Postgraduate Taught/Research Representative Forum (PGR/PGT Rep Forum)
At least once per semester, PGR and PGT representatives are expected to come together to meet for the PGR and PGT Rep Forums. The Forums provide an opportunity for representatives from different Schools and departments to share feedback, raise issues affecting students, and discuss ideas for improving the postgraduate experience. It also provides a space for representatives to give their views on relevant University initiatives and developments, brought to the Forum by the President for discussion.
The forum is organised and chaired by the PGR and PGT Presidents respectively, who lead and support the PG representative system. It is the responsibility of the President to keep representatives updated on issues affecting the postgraduate community, and to represent PG students in academic matters. Issues raised through the Rep Forum can therefore be taken forward by the PG President through the wider University representation and committee structure.
Attendance at the PG Rep Forums is mandatory for representatives, and they are asked to collect feedback from their PGR/PGT cohort before attending, in order to give a brief report. Ahead of the Forum, representatives can request items be added to the agenda, or they can also use the AOCB (Any Other Competent Business) section of the Forum.
A Union intern attends to minute the meeting, and the President of Education and Academic Representation Coordinator are invited to attend. The Forum is intended to provide a key link between PGR/PGT Representatives, the Students’ Association, and the University, allowing issues raised at School and departmental level to be discussed and escalated where appropriate.
Postgraduate Academic Forum (PGAF)
The Postgraduate Academic Forum provides a further opportunity for postgraduate academic issues to be discussed at University level. It brings together the postgraduate presidents and senior University staff, allowing issues raised through the PGR and PGT representative structures to be considered more widely.
The PGR and PGT Presidents attend the Forum alongside senior University representatives, including the Provost, Associate Provost (Students), Associate Provost (Education), and Director of Student Experience. The meeting is chaired by the President of Education.
The Forum provides an important route for issues raised by postgraduate representatives to reach senior decision-makers, and for representatives to receive updates on University-level developments affecting postgraduate students.
PGR Representative Lunch Forum
Starting in Academic Year 2025/26, PGR representatives have been invited to attend an extended PGR Lunch Forum. The Lunch Forum provides a more informal and collaborative opportunity for representatives to engage with one another, share good practice, and discuss issues affecting the PGR community over lunch.
As part of the Forum, a representative from the University may be invited to speak to PGR representatives about a particular issue, project or initiative. This provides representatives with an opportunity to hear directly from relevant staff and contribute student perspectives to ongoing developments, providing a tangible impact on the postgraduate student experience. Staff from the University are also invited, including the Provost, Associate Provosts, and Director of Student Experience, forming a direct line of communication between Representatives and Senior Leadership at the University.
The first PGR Rep Lunch Forum focused on the development of PGR Research Culture. Representatives can suggest topics or areas for development for future Fora, allowing the Lunch Fora to respond to issues and priorities identified by the PGR community.
Postgraduate Lunch Forum, Summer Semester
From Academic Year 2025/26, postgraduate representatives are invited to attend a Summer Semester Lunch Forum. This Forum provides an opportunity for representatives to share their experiences of the summer semester, reflect on their year as representatives, and discuss issues affecting postgraduate students during this period.
The initiative was introduced to recognise the particular importance of the summer semester for postgraduate students. The summer period can involve a range of different experiences and unique challenges for postgraduate taught and research students, and the Lunch Forum provides a dedicated space for representatives to reflect on these experiences and identify areas where the postgraduate experience could be improved.
The Forum brings together PGR and PGT representatives in a more relaxed and informal setting. Led by the PGR President, the PGT President, and the President of Education, lunch is provided, and relevant University staff are invited to attend, providing an opportunity for representatives to share feedback directly with staff.
As well as gathering feedback on the summer semester, the Forum provides an opportunity for representatives to reflect on their work throughout the academic year, share good practice and experiences, and identify issues or priorities that could be taken forward through the postgraduate representation structure in the following academic year.