New postgraduate researchers

Our website for new researchers is designed to help you navigate the early days of your research degree.

Scroll down for the Doctoral School welcome events schedule, including links to sign up for our Induction Day on Monday 2 October and additional PGR Essentials sessions.

These pages provide all the information you need to get started, bringing together resources from the main Sussex website in addition to video interviews with Sussex postgraduate researchers and staff, sharing lots of advice on making the most of your time here.

Doctoral School Induction

We're looking forward to welcoming you to the Doctoral School in October!

Our induction events introduce some of the key services that support postgraduate researchers at Sussex, offer you a chance to meet other new PGRs and get to know the research community, and provide space to ask questions of experienced PGRs and staff who support researchers within Schools.

We're pleased to announce this year's schedule below. Please note - booking is essential as we have limited capacity, and links to register will be added shortly.

While most of these events will be held in person, we know you may not all be on campus in the first few weeks. For those of you who can't join us, recordings will be added below so you won't miss out. You'll find a selection of previous welcome events on our RDP Canvas site, including talks from the key services supporting PGRs and panel discussions on starting your research degree.

Induction events, October 2023

Doctoral School Induction Day Monday 2 October, 09.15-16.30 - Conference Centre, Bramber House
Are you starting your research degree at Sussex this Autumn? Join us for the Doctoral School Induction Day and get a head start on your PGR journey. The day is designed to be an informal way to find out more about the support available from teams across the University, start to think about the first stage of your research, a chance to ask questions and to connect with fellow researchers. The Gallery Room will be available as a quiet space for anyone who needs it, other than during the panel session at 11.20. Click here to register your place via SussexDirect
Registration, coffee and pastries 09.15-09.45
Icebreaker activity 09.45-10.00, Terrace Room
Welcome Session 10.00-11.15, Terrace Room This session will introduce you to the key parts within the University of Sussex that can provide structure and support for you throughout your PGR studies. You’ll also learn more about the key source of structure and support, your supervisor/s, and how to ensure that your relationship is placed on a firm footing.
Starting Your Research Degree panel 11.20-12.45, Terrace Room & Gallery Room Two parallel sessions, rooms assigned on the day Make a successful start to your research degree with this panel discussion developed to prepare you for the journey ahead. Panellists will include Research and Enterprise Coordinators and Directors of Doctoral Studies, who support PGRs within the Schools, alongside later-stage PGRs who can share their experiences of sitting where you are now! You'll have the opportunity to discuss your hopes and worries with other new researchers, then come together to put questions to the panel. We'll address issues such as managing your research, first year milestones, working with your supervisor, training and development, and dealing with any challenges that come your way.
Market Stalls and Lunch 12.45-13.30, Terrace Room Browse a selection of stalls from teams including the Library, English Language for Academic Study, Excursions postgraduate journal and the Students' Union. Find out about the various services around campus, chat to staff, and get to know other new researchers over food and refreshments.
Workshop on developing a Personal Development Plan 13.30-15.00, Terrace Room An interactive workshop supported by the Researcher Development team, Library Research Support, and Careers and Enterpreneurship. The Personal Development Plan (also called a Training Needs Analysis) is a key document that you will revisit throughout your research degree. You'll learn about the concept, purpose and benefits of developing a PDP and have a go at writing your own, with help from your peers. The session will also provide suggestions for training and development during your PGR journey.
Hive Scholars Welcome 15.00-16.30, location tbc Meet the Research Hive Scholars, three researchers who support the PGR community at Sussex and manage the Hive space with the Library. Further details to follow.

Doctoral School Induction Day

Monday 2 October, 09.15-16.30 - Conference Centre, Bramber House

Are you starting your research degree at Sussex this Autumn? Join us for the Doctoral School Induction Day and get a head start on your PGR journey.

The day is designed to be an informal way to find out more about the support available from teams across the University, start to think about the first stage of your research, a chance to ask questions and to connect with fellow researchers.

The Gallery Room will be available as a quiet space for anyone who needs it, other than during the panel session at 11.20.

Click here to register your place via SussexDirect

Registration, coffee and pastries

09.15-09.45

Icebreaker activity

09.45-10.00, Terrace Room

Welcome Session

10.00-11.15, Terrace Room

This session will introduce you to the key parts within the University of Sussex that can provide structure and support for you throughout your PGR studies. You’ll also learn more about the key source of structure and support, your supervisor/s, and how to ensure that your relationship is placed on a firm footing.

