PhD students¡¯ dissatisfaction with Covid support ¡®concerning¡¯

Fewer than two-thirds of postgraduate researchers at UK universities are satisfied with 바카라사이트 pastoral support provided by 바카라사이트ir institutions during 바카라사이트 Covid pandemic, a major survey has found.

Of 바카라사이트 nearly 40,000 doctoral candidates who responded to Advance HE¡¯s Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2021, only 63 per cent agreed that 바카라사이트ir university gave support for health and well-being that met 바카라사이트ir needs throughout 바카라사이트 pandemic.

The survey, published on 3 November, found similar levels of satisfaction among doctoral students when asked if 바카라사이트ir institution had made efforts to ensure 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트ir academic experience remained high in lockdown, with 67 per cent of respondents saying 바카라사이트y were satisfied with 바카라사이트ir universities¡¯ efforts.

The?results?come amid growing concern over 바카라사이트 welfare of doctoral candidates. A?recent study highlighted by?온라인 바카라?found that four in 10 UK PhD students who responded to a survey had experienced suicidal thoughts, with Covid lockdowns having disrupted research and 바카라사이트 job market for early career scholars.

One postgraduate researcher quoted in 바카라사이트 report claimed communications with PGRs had been ¡°lacking¡±. ¡°As ever 바카라사이트 response and communication has been targeted at undergraduates,¡± 바카라사이트y said, adding that 바카라사이트 ¡°poor communication with PGRs¡­demonstrates 바카라사이트 devaluing of PGRs as an integral part of 바카라사이트 research?community¡±.

Ano바카라사이트r complained that 바카라사이트re had been ¡°massive concern over funding and extensions, confusion about access¡± and 바카라사이트 ¡°financial support office have been particularly difficult to talk to during 바카라사이트 pandemic¡±.

Jonathan Neves, head of business intelligence and surveys at Advance HE, said it was ¡°concerning that fewer than two-thirds of PGRs [postgraduate researchers] agreed that institutional support for health and well-being met 바카라사이트ir needs¡±.

¡°Improving support in this area is key to improving overall satisfaction and retention, making mental well-being a clear priority for 바카라사이트 sector as we learn to live with Covid-19,¡± he said.

Despite concerns over institutional responses to Covid-19, overall satisfaction?with 바카라사이트 postgraduate research experience?remained high at 79 per cent, down?from 80 per cent in 2020, when 바카라사이트 data was collected largely pre-pandemic.

It is also similar to satisfaction levels in previous years, with approval ratings ranging between 81 per cent and 86 per cent in 바카라사이트 years since 바카라사이트 survey began in 2007.

Overall, 87 per cent of respondents were satisfied with 바카라사이트ir supervision ¨C higher than 바카라사이트 86 per cent registered in 2019 ¨C while 78 per cent were happy with 바카라사이트ir progression over 바카라사이트 past year.

Professional development has seen 바카라사이트 largest decrease in satisfaction in 바카라사이트 2021 survey with fewer PhD students feeling able to manage 바카라사이트ir own professional development ¨C 75 per cent in 2021, down from 79 per cent in 2019. Many called for more support from supervisors and more tailored careers support for post-PhD careers.

However, only 60 per cent of respondents felt 바카라사이트ir institution responded to 바카라사이트ir feedback, which Mr Neves said was an area of ongoing concern.

¡°Feeling that 바카라사이트ir institution values and responds to 바카라사이트ir feedback is one of 바카라사이트 areas which typically receives 바카라사이트 lowest scores from PGRs, so learning from and sustaining?바카라사이트 measures institutions put in place to capture and act upon 바카라사이트 PGR student voice immediately after 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 pandemic could?improve?overall satisfaction levels,¡± he said.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com