Research Students

 

By building a bridge between doctoral researchers at SOAS it is possible to create a community where there might otherwise be isolation. Your research may be very unique and specific, but we hope to make space where you are able to mix with fellow researchers (and other students too), and benefit from the sharing of ideas, talking through the common challenges of going through a research degree, and associating with other researchers both connected to your department and in the school as a whole. 

There are three main ways to activly engage in the research community. There are lots of positions to put yourself forward for.

1. The Research Student Association (RSA);
2. The department-based Student Representative system; 
3. The Postgraduate Research (PGR) Officer: an elected SU Exec role and a Trustee of the Students' Union, who also links to the RSA. They are a member of school committees which pertain to research. 

 

Elections for all these positions are underway.

Quick links to make a nomination: 1) RSA Board 2) Student Reps and 3) PGR Officer

 

Student Representatives (reps)

Reps are important at every level of study, as a voice for students in the day-to-day experience. At the research level the role is important to coordinating feedback and draw attention to the particular experiences of this cohort so that student researchers are not lost in the institution. 

SOAS undertook an intense survey of doctoral research experience which made a wide set of recommendations. A network of reps can help to see how implementation has worked and how the institution can best support research needs.

Reps are invited as observers to all RSA Board meetings, which is a great forum to discuss what you want with other researchers and decide how to turn it into action. A research rep from each department is asked to attend the Student Feedback Panel, which is a direct line into raising issues with the school.

Rep roles:

• We look for a mimimum of an MPhil and a PhD rep per department. 

 

The Research Students Association (RSA)

The Board of the RSA is made up of seven posts; these are elected in a vote open to all research students. 

Any research student can nominate themself for election in October. The election is run by the S.U.

RSA meetings are at least once per term, organised and lead by research student. The agenda could cover The RSA engages with the Doctoral School, discusses concerns and runs an activity programme to (for example) highlight the research being undertaken and create opportunities to bring doctoral researchers together.

Research Students Association roles: 

visit the school research site for more information

• President: responsible for overseeing the annual planning and daily work of the RSA (including budgeting) and representing the RSA at events. Also responsible for attending meetings with SOAS / S.U / DS and representing the interests of PGR students across the school. 

• Secretary: responsible for overseeing the annual planning and daily work of the RSA (including budgeting) and representing the RSA at events. Also responsible for attending meetings with SOAS / S.U / DS and representing the interests of PGR students across the school. 
• Events and Activities Officer: responsible for organising events and activities and ensuring an active social scene for PGR students across the academic year. Also responsible for allocating annual budget for events appropriately. Currently elected annually in October under the S.U elections.
• Communications Officer: responsible for effective and efficient communication both within the RSA, and with the wider student body where required. Also responsible for maintaining an effective and safe online forum and ensuring that web spaces and social media are maintained. Also responsible for allocating annual budget for communications appropriately. Currently elected annually in October under the S.U elections.
• Academic Support Officer: responsible for encouraging and supporting students to develop their research skills through attending relevant trainings and conferences. Also responsible for allocating annual budget available to Support student led conferences.
• Campaigns Officer: responsible for encouraging and supporting students to develop their research skills through attending relevant trainings and conferences. Also responsible for allocating annual budget available to Support student led conferences.
• Treasurer: responsible for the RSA budget for the academic year, including petitioning the S.U / DS for funds, obtaining the best prices for goods we source, and liaising with members to ensure the financial health of the RSA. The Treasurer will be required to keep a running total of the budget, and update the RSA Board on income and expenditure at Board meetings (Also see section below on Finance). Currently elected annually in October under the S.U elections.