On 22 May 2024, academics, professionals and PGR students came together at Sheffield University Management School for the annual SUMS Doctoral Conference. The conference celebrated the inspiring and world-changing research that our PGR students are doing.
Throughout the day, 40 PGR students across our research centres and clusters delivered presentations about the varied and impactful research they are undertaking. The students presented to their fellow PGRs and academics within their research centre, cluster or subject group. Research Development Directors determined the Best Paper Award winners for each stream drawing on feedback from academics and fellow PGRs.
Before the winners were announced, students and academics came together for a careers panel where a number of our PGR alumni shared their stories transitioning into academic and non-academic careers after their studies. We were delighted to welcome back:
- Dr Grace Whitfield - Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Care
- Dr Juan Pablo Winter - Policy Fellow, Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN) at University of Hull
- Dr Laura Bennett - Head of Enterprise Hub, Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub
- Dr Loice Natukunda - Lecturer in Research Methods, University of Lincoln
- Dr Tobias Stadler - Research and Impact Manager, Skills for Care
In the session, each panel member introduced their career pathway and gave advice to current PGRs about pursuing a career that is best suited to their aspirations and preferences. They then engaged in a lively discussion with the audience on the challenges and opportunities that doing a PhD presents and how these can be leveraged for career development, encouraging our PGRs to be open and flexible while targeting their efforts towards careers that fit their values and identities.
This panel session was followed by a keynote speech delivered by Professor Karen Niven, Head of Work Psychology Subject Group at Sheffield University Management School. Professor Niven’s speech, entitled Being productive while having a life, shared many valuable insights relevant to our PGR students as they consider their future career. She made clear the importance of being discerning when choosing which opportunities to say yes to, the value of surrounding yourself with people who will build you up both in and out of work, and some of the techniques that help her to be productive in her writing.
At the end of the day, before a pie and pea supper, the winning presenters from each stream were announced:
- Eva Andriani for CRAFiC - Strengthening Street Vendors: Utilising Participatory Action Research for Financial Literacy Enhancement with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration
- Songhui Li for CRAFiC - CEO organizational identification and tax avoidance
- Yuhan Jiang for BRISTT - Sequential Influence of Marketing Communications on Clicks and Trust Dynamics for Emerging Digital Technologies
- Atefeh Afsari for ESIB - TRUST BEYOND SILOS: Understanding the dynamics of trust in cross-sector partnerships for sustainable development
- Hannah Boneham for IWP - Does your boss know how to support you to thrive?
- Jai Verma for OMDS - Rethinking indicator-frameworks for circular economy transitions
- Rachael Green for CDW and OSC - Visually Impaired Employees in the Workplace: Understanding Barriers to Promotion Through a Bourdieusian Lens
Professor Fraser McLeay, Dean of Sheffield University Management School, stated, "Our PGRs are the beating heart of our research culture and represent our future academics and research leaders. The School takes great pride in their progress and achievements. A huge thank you to all who played a key role in making the day a success, including Kirsty Newsome, Malcolm Patterson, Emily Green, Helen Curtis, Isobel Fillingham, Amy Lagnado and Sarah Wilkinson, but a particularly big thank you to Conference Chair Anna Topakas. She did a tremendous job bringing this event together, and we’re looking forward to next year's event already."