Starting Your Research Degree panel

11.20-12.45, Terrace Room & Gallery Room
Two parallel sessions, rooms assigned on the day

Make a successful start to your research degree with this panel discussion developed to prepare you for the journey ahead. Panellists will include Research and Enterprise Coordinators and Directors of Doctoral Studies, who support PGRs within the Schools, alongside later-stage PGRs who can share their experiences of sitting where you are now!

You'll have the opportunity to discuss your hopes and worries with other new researchers, then come together to put questions to the panel. We'll address issues such as managing your research, first year milestones, working with your supervisor, training and development, and dealing with any challenges that come your way.

Market Stalls and Lunch

12.45-13.30, Terrace Room

Browse a selection of stalls from teams including the Library, English Language for Academic Study, Excursions postgraduate journal and the Students' Union. Find out about the various services around campus, chat to staff, and get to know other new researchers over food and refreshments.

Workshop on developing a Personal Development Plan

13.30-15.00, Terrace Room

An interactive workshop supported by the Researcher Development team, Library Research Support, and Careers and Enterpreneurship. The Personal Development Plan (also called a Training Needs Analysis) is a key document that you will revisit throughout your research degree.

You'll learn about the concept, purpose and benefits of developing a PDP and have a go at writing your own, with help from your peers. The session will also provide suggestions for training and development during your PGR journey.

Hive Scholars Welcome

15.00-16.30, location tbc

Meet the Research Hive Scholars, three researchers who support the PGR community at Sussex and manage the Hive space with the Library. Further details to follow.

PGR Essentials
PGR Essentials: Introduction to the Library Tuesday 3 October, 13.00-14.00 - Arts A071 Friday 6 October, 11.00-12.00 - online via Zoom One of the first things to do when you start your research degree is get to know your friendly local librarian! Find out about the collections and discovery tools you can access at Sussex, the tailored services available from the Research Support team, and the dedicated Hive study space for researchers. Click here to book your place via SussexDirect
PGR Essentials: Careers and Entrepreneurship Tuesday 3 October, 14.00-14.45 Arts A071 This participative event promotes the University's Careers and Entrepreneurship services. You’ll find out how the Sussex Careers team supports researchers and explore various career destinations for PGRs, including setting up your own business or social enterprise. It's never too early to start thinking about what you're aiming for after your degree! Click here to book your place via SussexDirect
PGR Essentials: Introduction to Ethics Wednesday 4 October, 14.00-15.00 Jubilee 143 Join Tim Parkinson from the University's Ethics team for a brief introduction to the ethics review process and how to start thinking ethically about your research from the outset. There will be a short presentation after which we encourage you to ask questions relating to ethics and your research. Click here to book your place via SussexDirect
PGR Essentials: International Researchers Lunch Monday 9 October, 11.30-13.00 Quiet Room, Meeting House Whether you’re new to the UK or continuing your studies, this informal event is a chance to meet other international researchers and get advice from the Doctoral School and Sussex's International Student Advisors, over lunch in one of the most iconic buildings on campus. Later-stage PGRs and early career researchers will also be invited, giving you the chance to learn from their experiences as researchers new to the UK. Click here to book your place via SussexDirect

PGR Essentials

PGR Essentials: Introduction to the Library

Tuesday 3 October, 13.00-14.00 - Arts A071
Friday 6 October, 11.00-12.00 - online via Zoom

One of the first things to do when you start your research degree is get to know your friendly local librarian! Find out about the collections and discovery tools you can access at Sussex, the tailored services available from the Research Support team, and the dedicated Hive study space for researchers.

Click here to book your place via SussexDirect

PGR Essentials: Careers and Entrepreneurship

Tuesday 3 October, 14.00-14.45
Arts A071

This participative event promotes the University's Careers and Entrepreneurship services. You’ll find out how the Sussex Careers team supports researchers and explore various career destinations for PGRs, including setting up your own business or social enterprise. It's never too early to start thinking about what you're aiming for after your degree!

Click here to book your place via SussexDirect

PGR Essentials: Introduction to Ethics

Wednesday 4 October, 14.00-15.00
Jubilee 143

Join Tim Parkinson from the University's Ethics team for a brief introduction to the ethics review process and how to start thinking ethically about your research from the outset. There will be a short presentation after which we encourage you to ask questions relating to ethics and your research.

Click here to book your place via SussexDirect

PGR Essentials: International Researchers Lunch

Monday 9 October, 11.30-13.00
Quiet Room, Meeting House

Whether you’re new to the UK or continuing your studies, this informal event is a chance to meet other international researchers and get advice from the Doctoral School and Sussex's International Student Advisors, over lunch in one of the most iconic buildings on campus.

Later-stage PGRs and early career researchers will also be invited, giving you the chance to learn from their experiences as researchers new to the UK.

Click here to book your place via SussexDirect