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<\/p>\nOn Tuesday 5 May 2026, students from the Department of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology (DIDE) gathered for a wellbeing-focused pottery painting social. The two-hour session invited PhD students to step away from their research and enjoy an evening of creativity, conversation, and relaxation together.<\/p>\n
Hosted at a local pottery studio, the event gave students the opportunity to paint and personalise their own pottery pieces, which would later be glazed and fired in the kiln to take home. Alongside light snacks and lemonade, the session created a calm and welcoming atmosphere where students could connect outside of their usual academic environment.<\/p>\n
The aim of the social was to encourage students across DIDE to network and bond over the shared experiences of the PhD journey. For many of us, it was also a valuable opportunity to pause, unwind, and spend time engaging in something entirely different from our everyday research work.<\/p>\n
Although I had tried pottery before, I had never experienced it in a social setting. Walking into the studio, I was immediately drawn to the wide variety of pottery pieces lining the shelves. There were traditional plates and bowls, but also more unique and artistic pieces, including elegant vases shaped like human heads, panda-shaped ornaments, and owl mugs. The collection felt both creative and playful, and it took me quite a while to decide what to paint. In the end, I chose a simple plate, thinking it would be the most practical piece for me to use during lunch breaks at the department.<\/p>\n
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Once everyone settled around the table, the atmosphere quickly became calm and comforting. Conversations flowed naturally while everyone focused on painting their pottery. After spending most days immersed in mathematical models, research papers, and screens, it was refreshing to concentrate on something entirely creative. The quiet sounds of paint pots opening, brushes gliding across ceramic surfaces, and occasional laughter created a peaceful environment that felt very different from the intensity of everyday PhD life.<\/p>\n
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What I enjoyed most was how naturally the activity encouraged connection. Without the pressure of formal networking or academic discussion, students were able to relax and simply enjoy each other\u2019s company. It reminded me how important it is to create spaces where postgraduate students can slow down and support their wellbeing alongside their research.<\/p>\n
The pottery social was a simple but meaningful reminder of the importance of balance during postgraduate study. Research can often feel intense and isolating, particularly when much of the day is spent working independently in front of a laptop. Having the opportunity to step away from that environment, engage in a creative activity, and share lighthearted conversations with fellow PhD students felt incredibly refreshing.<\/p>\n
I also appreciated leaving with something tangible that captured the experience. When I eventually use the plate during lunch at SPH, I know it will remind me of the creativity of the evening and the enjoyable time spent with fellow students.<\/p>\n
We would like to thank Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) for funding our DIDE social.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Kate Turpie, PhD Student, School of Public Health On Tuesday 5 May 2026, students from the Department of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology (DIDE) gathered for a wellbeing-focused pottery painting social. The two-hour session invited PhD students to step away from their research and enjoy an evening of creativity, conversation, and relaxation together. Hosted at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":242,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[314461,285093,670],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctoral-students","category-ecr-community-fund","category-research-students"],"yoast_head":"\n