PGR Experience Committee

1. To develop, monitor the implementation of, and review policy and guidance on matters relating to the support and personal and professional development of PGRs (including induction, training, mentoring, intercultural communication, enrichment activities, public engagement and careers) and to promote a vibrant community of PGRs within a PGR-friendly research culture (referring to the PGR Policies and Programmes Committee where relevant for inclusion in the Policy on Research Degrees).
2. To develop, monitor the implementation of, and review policy and guidance on matters relating to the support and development of PGR supervisors (referring to the PGR Policies and Programmes Committee where relevant for inclusion in the Policy on Research Degrees).
3. To support the enhancement of 1 and 2 above through the identification and dissemination of good practice and innovation in these areas (institutionally, nationally and internationally) and through the development and celebration of good practice and innovation in these areas at York.
4. To advocate for PGRs within the University’s professional support services and to identify and provide feedback to any services where the availability or delivery of support is not appropriate or sufficient for PGRs.
5. To develop, monitor and review a YGRS internal engagement and communications plan.
6. To encourage PGR engagement on matters relating to the support and personal and professional development of PGRs (in conjunction with the Graduate Students’ Association).
7. To promote equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to all the above.

Ex officio members

• Professor Jason Lynam, Chemistry (Chair)
• Claire Anderson, Wentworth College Manager
• Professor Kate Arnold, Dean of the York Graduate Research School
• Megan McLoughlin, Head of the Building Research and Innovation Capacity Team
• Christine Comrie, PGR Content Producer (Alternate: Caitlin McDowell)
• Jo Hardy, Student Wellbeing Programme Manager
• Cecilia Lowe, Learning Services representative (Alternate: Dawn Lindsey)
• Lindsey Myers, Open Research Manager
• Tom Richens, Student Administration and Academic Affairs
• Janice Simpson, Postgraduate Careers Consultant (Alternate: Tom Coward)
• Aurora Zhang, Vice-President (Wellbeing and Community) of the GSA (alternate VP Academic or President)

Nominated members

• Departmental/faculty PGR representative (or alternate): Jack Bradley
• Up to two academics from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Dr James Boaden, History of Art (until 31 July 2026)
• Up to two academics from the Faculty of Sciences: Dr Amanda Barnes, Biology (until 31 July 2025)
• Up to two academics from the Faculty of Social Sciences:  Dr Sally Hancock, Education (until 31 July 2025)
• Graduate Administrator: Rachel Crooks, Chemistry (until 31 July 2025)

In attendance

• BRIC members: Stewart Barker, Dominika Butler, Francina Clayton, Vic Noble
• GSA President: Mardan Nasier
• GSA Student Voice: Chelsey Goobey
• YGRS Project Officers

Quoracy: One third of members. 

Terms of appointment

Appointed academic members should have considerable experience of supervising PGRs and/or supporting the PGR experience.

The Graduate Administrator member must be serving in that capacity.

For appointed members the standard term of office is three years and maximum term is six years.

Unless otherwise stated, the deadline for receiving papers is two weeks before the meeting.

Meeting dates 2023-24

Standing items

• Business referred from other YGRS committees (eg arising from discussion of policy, or arising from reports received, eg GSA Casework Report)
• Student Life Committee and Student Experience Operations Group minutes (for information)

2022/23

• Minutes Tuesday 18 October 2022
• Minutes Tuesday 7 February 2023
• Minutes Tuesday 16 May 2023

2021/22

• Minutes Tuesday 5 July 2022