEP) Network, Susanna Broom and Kerri Gardiner, held a Network Clinic looking at the specific issues and unique challenges which face those working within postgraduate research. Their report on the event is below.

On December 11th 2025, we welcomed Professor Karen Mpamhanga and Dr Suzanne Culshaw (University of Hertfordshire), who presented on recent work around democratic approaches to supervision which they have undertaken as part of a major international project.

The UK Council for Graduate Education welcomes Sir Ian Chapman’s articulation of a renewed strategic direction for UK Research and Innovation. His emphasis on productivity, international competitiveness, and the role of research and innovation in driving national growth aligns with the Council’s commitment to impactful doctoral education, the development of new forms and formats of the doctorate, and policy and practice that sustain a thriving, world-leading postgraduate ecosystem.

In association with the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP), we welcomed Professor Debbie Riby (Centre for Neurodiversity & Development, Durham University) on November 28th 2025 to share insights from her research on neurodivergent PhD researchers and lead a discussion about supervision practices for neuroinclusion.

On November 18th 2025, we held a session focussed on developing a cohesive community for doctoral researchers, led by Professor Anya Ahmed from Manchester Metropolitan University.

On November 12th 2025, the Co-Chairs of the PEP Network ran their regular session taking an overview of the PGR landscape, discussing challenges and looking at upcoming priorities. 

We held our third EDI Conference on November 4th/​5th 2025 at Cloth Hall Court, University of Leeds, reopening the debate about how to tackle the challenges around Race and Ethnicity in PGR.

On October 23rd 2025, the Co-Chairs of our Postgraduate Education Practitioners’ (PEP) Network, Susanna Broom and Kerri Gardiner, held a Network Clinic looking at the specific issues and unique challenges which face those working within postgraduate research. Their report on the event is below.

The UK Council for Graduate Education welcomes the government’s ambition to reform the post-16 education and skills system. We are pleased to see recognition of postgraduate education and a commitment to widening access and removing barriers to study. However, there is greater scope for acknowledging the essential role postgraduates play in sustaining the UK’s innovation, productivity and knowledge base.

On October 17th 2025, the DDD Network held another of its regular ​‘introduction’ sessions for those who are new to the role of Doctoral Dean or Director.