This entertaining event aims to de-mystify the PhD viva by providing an example of a ‘good viva’ and a ‘bad viva’. A team of staff from the sciences will take on the roles of Chairman of Examiners, Internal Examiner, External Examiner, PhD Candidate and Supervisor. The processes involved before, during and after the viva will be explained.

By the end of the event you will:

◗ be familiar with the format of a typical PhD viva in the sciences.

◗ know what types of question might be asked and how to prepare yourself in advance.

◗ have an understanding of the processes involved before, during and after a PhD viva.

Postgraduate Students can book online here.

The working title for this event is ‘Interdisciplinary Conference on the Built Environment: Society, Sustainability, Environment and Economy’. Funding for this event has been awarded by the University Graduate College.

An organising meeting will be held at 5:15pm on Tuesday, 26 February in Room 3.19 of the Graduate Centre.

Attendees will include students from a wide range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) architecture, engineering, planning, geography, physical sciences, social sciences, psychology, business, and economics. The forum will provide an opportunity for Cardiff postgraduate students to exchange knowledge about the built environment and to develop networks within the University.

All students with an interest in the built environment are encouraged to attend.

The event is expected to consist of a series of short presentations, posters, and a range of group activities. Input, creativity, and energy from students are needed to make the event a success! Please come along to the meeting to learn more about the event and join the organising committee.

If you plan to attend or would like to register interest please contact Tim Forman, at formantv@cardiff.ac.uk

Keynote Speaker: Dr Katie Featherstone
School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, Cardiff University

Postgraduate researchers;

You are invited to attend the 6^th annual “Spotlight on Social Sciences” conference, showcasing current research in the social and economic sciences.

This is a conference for postgraduate researchers, developed by postgraduate researchers. It therefore offers excellent experience of being in a supportive conference setting and provides the perfect environment for meeting and establishing links with other like-minded researchers from different schools and universities. The talks are aimed at non-specialist audiences so it is also a great opportunity to discover research which you might not usually have access to.

There will be approximately 16 short (15 minutes) talks throughout the day, with poster presentations on display during the lunch break. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the day for the best talk and best poster. Lunch and refreshments are provided and the day will end with a cheese and wine reception.

Presentations will include:

“I know You. What would you like me to say” the benefits And hazards of being known to the setting you wish to Research”

“Being a good tibetan: Lay perceptions of madness and its causes”

The conference is free but anyone wishing to attend is asked to book in advance so that we can make the necessary catering arrangements. Please find delegate booking forms below.

The deadline for delegate registration is midnight on Wednesday 27th February 2013

  Spotlight Delegate Booking Form English (15.1 Kb, 25 downloads)

  Spotlight Delegate Booking Form Welsh (16.0 Kb, 11 downloads)

For further information, please go to

http://www.facebook.com/groups/SpotlightSS

Twitter- @SpotlightSocSci

Or email: Spotlight@cf.ac.uk

If you do then the British Science Association Media Fellowships are for you.

Experience first-hand how science is reported by spending 3-6 weeks on a summer placement with a press, broadcast or online journalist such as the Guardian, The Times or BBC.

You will:

• Produce well informed, newsworthy pieces about developments in science.
• Gain a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media.
• Come away better equipped to communicate your research to the media, public and your colleagues.
• Develop writing skills that could help you produce concise and engaging articles and funding applications.

For details about the scheme, including eligibility and online application form, visit the Media Fellowships webpage.

Application deadline: 11 March 2013

This event for postgraduate research students and research staff will give you the opportunity to explore the range of career opportunities available within the humanities and social sciences beyond academia.

Speakers from a range of employers, both public and private sector, will talk about careers within their areas. The event will provide insights into career paths and entry methods for these areas of employment.

Organisations represented will include:

• CFE Research & Consultancy
• Freelance journalist
• National Museum Wales
• Freelance film maker
• Cardiff University (innovation & engagement)
• Cadw (public engagement/Welsh language)
• Welsh Government
• Freelance book editor/translator/editor

Speaker biographies can be downloaded below.

The file is being updated as bios are received.

For further information and to book a place, please click here.

The assessment of research impact is a new feature in the Research Excellence framework. Unlike previous years, the REF provides significant additional recognition where high quality research has contributed to the economy, society, public policy, culture, the environment, international development or quality of life.

The University Graduate College is running a series of sessions that aim to demystify impact and discuss how it can be demonstrated for REF.  At each event a panel of researchers from within the discipline grouping will discuss case studies of their own research impact. Lunch will be provided at all sessions.

Case Studies from the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Thursday 7th February, 12.30 – 1.30 pm. Glamorgan Building (room TBC)

Featuring:

• Prof Terry Marsden (CPLAN)
• Prof Robin Stowell (MUSIC)
• Prof Patrick Minford (CARBS)
• Dr Frances Rock (ENCAP)

Research students can book online here.
Research staff can book by emailing ugc@cardiff.ac.uk quoting ‘arts, humanities and social sciences impact session’.

Case Studies from the Biomedical & Life Sciences
Thursday 7^th February. Lunch available from 1.00 pm, speakers from 1.15 – 2.15 pm. Optometry Seminar Rooms 1.07/8

Featuring:

• Prof Malcolm Mason (MEDIC)
• Prof Steve Ormerod (BIOSI)
• Prof Ian Weeks (MEDIC)

Research students can book online here.
Research staff can book by emailing ugc@cardiff.ac.uk quoting ‘biomedical and life sciences impact session’.

Case Studies from the Physical Sciences
Thursday 14^th February, 12.30 – 1.30 pm. Trevithick Seminar Rooms 0.07/0.09

Featuring:

• Prof Karen Holford (ENGIN)
• Prof Peter Knowles (CHEMY)
• Prof Matt Griffin (PHYSX)

Research students can book online here.
Research staff can book by emailing ugc@cardiff.ac.uk quoting ‘physical sciences impact session’.

The Graduate Centre, Cardiff University

To all postgraduate researchers in the social sciences…

Would you like the opportunity to present your research in an open, friendly and informal environment?

Then look no further than the Spotlight on Social Sciences Conference 2013. The conference is a student-led, interdisciplinary conference which provides an opportunity for postgraduate research students to showcase current research in the social and economic sciences. The conference is aimed at researchers across all the social sciences both within Cardiff University and neighbouring institutions. The conference is free for all postgraduate students to attend.

We are inviting abstract submissions for both oral and poster presentations from postgraduate researchers from relevant fields of interest. Both finalised and ongoing projects may be presented; all should be accessible to a wider audience and have specific implications for the social sciences. Oral presentations should last no longer than 15 minutes, and posters can be up to A1 size (landscape or portrait).

Cash prizes will be awarded for the best poster and presentation.

For more information, and to download an abstract submission form, please click here.

Find us on Facebook

Find us on Twitter

The deadline for abstracts is midnight on Sunday the 27th January 2013 and presenters will be informed of the reviewers’ decision as soon as possible.