Tuesday 07-01-2025 - 12:22

A fabulous aspect of being a DTA postgraduate researcher is the opportunity to attend core in-person residential events organised by the DTA. Autumn Connect is the first event for the academic year. It’s an opportunity for the DTA team to welcome the new cohort of PGRs, and to offer a platform for current cohorts to reconnect and meet the newest cohort. Autumn Connect 2024 took place on 28-29 November at the Wellcome Collection in London. PGRs from new and current cohorts cherished the opportunity to meet their peers and seek motivation from their experiences. A couple of PGRs, one from the previous cohort and one from the newest, shared their experiences of attending their first in-person DTA event in this blog post below.

 

Finding Confidence and Community: Lessons from DTA Autumn Connect

Shehani Pigera, DTA Future Societies Researcher from Teesside University

When I began my PhD journey at Teesside University in October 2022, I received a welcoming email from DTA and a link to create a profile. But instead of diving in, I hesitated. Over the months, DTA continued to reach out by email about events and initiatives. I occasionally accepted invitations to online sessions but did not actively participate.

That changed when I joined one of the “Power Hour of Writing” sessions. These sessions, with writing exercises, sparked a shift in my mindset. Little did I know that a single decision would change the dynamics of my PhD experience. For the first time, I saw DTA not as a distant entity but as a supportive community. Encouraged by this, I began attending more online sessions, which positively impacted my personal and professional growth.

When the email about Autumn Connect 2024 arrived, I hesitated again. Could I fit in? Would I feel out of place after two years of limited engagement? I hadn’t created a DTA profile or connected much during my first year, which added to my doubts. Still, the value I found in the online sessions gave me the courage to say yes, thinking, ‘Better late than never.’  

Finally, I made it to London. My anxiety began to fade during the activity on PhD topics. I had always worried about whether my background fit my research area. Hearing others share their diverse experiences made me realise how much I had been overthinking. For the first time, I felt at ease with my journey.

The session on RDF was another revelation. Despite all the tools and technology at my fingertips, I had never explored this framework. Learning about RDF opened doors I had not even known existed. However, what truly stayed with me was the phrase shared by Andrew: “Look at that church tower ten miles away and go in that direction.” It reminded me that every step matters, even when the destination feels unclear. Conversations with fellow participants reminded me of the power of community. As PhD students, we often feel isolated in our journeys, but this experience showed me that support is always within reach if we seek it out.

Looking back, I wish I had engaged with DTA from the start, but it is never too late to take that step. Whether attending an event, joining a session, or replying to an email, these opportunities can transform your journey in ways you cannot predict.

DTA Autumn Connect was a bridge that helped me move from doubt to confidence, from isolation to connection, and from hesitation to purpose. For that, I will always be grateful!!

 

Experience from DTA Autumn Connect 2024

Roopsa Ghosh, DTA Future Societies Researcher from Teesside University

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) Autumn Connect 2024 at the Wellcome Collection in London—a two-day event from 28th to 29th November. The experience was filled with learning, making new connections, and gaining motivation for the journey ahead as a PhD researcher.

Day 1: Learning and Building Connections

From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Jennie Eldridge, Laurella Noble, and Rabia Arshad set the tone beautifully. The interactive icebreaker was a great way for me to connect with my peers.

A highlight of the day was Rabia’s session on Researcher Development Framework (RDF) - a practical tool I now plan to use for structuring my professional and career growth (second picture). Hearing current DTA researchers share their experiences was equally inspiring, offering valuable insights and encouragement.

We ended the day with lots of bowling, pool, and pizza! It was the perfect opportunity to bond and build new friendships.

Day 2: Exploring Ethical Challenges and Creativity

The second day was packed with thought-provoking discussions and creative techniques. Andrew Rawnsley’s workshop on ethical challenges in research stood out; it made me reflect on the responsibilities and complexities we face as researchers e.g., how to strike a balance between epistemic and moral values (third picture).

Later, Katharine D’Souza’s session on creative writing was just what I needed. Her tips on adding creativity into academic writing were inspiring, leaving me eager to experiment with my style in future projects.

Takeaways

This event wasn’t just about workshops—it was about people. I met fellow researchers working on incredible projects, including cancer research, and had the chance to learn from their journeys. The DTA University Alliance (UK) is more than a program, it’s a supportive community that I’m proud to be part of.

A heartfelt thank you to Teesside University for nominating me for being a part of DTA Researchers and Alumni. Lastly, I want to thank my supervisor Sreejith Raveendran, PhD, FHEA and National Horizons Centre for providing me the opportunity and platform to carry out my PhD project.