Hello  ,

In this edition: 

🤝 Introducing our new values

🔓 Open Research Conference 2026

📚 Self-enrol courses from the Library

💬 Allyship in Higher Education workshop series

UK Terrorism Threat Level – Information for Students 

☀️ START UP Summer Launchpad

✅ Summer checklist 

🥧 Uni guys making pies

🎓 Graduating this summer?

📰 Other news

👉 Scroll down for everything you need to know!

🤝 Introducing our new values 

We’re very pleased to introduce our new values: 

• We embrace difference
• We thrive together
• We act with integrity
• We are bold. 

These values have been developed to be clearer, simpler and more meaningful in practice.

This refresh also marks a timely step forward – the result being a more focused, impactful and inclusive set of values that are easier to put into action and rooted in our future vision, culture and story.

They will help guide how we work together, enhance our students' experience and support us in achieving our ambitions.

Visit the Values page to learn more and to help us shape the next steps by completing a survey (open until 14 June) and joining a webinar on 3 June. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated!

🔓 Open Research Conference 2026

Don't forget to register for Newcastle University’s Open Research Conference, returning on Tuesday 16 June.

​Workshop and session topics include (but are not limited to): Sensitive/FAIR Research Data; Open Research Culture; Open Science & REF; Open Access, the Intersection of Open Research & AI.

All PGRs are welcome. 

📚 Self-enrol courses from the Library

Develop your information skills with online learning opportunities.

The Library has created tailored self-enrol courses on Canvas for PGR students. These hours/credit-bearing courses can be completed at your own pace, focusing on the content most relevant to your discipline.

The courses will help you find and manage information sources for your research more effectively.  

HASS Faculty:

Enrol on a range of courses from the HASS PGR Training Community:

• Literature Searching for Theses 

• Specialist Information for Theses 

• Becoming an Open Researcher 

• Social media for research 

• Teach Yourself EndNote 

SAgE & FMS Faculties:

Students in these Faculties will find themselves auto-enrolled on the following courses:

• Finding information  

• Managing information 

• Data-led searching 

• Becoming an open researcher 

The online learning opportunities complement a broader programme of bookable workshops from the Library teams.

Visit the University PGR workshop booking system to discover the full training offer from the Library. 

💬 A No-Judgment Zone for the Conversations that Matter: Allyship in Higher Education  

We've all heard the terms 'race equality' and 'diversity' but behind the terminology, many of us are left wondering 'what am I supposed to do'?

If you've ever held back because you're worried about saying the wrong thing or wanted to be supportive but weren't sure where to begin, the Allyship in Higher Education workshop series has been designed with you in mind.  

• Session 1: Wednesday 3 June, 13:00-15:00, 1.010, Stephenson Building: Foundations of Anti-Racism and Allyship in HE with guest speaker: Alex Johl, Birmingham University
  
  
• Session 2: Wednesday 1 July, 10:00-12:00, 1.010, Stephenson Building: Influencing your sphere, with guest speaker Natalie Evans from Everyday Racism
  
  
• Session 3: Wednesday 23 September, 13:00-15:00, venue tbc: The Game Plan – Turning Commitment into Impact 

To find out more about each session, please see the NUREN blog.

UK Terrorism Threat Level - Information for Students

On Thursday 30 April, the UK government raised the national terrorism threat level from “substantial” to “severe”.

This means that an attack on UK soil is considered “highly likely” in the next six months.  

While this is not in response to any particular or specific threat to the University, Newcastle, or the wider North East, keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility.  

We’re sharing this information on the PGR Noticeboard so that all students feel informed, reassured and confident about what to do if they ever feel uncertain or unsafe. 

Join the START UP Summer Launchpad 3-5 June!

A 3-day immersive programme designed to help you move from business concept to creation with practical, expert support.  

✅ Summer checklist

If you're moving house this summer, here's a handy checklist to help you tick off a few important tasks:

📄 Renters' Rights Act 2025

Check the Students' Union website to find out whether you're affected by the first phase, which was introduced on 1 May 2026.

🍽 ResLife ReHome 

Donate any of your reusable items to ResLife ReHome. 

🏠 Rate Your Landlord 

Share a review of your landlord, letting agent or student housing before 30 May and you'll be entered into a prize draw with the Students' Union to WIN £200 CASH! 

📺 TV Licence refunds 

Check whether you are eligible to apply for a TV Licence refund.

🥧 Uni guys making pies

University can be hectic at times. That’s where Men’s Pie Club comes in to offer a relaxed, social space for male students to take a break and make food to take home with them.

Get involved every Wednesday, 14:00-16:00 at the Agriculture Building, Common Room G.02.

🎓 Graduating this summer? 

Information about your Degree Certificate and your Digital Award Documents

Your printed degree certificate will be produced within six weeks of your final results being confirmed. If you are attending Summer Graduation, you’ll collect it on campus on the day of your ceremony.

If you are not attending graduation, the Congregations team will contact you in June with guidance on arranging collection or postage.

You’ll also receive a free digital certificate through Parchment, giving you lifelong access to securely share your qualification with employers and other universities.

An email will be sent to your University account when your documents are ready.

Please make sure you register with Parchment before you lose access to your University IT account.