Dear Postgrads,
During the conference in Leeds there were a couple of useful things
raised, which I'd like to bring to the attention of those who weren't
there.
Firstly, at the committee meeting it was reiterated that there is
money available from WIGS to support both conferences (when you
are giving a paper) and research trips. The general feeling at the
meeting was that WIGS should be giving more money to support
postgrads. If you want to apply you should send a proposal with
details of the trip and costs to Birgit Roeder, the treasurer. Her
email is:
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Secondly, Elizabeth Boa reminded us that the CUTG also has
grants for postgrads, and they can also contribute to helping fund
publications. For more info see:
http://www.cutg.ac.uk/index.htm
In addition to the above, the British Federation of Women
Graduates can help fund postgrads in their final year of study
(including 'writing up year').They also have an emergency fund. For
details see:
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2000-01/special/06/84.html
At the conference I had a chance to talk to some postgrads about
the possibility of running a WIGS postgrad seminar series. This
would of course be in addition to the WIGS conference and in
addition to the Institute of Germanic Studies postgrad conferences
which run twice a year. Those postgrads I talked to were positive
about the proposal, but I'd like to get an idea of how many of you
would be interested. If you do think it would be a good idea, please
could you let me know:
how far you would be prepared to travel to such an event
whether you would rather attend a day seminar with several papers
or an evening seminar with just one paper
whether you think that once a year/term would be sufficient
whether you would like to see such an event combined with info on
research skills or other topics related to PhD study (if so, which).
Obviously this will only be worthwhile if there are enough postgrads
interested. Once I have some feedback, and if the idea is
supported, we can then think about approaching the WIGS
committee with a request for financial help towards travel etc.
Finally, Anna Saunders, our WIGS web editor has asked if we
would like to have a postgrad web page. If you do have info you
think it would be useful to share with others, please let me know. I
did at one point think about collecting info about where people stay
on their research trips etc., but again, it would rely on people being
prepared to pass on information.
I hope that you will find some time to reply to the email - I'll let you
know what response I get.
best wishes,
Joanne Sayner
WIGS postgrad rep.
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