The Graduate SchoolArts, Languages and Cultures

What can the Graduate School do for you?

• From the website: – The Graduate School promotes excellence in Arts and Languages

Research. It is an online and physical community where postgraduate students can meet each other, access resources and organise events. As part of our stimulating Graduate School you join a cutting-edge gathering of researchers

• Graduate School is about community of PG students, PSS staff and academics – possibly demonstrated by new website distinct from SALC

• Research development – training, supervision, identity, resource – for PGT and PGR

• Provide some resource and logistical support for issues relating to PG students

Recap: why a Graduate School?• Bring SALC in line with other Schools• Maintain the competitiveness of SALC

regionally, nationally, and internationally• Demonstrate SALC credibility in future funding

bids such as AHRC BGP II• Enable growth in numbers to be sustainable• Provide robust support structures for current

and future students• Enhance the PG experience now and in the

futureGuiding principles established Feb 2012

Some utilitarian reasons for a GS

• Fold the development of the GS and its cohort identity into our future plans with FoH

• Focus for funding applications (SIRF money)• Think strategically about how to develop PG provision in

SALC and provide leadership/ support/ protection• Bid for budget to develop key areas for PG: training

(PGT), space, facilities• Recruitment – anecdotal evidence that this is helping

significantly in differentiating our provision at PG level

Why a Graduate School (less utilitarian reasons)?

• Cohort identity for the PG student body (whilst acknowledging difference between types of student)

• Social and training events for PG students • Support and advocacy for PG students– Examples: Space; GTA issues; Careers week

• Development of a PG team supporting the students – academic and PSS

• Development of PG online provision (website etc)

Why come to Manchester?

• Graduate School – a community of postgraduate scholars

• World-class supervision and teaching• Amazing libraries, learning resources,

institutions and organisations in the city• Excellent support for learning and studying• Great new facilities – space, common room• Innovative training enhancing experience and

employabilitySlide used at PG open day

Update - progress• Website – developing as a tool for

recruitment/ gateway site for current students – being developed – and also outward facing– Blog, twitter, news, profiles – Coordinate PG websites across SALC– PGR student profiles– New pages: Employability; Social Responsibility

• News and communications – newsletter template

• Budgets – PGT training discussions

Update: Progress

• Space – in discussions with Estates about the use of the CEL in Ellen Wilkinson for GS (likely to get, but some way from a decision)– Concerns – use of the

space and configuration– Concerns – distance from

home departments– Concerns: PGT/ PGR usage

BUT: it is exceptional space that will create a world-class facility for our students

• Discussion – space for PG community – how to use space – email Jerome.degroot@manchester.ac.uk

• How best to develop and expand our provision

So far: ‘Success’• PGR reps report satisfaction

amongst community, particularly relating to Space issues

• Events run by GS• Establishment of SALC PG

Society (student-run)• GS involvement in PG open days• Usage of space by PG students

– reading groups, training, social events

• Development of models for GTA recruitment, training, development

• Contribution of GS to advertising the new School to prospective PGT/ PGR (redrafting of publicity)

• Contribution of GS as evidence for SALC REF documentation

• Contribution of GS investment/ narrative to AHRC BGP II application for the University

Future measures of success

• Increased Student Satisfaction (PRES, PTES just about to open)

• Enhanced collegiality in GS community

• Website development and enhancement

• Embed GS in School PG community (students, staff, PSS)

• Happier, more productive students

• Development of space for GS and identity

• Contribution to key issues yet to be tackled: – Mentoring– Pastoral– GTAs (increasing issue)– PGT training