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Research and Business Engagement

Postgraduate Research Voice Survey

The Postgraduate Research (PGR) Voice Survey is a new University initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Sheffield. First launched in 2023, the survey provides PGRs with a valuable opportunity to share honest, constructive feedback about their experience at The University of Manchester. 

The next survey will run from 12 May to 20 June 2025. 

About the Survey 

The survey was shaped by feedback from academic staff, professional services, and postgraduate researchers. It explores key areas of the PGR experience, including: 

  • Research culture and community 
  • Supervision 
  • Resources and facilities 
  • Training and development 
  • Your overall experience 

Each section includes space for free-text responses, so you can tell us what’s working well and where we can improve. 

What’s New for PGR Voice 2025? 

Each time we run the PGR Voice Survey, we include topical questions to gain deeper insights into current issues affecting postgraduate research. For 2025, the survey will explore: 

  • Feedback about your Faculty Doctoral Academy 
    Share your thoughts on how the Faculty Doctoral Academy supports your research journey. 
  • Generative AI 
    Provide feedback on the role of Generative AI in your research and studies, and its impact on your academic experience. 
  • PGR Community Building 
    Help us understand your experiences with the PGR community and how we can enhance collaboration and networking opportunities. 

For Postgraduate Researchers 

Survey Dates: 12 May – 20 June 2025 

Who can take part? All registered PGRs, including those in Submission Pending or undergoing their viva. 

How to access: You’ll receive a personalised link via your PGR email. The survey will also be available through your My Manchester student portal. 

Is it confidential? Yes. All responses are anonymised and only aggregated data is shared. 

What happens with the results? 
We’ll use your feedback to celebrate what’s working well and to improve the areas that matter most to you. Findings and updates will be shared via this webpage and through PGR reps. 

Incentives 

By completing the survey, you’ll be entered into prize draws for: 

6 x £500 conference attendance packages (2 per faculty) 
(Covering fees, travel, and accommodation for conferences in 2025/26) 

18 x £100 vouchers 
(Your choice of Love2Shop, Uber, or Deliveroo) 

Charity donation 
For every survey completed, the University will donate £1, split between: 

  • Manchester Central Foodbank – Providing emergency food and support to people in crisis. 
  • Barnabus – Supporting people experiencing homelessness with practical help and long-term solutions. 
  • Ladybarn Community Hub – Offering social groups and services to bring people together and tackle isolation. 

Information for Supervisors and Staff 

The University’s PGR Voice Survey goes live on Monday, 12 May.   

Part of Your Voice Matters, a new approach to listening to staff and students, the survey gives all our PGRs the opportunity to share their feedback on their time at Manchester.   

This insight could help us make improvements wherever required – but for that, we will need as many responses as possible so please encourage your PGRs or any that you work with to fill it in.   

Postgraduate Researchers respond best to encouragement from staff they know and trust. Whether you teach, advise, or support students, your engagement is critical to achieving a high response rate.    

So, please remind them to take part and tell them that their feedback is vital - it shapes improvements to assessment and feedback, academic support and learning resources.      

How staff can help    

All eligible PGRs will be emailed a link to the survey and will also be able to complete by logging into My Manchester from Monday, 12 May. If you supervise, work with or support PGRs, please encourage them to complete their survey. It’s important they understand that, as an institution, we are committed to continuously improving the experience of our PGRs, and one of the best ways we can do this is by listening and acting on feedback.     

A range of digital promotional assets have been produced. If you think you or your colleagues could use these to help promote the survey, please contact:   

Promotion Channels: 

  • My Manchester newsletter 
  • Student portal 
  • University social media 
  • Faculty and School communications 

Best Practice for Promotion: 

  • Keep messages neutral and inclusive 
  • Encourage honest participation 
  • Promote the survey, not the institution 
  • Avoid influencing responses 

FAQs 

Q: Who can take part? 
A: All PGRs on registered programmes, including those in Submission Pending or post-viva. 

Q: Is the survey confidential? 
A: Yes. Responses are anonymised and only reported in aggregate. 

Q: How long will the survey take to complete? 

A: Approximately 15 minutes 

Q: When will the results be available? 
A: Results will be published in Autumn/Winter 2025. 

Q: Who can I contact with questions? 
A: Email pgrvoice@manchester.ac.uk