Who to contact about issues related to postgraduate research
It can sometimes be difficult to know who to contact if you have an issue or question as a postgraduate researcher. This guidance provides a starting point to find the right source of support.
This page outlines key roles who can support with a range of issues, and contact details so you can get in touch directly.
Before you reach out to someone, you may be able to find the answer to your query via our webpage on support available for postgraduate research students.
If you are still unsure who to contact, please email doctoral-college@bristol.ac.uk and we can recommend the best person to contact.
What does your issue relate to?
Your supervisor should be your first contact point if you have any issues or concerns relating to your research, including any personal circumstances that are impacting your research.
If there is a conflict of interest, your School Graduate/PGR Director or Faculty Academic Director (PGR) can be contacted (see table below). You can also request to speak to a School Graduate/PGR Director from another School.
Your request for confidentiality will be fully respected.
The best route is to contact your Academic Director (PGR), or, if needed the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (PGR) (details also in table below).
Bristol SU's Academic Advice service is independent from the University and offer a non-judgmental, free, and confidential service that can support students through University policies and procedures
This might include issues relating to your building, facilities or student experience.
In these cases you can contact your School PGR/Graduate Director or Faculty Academic Director (PGR) and your PGR Student Representative or Faculty PGR Representative (see table below).
If you are in a doctoral training programme you can contact the University DTE Director and your specific DTE Manager. Contact details are available from doctoral-college@bristol.ac.uk.
If you believe the issue is more widespread or significant, you could contact the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (PGR) or the SU Postgraduate Education Officer.
A complaint about any aspect of student life or an academic appeal can also be made via the Student Complaints Procedure or Assessment Regulations as appropriate.
Any issues that do not relate to personal circumstances but to serious misconduct should be raised with your supervisor, or if not suitable your School PGR/Graduate Director, Faculty Academic Director (PGR) and the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (PGR).
The University's Whistle Blowing policy is relevant to those who wish to raise concerns about issues of public interest such as e.g., a significant breach of a legal or regulatory obligation; unauthorised disclosure of confidential information; unauthorised use of data; or academic or professional malpractice (including research misconduct).
Contact details for 2025-26
| Role |
Name |
|
|---|---|---|
| Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (PGR) | Prof Harry Mellor | |
| Head of the Bristol Doctoral College | Lucy Parnall | |
| SU Postgraduate Education Officer | Sharan Khemlani | |
| Faculty Academic Director (Postgraduate Research) |
Arts, Law and Social Sciences | Prof Ed King |
| Science and Engineering | ||
| Health and Life Sciences |
Deputies: Dr Beck Richardson and |
|
| School PGR Director or Graduate Director | If you are unsure who the PGR Director/Graduate Director is in your school, please contact your PGR admin team, supervisor or Faculty Academic Director (see above) to confirm who this is. | |
| Faculty PGR Student Representatives (2025-26) |
Arts, Law and Social Sciences | |
| Science and Engineering | ||
| Health and Life Sciences | ||
| PGR Student Representatives (representing school or course level) | To find out who your School PGR Rep is, please contact the SU via bristolsu-representation@bristol.ac.uk or your Faculty PGR Rep (see above) | |