Annual PGR Conference 2026: Some reflections
By Reubin Whatton
The Conference itself
Every year, Leeds Trinity holds its annual PGR conference, for postgraduate research students wanting to both share and indulge in a vast array of research topics. The conference is well attended by both staff and students alike and has a format not dissimilar to many major academic conferences around the globe, with multiple modes of research dissemination being platformed. The conference this year included oral presentations given by Stephen Bingham, whose work and engaging presentation on problematic pornography use and its effects on the work-place won him the best overall presentation for the day (and a shiny trophy to suit!). Along with Nick Asiedu presenting on his research surrounding care for the elderly and its effectiveness, Michelle Hall and her work and one given rather tentatively by myself!
To provide an entryway for early years researchers who may not have conducted their own primary research, the conference also made room for the showcasing and presentation of thematic posters. Collins Ifere presented on his poster, showcasing AI in remote-working systems, whilst complementary posters adorned the lateral walls of the conference room by Damilola Arotile, Mia Wallace, and Aaron Schoettner.
For PGRs (Post-Graduate Researchers), we particularly enjoyed getting to see one another, especially as so much of our undertakings and work occur across a suite of sites, now ever increasingly online. The conference provided a comfortable and collaborate atmosphere for us all to chat, with supervisors, PGR department heads, and amongst ourselves as PGRs in an environment that allowed us to get closer to one another. As postgraduate students can begin their research across the whole year, new faces had joined since I had begun, that I was yet to bump into. The day made for interesting conversations, and a pledge from ourselves to collaborate and communicate more as fellow students and friends.
One note which had arisen from experiences on the day, was a desire from us all to have more community-fostering events such as this, revolving around research and career-progression. It in many ways – despite the event’s formality – acted as a fun show-and-tell amongst early years researchers, to both share things that excite us and form the bulk-part of our days over the span of three to four years, and to put a feel out, gaging reactions and our own comfort-levels in presenting on our research; an essential skill for a career in academia or the private sector. Martin and Kate from the PGR office committed on the day to holding more events such as this, and we as PGRs cannot wait to attend them!
Notes from the day
As I conducted primary research during my Masters degree, I was able to present. I thought that it would be nice to include a little biopic on the process of preparing for, and mentally enduring something as scary as a (first) conference. After having submitted a notice of intent for presenting at the conference – what had been glee at being told that I had a spot, as I was able to present on research findings which I had always intended to publish, quickly turned into a rout of anxiety, especially as the conference neared. I do not so much suffer from social anxiety – nor would I call myself a perfectionist – though I can be overwhelmed at time by the pressure to perform, especially in front of so many colleagues from across the University. As the calendar cornered the conference’s date, the feeling worsened. I had to remind myself that ultimately, as an academic community, we are here to support each other and that this was the nicest parachuting into conference speaking that a PGR can hope for. Many of our supervisors attended, cheered us on, and supported us with constructive questions after our talks. I even got to meet my secondary, external supervisor in-person for the first time. The event felt celebratory, rather than anything more sombre or clinical.
For all my worrying, my talk went off without a hitch. And getting to see and interact with other researchers in very similar positions, made for a great ‘check in’ as to where we’re all at, as the undertaking of a PhD can be a very lonely one at times. Collins and I regularly bump into each other in the PGR research room at City Campus; our work sessions would quickly become the office equivalent of a fireside chat, sharing stories and anecdotes from our respective lives. Getting to see his project up on the big screen, to hear about it further, and to see his elation after presenting being alongside so many kind, and welcoming faces made me feel warm. It is a welcome reminder that despite the solitary-nature of each of our respective PhD projects, the struggle in of itself is enough to bring us together and to create wonderful memories such as these.
One PGR who I had not conversed with beyond a saluting smile in the research office, made a comment about me not seeming approachable. I had felt the same about him, and so many others that I had only gotten the chance to talk with at the conference. I Initially felt guilty for not being chattier whilst at work. Though as the day went on, I would come to reflect on community versus work. In times where I have – and I am sure that this is the experience of many other PGRs – been particularly busy, or stressed about the demand for busyness that PGRs so often feel, community can take a back seat as everything work-related, becomes a source of this stress. The blurred line between university as a personally professional and academic venture, and it as a community of likeminded and passionate individuals looking to share their ideas, is ever present. As of the 2026 PGR Conference, it has reminded me that sometimes something more than a welcoming smile, or a little gesture can break and redefine those blurred lines. Not only fostering the community-side of our work as PGRs, though in this, redefining what it means to do a PhD as a community of individuals trying to make change in their respective fields.
As Martin has heeded our calls for more forums and events that break the professional and workload mould, I am excited to continue to and even more greatly so, share the challenging and sometimes confusing journey that can be the undertaking of a PhD with my fellow PGRs.