"Doing Research Differently"

The MGS DTP Conference will be hosted by Aston University on 9th June 2023.

The year 2023 sees a time of great change both within and beyond our research community. Alongside the changing face of the British university system, we as individual researchers face unique challenges as we journey through our independent doctoral projects. However, we also have a unique opportunity to use innovative approaches to drive change, support a better future, and build community-centred Universities.

As such, we invite researchers to share how their work approaches research differently to drive change. This could be any change - from social change to pushing the methodological, philosophical, or theoretical boundaries of their field.

The deadline for submissions has now been extended to 17th March 2023.

Submissions can be of the following types:

• Presentations (10-minute talk with 5 minutes Q&A)
• Lightning Talks (5-minute talk)
• Posters
• Other*

*This year’s topic is Doing Research Differently, so we also welcome submissions in alternative formats including workshops, roundtables, or any other way to present your approach to our theme. This is your chance to experiment and be bold!

Participants are invited to choose their submission type and submit an abstract (250-300 words) using the form here.Link opens in a new window

Conference registration is free, and we strongly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. The event will be held primarily in person, with the option for virtual participation. If your submission is successful, you will hear back from us by April 7th, 2023.

For location information please see here.Link opens in a new window

To contact the organisers, please email MGSCon2023@gmail.com

Introducing the Keynote Speaker: Dr. Laura Loyola-Hernández

Laura Loyola-Hernández is a feminist political geographer. Her interests are decolonial thought, feminist political geography, critical race studies, policing, migrant rights and social media activism with a focus on Latin America and the UK. She is also interested on the impact of critical pedagogies and scholar activism within university settings.

Laura will deliver the keynote speech which will be based on the below abstract:

What does it mean to “do research” within the neoliberal colonial project that is the university? Who determines what research is? How are researchers held accountable to communities outside the university? How can we address structural inequalities which have played a key role in excluding marginalised communities from entering university and continuing to postgraduate degrees? It is imperative that we reflect on ways in which we can do research differently given the drive to ‘decolonise’ the university. These top-down approaches can feel like opportunities, particularly for racially minoritised individuals and Global South scholars to apply other alternative methodologies and epistemologies that are not Eurocentric. Yet, often we encounter pushback from within our departments and can have violent experiences stemming from these interactions. We will come together and explore these fundamental questions. 

Registration for the conference is now open! Please register using the booking link on the right-hand side of the page.

Conference Schedule

Registration is open!

Please sign up by completing the registration form, which will allow you to select your preferred mode of attendance (in-person or online).

Conference Programme

Find all the information you will need on the day, including schedule, parking information, and more!