Life Beyond the PhD brings together doctoral students from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, to explore the value and potential of academic research, foster collaboration, and develop public engagement skills, as well as providing space to reflect on how research and academic careers might promote more inclusive and just societies.

With input from a range of guest speakers and facilitators, our programme explores:

• the potential for academic research and skills to support social change;
• ethics in decision-making and leadership;
• strategies for collaborative and interdisciplinary research;
• skills for successfully engaging stakeholders with your research ideas, including writing for diverse audiences, public speaking, and digital media.

Life Beyond the PhD has been taking place at Cumberland Lodge since 2009, offering a supportive environment for the exchange of ideas, and planning and preparing for future careers. Hundreds of postgraduates have participated, from over 100 higher education institutions across the UK. As well as providing space to reflect on how academic work and careers might help to promote more inclusive and just societies, the support networks established have proven to be invaluable to many.

Tickets

Tickets for this event are available here: https://community.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/c/life-beyond-the-phd/life-beyond-the-phd-student-conference-2024

Some universities offer competitive application rounds to secure funding to attend this conference. Please enquire with your graduate office to see whether this support is available to you.

Please keep an eye on this page and our social media channels for updates.

What have others said?

‘It was fascinating to meet and learn from so many like-minded people yet with such different academic backgrounds and areas of expertise. Owing to the independent nature of a PhD, it is not often we get to work with others towards a collaborative goal. Therefore, the group project was a great opportunity to develop our teamwork and communication skills.’ – Life Beyond the PhD delegate, 2021

‘I found Life Beyond the PhD an exceptionally positive experience, far more so than I had expected. The discussions were open and generated good dialogue among participants, and the range of topics selected suited the audience well.’ – Life Beyond the PhD delegate, 2019

‘After attending, I understood that a PhD can and should be about more than simply a volume that a handful of people read: it was an unparalleled opportunity to grow as a future employee and employer, and to disseminate my knowledge to wider audiences.’ – Life Beyond the PhD delegate, 2018