PhD Pre-Application Workshop for Geography, Earth and Environmental Science

Register in advance for this Zoom webinar (by 9am on Wednesday 7th December).

Are you interested in carrying out postgraduate research in Physical Geography, Earth and Environmental Science (GEES) disciplines and related subjects in the UK but unsure whether a PhD is right for you or where to start? Do you have questions about what funding is available, how the application process works, or what careers a PhD might prepare you for? This online workshop aims to answer these questions and broaden participation in postgraduate research in GEES disciplines, particularly among UK-domiciled students. The event is aimed at prospective applicants from minoritised groups or backgrounds that are underrepresented in GEES disciplines, for example Black, Asian and minority ethnic applicants, disabled applicants, LGBTQ+ applicants, and those from low-income backgrounds or who are first-generation students. Funding for this event is provided by the National Environment Research Council (NERC).

This workshop will offer information about what a PhD is and how to choose and apply for one, insights from Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Directors, information about transferable research skills and how to prepare for an interview, and how to thrive in your PhD. There will also be question and answer sessions. Please feel free to submit any questions you may have about applying for or doing a PhD in advance via this Padlet board. We will also share information about resources and schemes that NERC DTPs and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) are currently offering for applicants from minoritised groups or underrepresented backgrounds, such as guaranteed interviews, ring-fenced funding opportunities, and application support. The aim of this event is to improve applicants’ knowledge of research careers and increase confidence to apply for a PhD. Participants will be sent a link to a survey after the event so that we can evaluate how effective the workshop is and how it can be improved in the future.

Register in advance for this Zoom webinar (by 9am on Wednesday 7th December).

Please make sure you also complete the applicant registration form.

Full details of the workshop sessions are below.

11.00: Introduction and opportunity to submit questions

11.10: A Whistlestop Tour of Applying for a PhD (Sam Giles)

12.00: Insights from Doctoral Training Partnership Directors (Sarah Greene, Jenni Barclay)

13.00: lunch break

13.45: Transferable Research Skills (Natasha Dowey)

14.30: The Interview Stage (Rebecca Williams)

15.00: comfort break

15.15: How to Thrive in your PhD (Anya Lawrence)

15.45: Q&A session and closing remarks