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Using a WhatsApp group to create a supportive PGR network
Narelle Freeman, Postgraduate Researcher in the Institute of Health, University of Cumbria
Early in the 2024/25 academic year I had signed up for the annual research conference and writing retreats organised by the Graduate School, all with the best intentions. When the time came, I wasn’t feeling terribly confident about where my research was at, and the prospect of having to discuss it all with people face-to-face was a bit intimidating. However, I was encouraged by the fact that some of the people from our online postgraduate sessions were going to be there and I was looking forward to meeting them in person. So, I did attend both, and I am glad I did.
You can’t beat the convenience and economic sense of online sessions, but the conference and the writing retreat were perfect reminders that online you can’t experience those spontaneous moments, conversations and connections that can happen in the line-up for lunch or listening to others talk about their work. This is obviously not a new concept, however what isn’t always recognised is how it builds camaraderie and strengthens friendships that have already been tentatively formed online.
During the in-person events, several of us shared WhatsApp contact details and now we have a growing group chat where we celebrate each other’s achievements, vent our troubles and frustrations with the PhD process, share useful information, and arrange further get togethers and study days. For me, this has been a lifeline.
One example is a discussion at the writing retreat where Viva Cards were mentioned. Viva Cards are a set of questions printed on prompt cards that are designed to help prepare for vivas through mock vivas or in groups where everyone takes turns to quiz each other, or they can also be used on your own to structure writing and thinking. I have since purchased the Viva Cards and some of our WhatsApp group plan on using them at our next get together to help each other prepare for upcoming confirmation panels. This would never have happened without the in-person sessions and the online sessions together, as well as the later social media opportunities to discuss things more informally. All these experiences contribute to building and strengthening authentic, supportive networks that last beyond that one promised email after the conference.
Viva Cards can be purchased at www.vivacards.co.uk
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A postgraduate research degree at the University of Cumbria offers the perfect opportunity to follow your passion, enhance your skills and influence the world around you. As the blogs here show, we are home to a rich community of people from all kinds of backgrounds and career points.
Rated as the best University in the UK for overall PhD experience in 2025, Cumbria offers a welcoming, supportive and challenging environment to utilise your enthusiasm and knowledge and turn it into insightful and impactful work. If you are interested in undertaking a research degree with us, then please contact Professor Tom Grimwood via Tom.Grimwood@cumbria.ac.uk for a conversation.
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