York Graduate Research School Board

2a) Strategic development, planning, performance monitoring and resourcing: items for consideration and/or decision

1. To develop, monitor the implementation of, and review the vision and strategy for YGRS.
2. To champion postgraduate researchers (PGRs) within the University, including the contribution that PGRs make to the University's research strategy, and to promote a research culture, at all levels within the institution, that is supportive of PGRs.
3. To identify national and international developments relating to postgraduate research (PGR) provision and ensure that appropriate action is taken so that York remains competitive with other research intensive institutions.
4. Through the work of its sub-committees, to:
• develop, monitor and review regulations, policies and guidance on PGR matters, including Regulation 2 and the Policy on Research Degrees;
• ensure accountability, transparency and consistency with respect to the funding and recruitment of PGRs;
• assure the standards of PGR programmes, and to monitor and promote the enhancement of the quality of the academic experience of PGRs;
• coordinate and oversee matters relating to the personal and professional development of PGRs and their wellbeing.
5. To monitor the development and delivery of strategic PGR initiatives including Doctoral Training Partnerships, Centres for Doctoral Training and similar, and international collaborations with a significant PGR component to ensure they meet their objectives.
6. To act as a Board of Studies for interdisciplinary PGR programmes (in accordance with the supplementary terms of reference).
7. To promote equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to all the above.

Ex officio members

• Professor Kate Arnold, Dean of the YGRS (Chair)
• Professor Andy Dougill, Dean for the Faculty of Sciences (Alternate: Associate Dean for Research, Jane Hill)
• Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students (Alternate: Associate PVC for Teaching, Learning and Students, Steve King)
• Professor Duncan Petrie, Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Alternate: Associate Dean for Research, Richard Ogden)
• Professor Karen Rowlingson, Dean for the Faculty of Social Sciences (Alternate: Associate Dean for Research, Nina Caspersen)
• Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research (Alternate: Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Sarah Thompson)

Student representatives

• Mardan Nasier, President of the GSA
• Cytheria Shen, GSA Vice-President (Academic) or Aurora Zhang, GSA Vice-President (Welfare) 

Appointed academic members

• Professor Peter Smith, Faculty of Social Sciences, until 31 July 2024
• Professor Sean Sweeney, Faculty of Sciences, until 31 July 2025
• Dr Sethina Watson, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, until 31 July 2025

Members

• Tom Banham, Interim Academic Registrar
• Justine Daniels (from January 2024), Director of Research and Enterprise
• Jonny Exon, CEO of GSA
• Professor Jonathan Finch, Faculty PGR Lead for Arts and Humanities
• Professor Alison Laird, Faculty PGR Lead for Sciences
• Dr Daryl Martin, Faculty PGR Lead for Social Sciences
• Tom Richens, Deputy Head of Student Administration (PGRs and Casework) (Secretary)

Observers

• Jess Main, PGRA Student Services Officer (Minute Secretary) 

Quoracy

One third of members including at least two at PVC, Dean or Associate Dean level.

Membership review

Elected members are elected by Faculty Executive Groups following a nomination process.

Elected members should be current or former Graduate Chairs (or similar, eg DTP/CDT leads) and/or have considerable experience of supervising PGRs.

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

Meeting dates 2023/2024

Meeting frequency

Three times per academic year

Meeting modes

Meetings may be in person or via Zoom.

2022-23

• YGRS Board Minutes December 2022 (PDF , 322kb)
• YGRS Board Minutes April 2023 (PDF , 130kb)
• YGRSB Minutes YGRS Board July 2023 (PDF , 144kb)

2021-22

• YGRS Board Minutes January 2022 (PDF , 314kb)
• YGRS Board Minutes February 2022 (PDF , 328kb)
• YGRS Board Minutes June 2022 (PDF , 315kb)

2020-21

• YGRS Board Minutes December 2020 (PDF , 245kb)
• YGRS Board Minutes February 2021 (PDF , 335kb)
• YGRS Board Minutes June 2021 (PDF , 298kb)

YGRSB reports to Senate via University Research Committee. 

YGRSB has three sub-committees:

• PGR Policies and Programme Committee
• PGR Funding and Recruitment Committee
• PGR Experience Committee.