Union publishes wish list for ‘new deal’ for postgraduate researchers

PhD campaigners call for better support for marginalised postgraduate researchers in response to consultation

National funder UK Research and Innovation’s planned ‘new deal’ for postgraduate researchers should address the barriers faced by marginalised academics, campaigners have said.

In their new report, Getting a better deal for PGRs, Alex Kirby-Reynolds and Ellie Munro, co-leads of the University and College Union’s Postgraduate Researchers as Staff campaign, describe the current PhD system as “not fit for purpose”, citing barriers including low pay, high workloads, a lack of support and inadequate training.