Welcome to the Keele Doctoral Academy
We rank among the UK’s Top 10 universities for the research opportunities we offer to postgraduate students and 97% of our research is classed as world leading, or of international importance.
The Doctoral Academy brings together research expertise from across Keele’s academic and professional support services, to aid doctoral training and develop research staff skill sets.
Whether you are a student, postdoctoral researcher or new academic, we will ensure you work in pro-active and supportive cross-collaborative research community.
Essential resources for students and supervisors
PGR guidance and forms | FAQs | handbooks | code of practice | briefing sessions | more
Supervisor guidance and forms | FAQs | handbooks | code of practice | regulations | more
Research seminars and events
Andrew Copson - Politics, religion, and freedom: is secularism failing and does it matter?
Keele Postgraduate Conference 2020 and Launch of the Keele Doctoral Academy
Find out more about Keele Postgraduate Conference 2020 and Launch of the Keele Doctoral Academy
Support services available to staff and students
Counselling and mental health | Disability and dyslexia | Your wellbeing | Faith | International student support | Money advice and guidance | more
Counselling | Health and safety | Occupational health | Your wellbeing | Holistic therapies | more
Mental health and wellbeing
An online resource for postgraduate research students to support your wellbeing, learning and research.
A whole community approach to supporting student mental health and wellbeing
Doctoral training centres and partnerships
A large proportion of UK Research Council funding for postgraduate research studentships (PGRs) is now awarded to institutions via Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These are flagship doctoral training programmes which combine cutting-edge doctoral study with a dynamic, innovative and interdisciplinary research culture that aims to develop future research leaders.
Research students have a say
We want you to engage with us and share your experiences as a research student at Keele. What works? What doesn’t? There are lots of ways you can do this, from speaking to the KPA, your Student Representative or PGR Lead to contacting the KDA directly. We want to hear from you!
Research staff and students in the spotlight
"The Plan Your PhD training has been extremely valuable to me over the last year! Between teaching, data collection, CPD, writing and maintaining a social life, it has taught me to really prioritise certain jobs and allowing me time to destress and step away from work without feeling guilty."
Read more about Tamsin Fisher, PhD Human Geography
"I chose this area due to its potential relevance to my country Kenya."
Read more about Joseph Otieno Oloo, PhD in Applied Mathematics
"At the moment, I am really enjoying research. However, in the future a career in industry or intellectual property is something that I am keen to look into."
Read more about Tasmin Nahar, PhD Regenerative Medicine
"Teacher and demonstrator training has been useful at Keele as well as the many workshops on offer throughout the year such as 'how to plan your PhD' and 'how to create an academic poster'."
Read more about Emma Sutton, PhD in Biomedical sciences
"My research mainly focuses on Markov switching models including exogenous and endogenous Markov switching models and their applications to both economics and financial time series. I wanted to do something where I could combine my mathematics degree with finance."
Read more about Menli Tirkishova, PhD in Mathematics
"As a PhD student I was very lucky to be surrounded by some very experienced and supportive researchers. We had weekly research meetings which involved other PhD student and staff. We had opportunities to discuss articles, ask questions, problem solve, bring ideas for grants and papers as well as practice presenting for upcoming conferences. We also got asked lots of challenging questions which kept us honest and helped for the viva! Since finishing my PhD I have continued to be a part of the research group and have gone on to lead it. In addition to this I also attended a grant writing workshop which was hosted at Keele. This really helped my writing style and thinking and has stood me in good stead so far."
Read more about Fraser Philp, Lecturer and Programme Director for the BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation
"I found extremely useful the training “Imaginative Writing for Academic Purposes”. This course helped me to develop my writing skills, especially at the beginning of writing a scientific paper."
Read more about David Cabrera, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow
"The Research Supervisor Programme was brilliant! I'd recommend LGBTI Allies training to all staff and students. "
Read more about Abigail Rutter, Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering
Facts and Figures
97% of our research is classed as world-leading, or of international importance. REF 2014
96% graduate employability HESA destinations of leavers in Higher Education 2017
93% of our international postgraduate research students reported overall satisfaction PRES 2019
1st for affordability Marbles.com
