Postgraduate Consultation Group - Semester 1 Round-Up

As we begin Semester 2, we wanted to take a moment to look back at the incredible discussions we’ve had through our Postgraduate Consultation Groups (PGCG). For those of you who might be new to this, the PGCG is a dedicated space for postgraduate research (PGR) students to share their experiences, highlight challenges, and directly influence how Queen Mary Students' Union (QMSU) lobbies the University. It’s about building a solid evidence base of what life is really like for a PGR at Queen Mary so we can push for meaningful, student-led change. 

Last semester, we’ve hosted three focused sessions, covering everything from the financial realities of PhD life to finding your community on campus. Here’s a breakdown of what we discussed and what we’re doing about it. 

PGR (and QMUL) Stipends 

Our first session was a deep dive into the recent changes to the Queen Mary stipend policy. This year, the University did not match the UKRI inflation-linked increase, a move that the Students' Union was not consulted on and one that has caused significant frustration. 

What was discussed: 

• The Communication Gap: Many of you found out about the stipend reduction only when you saw it reflected in your bank accounts or through informal peer networks rather than official university channels. This lack of transparency has led to a real dip in trust toward university management. 

• The Cost of Living in London: You highlighted that even the standard UKRI rate often feels like "surviving" rather than thriving in London. With the current Queen Mary rate falling below that, many students are facing high levels of anxiety regarding rent, commuting, and general wellbeing.  

• Inequality and Tiered Systems: There’s a strong feeling that there is a "tiered" experience within the student body, where your quality of life depends on who your funder is rather than the work you contribute. 

PGR Engagement and Events 

The second session focused on how you feel connected (or disconnected) from Queen Mary Students' Union and the wider university. 

What was discussed: 

• The "Undergrad-Only" Perception: A recurring theme was that the Students' Union primarily feels focussed for undergraduates. Many of you feel that the events and spaces on offer don’t always cater to the slightly different life stage and professional responsibilities of a postgraduate researcher. 

• The Need for Dedicated Space: You made a strong case for permanent, PGR-only social and study spaces. While the top floor of the Graduate Centre is a great start, many of you want a "hub" where you can socialise away from the undergrad crowds and meet researchers from other departments. 

• Social vs. Academic: When you do have free time, you want to switch off! The consensus was a preference for more social, low-pressure events. Think board game nights, movie screenings, or casual mixers, rather than more academic seminars. 

PGR Work Opportunities and Part-Time Jobs 

Our final session of the semester looked at work opportunities alongside your research, including teaching, demonstrating, and administrative roles. 

What was discussed: 

• The "Word of Mouth" Barrier: Currently, finding out about jobs often feels like being in the right place at the right time. You called for a more centralised, transparent way to see available roles across all departments, rather than relying on informal networking. 

• Flexibility and Caps: Balancing a lab schedule or field work with a fixed teaching contract is tough. We also heard concerns about the reduction of working hour caps in certain schools and the added stress this puts on international students who are already navigating strict visa restrictions. 

• Admin and Payment Hurdles: From late contracts to confusing payroll systems, the administrative side of working at the university is causing unnecessary stress. 

Recommendations 

Based on these sessions, we compiled the following recommendations as possible actions for QMSU to explore and/or consider with existing and new campaigns; or encourage the university to implement. 

1. Stipend Transparency and Consultation: The university must commit to consulting with the Queen Mary Students' Union on all future funding changes and ensure any financial adjustments are communicated clearly and officially in advance of changes. 

1. Centralised Job Portal: Create a "one-stop shop" for all internal PGR work opportunities (teaching, marking, and demonstrating) with clear eligibility criteria and flexible application windows.

2. Standardised Supervisory Conduct: Develop a university-wide agreement on work-life balance that supervisors must follow, ensuring students aren't pressured to avoid legitimate work opportunities or ignore their own wellbeing. 

3. Targeted International Support: Provide dedicated administrative support for international students to navigate UK-specific settlement tasks (like banking and taxes) and clarify how university-specific work caps interact with legal visa limits. 

4. Diversified Social Programming: Fund a regular calendar of purely social, PGR-only events scheduled after 5 or 6 PM to ensure researchers can actually attend and decompress. 

Join Us for Semester B! 

The PGCG is only effective if your voices are part of it. We’ll be starting recruitment for the Semester 2 sessions very soon, and we would love for you to get involved. Whether you’re a first-year just settling in or a final-year student in the thick of writing up, your perspective is exactly what we need.  

Sign up for Semester B PGCG sessions here. 

If you've already signed up in Semester 1, you don't need to sign up again. Please note that due to demand, we may not be able to accommodate everyone who expresses interest. Spaces will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis once the workshops are scheduled. We try our best to ensure that everyone who signs up manages to join at least one session. So, once you've taken part, you will be deprioritised for future session.