Research opportunities, writing groups, retreats, elections, wellbeing support and February events.
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Your PGR Newsletter: January

Hello  ,

In this edition: 

🧪 Get involved: Research Integrity Project  

🗓️ PGR Community Hub – Semester 2 programme  

📚 Open Access Help Drop-in Sessions  

🗳️ Student Elections 2026 are here!  

🧘 Wellbeing Support at Newcastle University 

🤝 Sport, community and giving back

✏️ Win £100 for writing a WhatUni? Review 

📰 Other news 

  

👉 Scroll down for everything you need to know!

🧪 Get involved: Research Integrity Project 

 

Help shape a strong culture of research integrity at Newcastle by joining a priority project within the Research Culture Programme. 

 

The project aims to strengthen training, tools, and resources that help researchers embed research integrity across the full research lifecycle.  

 

This year’s focus areas include: 

  • Research integrity training 
  • Induction mapping 
  • Promotion of ORCID 
  • Responsible use of research metrics 

 

Find out more and how to get involved on the PGR Noticeboard. 

Learn more

🗓️ PGR Community Hub – Semester 2 programme

Laptop keyboard beside an open notebook with handwritten notes and a pen, with books in the background.

The PGR Community Hub returns this semester with a fresh programme of student-led groups designed to help you stay on track, develop your skills and connect with other PGRs. 

 

Sessions are open to all PGRs and run both online and in person (with tea and coffee!): 

  • Writing & Study Groups run weekly, using goal setting, body-doubling and timed work/break cycles to support focused work.  

In response to your feedback, we’re trialling an All-Day Writing & Study Group on Monday 16 February, 10:00-16:00 in HDB 6.19, with lunch provided. Book your spot by 8 February. 

  • Practice Sharing Groups focus on exchanging practical research tips and strategies. 
  • Discussion Groups are a space to talk openly about the real, often unspoken parts of PGR life.  
  • Presentation Practice Groups offer the chance to deliver part of an academic presentation and receive constructive feedback.  

Read more about the sessions on the PGR Noticeboard and join the PGR Community Hub Teams Channel for updates and ongoing support.   

 

Interested in facilitating the PGR Community Hub in the future? We would love to hear from you - please contact the Doctoral College to find out more. 

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Win a Macbook with Santander open academy

📚 Open Access Help Drop-in Sessions 

 

Are you looking for advice and information on open access or managing publications?

 

Come to one of our monthly drop-in sessions and meet members of the Library Research Services team, who will be happy to answer questions on: 

  • Publishing open access 
  • Self-archiving your work 
  • Navigating publisher agreements 
  • Understanding research funder policy requirements 
  • Copyright and licensing issues relating to your publications 
  • Uploading your publications to our repository and the REF 

These informal sessions offer a welcoming space to ask questions, gain insights and delve deeper into the realm of open access. 

Registration is required for you to receive the online Teams link:  

  • Friday 30 January 12.00-12.30 
  • Monday 23 February 12.00-12.30 
Learn more

📣 Student Elections 2026 are here!

Two students stand back to back outdoors holding megaphones. One wears a blue “Student Elections” T-shirt and speaks into a black megaphone; the other wears a red top and holds a red and white megaphone, with a university building in

Thinking about what’s next after your postgraduate degree? This could be it. 

 

Student Elections 2026 are officially open and postgraduate students are eligible to stand for Sabbatical Officer roles. Sabbatical Officers are paid, full-time leadership positions that offer real-world experience in representation, strategy and decision-making at a senior level. 

 

As an Officer, you’ll develop highly transferable skills in leadership, communication, project management and stakeholder engagement, all while influencing change that impacts the entire student community, including postgraduates. 

 

So if you’re considering your career options, want an alternative to the traditional grad job route or just want to use your experience as a postgrad to help others, this role could be for you. 

 

Submit your interest by midnight on Monday 2 February 2026 or find out more about the Student Elections via the NUSU website. 

Find out more

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🧘 Wellbeing Support at Newcastle University

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Our wellbeing support services are offered free of charge as an inclusive, safe space for all students. 

 

We can support both your physical and mental health, with drop-in sessions, appointments, workshops, chaplaincy and pastoral case and specialist support. 

Watch the video

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🤝 Sport, community and giving back

Fundraising graphic showing £57,062 raised, 10,284 km moved, 785 members, 75+ teams, and 7th in the UK for fundraising

Getting involved in sport at Newcastle isn’t just about competition.

 

From fundraising for Movember and volunteering to building friendships and confidence, sports clubs at Newcastle are helping students give back and feel part of something bigger.

 

Read more about how sport is improving the student experience and building community. 

Find out more

✏️ Win £100 for writing a uni review

Make your words count! 

 

For the chance to win £100, head to WhatUni? to write a review abut Newcastle University!

 

It’ll only take a few minutes and your words could help future students find the perfect university and course.   

Write a review

Image of Percy the lion reading a newspaper with text that reads Other news

📢 Register to vote in the local elections: taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026. Read more about how to register, it only takes five minutes.  

  

🍃 Student Wellbeing Update: Read the latest instalment of the Student Health and Wellbeing Services Newsletter to explore Holocaust Memorial Day, reporting hate incidents, TV licences in private housing, and BeWell book recommendations. [accessible version].   

  

🧠 Sign up to our wellbeing workshops! Covering topics such as self-care, challenging negative thoughts and understanding stress and anxiety. 

 

⭐ Last chance to sign up to the ncl+ Award! Register before Saturday 31 January to reflect on the skills you've developed through extra-curricular activities and learn how to market them to employers.  

 

☕ Join a Research Retreat: The Research Culture Team are offering a series of full-day, facilitated retreats at a variety of locations.

  

🥾 Want to explore the Scottish Highlands? Check out the Students' Union's Give It A Go programme for exciting trips with partner Lundgren Tours, including over Spring Break! 

 

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