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    • Postgraduate research experience survey

    Postgraduate research experience survey (PRES)

    We are keen to make sure postgraduate researchers have the best possible experience at Keele. To do that, we need to know what you think we are doing well and what we can do better.

    What is PRES?

    The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) is a national survey conducted by institutions across the UK and takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.

    It is open to all PGRs (MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorates) whether they are campus based, distance learners, part or full time.

    Why should PGRs take part?

    PRES is your chance to tell us your thoughts about your degree. The results help us to compare how we are doing with other institutions but also more importantly, it influences school, faculty and institutional activities. The feedback enables us to make changes to things we’re currently doing, but also ensures we keep doing the things that you value and will help improve the experience of PGRs like you in the future.

    What does PRES cover?

    • Supervision
    • Resources
    • Research culture
    • Progress and assessment
    • Responsibilities
    • Support
    • Research skills
    • Professional development
    • Opportunities
    • Motivations

    Keele takes part in this Advance HE survey bi-annually, we will next take part in 2026 with dates to be confirmed.

    What happens with the results?

    The KDA summarises the PGR comments and suggestions and produces an action plan for the University that is considered at a number high-level, decision-making committees (University Research Committee, Faculty PGR Committees and the Doctoral Academy Committee).

    Following this, the KDA monitors those actions to ensure they are followed through and completed.

    How have you responded to previous feedback?

    In 2024 there were 183 respondents to the survey.

    You said: the mandatory induction and onboarding processes were useful but could be improved.

    What will we do?

    • Whilst the mandatory University essentials online induction module for new starters must be completed by all students (UG, PGT and PGR); in response to your feedback, we will review the required content for PGRs to ensure it is fit for purpose whilst also addressing University requirements.
    • We will review the mandatory University essentials online induction modules for returning PGRs to streamline the requirements, ensuring key updates are shared.
    • We will update the KDAs induction arrangements, including our welcome communications, to ensure they meet the needs of our diverse community including part-time, distance learners and professional doctorates.

    You said: other than supervisors, you were not clear who to approach if you have concerns about your PGR programme.

    What will we do?

    • We have robust reporting procedures in place should you have any concerns with your PGR programme or experience.
    • The PGR Code of Practice has been updated to include details about how to raise concerns, via your PGR Lead, where they can be addressed or escalated as appropriate.
    • You can give feedback to your supervisory team or the KDA.
    • We have emailed this information to all PGRs, and included this in induction and KDA delivered training.

    You said: access to events could be improved and there are challenges for distance and part-time PGRs.

    What will we do?

    • Many of you recognised and highly rated the work the KDA does sharing training and events through the SharePoint page and monthly newsletter. Whilst we have offered events both in person and online, there seems to be a preference for online or hybrid delivery.
    • We will ensure that key events are accessible online.
    • We have fed this back to Faculties and Schools so that they can also maximise their hybrid offer and, in response to feedback from our part-time PGRs, ensure that suitable notice periods are given for events.

    You said: sometimes it can be challenging to understand what is expected as a PGR.

    What will we do?

    • From September 2025 we are launching a PGR Supervisory Relationship Agreement, we hope that this can support discussion so that you and your supervisory team can work most effectively together.
    • This will highlight what University support services are available.
    • We hope this can be rolled our in Skillsforge for all new starters in 2025/26.

    You said: mechanisms by which PGRs can provide feedback to the University could be improved.

    What will we do?

    • We know feedback needs to come in a number of ways to maximise impact.
    • The Keele Postgraduate Association (KPA) and school level PGR representatives play a key role in Keele's research culture and supporting the PGR experience.
    • We are working with the KPA to produce PGR representative training and resources to support them in their roles which will be rolled out in 2025/26.
    • The KPA provides a formal route for this feedback via the University Student Voice Committee, and we are committed to ensuring that the KPA consults widely with PGRs to maximise representation.

    Is the survey anonymous?

    Your survey response is confidential; any results communicated to staff, schools etc will be anonymised.

    The survey asks that any comments you make should not identify yourself or any specific member of staff.

    What do I need to do?

    You will receive an email to your Keele PGR account. Keele will next take part in 2026 with dates to be confirmed.

