Why the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) Matters
Your feedback is really important to us. Find out what work we are doing in response to the feedback that PRES survey results provide.
Since 2023
The Bristol Doctoral College and partners including the Bristol Students’ Union have implemented a wide range of changes as a result of feedback from PRES 2023. Some of the projects have been carried out at a University-wide level and some more localised. Find out about some examples of this process in action below:
Your feedback from PRES informed the shaping of a new programme of support for supervisors with mandatory training for those new to the role and ongoing support for experienced staff. In addition there is a new PGR/Supervisor agreement of principles launching in July 2025.
Your feedback helped the Doctoral College to revise the offer of skills development into a simple set of core training called PGR Essentials. A new suite of online learning resources have been produced, a research funding toolkit, research ethics and integrity, managing your research degree, introduction to intellectual property rights and developing an effective relationship with your supervisors. Thinking about what comes after the research degree? A new insider’s guide to academia has also been developed to help.
Your feedback told us it was hard to find information about research degrees. The regulations and code of practice for research degree programmes was simplified on the website to make it easier to navigate. A postgraduate research students section was added to the current students webpage. The Doctoral College have revised the way we promote opportunities to PGRs with a consolidated BDC Bulletin and an events page.
An ongoing partnership between the Doctoral College, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor (PGR) and Bristol Students' Union student representative team has been strengthened offering the PGR reps direct input into enhancement priorities.
Feeling part of a research community and a sense of belonging are important themes to PGRs. The PGR Hub, open to all PGRs, has seen year-on-year growth in PGRs using the space for both development opportunities and community building events.
Your feedback told us that PGRs want to engage in peer-led social activities focused around their interests. The PGR Hub has become a key venue in peer-led community activities, including a PGR Film Club, Board Game Club, Craft Club, and PGR podcasting.
PRES results demonstrate the need for evidence-based interventions to support specific identity groups within our PGR community. Since the last survey, several networks and groups have been established, including a trans and non-binary network for PGRs, a mature PGR network (an Enhancing Research Culture funded project), a Black PGR network (Belonging Fund Award) and the GW4 Connect group for PGR parents and carers.
Feedback from PRES underlined what was already known about financial pressures experienced by PGRs; actions include targeting funding to PGRs through no cost events, providing part time employment opportunities to PGRs wherever possible (e.g. PGR Hub Assistant role, PGR Engagement Advocates, BME for Success Advocates), investing strategic PGR funds in the Alumni travel Awards, providing free hot drinks in the PGR Hub, targeting financial support through Money Advice and Funding.