The first Postgraduate Research Voice Survey launches 2nd May 2023. This new institutional survey has been developed and delivered in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and offers postgraduate researchers the opportunity to provide us with feedback on their experience at the University of Manchester. 

The survey questions have been developed using feedback from focus groups across the Universities academic,professional services and PGR communities and covers areas such as the research culture and community, supervision, resources, training & development and the overall PGR experience. You are given the opportunity to provide us written feedback in free-text fields in each of the areas about what we’re doing well and how we can improve. 

We hope that you will take the time to complete the survey with your honest feedback so that we can continue to make the University of Manchester a great place to be a postgraduate researcher. 

FAQs:

What is the timeline for the survey? 

The survey will run from 2nd May until 9th June 2023. 

Who is eligible to take part in the survey? 

So that we can understand the distinct feedback across the PGR journey, the survey is open to all PGRs in registered programmes, including those in Submission Pending and those undergoing their viva examination. 

How do I complete the survey? 

When the survey is launched all PGRs will receive an individual personalised link via their PGR email address. The survey will also be linked directly from your My Manchester page. 

Is the survey confidential? 

The survey is confidential individual results will not be shared. Results will be aggregated and non-identifiable.  

When will the results be shared? 

The results will be made available via this webpage in Autumn 2023. 

What will the University do with the results? 

We will use the feedback providedto continue to do what were doing well and to look at how we can improve on areas where we need to. Updates on actions as a result of the survey will be shared with PGR reps and on this page. 

Are there any incentives for completing the survey?

For every PGR who completes the survey, we will donate an £1 split between the following charities. 

University of Manchester Cost of Living Support Fund. Open all year round, the Cost of Living Support fund can award grants of up to £2000 to help students overcome financial hardship or unforeseen additional costs. The fund is open to all students at the University, regardless of level of study or nationality. 

Refugee Women Connect work to build a safe life in the UK for all women in the refugee and asylum seeker communities. They offer practical support for women on a number of issues, including navigating the asylum process, support with accommodation and housing, educational access etc. They also offer bespoke one-to-one mental health support, as well as group activities to combat isolation and loneliness. 

Greater Together Manchester is building effective partnerships in communities to bring about positive change by tackling poverty and transforming lives throughout Greater Manchester and Rossendale. Key areas of work include homelessness, loneliness and isolation, mental health and wellbeing, food insecurity and supporting displaced people. 

Jump Space, based in Stockport provides rebound therapy and sensory play for disabled children and young people and their families. It provides a safe, fun, understanding and non-judgmental environment for disabled children and young people, many of whom are unable to access other forms of sport and activity. 

You will also be entered into a prize draw to receive one of six shopping vouches (two drawn per faculty). 

Is the University still running the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)? 

No, we have taken the decision to no longer run PRES. Developing and delivering our own institutional survey gives us the autonomy and flexibility to ask question and gather feedback on the topics that mean the most to us as an institutional and our postgraduate researchers.  

If you have any questions about the survey or general feedback, please contact us at pgrvoice@manchester.ac.uk  

The first Postgraduate Research Voice Survey launches 2nd May 2023. This new institutional survey has been developed and delivered in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and offers postgraduate researchers the opportunity to provide us with feedback on their experience at the University of Manchester. 

The survey covers areas such as the research culture and community, supervision, resources, training & development and the overall PGR experience. 

We hope that you will encourage our postgraduate researchers to take part in the survey and information on how we will promote the survey is indicated below.  

PGR Voice Survey Eligibility Criteria 

The survey is open to PGRs on all programmes and at all stages including those in Submission Pending and undergoing their viva examination.  

Promoting the PGR Voice Survey 

We would like to ensure that we achieve as high a response rate as possible - the more students that complete the PGR Voice Survey the more robust and representative the results will be. 

Central messaging will emphasise the importance of feedback and how the PGR Voice survey is a way for us to improvingthe PGR experience. To help push up response rates, central activity will be complemented by local activity and communications via Faculty Doctoral Academies.