Sam Browning, Geography & Environment, University of Liverpool (2024 cohort)

*(Please read/listen here to the narrated version or do both based on whatever you prefer)!

Hi Folks,

Each year, the NWSSDTP rep team collaborates to create an impactful event for students across all our institution partners. In this piece, I am sharing some thoughts on co-organising last month’s (28th April) DTP’ Conference Training Day’ event at the University of Manchester, which has proved to be a huge success.

The event required meticulous planning and coordination between us as reps to make this happen in readiness for the start of the academic summer conference season. We wanted to devise an in-person event to enhance your knowledge of the “do’s and don’ts“ of attending/presenting at social and life science conferences, while offering all guests vital opportunities for networking throughout the day. Designing a wide range of activities enabled us to shape a broad agenda to cater to the various needs of all attendees.  

Overall, the event day went smoothly from co-managing logistics to venue setup and organising catering. The event’s overall success was influenced by active engagement from all student attendees. Panel discussions, networking and interactive sessions brought about thought-provoking conversations, aiding the formulation of new contacts and ideas for future work across the DTP community.

Several challenges were identified and mitigated in preparation for the event. Time management remained a critical issue on the day. However, most activities did not run longer than anticipated due to thorough practice and execution in delivery. Flexibility was built into the schedule to allow for adjustments without sacrificing the overall flow. We also deliberately designed the content to suit varying levels of expertise among students to ensure relevance and inclusivity.

Your post-event feedback has been invaluable so far. Surveys and one-to-one discussions provided insights into what you liked and what you would recommend for improvement next time. All attendees appreciated the chance to interact with new and existing peers across the DTP, both for academic and social purposes, highlighting again the importance of networking at a conference-themed event. As a group of reps, we will continue to reflect on your constructive feedback to refine future events, ensuring they continue to rise in popularity and effectiveness at meeting the training needs of all PGRs.

Co-organising the event has been a vital learning experience: Bolstering my project management and teamwork skills, particularly around the significance of adaptability in practice and consistent written/verbal communication. It was also satisfying to witness the workshop’s positive impact on all, reinforcing the dual academic-social value of organising more events for PGRs as a team of reps in the future.

As a closing remark, thank you to all who attended the day and made a real difference through your thoughtful engagement during all the activities on offer. I would personally thank the rest of the rep team for their hard work, dedication and collaboration in making this event possible, alongside completing their PhD projects. Also, many thanks again to Hannah Smith PGR, Dr. Olivia Fletcher, Dr. Kirsty Watkinson and Dr. Joe Blakey for their time and insightful contributions to our conference-themed panel discussion.

Co-running such an event is a multifaceted endeavour that requires laser-point planning, collaborative execution and continuous reflection. The experience has benefited fellow students and contributed to my professional and personal growth.