After the success of last year, we’re bringing back the Postgraduate Education Conference. We were genuinely delighted to see how you all engaged with the event last year, and the feedback was so great that we wanted to make it an annual occurrence. This year’s conference is mainly targeted at those currently in postgraduate study, but we’re opening it up to anyone who wants to go into postgrad study in the future too! As with last year, and everything we do, it’s absolutely FREE to register and attend you can register here. 

This year the conference will be focusing on issues around BAME progression and experiences of postgraduate study, and mental health. We’ll have sessions on the Decolonise UEA campaign from different faculties, and students, along with great sessions on privilege, and creating an anti-racist learning environment.  

We’re really excited for this year’s student research showcase section of the conference, we’ve already received some fantastic abstract submissions, but would love some more. Whether you’ve presented a loads of different conferences or this will be your first time, make the most of this opportunity to hone your skills of communicating your research to a lay audience. Not only this, but you could be in with the chance of winning a cash-prize for coming 1st or 2nd as chosen by the audience. If you’re interested in submitting an abstract you can do so by clicking here.  

As if it could get any better right? Well it does. Our keynote address will be made by the fantastic Dr. Jason Arday of Durham University whose research focuses on race, education, and social justice. He’ll be spending the entire day with us at the conference and getting involved in loads of the sessions. We can’t wait to have him along and hear what he has to say. You can find some of his previous work by clicking here.  

We received rave reviews of the food from last year’s conference and we’re hoping for much of the same this year as Namaste India will be supplying the food to keep you going at lunch! They're bringing a whole host of items for you to eat you can see their full menu for the day at: uea.su/pgedcon19. We’ll also finish the day off with a drinks reception in Scholars.   

Registering for the conference is absolutely FREE (you can sign up here) so come along, get involved in the conversations, support other postgrads, eat some fantastic food, and listen to some inspiring and challenging talks. You can email us at union.postgrads@uea.ac.uk if you have any questions. Follow and use #PGEDCON19 on social media to get involved in the conversation.

This post was written by Josh Melling, uea(su)'s Postgraduate Engagement Coordinator.