GradFest 2025: Celebrating Postgraduate Research at Queen Mary
GradFest returns this May for two vibrant weeks of cross-disciplinary events designed for PGRs, by PGRs.
Running from Monday 12 to Friday 23 May, GradFest brings together workshops, seminars, training sessions, and networking opportunities across Queen Mary campuses. Whether you’re looking to boost your research skills, explore career paths beyond academia, or simply connect with fellow researchers, GradFest offers something for everyone. With over a dozen student-led events and expert-led sessions—plus socials like Sip & Paint and a campus BBQ—the festival is a celebration of the postgraduate researcher community in action.
Monday 12 May
The Learning Loop: How Cognition and Metacognition Can Transform Your Learning
10am–1pm | Graduate Centre 101, Mile End Campus
Discover how metacognition and cognitive science can improve your research practices and learning efficiency. This interactive workshop will help you apply practical strategies to enhance self-awareness, critical thinking, and creativity in your academic journey.
Research Culture at Queen Mary: Celebrating the PGR Contribution
2–3pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Explore what research culture means to you and how PGRs contribute to building inclusive academic communities. Hear from PhD students who have founded their own networks and learn how to create similar spaces.
Tuesday 13 May
Introduction to Public Engagement for PGRs
10am–1pm | Graduate Centre 101, Mile End Campus
Learn how to effectively communicate your research to diverse audiences and engage the public through interactive activities. Discover how public engagement can enrich your work and boost its real-world impact.
Publishing in Academic Journals
2–4pm
The Do’s and Don’ts of research article writing: Gain a practical overview of the academic publishing process—from preparing your manuscript to navigating peer review. Learn tips to strengthen your submissions and increase your research visibility.
Wednesday 14 May
Lessons from Fiction: Writing Your Drafts
11am–1pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Use creative writing techniques to improve your thesis writing, from drafting to editing. This session helps you develop a writing routine, structure arguments, and refine your narrative for academic clarity.
Using Your Doctorate in Industry and Beyond: STEM Roles
2–4pm
Explore how your doctoral skills translate to careers beyond academia, particularly in STEM fields. Gain practical advice on navigating the job market and building an effective job search strategy for both open and hidden markets.
Thursday 15 May
3.30-4.45pm | Peston Lecture Theatre, Graduate Centre, Mile End Campus
Join us to watch Queen Mary's six faculty finalists deliver dynamic Three Minute Thesis presentations. Learn about their cutting-edge research and see who will represent Queen Mary at the national 3MT finals.
Friday 16 May
Inter-Disciplinary Innovation Challenge
10am–1pm | Graduate Centre 101, Mile End Campus
Work in cross-disciplinary teams to develop creative solutions to global challenges using structured ideation techniques. Strengthen your collaboration, pitching, and problem-solving skills with expert feedback.
Sip and Paint
1:30–4:30pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Unwind with tea, coffee, and cake while you create art inspired by anything you like. A relaxed, social event to meet fellow PGRs and enjoy a creative break.
Monday 19 May
Understanding Intellectual Property for PGRs: Your Rights and Responsibilities at Queen Mary
11:30am–1pm
Learn about your rights and responsibilities around intellectual property (IP) as a PGR at Queen Mary. This session will introduce you to the support available and how protecting IP can benefit your research, with time for Q&A.
Maximising Research Impact
1:30–4:30pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Discover how to enhance the impact of your research and why it matters for funding and stakeholder engagement. Learn how to map impact pathways, measure outcomes, and provide evidence for your research’s real-world value.
Tuesday 20 May
Managing Your Time and Workload in a Research Environment
10am–1pm
Get practical tools for setting goals, planning your time, and avoiding self-sabotage during your research journey. Through group exercises, you’ll learn to build effective work habits and manage your workload more efficiently.
Wednesday 21 May
Lessons from Fiction: Editing Your Work
11am–1pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Explore how creative writing techniques can help you revise your thesis with clarity and purpose. Learn different editing methods and how to use your research question to guide structural and line edits.
Doctoral College PGR Forum
2–3pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Share your thoughts on the PGR experience at Queen Mary and hear early insights from the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey. Help shape future initiatives by engaging directly with Doctoral College leadership in this interactive forum.
From PhD to Profession: Navigating your Research Career Path
5-7pm
Join our interactive Microsoft Teams panel to explore the diverse career pathways open to you. You'll hear from seasoned academics, industry and government professionals who will share their experience navigating from a doctorate to the workplace.
Thursday 22 May
WISE@QMUL Re-Launch & Networking Event
1–2:30pm | Graduate Centre 201, Mile End Campus
Hosted by the Doctoral College, this event will bring together early career researchers, staff, and students across QMUL who are passionate about gender balance in STEMM.
Join us for:
- Engaging discussion & debate
- Informal networking opportunities
- Delicious free lunch!
Open to everyone with an interest in building an inclusive, supportive STEMM community at QMUL – regardless of gender identity or role.
Using Your Doctorate in Industry and Beyond: Arts and Humanities
2:30–4:30pm
Explore how your skills can translate to careers beyond academia. Gain insights into different job markets, and build a targeted, job search strategy for both visible and hidden job markets, specifically within the Arts and Humanities sector.
Friday 23 May
PGR BBQ
1:30–3pm | Geography Square, Mile End
Celebrate the end of GradFest 2025 with a relaxed BBQ hosted by the Doctoral College and GradFest Steering Group. Enjoy food, drinks, and great company in the sunshine (we hope!).