A grant from the Bangor Fund, supported by donations from alumni, administered by the Development and Alumni Relations Office has enabled the Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (ISWE) to bring together its PhD and postdoctoral students for a two-day residential retreat at Gregynog Hall, near Newtown, Powys for training and knowledge exchange.
At the heart of ISWE is the cohort of outstanding 14 doctoral researchers, each pursuing innovative research projects on a multiplicity of themes connected to histories, cultures, and landscapes of Wales. With members based across the country, this retreat provided a rare opportunity for meaningful, in-person connection and an invaluable opportunity for community-building.
Over the two days, participants took part in interactive sessions on writing conference paper abstracts, preparing for the viva, and working on publications. ISWE alumni provided valuable input, as well as taking part in a panel discussion session on life after the PhD, sharing insightful reflections and experiences. Research-led sessions by current PhD students demonstrated the breadth of skills and knowledge within the cohort, as they shared their research expertise in utilising and analysing particular types of primary sources.
Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. One participant shared:
I found that the practical knowledge and experience of alumni and current students was invaluable to boosting my confidence and research skills for completing my PhD.
Dr Lowri Ann Rees, Senior Lecturer in Modern History and project lead along with Dr Shaun Evans and Dr Mari Wiliam, commented:
We're most grateful to the Bangor Fund for funding this project, which allowed us to develop a bespoke programme of PGR research training. As members of the ISWE PhD cohort are based across Wales, and beyond, being able to meet in-person and spend two days at such a fantastic location was formative in community building. We're also incredibly fortunate that our growing ISWE alumni were so willing to take part in the project, sharing career insights and their experiences of life after the PhD.
Bethan Scorey, one of our ISWE doctoral researchers, shared reflections on the recent Gregynog workshop in this blog.
ISWE would like to thank The Bangor Fund and its supporters for making this special workshop possible.