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Academic support in the Department

When you undertake your PhD in Art you'll be assigned two supervisors within the Department. They'll meet you regularly to provide support and help you shape your project.

Additionally, two academics will monitor your progress annually. They'll ensure that you're on track with your research and help you resolve any issues you may encounter.

 

Our postgraduate research seminars

 

We convene regular Postgraduate Research Seminars where doctoral candidates present and share their research at various formative stages, encouraging generative questions and debates.

Our ‘Reading through practice’ is a discipline specific research seminar in which research staff present and share aspects of their practice-based research.


Each of these research seminars is dedicated to a key aspect of research and/or professional practice. Indicative seminars have included: ethics in research; interdisciplinary methods; documentation and narrative; ecologies of practice; participatory research and its publics. Our training is responsive to the current concerns of postgraduate research in contemporary art, curating and critical theory. 

Support from the Doctoral and Researcher College

The Doctoral and Researcher College is the University of Reading's hub for doctoral students, based in a dedicated building on Whiteknights campus. It provides advice, training, study facilities and professional development for all doctoral students at the University.

The Doctoral and Researcher College is dedicated to ensuring you get the most out of your PhD and fulfil your potential as a researcher. It runs a number of free programmes to help you develop academically and professionally.

Reading Researcher Development Programme

This core training programme is designed to help you successfully complete your PhD and improve your personal effectiveness.

It includes sessions on writing skills, managing data, interviews and how to get your work published.

Leadership Programme

Designed in partnership with Henley Business School, this programme is designed specifically for you to develop your skills in leadership.

You'll enhance your understanding, experience and practice of leading and have the opportunity to explore your own capabilities.

Preparing to Teach

Preparing to Teach equips you with the teaching skills you'll need if you're considering a career as an academic.

You'll develop knowledge on effective teaching and learning, how to assess students' work and how to provide feedback.

English language support

If English is not your first language, our International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) can help you develop your academic English skills.

ISLI also offers three doctoral thesis writing programmes in partnership with the Doctoral and Researcher College. These are available free of charge to EU and international students.

Disability support

A person using sign language
The University provides a number of support services for people who have accessibility or additional learning needs.

Wellbeing support

Student seeking support

The University’s dedicated range of specialist support teams are here for you, whether you are on campus or studying remotely.

We also offer the Life Tools programme, a series of free talks designed by experts to help you take control of your personal and professional development.