Equipping doctoral research students at King's College London to excel

Tag: Funding

New Scholars for the Africa International PGR Scholarships Announced

 

Three new scholars have been awarded funding under the competitive 2021/22 Africa International PGR Scholarship scheme. Established by the Centre for Doctoral Studies in 2020, this scheme invites students from African countries to apply to a PhD programme at King’s and conduct research that is relevant to Africa, particularly in the interdisciplinary areas across Conflict, Peace and Security, Global Health, Development and Digital Technology. Successful candidates receive full funding for up to four years, including tuition fees, a stipend, and an annual research support grant.

“The Centre for Doctoral Studies is delighted to appoint three new PGR students to our Africa International PGR scholarship program after an exciting competition of truly excellent applicants. We look forward to welcoming our new international students in October who will begin their research projects in the areas of oral healthcare, palliative care app development and the social impact of digital innovation.”

Professor Rebecca Oakey, Dean for Doctoral Studies, Centre for Doctoral Studies

“I’m delighted to welcome three more doctoral researchers to King’s through our Africa International PGR Scholarship programme. This programme is an important strand of our commitment to diversify our PGR community, as described in our Race Equality Charter action plan. Our African scholars will all undertake interdisciplinary projects which focus on African issues, consistent with King’s service ethos and a core value of our internationalisation vision of having a global problem-solving mindset.”

Professor ‘Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President & Vice Principal (International)

 

 

2021/22 Africa International Scholars:

Scholar Research Project Title
Birke Bogale Lema Health system strengthening, redevelopment and modelling oral healthcare in post-conflict countries and fragile health systems: a case study of Ethiopia
Nuhamin Tekle Gebre Co-development and piloting of an app for community health workers to expand palliative care coverage in Africa

 

Mmekidmfonabasi Umanah Tech for Good: The Social Impact of Digital Innovation and how it is applied by Social Enterprises in Nigeria

 

Comments from the scholars:

“I feel really excited and humbled to be able to win this award out of the hundreds of applicants. This scholarship will enable me to complete my PhD at one of the most prestigious universities in the U.K., researching on a topic that is very dear to me, which is the role of technology in social impact organisations, and working with really experienced and accomplished supervisors. It is really a dream come true and I am super grateful for the opportunities. This research has practical benefits to Africa and I’m excited to be able to work on it because of this prestigious scholarship.”

Mmekidmfonabasi Umanah

 

“It is a great privilege to be awarded the Africa International PGR scholarship. I am very excited to start my Ph.D. studies at King’s College London, a world-leading institution in health research, to be exposed to the essential experience I require to impact palliative care coverage in Africa.”

Nuhamin Tekle Gebre

 

We are delighted to welcome Birke, Nuhamin, and Mmekidmfonabasi to King’s College London, and wish them all the best with their innovative research degrees.

 

 

 

 

PGR Student Wellbeing Communities Fund

Do you have an idea for an initiative that promotes PGR student wellbeing and mental health, diversity and inclusion, or community and cohort building? Would you like up to £700 to get your project off the ground?

The PGR Student Wellbeing Communities Fund supports initiatives which allow you and your peers to address the mental, physical and social wellbeing challenges which these demands can present.

Applications are now open so apply today, and read on to find out how three recipients of the PGR Student Wellbeing Events Fund (as it was previously known) created fun, interactive and inspiring activities last year.

The Wohlbeing Festival

The Wohlbeing Festival

With support from the PGR Student Wellbeing Events Fund, Women of the Wohl hosted a collaborative event, The Wohlbeing Festival, to celebrate the end of KCLSU Wellbeing Week in October 2019.

This relaxed evening event provided nearly 40 researchers with an opportunity to unwind, socialise and take part in craft and stress-busting activities, including a performance by improv comedy group ‘Just Friends’.

It was also a great opportunity for both attendees and for Women of the Wohl to create, build and strengthen connections with other groups and departments at King’s, including KCL Women in Medicine, KCL Womxn in STEM, and the Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine.

