All posts by Katia Rahman

News

Cost of Living Support for Canterbury and Medway Students

As a student, it can be difficult to make ends meet, especially if you are on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are resources available to help those who may be struggling to put food on the table. One such resource is food banks. Food banks are non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost food to individuals and families in need.

If you are a student at Canterbury Campus and are in need of assistance, here are some resources to help you find a food bank near you:

  1. University of Kent Campus Pantry (Canterbury)

Campus Pantry is a scheme that provides short-term support to students who find themselves in need of supplemental food. It is located in Mandela Student Centre and the distribution times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 12:00 – 16:00. To use the service for the first time simply go to the Mandela Student Centre Reception during the distribution times, you do not need to answer any questions or show any proof of financial hardship, just your Student ID. You will then be able to select up to 10 food items to ensure your food parcel meets your dietary needs.

  1. The Canterbury Food Bank

The Canterbury Food Bank is run by the Canterbury Food Bank Trust and is located on Military Road. They provide food parcels to individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulties. To receive a food parcel, you must be referred by a professional such as a doctor, social worker, or a Citizens Advice Bureau.

  1. The Salvation Army Canterbury

The Salvation Army in Canterbury runs a food bank which provides food parcels to individuals and families in need. To receive a food parcel, you will need to be referred by a professional such as a doctor, social worker, or a Citizens Advice Bureau.

 

If you are a student at our Medway Campus, these are the useful resources to find a food bank nearby:

  1. The Hub

The Hub at Medway offers an emergency food package of 5 items. You can use this service by completing this online form.

  1. Medway Foodbank

Medway Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people.

  1. Family Food Bank

Through the support of the community and FareShare Kent The Family Food Bank offer a Family Food Box for about £8.50. This will feed a family of four, two meals a day for five days. You are required to collect a voucher from a professional partner or distribution centre and exchange this for a food box.

It’s important to remember that food banks are there to provide assistance to those in need. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You can also consider reaching out to the Wellbeing services within Kent Union and the University for support and advice.

News

New Survey has Launched

The Postgraduate Research student Experience Survey (PRES)  and Postgraduate Taught Student Experience Survey (PTES) are an opportunity for you to provide us with feedback on many aspects of your postgraduate student experience including supervision, progress and assessment, resources, research skills and professional development.

You have all been sent an email with the unique link to the survey. Alternatively, you can use the links below where you will be asked to sign in. To access the survey please enter your Respondent ID as your University of Kent login and your Password is your student ID number. Kent login is the first part of your Kent email address, before the @ and all letters should be lowercase. University of Kent ID number should be 8 digits long. It can be found on your KentOne card.

All students who fully complete the survey will be entitled to claim a free £3 meal deal at Rutherford Dining Hall on the Canterbury campus or a £3 discount in the Pilkington Café on the Medway campus, on behalf of the Graduate Researcher College (valid until the end of July 2023). For Paris and Brussels students an incentive of an equivalent amount will be offered after the survey closes.

We very much hope that you will take this chance to have your say and make your views heard for the benefit of current and future postgraduate students. We appreciate any feedback you may have and we will use it to shape our future policies and student experiences.

Please note the deadline for completing PTES is 16 June and PRES is 15 May.

Thank you for your participation.

News

Join our GradPost Team!

Dear Postgraduates,

We are looking for Sub editor Style+Design to join our GradPost Team.
The GradPost is a magazine created by Kent Postgraduates, for Postgraduates! It is a celebratory publication that aims to bring together the Kent Postgraduate community. This role is voluntary – being part of the GradPost is just for fun! Visa requirements on work etc will not be impacted. Please see the description of the role here.

To apply email KentGRC@kent.ac.uk with the following:
1.    Subject line: GradPost Application
2.    100-300 words on why you would be suitable for this role.

Deadline: 22 February
Previous GradPost Issue

 

Looking forward to your applications,

GradPost Team

 

News

GradPost is calling PG students for articles!

Dear Fellow Postgraduates,  

We wanted to introduce you to your new GradPost Editor, Basma. We are now accepting article submissions for the upcoming spring edition 2023!  

This edition’s major theme is New Normal, you are free to interpret the topic as you choose. We are looking for articles (300-350 words) concerning:  

  • Living away from home for the first time? How does it feel?  
  • For instance, what is something that is a part of your daily routine now, but would have seemed unusual before?  
  • For those seeking to write into the journalistic path, reviews of books, films, and plays speaking to the theme are welcome.   

 We are also looking for shorter submissions (150-200 words) that focus on:

  • Short reflections on any of the above that captured you personally.  
  • Film, TV, Theatre or Art reviews.  
  • Days out, holidays or visiting home stories/suggestions.  
  • Postgrad/community success stories.  
  • Something new you’re trying out or plan to – maybe fitness, writing, cooking, wellness, painting – or something unusual! 

