Category: ECR Networks

Imperial PhD Women’s Network – Committee Member Applications Open!

The Imperial PhD Women’s Network was established last year to improve the student experience for women at Imperial. We are seeking PhD student committee members from all departments across college to run the network, shape the activities and create better opportunities for women at Imperial. In this position, you will be required to attend bi-weekly lunch-time meetings (30 mins) and help organise and run events as and when required. Interested students should have completed at least one year of their PhD. If you are interested, please fill out the application form by Friday August 14th 2026.

Background

The PRES 2023 indicated that women PhD students are experiencing less satisfaction than their male counterparts at Imperial.  In response to this, ECRI (formally the Graduate School), in partnership with the Union and Associate Provost EDI, established the “Women PhD Perspectives Project.”  The objectives of the project were to:

  •          Understand more deeply the barriers and challenges experienced by women PhD students at Imperial
  •          Generate ideas for tangible actions the College could take to improve the experience of women PhD students.
  •          Report findings/recommendations to ECRI (formerly the Graduate School), Student Experience Forum, Postgraduate Research and Quality Committee (PRQC) and the Education and Student Experience Committee.

The project comprised of three activities (a women’s experiences workshop, the collection and review of PhD case studies submitted by women students, and a survey sent to all women PhD students), which informed the final recommendations. A recurring theme, which emerged at each stage of the project, was the need to establish stronger networks for women Doctoral and Early Career Researchers. As such, funding was awarded to appoint Student Programme Partners (SPP) to work with academic and administrative leads to establish this network.

Kind regards,

Shana (Physics), Charlotte (Mathematics)

Imperial PhD Women’s Network Co-Leads

Email: imperialwomensphdnetwork@imperial.ac.uk

Imperial Waves Community Event (8 July)

Welcome to the Imperial Waves Community!

We represent students and researchers across Imperial who study waves.

Following the success of the previous Waves Day hosted by Prof. Richard Craster, we are launching Waves Day – Student Edition, our flagship event for PhD students and Postdocs. This will be an informal event aimed at bringing students and researchers together from a variety of departments to share knowledge and tools, discuss problems, give talks and network/socialise.

Agenda:

  1. 4-5pm
    1. Introduction to the Imperial Waves Community
    2. Prof. Mike Lowe, Head of NDE – Inspection of Pipelines Using Guided Ultrasonic Waves
    3. Xuekang Liu, RA, Dept of EEE – BD-RIS and MiLAC: Principles and Prototyping for Wireless Systems
    4. Closing presentation and feedback
  2. 5-6pm
    1. Pizza ‘n’ Projects – a chance for everyone to share what they’re working on (bring a poster/laptop if you want!)
  3. After 6pm
    1. Drinks @ Eastside

When/Where?
4-6pm, 8 July 2026
Room 120, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington

Please forward this form to other PhD students and Postdocs who study waves and would be interested in attending the event.

We’re looking for speakers! If you know any students/academics who would like to present at the event (or future events), let us know in the form below.

Black and Minority Ethnic Early Career Researcher Conference (10 July 2026)

Invitation: Black and Minority Ethnic Early Career Researcher (BME ECR) Conference

Friday, Jul 10, 2026 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Location: Great Hall King’s College London

Registration and programme on Eventbrite

We would like to invite you to attend the 10th BME Early Career Researchers  (BME ECR) conference at the Great Hall King’s College London.

Our highly anticipated 10th BME ECR Conference is taking  place on Friday, 10th July 2026. This event is set to be a remarkable gathering, bringing together a diverse group of BME emerging researchers and senior academics  from various disciplines celebrating the achievements of the past 10 years and looking to the future.

Attendees can look forward to a day themed: Recognition, Reflection and Renewal, where we will be hearing 10 Impact studies and through a panel discussions learn in dept what worked for them.

In addition to the formal presentations, the conference will host a series of future-focused conversations designed to inspire innovative thinking and collaboration among participants. These discussions will form a vision workshop where the findings will shape the future of BME ECR conference and network.

Networking opportunities will be plentiful, offering attendees the chance to connect with peers, establish new relationships, and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals who share a passion for advancing the academic careers of BME early career researchers.

Whether you are an BME early-career researcher looking to expand your knowledge, or an academic interested in the future of BME Research, this conference promises to be an invaluable experience. Mark your calendars and prepare to engage with a vibrant BME ECR network.

