Being a Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) is about more than producing a thesis. Discover events and activities designed especially for you as a PGR, from developing your skills and building a community, to taking the next steps in your career. You can also find events for all students and events for the whole University community.

The University Doctoral School is here to support and enhance the postgraduate research experience at Birmingham, working with Colleges and teams across the University like Careers Network, Library Services, and Registry, to guide PGRs from induction to graduation.

Postgraduate Research (PGR) programmes include: PhD, PhD with integrated study, MPhil, MMus, MRes, MA by Research, MSc by Research, MLitt, EngD, DDS, MD, Higher doctorates and Professional doctorates.

Two people sat talking outdoors Careers Support for Postgraduate Researchers: An Introduction
6th October noon - 1pm
Online
This short one-hour webinar will introduce the online resources, upcoming events, and other support that you can make the most of your time as a Postgraduate Researcher in the 2026-27 academic year.
The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
9th October 9:30am - 4:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.
Welcome to Westmere Drop-in
13th October noon - 4pm
Westmere House
Join us at Westmere House for an informal PGR drop-in. Meet the University Doctoral School team, learn about the support and resources available to postgraduate researchers, enjoy refreshments, and explore the facilities through a guided tour.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
13th October 4pm - 5pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
Students sit around circular tables chatting Starting to write for PGRs
14th October 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
An introduction to the writing process, strategies for planning and creating text, and the role of GenAI in writing for research, suitable for those at the beginning of their development as postgraduate research level academic writers.
View of the Researcher Suite from first floor atrium, including fixed PCs and lockers. Coffee Morning in the Researcher Suite
15th October 11am - noon
Main Library First Floor Researcher Suite
Take a break and join the Research Skills Team for an informal coffee morning in the first-floor Researcher Suite, Main Library. Drop in for a cuppa, a biscuit, and a friendly chat about all things library and research related. No need to book.
A woman holding books between bookshelves Reading and note-making
15th October 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
A huge quantity of reading is required for postgraduate research. This workshop helps you develop strategies to read effectively and efficiently, extracting the key information into your notes. Bring your own reading material to practise with!
A student smiles sitting at a desk Increasing your productivity
19th October 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
As postgraduate researchers (PGRs), we cannot change the number of hours in a day, but we can use them as effectively as possible. This workshop encourages you to understand your own working preferences to be as productive as possible.
Vitae's Researcher Development Framework Development Needs Analysis
19th October 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
The Development Needs Analysis (GRS1) form is a requirement of research programmes. This highly practical workshop supports the process, including introducing you to Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework.
A student on a laptop Your PhD what next? Understanding what you want from life after PhD
21st October 1pm - 2:30pm
Online
This interactive virtual workshop is designed to help you identify your skills and preferences, recognise which of these you most want to use in your future work, and understand what you want from your future work.
View of the Researcher Suite from first floor atrium, including fixed PCs and lockers. Coffee Morning in the Researcher Suite
22nd October 11am - noon
Main Library First Floor Researcher Suite
Take a break and join the Research Skills Team for an informal coffee morning in the first-floor Researcher Suite, Main Library. Drop in for a cuppa, a biscuit, and a friendly chat about all things library and research related. No need to book.
PGR-Led Activities Fund - Drop-in
22nd October 1pm - 5pm
Westmere House
Interested in organising an activity or event for your fellow postgraduate researchers? Join our PGR-Led Activities Fund drop-in session to learn about available funding, discuss your ideas, and get practical guidance on developing an application.
A student looking at a PC in the library Organising your research notes
23rd October 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
For Postgraduate Researchers who have begun gathering sources - develop a more structured approach to managing notes, explore different approaches to organising research notes and practical guidance on developing a clear and searchable system.
A student speaks to a staff member at a stand in the Great Hall Making the most of conferences
26th October 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
This workshop introduces practical tips for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) preparing to attend a conference, helping you get the maximum value from your conference, including getting the most out of networking opportunities.
A student sat on a sofa working on a laptop, seen from above Data management plans for PGRs
28th October 10am - 11am
Online
All postgraduate researchers are required to have a Data Management Plan in place before completing their first annual review (GRS3). This workshop will help you to achieve this by covering the basics of research data management.
Two people having a conversation Working effectively with your supervisor
29th October 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Understand what to expect from the supervisor-PGR relationship, how to get the most from your supervisory team, and the support available to complement your supervision.