The Wohlbeing FestivalThe organisers took the time to join in and chat to attendees, several of whom commented that they had come to the event alone but that the friendly, welcoming atmosphere meant that they were able to just pull up a chair and start chatting comfortably with people they’d never met while doing the activities.

Overall the evening was a great success, and we received encouraging and positive feedback and comments from collaborators and attendees, who thanked the organising team personally for creating such a relaxing space.

Research in Action Group ‘Crafternoon’

PhD students in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care organised a ‘Crafternoon’ in October 2019 which was sponsored by the PGR Student Wellbeing Events Fund.

The event created a space for students to do something creative and have a break from their desks, and provided an opportunity to discuss research issues in a neutral space; the faculty has a lot of part‐time students, so this was a chance for everyone to get together.

Research in Action Group Crafternoon 2We supplied craft materials and participants were encouraged to bring their own creative projects: we had knitters, headpieces, and some creative paper crafts. Some people came just to enjoy the atmosphere. It was a fun chance to get together and for people to ask about issues with coding, writing, or simply navigating the faculty. We had a great time and hope to host more events like this in the future!

Wolfson CARD Yoga

Yoga is well known for its ability to ease stress and promote relaxation: it provides the benefits of physical exercise and improves mental health through moving meditation. In November 2019 our group was awarded funding from the PGR Student Wellbeing Events Fund to support yoga classes in the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, with the aim of improving PGR student wellbeing.

We held seven classes for up to 10 participants every two weeks; the department then agreed to continue to support the classes through match funding, which allowed us to continue running them for a number of months. We received lots of positive feedback, including the following:

“Having access to yoga classes has been tremendously helpful while I have been completing my PhD. I am able to take the stress and anxieties I am feeling and release them in a constructive way, leaving me feeling refreshed and clear headed for the rest of the day. Having the classes in the building makes it more accessible and easier for me to attend if I have experiments running during the day.”

“Practicing yoga helped me with my shoulder and back issues linked to the many hours I spent at the microscope and sat at the desk. Moreover, after every class I feel much more relaxed and this indeed helps with the general stress level I usually have.”

“Being able to practise yoga in the same institute where I work is a great advantage and my physical and mental well-beings benefit from it.”

“Attending these yoga classes has really helped me deal with the stress of my PhD. By the end of the class I feel much more relaxed, and ready to come back to work refreshed the next day.”

“These yoga sessions strengthen the sense of community in the department by giving an opportunity to socialise with other colleagues and build a happier healthier work life balance.”

How to apply for the PGR Student Wellbeing Communities Fund

To apply for up to £700 to support your own wellbeing activities for PGR students, complete this application form by 12:00 (midday) on Thursday 29 October 2020. All current doctoral research students, from all faculties at King’s, are welcome to apply.

Study and research abroad with the Global Research Grant

The Centre for Doctoral Studies and King’s Worldwide are very pleased to announce a call for proposals for the 2017-2018 Global Research Grant.  

This opportunity will provide financial support of up to £2000 to postgraduate research students to undertake a short period of research that also helps to sustain and develop King’s partnerships with international university partners.

Click here to discover the latest events from King's Worldwide and Global Mobility

Click here to discover the latest events from King’s Worldwide and Global Mobility

Requirements

Applications to this grant must demonstrate how the proposed visit and research aligns with one (or more) of the four global themes, as described in the fourth strand of the King’s International Strategy.

1. Defence and Security

2. Global Health

3. Sustainable Cities

4. Culture & Identity

Priority will be given to projects that help deliver the College’s interdisciplinary themes of global significance.

How to apply

To apply for the Global Research Grant, you will need to download and complete the application form at this link. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but will be assessed at the following points in the year:

  • 17th November 2017
  • 26th January 2018
  • 20th April 2018

For full details on the Grant, the application process, and eligibility requirements, go to the King’s Worldwide webpages. All queries should be directed to the Global Mobility Team.

Please note, this funding is not available to support attendance at conferences, for which the Centre for Doctoral Studies offers a separate Conference Fund. Click here for full details on conference funding and how to apply.