Doctoral & Post-Doctoral Group
The DEAR Doctoral and Postdoctoral Group, informally known as the Sparkly Juicy Group, is the designated group for all doctoral researchers and postdoctoral fellows who are: working on topics related to doctoral education and academia; working as research assistants for DEAR projects; supervised/mentored by DEAR Directors Emily Henderson and/or James Burford. The group was originally founded in 2019 by Emily Henderson, and then moved into DEAR when it was launched in 2023. The group includes monthly meetings taking different topics (see below for more information), an email list, and is also a space for researchers to meet and find community. The group aims to provide a warm and thoughtful environment for learning and development.
- October 2025 - Welcome session
- November 2025 - Upgrade presentations
- December 2025 - Special guest: Prof Pauline Reynolds, Redlands University, US
- January 2026 - AI in doctoral education and knowledge production, led by Martha O'Curry.
- February 2026 - Special guest session with Dr Devasmita Chakraverty (IIM Ahmedabad, India) 'Understanding the Language of Imposter Phenomenon'
- May 2026 - Collaborative session with the Centre for the Study of Women and Gender (CSWG) with special guests Prof Simon Lock and Dr Emma Jones, UCL
- May 2026 - First session of the Higher Education and Human DevelopmentLink opens in a new window (HEHD), University of the Free State, South Africa & DEAR Centre doctoral and post-doctoral group collaboration
- Power Dynamics in Kenyan Law Schools by Dr Christine Olando (Post-doctoral member-DEAR).
- A Well-being Exploration of International Students at the University of the Free State by Monthusi Magosi (Doctoral student member-HEHD).
- Who Becomes a Viable Doctoral Subject? International Doctoral Applicants and the Digital Production of Admissibility by Evan Zheng (Doctoral student member- DEAR).
- Digital Disconnects and Capability Constraints: Institutional Communication Gaps in NSFAS Social Media Engagement by Pikolomzi Qaba (Doctoral student member-HEHD).
- June 2026 - Second session of the Higher Education and Human Development Link opens in a new window(HEHD), University of the Free State, South Africa & DEAR Centre doctoral and post-doctoral group collaboration
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Workplace conflict among academics: the role of heads of departments and power by Fatima Alhaj Hasan (Doctoral student member- DEAR)
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International Academic Partnerships and Student Experience: Analysing Internationalisation Opportunities from a Capabilities Approach Perspective by Robyn Shreeve (Doctoral student member- DEAR)
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Navigating difficult terrain: Female graduates’ aspirations for and access to higher education in northern Nigeria by Tolu Mshelia (Doctoral student member-HEHD).
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- July 2026 - Engaging with literature with Dr James Burford, University of Warwick