    Where can I find out more?

    If you have any questions regarding the survey, please see your Supervisor, or alternatively, please contact KDA@keele.ac.uk.

    We received the PRES results from the survey in May 2021, where 144 of you responded. Whilst there were some really positive outcomes from the results, there were some areas that we clearly needed to work on. As a result, over the last 10 months we’ve implemented a range of initiatives looking to address those areas of weakness:

    • In 2021 we were able to fund 79 Covid funding extensions out of 88 applications, giving many students short funded extensions within the constraints set by UKRI. We also worked with the communications team to ensure that emails sent centrally are directed to PGR issues, and set up our own KDA monthly newsletter to keep you informed of key developments.
    • We launched the new Research and Innovation Sharepoint, which is developing nicely into a great hub for research at Keele. It includes the new Researcher Training Centre – where we now advertise all of our training sessions and are regularly adding new research related training materials.
    • The KDA have been meeting with all of the schools to discuss their overall research plans, including those related to the PGR experience, and their plans for the future of PGR provision. We’ve had some really interesting discussions, and are excited to see the changes they’re seeking to implement in the future.
    • We now have three new PGR specialist Student Experience and Support Officers, one for each Faculty. They’re there to talk about anything to do with your PGR experience and can be contacted via student.services@keele.ac.uk.
    • We have launched our new writing retreat programme ‘Write-On’ and will be hosting in-person and online writing retreats for all researchers for the foreseeable future. You can book to attend via Keele People.
    • We now have a new Presentation Skills Group, who will be meeting regularly to practise their presentation skills and share feedback. If you would like to join please contact Ben Coleman (b.coleman@keele.ac.uk).
    • To help improve employability options we are hosting the first Keele Industry Day on Tuesday 24 May and will be working closely with the Business Engagement Team to create more opportunities for PGR students to interact with potential employers. Book via Keele People.

    We really appreciate the feedback we get, and it helps us immensely to inform the improvements we are trying to make. With that in mind, please make sure you complete the PRES survey at your earliest possible convenience and use the free text questions to tell us about areas where we can improve further.

    In 2022, you said: Our Research culture was lacking, with infrequent opportunities to discuss research with other researchers and a lack of research seminars in some areas.

    What did we do?

    • We launched regular online meet-ups and PGR Cafes, a series of peer-led workshops providing advice and guidance from current Keele PGRs and alumni, as well as social sessions to connect PGRs from across disciplines.
    • The University will shortly convene a Research Culture Committee consisting of academic and professional services staff, as well as PGRs, to plan more initiatives and events to improve research culture across the University.
    • A number of schools have launched or revised and improved their seminar series and journal clubs.
    • We worked with the faculties to combine their individual annual symposiums into one large event last year, with 150+ attendees in 2023 from across the faculties submitting posters and presenting. The 2024 event (taking place on the 17 and 18 June) will be even bigger, with 2 days of activities planned.
    • We organised a combined online seminar with Staffordshire University for PGRs to present their research.

    You said: PGRs lack dedicated areas for informal study and socialising and there was disparity across the faculties.

    What did we do?

    • We now have access to the Claus Moser building for training sessions, so PGRs have a regular training location that includes access to a kitchen and free tea and coffee.
    • We are also working with the faculties to ensure PGRs have dedicated hot-desking space and social space.

    You said: PGRs want more training opportunities and resources to support their study but also additional wellbeing support from the University.

    What did we do?

    • We worked with colleagues from across the University to introduce a number of new training resources for PGRs and supervisors and scheduled more training workshops than ever before e.g. the new starter PGR essentials module, non-academic careers sessions on enterprise and entrepreneurship, mindfulness and growth, planning your researcher development and much more! 6. To support the above, we also introduced a central Sharepoint for advertising all training and resources.
    • Supported by colleagues in Student Services, we have introduced a returning to research process for PGRs who take a leave from their degree. Now, Student Services will support PGRs during that return, ensuring they are ready and have everything they need to successfully continue their research at Keele.
    • The annual summer school is now bigger than ever and offers practical sessions for PGRs and staff as well as sessions to promote healthy wellbeing practices. In 2023, we had 50+ sessions scheduled over one week, and plans are underway for 2024!