Meet our August 2024 Wows...
This month we're celebrating Warwick Wow winners who offer holistic emotional, academic and pragmatic support for postgraduate researchers (PGRs).
Want to say well done? You can congratulate our winning colleagues in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Researcher Development Online Facilitator Team, Doctoral College
The team work with PGRs to address challenges and concerns, offering peer-based solutions and connections.
In response to Covid-19, the team designed an online coaching model of teaching & facilitating. This approach has been replicated in multiple institutions and informs teaching practice within this area.
The facilitators' ability to adapt, alter and empathise with PGRs has led to the success of the sessions and hugely positive feedback.
96% of researchers would recommend the sessions.
Working online allows PGRs to join from whichever country they are in, helping those with other commitments, such as family or work, to find PhD support and training.
Stuart commented as he presented the award:
"They do tremendous work with our research students to help them learn the skills they need, to develop, to support them as they go through their studies into being successful in their future careers."
The team's lead Michele Underwood told us:
"We've learned together and we find solutions to our collective problems together to figure out how we do the best for the PGR community.
They're an exceptionally good team. I am so very proud of them. And it's really nice to see that the University is now recognising them as well. It's lovely.
We're all still active researchers, so we contribute to the research and development academic community. We look at what works for us and then talk to the wider community to share knowledge and support."
The team commented when they won the award:
"Dealing with isolation when you're sat in your bedroom and you've got no one to talk to is hard. We've been able to offer real specific support at the right time, in the right place, in the right way."
"I remember when I was in year two of my PhD, still feeling lost. We're able to support them and recognise and hear what they need as well. It's just been a huge privilege."
"This team has been wonderfully supportive and inclusive and creative. It's also flexible. We're listening to what the PGRs say and then we're adapting what we do every term."
Share your support for the winners in the comments below!
Comments for Meet our August 2024 Wows...
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Delighted to learn this news – very well deserved ‘Wow award’ for Michele and the team. Congratulations to you all for the amazing support and training you offer our PGR students – my doctoral students always speak very highly of the training and resources you provide.
Thank you so much Deborah – the team are excellent and I am very proud of them
Well done Michele and team!
Congratulations Michele and team, fab news, well done!