We hope the examples and case studies will inspire you to make your own application for an online or in-person event or activity. 

Previous events

Film Screening + Discussion Panel

April 2022 - Victoria Rivera Ugarte & Paula Ibarra Silva, PhD in Policy Studies

This film screening showed Santiago Rising, a documentary about recent political uprisings in Chile and the surrounding sociocultural context. An audience of about 20 PGRs enjoyed the documentary plus a wine reception with sandwiches afterwards at the PGR Hub Training Space. There was a thoughtful discussion panel after the film with University of Bristol academics.‌

Weekend Board Games

April 2022 - Katherine Jones, PhD in Computer Science

A casual board games session on a Saturday at the PGR Hub led by Kath. Sandwiches and crisps were enjoyed by about 10 PGRs playing games such as Eldritch Horror and trying out a starter Dungeons & Dragons set.

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PGR Run Club

March 2022 - Rachael Ward, MSc by Research in Life Science

In Spring 2022, Rachael applied to the PGR Community Fund to support the existing PGR Run Club with safety equipment including high-visibility accessories to allow the group to run in the evenings. The Run Club meets on Wednesdays around 5 pm outside Senate House, but please contact the PGR Hub for up-to-date information.

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Wine & Cheese Tasting

Feb 2022 - Adam Saun, PhD in Biochemistry

Adam led a wine tasting event for PGRs in the PGR Hub Collaborative Space, introducing 20 students to a range of different regions and grape varieties paired with hard & soft cheeses. The Community Fund supported the cost of food and drink and the event made great use of the PGR Hub's kitchen facilities including wine glasses.

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A virtual pub quiz

Hosted by two PGRs from the School of Earth Sciences, this event was an opportunity to connect with other PGRs, enjoy some trivia-based fun and win prizes. Run during lockdown via Zoom, it provided a chance to enjoy a PGR-run 'pub quiz' from the comfort of home.  

Community Fund budget spent on: digital vouchers for quiz prizes.

 

An online film screening and discussion panel

A PGR from the School of Education hosted a virtual screening of powerful refugee documentary Midnight Traveller followed by a discussion panel with the director of the film, Hassan Fazili, the impact coordinator from Bristol Refugee Rights, Asli Tatliadim, who will talk about the challenges faced by refugees in Bristol, and Dr Jacqueline Maingard, Reader in Film at the University of Bristol. The event provided a chance to discuss issues related to migration, refugees and asylum seekers. 

Community Fund budget spent on: Film rental, gift cards for panellists and a Farsi interpreter for the panel discussion.

(Please note, permission was given by the film's distributors, Dogwoof, for screening of this film.) 

A watercolour workshop for International Women's Day

A three-hour workshop to learn some basic techniques of watercolour and reflect on the imagery of women artists with this medium. The session explored women in watercolour art; watercolour technique and 1:1 support for personal projects. The workshop was open to all PGRs with or without previous experience in watercolour painting.

Community fund budget spent on: watercolour artist, materials, tea, coffee and biscuits.

Feedback: "I thoroughly enjoyed the watercolour session yesterday. These activities are a breath of fresh air and a really welcome addition to the PhD journey!"

Research / Interrupted

A safe space for researchers to share and discuss mental health and wellbeing within academia. It is a space to focus on the personal experience of doing research. Meetings are very informal and are guided by whatever issues the participants may have come across and would like to discuss/seek support for.

Community Fund budget spent on: food and drink.

Mug making and painting workshop (BDC-run)

A hands-on pottery session, run in partnership with the Bristol University Pottery Society in their studios.

Budget spent on: hiring the pottery teacher, materials.

Board games night 

A casual, fun, cosy, participant-contributing event in which PGRs could play their own brought-in board games with other PGRs.

Community Fund budget spent on: pizzas, beers and cakes.

Other inspiration for Community Fund applications

• Hire a green-fingered professional to lead an online planting workshop.
• Ask an illustrator to lead a digital or in-person drawing masterclass.
• Find a foody friend to lead an online cooking or baking class, perhaps featuring their local cuisine.
• Organise an event to play your favourite party game, such as Taboo, charades or Articulate.