Articles can cover news, your own research projects, past or future events, or anything celebrating your student experience, successes, collaborations, or community.  

Your pieces can be a simple experience from attending a coffee network or a gardening event, or any news/activity that caught your attention in the last few months. We want to know your story so we can share it with others at Kent, so they know what’s happening here, and what to look forward to. While you may write for others to read, for your readers it could be an opportunity to find a new hobby, push their boundaries and attend new places and events, and… and you never know, maybe it was your article that made it all happen. We look forward to reading your piece and bringing out your creative streak. If anything, we are happy to help!  

There is a small leeway on word counts, but we can always help you edit them down. Alternatively, you can send us abstracts/pitches describing your ideas via email, for the editorial team’s consideration. 

Please email us at kentgrc@kent.ac.uk with the headline “GradPost Article” by 4pm 24 March to be considered.   

GradPost Issue Spring 2022

GradPost Issue Summer 2021

GradPost Issue Summer 2019

News

Welcome to the University of Kent!

Dear Postgraduate Student,

We are delighted to welcome you to the University of Kent and to our postgraduate community. To ensure a smooth transition into Kent life and for a chance to meet other students, we would like to invite you to join us at our Graduate and Researcher College Welcome Coffee and Networking Event on 26th January where you will meet us and other postgraduates for an informal chat with refreshments provided. It’s an exciting opportunity for all of you to meet up, build connections, get to know our GRC team and ask any questions you may have and get a free tote bag too.

The Graduate and Researcher College works in partnership with academic schools, Divisions, central service departments and Kent Union to enhance the quality of your student experience across all campuses and to create a vibrant postgraduate community.

It’s a perfect occasion to chat to us about our amazing trainings, available facilities, the Researcher Development Programme, the Postgraduate Community Experience Awards and anything else you might be interested in or just hang out with like-minded people.

Come join us in Canterbury!

9:30 – 11:30

Thursday 26th January 2023

Canterbury Campus

Darwin Conference Suite

Don’t miss out! Sign up here to attend.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

GRC Team

Events, News

Welcome Back Coffee Event

Dear Postgraduates,

We are delighted to welcome you back! We would like to invite you to our Welcome Back Coffee Event on 26th January where you will meet us and other postgraduates for an informal chat with refreshments provided. It’s an exciting opportunity for all of you to meet up, build connections, get to know our GRC team and ask any questions you may have and get a free tote bag too.

The Graduate and Researcher College works in partnership with academic schools, Divisions, central service departments and Kent Union to enhance the quality of your student experience across all campuses and to create a vibrant postgraduate community.

It’s a perfect occasion to chat to us about our amazing trainings, available facilities, the Researcher Development Programme, the Postgraduate Community Experience Awards and anything else you might be interested in or just hang out with like-minded people.

Come join us in Canterbury!

10:30 – 11:30

Thursday 26th January 2023

Canterbury Campus

Darwin Conference Suite

Don’t miss out! Sign up here to attend.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

News

Summer Vacation Research Competition 2023 – for PS staff

Are you a member of staff in a professional services (PS) role? Are you interested in developing a research project around enhancing the research environment, or addressing the ‘wicked problem’ of career progression for PS staff? Would you like to manage a short-term summer research project related to these themes?

For the first time in its six years, the Summer Vacation Research Competition (SVRC) is piloting two opportunities just for PS staff, adding to the number of openings for an UG student to be involved in high quality and cutting-edge research. You could win funding worth up to £2500 to work with an undergraduate intern for 4-7 weeks who will be paid as a research intern at a living wage. The research projects could include developing an idea you have had, researching an initiative you have put into place, gathering and analysing data, and/or disseminating your findings to a wider audience, whilst offering an opportunity to lead and manage research.

  • One prize will be an open competition with the general theme of enhancing the research environment;
  • The second will have the specific remit of assessing and developing models for progression for staff on PS contracts.

The University is committed to supporting the research environment at Kent, and values the work that its highly skilled PS teams do in this regard.

It is also committed to professional and career development of all its staff, which has led to the Academic Career Map and routes for progression for those on ES&PP, E&R, and R contracts, and becoming a signatory to both the Researcher Development Concordat and the Technician Commitment. The University is keen to explore and develop comparable models to encourage progression and career routes for PS staff.

Reflecting on this exciting opportunity, Dr Jennifer Leigh, the event’s co-founder with Dr Helen Leech, said:

“Professional Services staff at Kent do incredible work contributing to the research environment here, and many of them are talented and experienced researchers, despite not having the opportunity to do research in their contracts. This pilot is offering applicants the chance to lead and manage their own research project, either around the general topic of enhancing our research environments, or to address an issue that we know people are passionate about and HR are investigating: to try and find a solution or model to ensure PS staff have the same kinds of opportunities to develop and progress as academic staff.”

