Building a PGR Community from the Ground Up
PAFs- A PGR Group in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Exeter for Student Parents, that Grew University Wide!
Growing Together: The Journey of PAFs - Postgraduate Researchers and Families
As we conclude the first academic year and look ahead to 2024/25, the importance of supporting student parents has never been more crucial, particularly in a time of austerity and global uncertainty. Student parents are now recognised as a vulnerable minority in higher education, and it is essential that universities take meaningful steps to ensure they receive the same opportunities and support as their peers. With approximately 50/50 split between PGRs from HASS and other faculties, we are committed to exploring ways to provide practical support, signposting, and funding to help this group achieve comparable outcomes to non-parent students.
The last academic year marked marked the inaugural year of this incredible support group for Postgraduate Researchers and Families (PAFs), and has experienced remarkable growth and engagement. Starting with just eight members in November, we are now a thriving community of over 70 across all Exeter campuses and online! It is truly inspiring to see so many like-minded individuals come together to share our unique university experiences.
What is PAFs?
PAFs primarily comprises 'mature-mature' students with family responsibilities, post-docs, and some international researchers who have not found an academic community elsewhere. Many of our members have expressed feelings of disconnection from university life and the challenges of balancing family commitments with their studies. PhD life can often be isolating and individual, with experiences varying greatly; for some, it can be a very solitary endeavour. This sense of isolation can be particularly pronounced for international students, who may find it even more challenging to forge connections. This need for connection is precisely why PAFs was formed to create a supportive community where we can all thrive.
Our diverse membership includes single PGRs, partners/married with children, international PGRs, adult carers, and non-parent PGRs who appreciate a mature, family-friendly atmosphere. As a single mum of four children, three of whom are still at home; including one with autism and I understand the challenges we face as a sub-group. Our varied backgrounds and experiences make us a strong and resilient research community. Many of our initial meet ups were social, which was paramount in fostering a sense of community. Once the foundations were laid, a shift towards research and support was incorporated into the setting.
Autumn Term Highlights
- Inaugural Meet-Up: We kicked off with a gathering where we got to know each other, shared our stories, and discussed our research areas.
- Christmas Party: Our festive event at St Luke’s brought together families, partners, children, grandparents, and even visiting parents for a joyous celebration.
Spring Term Highlights
- Seminar on UK Secondary School Systems: This event. Kirsty Cann, a PGR from HASS and qualified teacher presented a useful session aimed to help our international members understand the UK school system.
- PAF’d Out Yoga: A detox session led by Jackie, a yoga instructor, helped us de-stress from our research duties. This session was very popular and many said it made thier day of research more productive.
- Community Ramadan Iftar: A multicultural event with a fantastic turnout, where PGRs, MA, and UG students from HASS and their families shared delicious dishes inspired by their cultures.
- Meet-Up at St Luke’s Cross Keys: An informal gathering featuring multi-cultural food sharing and family fun, where kids played outside while we enjoyed great conversations and shared meals.
Summer Term Activities
- Research and Culture Networking Lunch: This event will provide a chance to network, share research interests, and make new friends over lunch.
- Family Fun Day: Our last day on campus as a group was marked with a celebration of community and research on the Quad green. Thanks to the Guild, we were able to hire inflatables and a face painter, HASS provided the music and garden games and there was delicious from all nations.
As we reflect on our journey this year, the feedback from our end-of-year survey has shed light on the positive impact PAFs has had on its members:
- High Satisfaction Rates: An impressive average satisfaction rating of 9.38 demonstrates the meaningful difference our group has made in members' university experiences.
- Accessibility of the Group: Positive feedback regarding the accessibility of our events highlights our commitment to ensuring that activities cater to various student types, fostering an inclusive environment.
- Sense of Belonging: Many members reported feeling a greater sense of belonging after participating in PAFs, indicating that our initiatives effectively cultivate community spirit.
- Well-Organised Events: The organisation of our events received commendations, reflecting our dedication to providing enjoyable and impactful experiences for all participants.
- Meeting Expectations: The majority of members felt that PAFs met or exceeded their expectations, showcasing our commitment to supporting postgraduate researchers with family responsibilities.
- Willingness to Recommend: The likelihood of recommending PAFs to others is high, reflecting the positive experiences shared within the group.
Some members noted a lack of online events, which we aim to address moving forward, particularly for our distance and Penryn students.These insights will guide us as we continue to develop and enhance PAFs, ensuring that we remain a valuable resource for postgraduate researchers balancing academic and family commitments. Thank you to all members for your contributions and engagement throughout the year!
Looking Ahead
We will run more sessions on the UK school and culture for international body, as our group welcomes the new cohort for 24/25. In addition, we aim to be more inclusive by planning activities for sub-groups, including PGRs with partners and those studying at a distance. A greater focus on research activities that can support busy parent students in publishing alongside their PhD is being discussed, so watch out for more on this.
Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we are building a strong, supportive, and inclusive community at The University of Exeter.
Thanks to a few staff members at the University of Exeter who approved my proposal to start this group and offer funding to make it happen- it would not have been possible to the scale it got to without you. Professor Stacey Hind for offering me the HASS PGR Peer2Peer Research Culture Assistant position and championing this sub-group. Along with HASS', Rachel Dyllan and Dr Jonathan Doney who put up with my emails and requests for additional funding and support- you are appreciated. In addition, to the Student Guild for funding our summer end of year event.
Thanks to a few staff members at the University of Exeter who approved my proposal to start this group and offer funding to make it happen- it would not have been possible to the scale it got to without you. Professor Stacey Hind for offering me the HASS PGR Peer2Peer Research Culture Assistant position and championing this sub-group. Along with HASS', Rachel Dyllan and Dr Jonathan Doney who put up with my emails and requests for additional funding and support- you are appreciated. In addition, to the Student Guild for funding our summer end of year event.
