Doctoral Deans & Directors Network — Residential Workshop 2025
We met at The Milner Hotel in York on February 27th and 28th 2025, where Professor Jane Wellens and Dr Nigel Eady presented a packed programme of talks and networking opportunities.
The event kicked off with a new pre-session for Deans or Directors who are new to their roles. This was followed by refreshments, registration and an official welcome from Co-Chairs, Dr Nigel Eady and Professor Jane Wellens. Then delegates engaged in a group discussion about current opportunities and concerns; this was followed by a presentation from Rachel Persad (Head of Research Policy, Guild HE) on the key challenges of developing PGRs and the activities they had run to enhance research culture at their member institutions.
The second day launched with a presentation from Nick Watmough (Quality Enhancement and Standards Specialist at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education). Nick presented an introduction to the sector reference points and the Quality landscape before talking about how the UK Quality Code 2018 can be utilised to improve individual PGR Provision. After a refreshment break, delegates heard from Dr Anna Bull (1752 Group) about the OfS guidance on handling sexual harassment and sexual misconduct complaints by PGRs.
The afternoon session continued with a panel discussion about the pilot PCE exercise for REF 2029 and concluded with a presentation from Dr Karen Clegg (Co-Director of the Next Generation SuperVision Project). Dr Clegg spoke about the work currently underway with industry, funders and researchers, and encouraged individuals with insights into supervision to get involved.