A student smiles whilst working on a laptop Writing clearly and concisely
30th October 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Sharpen up your writing to communicate your research and ideas more effectively. This will be most useful for those who have already drafted some texts.
Three people look at a computer screen together Structuring your thesis
2nd November 3pm - 4:30pm
Online
Already have some draft texts but unsure how these might fit together in a logical thesis structure? This highly interactive workshop will cover common thesis structures and strategies for creating your own.
Three students laughing together at a picnic bench PGR Careers beyond academia: How to research your options
3rd November 1pm - 2:30pm
Online
In this webinar, PGR Careers Adviser Holly will introduce some useful research strategies and resources that you can use to research career options beyond academia, including places to start, using LinkedIn, and inspiration from other PhDs.
Vitae's Researcher Development Framework Development Needs Analysis
3rd November 2pm - 3:30pm
Online
The Development Needs Analysis (GRS1) form is a requirement of research programmes. This highly practical workshop supports the process, including introducing you to Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
3rd November 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A student looking at the camera over a library book shelve while moving a book out of the shelve Literature searching: hints and tips for researchers
4th November 10am - 11:30am
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Explore practical strategies for finding academic literature. Learn how to make the most of databases, search engines and discovery tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your literature searches.
Two people look at a vase illuminated by a ring light Unearthing the past: using archives and special collections
9th November 10am - noon
Cadbury Research Library, Lower Ground Floor, Muirhead Tower
Get an introduction to archives and a practical guide to special collections departments. Explore how archives and special collections can be best used for your research. Go behind the scenes at the Cadbury Research Library.
A man wearing glasses standing in front of a whiteboard Introduction to presentation skills
9th November 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Are you a postgraduate researcher who wants to build your confidence in delivering presentations? This workshop covers the basics of a good presentation, including structure and visual aids. Get peer feedback on an informal presentation of your own.
Two people taking books out from library shelves and looking at them What is Citation Justice?
10th November noon - 1pm
Online
Explore the role of influence and power in who we cite, how bias in this area can occur and be addressed, and discover tools for finding literature that is more representative of the global majority.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
10th November 4pm - 5pm
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
Two researchers wearing white aprons, safetly glasses and headphones whilst working in a lab Open Research tools
11th November noon - 12:30pm
Online
Learn how small steps can help foster a more open research culture. This 30-minute online microsession introduces key concepts, support at the University of Birmingham, and practical tools including ORCID, PURE and UBIRA.
A student speaks to a staff member at a stand in the Great Hall Making the most of conferences
11th November 3:30pm - 5pm
Online
This workshop introduces practical tips for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) preparing to attend a conference, helping you get the maximum value from your conference, including getting the most out of networking opportunities.
A student sits at a table with a laptop, chatting to a staff member Reviewing the literature
12th November 9am - 10:30am
Online
Understand the nature of a quality literature review and how to effectively synthesise the literature you have read in your thesis.
A student on their phone in a social space Planning for success
12th November 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Designed primarily for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) in the very early stages of their research programme (approximately during the first three months), this workshop covers research project management techniques.
Clarivate's EndNote 2025 icon An introduction to EndNote Desktop
12th November 3pm - 3:30pm
Online
New to EndNote Desktop? Join this practical 30-minute online session to learn how to organise references, import records from databases, manage PDFs, remove duplicates, and cite in Microsoft Word.
The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
13th November 9:30am - 4:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.
A student writing in a notebook in a study space Making job applications beyond academia: CV & cover letter tips for PGRs
17th November 11am - 12:30pm
Online
Learn more about the key differences between academic and non-academic CVs / applications and how to write CVs, cover letter and 'supporting statements' for jobs in sectors other than academia in this interactive webinar.
A microphone on a stage in an empty theater Tips for discoverability and impact
18th November noon - 12:30pm
Online
Discover tools and resources to maximise the discoverability and impact of your research. Learn about publication and post-publication options, and ways to engage wider audiences with your work.
Lecturer and students sitting around a table and discussing Literature searching for a Systematic Review
19th November 10am - 11:30am
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Take a systematic approach to your literature searching. This workshop covers search strategy development, database selection, search techniques and result management for Systematic Reviews and related studies.