The application will be light touch, asking applicants to set out how they would approach and budget for their project and how they would utilise the UG intern’s time and the benefit that they would get from the project. They would have the opportunity to be involved in shortlisting, interviewing, and will then manage the project. Applications can be individual or collaborative and the total fund available is £5000, i.e. £2500 per project. (Please note that alternative competition arrangements exist for PDRAs, RAs and Research Associates.)

Details of how to apply, including the application form, are available via KentNet (Kent staff login required). The closing date for applications is 10 February 2023.

An informal virtual Q&A session about the competition will take place on 12 January, 2023 from 1-2pm and professional services colleagues, as well as PDRAs, RAs and Research Associates, are encouraged to attend. Further details including the Teams meeting link are available via KentNet (Kent staff login required) or please email svrc@kent.ac.uk with any queries in the meantime.

We welcome your application!

 

Funding, News

Summer Vacation Research Competition 2023 – for PDRAs, RAs and Research Associates

Are you a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA), Research Assistant (RA) or Research Associate interested in developing your project and people management skills? Did you know you can apply to run your own independent project and win funding worth up to £2500 to work with an undergraduate intern for 4-7 weeks on your research?

The Summer Vacation Research Competition (SVRC) will run for the sixth time in 2023 with funding available for 12 different summer vacation research projects to be led by PDRAs, RAs or Research Associates, each of which could be associated with a particular Division and/or Signature Research Theme. (Please note that this year two SVRC opportunities will also be offered to Professional Services (PS) staff for the first time.)

The competition models grant writing and application processes, allowing you to design an independent research project, gain a mentor, receive training and be involved with shortlisting, interviewing and managing a RA, project and budget. The SVRC gives UG students, particularly those from Widening Participation backgrounds, an opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects and gain valuable paid work experience.

Feedback from postdoc participants is extremely positive with one commenting: “This experience has been invaluable and has made a massive contribution to my development as an early career researcher. I feel more confident in writing funding applications, recruitment, supervision, and leading research independently.” Learn more about the competition and hear from other winners by viewing the recording of the ‘Valuing, supporting and developing our postdocs’ event – please access the link via KentNet (Kent staff login required) and scroll down – the SVRC element begins at 00:25.

Reflecting on the benefits of participation, Dr Jennifer Leigh, the event’s co-founder with Dr Helen Leech, said:

“This competition is an opportunity for PDRAs to develop their grant writing skills and gain experience in a supportive environment – from designing an independent project, applying for funding, and then managing that project from start to finish. They get to lead on shortlisting applicants, manage a budget, and report on findings. It’s been inspiring to see how many previous winners have found success and are flourishing in their careers.”

Details of how to apply, including the application form, are available via KentNet (Kent staff login required). The closing date for applications is 10 February 2023.

An informal virtual Q&A session about the competition will take place on 12 January, 2023 from 1-2pm and PDRAs, RAs, Research Associates and PS colleagues are encouraged to attend. Further details including the Teams meeting link are available via KentNet (Kent staff login required) or please email svrc@kent.ac.uk with any queries in the meantime.

Good luck with your application!

 

News

Is the cost of living affecting you?

At the University of Kent we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to support you wherever we can. With the cost of living crisis, Kent Union and the University of Kent, in partnership with The Food Foundation, have launched a survey to understand how the cost of living crisis has impacted students and figure out how we can best support you during your time at Kent. The information gathered will help identify the most vulnerable groups of students and the aspects of university life you are most struggling with so we can provide you with tailored support. The results will inform the actions we need to put in place towards achieving the University of Kent’s civic mission to promote food justice, tackle food insecurity and become the world’s first Right to Food University.

You can fill out the survey here.

Taking part in this survey gives you the opportunity to enter our randomised prize draw which will take place once the survey closes. The prizes up for grabs include:
• 6x Co-op vouchers worth £30 each
• 1x Kent Clothing hooded sweatshirt
• 1x meal for 2 at Woodys
• 1x free entry package for the winner and a friend to The Venue
• 25x vouchers for a free tea or coffee at the Library Cafe
• 15x Kent One card credits worth £20 each

Your voice matters and we are here to support you throughout these difficult times.

If you are affected by any of the topics covered in this survey, you can find support here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/student-support.

If you would like support with money advice, you can find advice here: https://kentunion.co.uk/here-for-you/advice.

For further information on how Kent Union and the University of Kent are supporting you during the cost of living crisis, check out the Cost of Living Support page.