Please feel free to register here – THE 10TH BME ECR CONFERENCE Tickets, Friday, Jul 10, 2026 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm | Eventbrite<https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-10th-bme-ecr-conference-tickets-1981558459695>

 

Able network for disabled staff, research postgrads and allies

Able is a disability network that creates a supportive community for disabled staff, postgraduate research students and allies. The network welcomes those who live with a disability and/or physical or mental health condition, whether life-long, newly acquired, self-identified or diagnosed, regardless of whether they identify as disabled or not. They also encourage allies who are supportive of disability equality and equity in the workplace.

Each Friday morning at 9.00am the group meets for a virtual coffee and chat, where members can discuss topics relating to disability, share their lived experiences and become part of a community.

Find out more about the Able network and sign up by completing the online form.

Seeking new members to join Imperial’s Athena Swan SAT – an opportunity for you to help shape Imperial’s gender equality work

Seeking new members to join Imperial’s Athena Swan SAT – an opportunity for you to help shape Imperial’s gender equality work

Imperial’s Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT) is responsible for discussing gender equality issues and keeping track of progress on our Action Plan. The SAT helps to represent the different areas and groups across the university and lived experiences. As a member, you would be expected to contribute to discussions and provide a ‘voice’ for the postdoc / fellow community and your department.

Meetings of the SAT take place roughly every month for 90 minutes – usually on Teams. Though we will try to hold perhaps two meetings a year in-person, based on previous feedback from the SAT. We recognise the difficulties of scheduling and availability, and accept that SAT members may not be able to attend every meeting.

Starting this spring / summer, the focus of the SAT will begin to switch to a full self-assessment process to prepare for Imperial’s Athena application in July 2027. Joining the SAT is an opportunity to help influence Imperial’s future gender equality work and action plan. We are planning to create additional sub groups for the SAT, to focus on particular areas (for example culture, career development, etc). We are still thinking about how best these will work, trying to take lessons from last submission and the current work of the Race Equality Charter SAT (submitting this year).

Please contact Robert Bell should you be interested in joining the group

robert.bell@imperial.ac.uk

Join a new PhD Participatory Research Network!

A group of PhD students has set up a PhD Participatory Research Network (funded by LISS-DTP) to connect PhD students interested in participatory methods – approaches where people with lived experience are active partners in shaping all stages of the research process. Each month, we’ll meet to explore a different theme through interactive workshops, peer discussions, and guest speakers. Together, we’ll build a collective toolkit of resources and guidance by PhD students, for PhD students.

Our first session will be held at REACH Space, 3rd Floor, Surrey Street East Wing, Strand Campus, King’s College London, on Wednesday 5th November, 2pm-4pm. Our network is open to all PhD students from King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, and Imperial College London. If you are based elsewhere but would like to join, please email Emma (e.hayashibara@qmul.ac.uk). As spaces are limited, please register your interest via Eventbrite to secure your place. If you can no longer attend, kindly cancel your registration so that someone else can take your spot.

For any questions about the network, feel free to contact Emma (e.hayashibara@qmul.ac.uk).

Help Us Build the Student Parent and Carers Network at Imperial!

Are you a parent, an expectant parent, or a carer navigating student life at Imperial?

We understand that balancing academic life with parenting or caregiving responsibilities can be both incredibly rewarding and uniquely challenging. That’s why we’re building a stronger, more supportive Student Parent and Carers Network, and we invite you to be part of it.

Our first crucial step is to find out more about the experiences and needs of Imperial student parents and carers. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking here: Imperial Student Parent and Carers survey

This network is designed to offer:

✅ Peer Support: Connect with fellow student parents and carers who understand your experience.

✅ Dedicated Events: Family-friendly, care-friendly and flexible networking opportunities, support sessions, and socials.

✅ Advocacy & Voice: Help shape how Imperial supports students like you.

✅ Resources & Guidance: Clear, accessible information on everything from parental or emergency leave, advice on childcare, wellbeing, and flexible study options.

Whether you’re currently parenting, expecting a child, supporting a partner who is, or caring for a family member or friend, you are welcome here.

How to Join:

Simply complete the survey above and join at the end, or reply to this email with your details and we will add you to the Network.

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at, studentparentsandcarers@imperial.ac.uk