A student smiles sitting at a desk Increasing your productivity
23rd November 3:30pm - 5pm
Online
As postgraduate researchers (PGRs), we cannot change the number of hours in a day, but we can use them as effectively as possible. This workshop encourages you to understand your own working preferences to be as productive as possible.
Students sit around circular tables chatting Starting to write for PGRs
24th November 2pm - 3:30pm
Online
An introduction to the writing process, strategies for planning and creating text, and the role of GenAI in writing for research, suitable for those at the beginning of their development as postgraduate research level academic writers.
Three students sit chatting in front of a poster display board Designing and presenting your poster at conferences
25th November 11am - 1pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Learn how to maximise the opportunity to communicate your research in a highly visual way using a poster. Understand the nature of a poster session, how to create visual impact, and how to use PowerPoint in this context.
Three students around a table in the library, one standing and two seating, looking inside a journal issue Tools for finding a journal for your paper
25th November noon - 12:30pm
Online
Unsure where to publish? Discover tools and resources to identify suitable journals, compare publishing routes, evaluate journal quality, explore open access options, and recognise warning signs of problematic journals.
Three people looking at a PC screen Researcher visibility essentials: ORCID and Pure
26th November 10am - 11am
Online
Learn how to create an ORCID profile for yourself that is recognised in academia and grows in value as your career progresses. Link it to your University of Birmingham Research Portal webpage to increase your discoverability.
A student smiles whilst working on a laptop Writing clearly and concisely
27th November 11am - 12:30pm
Online
Sharpen up your writing to communicate your research and ideas more effectively. This will be most useful for those who have already drafted some texts.
Two people having a conversation Working effectively with your supervisor
30th November 2pm - 3:30pm
Online
Understand what to expect from the supervisor-PGR relationship, how to get the most from your supervisory team, and the support available to complement your supervision.
Three people look at a computer screen together Structuring your thesis
1st December 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Already have some draft texts but unsure how these might fit together in a logical thesis structure? This highly interactive workshop will cover common thesis structures and strategies for creating your own.
Two students in white aprons look at a computer screen showing a map Introduction to AI tools for researchers
2nd December 11am - noon
Online
Develop an understanding of the opportunities and risks of using AI tools in the research process, explore how AI Tools might be used to augment research processes to create efficiencies, and critically evaluate potential ethical risks.
A student looking at the camera over a library book shelve while moving a book out of the shelve Literature searching: hints and tips for researchers
3rd December 2pm - 3:30pm
Online
Explore practical strategies for finding academic literature. Learn how to make the most of databases, search engines and discovery tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your literature searches.
A student sits at a table with a laptop, chatting to a staff member Reviewing the literature
4th December 10am - noon
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
Understand the nature of a quality literature review and how to effectively synthesise the literature you have read in your thesis.
A man wearing glasses standing in front of a whiteboard Introduction to presentation skills
4th December 1pm - 2:30pm
Online
Are you a postgraduate researcher who wants to build your confidence in delivering presentations? This workshop covers the basics of a good presentation, including structure and visual aids. Get peer feedback on an informal presentation of your own.
A student on their phone in a social space Planning for success
7th December 2pm - 3:30pm
Online
Designed primarily for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) in the very early stages of their research programme (approximately during the first three months), this workshop covers research project management techniques.
A woman holding books between bookshelves Reading and note-making
8th December 10am - 11:30am
Online
A huge quantity of reading is required for postgraduate research. This workshop helps you develop strategies to read effectively and efficiently, extracting the key information into your notes. Bring your own reading material to practise with!
Clarivate's EndNote 2025 icon An introduction to EndNote Desktop
9th December 11am - 11:30am
Online
New to EndNote Desktop? Join this practical 30-minute online session to learn how to organise references, import records from databases, manage PDFs, remove duplicates, and cite in Microsoft Word.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
10th December 10am - 11am
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room 1
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
11th December 9:30am - 4:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
13th January 10am - noon
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
15th January 11am - noon
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
Two people look at a vase illuminated by a ring light Unearthing the past: using archives and special collections
22nd February 2pm - 4pm
Cadbury Research Library, Lower Ground Floor, Muirhead Tower
Get an introduction to archives and a practical guide to special collections departments. Explore how archives and special collections can be best used for your research. Go behind the scenes at the Cadbury Research Library.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
10th March 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
17th May 10am - noon
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
24th June 2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
27th July 2pm - 4pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
25th August 2pm - 4pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
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