What’s going on?

We recently heard back from the Graduate School that our application to the Postgraduate Community Experience Awards was successful!

As a result, we can now run the Critical Excursions in Kent project at no cost to participants.

What is the Critical Excursions in Kent project?

The Critical Excursions in Kent project is aimed at postgraduate students at Kent. The project will involve monthly trips out into the countryside and coast around Canterbury, providing an opportunity to get away from your desk, meet other PhD people, spend time outdoors and get active. We will also share a vaguely related reading before each excursion and have a chat about it during the walk.

What will each excursion involve?

Each will be different, but they are likely to involve some preparatory reading, travel by public transport or car, and up to 10km of walking, often on unmade and/or muddy paths. Destinations will likely include nature reserves, woodland, country parks and orchards.

In most cases, there will not be cafes or shops, so you should come prepared with any food and drink you might need. There is a high likelihood that we will spend the walk on muddy footpaths and exposed to the vagaries of the weather. Check the weather forecast, be sceptical, and come suitably prepared with appropriate footwear and clothing that will help you to cope with the weather.

One excursion is likely to involve a trip on a historic sailing barge in the Thames estuary. For this excursion, passengers board and disembark via a near vertical ladder attached to the harbour wall. The sailing will be from Whitstable and will probably last all day. More details will follow in due course.

How do I book a space?

You will be able to book a space for each excursion on this website. You will need to complete a registration form and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What will it cost?

All transport costs and any entry fees will be covered by the project.

How many people can attend?

Each excursion will be limited to around 8 participants so that we don’t overwhelm the places we visit.

How will we know the way?

We will plan and lead each excursion. We have been to most of the sites we plan to visit and vaguely know the way. Make a note of the organisers’ mobile numbers and if you become separated from the group call as soon as possible! As a small group, we should be able to stay together and avoid this happening.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We will check the weather forecast and make a decision about whether to proceed in the days before the excursions and let you know. As a result, it is really important that you provide an email address that you check regularly and that you will have access to in the day or two before the trip. We will also advertise any last minutes changes via the Grad School Facebook – @UniKentGradSch and Twitter – @UniKentGradSch

What should I do if I have booked but can’t make it?

Please email the organisers and cancel you space as soon as possible so that other people can sign up. If you need to cancel at short notice please email the organisers and the Graduate School at graduateschool@kent.ac.uk