Blog
News from the PGR StudioOvercoming challenges in academia: a forum on disability, race and class for prospective PhD students
Join this LAHP-hosted event for some short presentations, Q&A, and an open discussion about some of the challenges faced as 'nontraditional' and 'underrepresented' people in academic spaces. This forum is primarily aimed at those considering doing a LAHP/ AHRC/...
<> connectedness conference 2020
In 2020, our first-ever virtual conference … < > connectedness: interactions, provocations, collaborations, took place on the 10th July 2020. We ran the conference on Discord -- Take a look at our conference! The conference aimed to explore the multifarious...
Uncertain Knowledge(s): Call for proposals
An artist’s working process is a hidden yet significant journey: it is where ambiguous and uncertain knowledge(s) are given the opportunity to be discovered through materiality and encounter. The artist’s process itself is also a highly valuable practice of research,...
Call for Papers: Centre for Chinese Visual Art’s 14th Annual Conference – Transcultural Curation and the Post-Covid World
Transcultural Curation and the Post-Covid World Date: 2-3 December 2021 Venue: School of Art, Birmingham City University, England Deadline for abstracts: 31 March 2021 The Centre for Chinese Visual Arts (CCVA) at Birmingham City University aims to foster new...
Academics Anonymous: On Connectedness
“Everything is connected, even the parts we don’t like, especially the parts we don’t like.” ― Julian Barnes, A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. Starting a PhD in the midst of a pandemic has been slightly challenging. Can I lay the blame on my grandmother and my...
Viva 60-second interview: Dr Joanna Jarvis
Hi Joanna, congratulations on passing your viva! How does it feel?! It’s a huge relief and very pleasing What was your PhD title? Performance of the self in the theatre of the elite. The King’s Theatre, 1760-1789: The opera house as a political and social nexus...
My Brilliant Club story by Simeon Shtebunaev
My Brilliant Club Story PhD title: "Youth’s perceptions towards the planning of the future ‘smart city’ in Europe." Scholars Programme course title: ‘ Can you plan the Future ‘Smart City’? How long have you worked as a PhD Tutor with The Brilliant Club? I...
Viva 60-second interview: Dr Paul Norman
Hi Paul, congratulations on passing your viva! How does it feel?! Well it’s coming up to the three-year anniversary and now it’s something I’m very proud of. At the time though it felt like surviving a car crash. What was your PhD title? Unprotected Practice:...
PhD library hacks by Beth Delwiche
A library isn't just a building full of books, it is so much more! Below are our top 10 library hacks to help you make the most of your library as a PhD researcher: #10 Start simple: the library website The BCU library website is your gateway to all of the services...
Happy (academic) new year!
A huge welcome to all our new and returning doctoral researchers! The PGR Studio team have been busy planning an exciting programme for the next year and are also excited to announce our PGR Studio booklet! The booklet includes our manifesto of researcher development,...
ACE funding opportunities by Ian Sergeant
As part of BCU Arts Design and Media Faculty and PGR Studio a practice based space of doctoral training and excellence, I hosted a round table discussion ACE Funding Opportunities. For the event I invited PhD researchers, arts organisations, an Arts Council England,...
Viva 60-second interview: Dr Emily Bettison
Hi Emily, congratulations on passing your viva! How does it feel?! Thank you! It feels like a massive relief to have passed the Viva. What was your PhD title? The Creation of Creativity in Radio: How does radio as an industry define, practice and negotiate...


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