海角黑料

A number of activities took place in spring this year to celebrate the work of our postgraduate student community.

2026 PGR Conference

The two-day conference held in the school also included online/hybrid sessions to enhance accessibility for our PGR colleagues overseas. The conference showcased the cutting-edge research occurring within our school, whilst recognising the ongoing global and academic uncertainties, and the experience of pursuing postgraduate research at this time. It encouraged delegates to reflect on how postgraduate scholars make meaning, sustain momentum, and carve out spaces for innovation and resilience in uncertain times. This was captured by the conference keynote speaker, Dr Rachel Handforth (Nottingham Trent University).

The conference featured paper presentations, pecha kucha presentations, and panel discussions from members of our postgraduate research community. It also featured a panel ‘Life after the PhD’ with external speakers:

• Dr Paul Heery (White Hills Park Trust)
• Dr Brittany Wright (L.E.A.D Academy Trust)
• Dr Liam Maloy (University of Derby)
• Dr Abass Isiaka (University of East Anglia)

PGT Networking event

The school hosted a vibrant, student-led PGT networking event, bringing together MA students from across the school for an afternoon of reflection, interactive activities, and community building. This initiative aimed to provide a vital platform for students to share their varied perspectives, whilst fostering a collaborative dialogue around systemic challenges in education.

To ground the cross-disciplinary ideas, the overarching theme of the event was 'The Future of Education'. The event was structured around progressive, interactive activities designed to foster dialogue and mutual trust. Participants moved from initial individual reflections into smaller group discussions, culminating in collaborative group presentations. This deliberate design allowed students from different fields to find common ground, share best practices, and build meaningful networks that will undoubtedly enrich both their current studies and their future professional careers.

The event commenced with an introductory icebreaker where participants shared the stories behind their names, followed by a topical perspectives discussion exploring critical themes like AI in education and mental health support. Energy was sustained through a custom School of Education bingo game focused on life at the 海角黑料, which served as a lively conversation starter over refreshments. Finally, students collaborated in groups to debate and negotiate the top three global educational challenges, drawing directly on their diverse cultural contexts and lived professional experiences.

Following the scheduled activities, participants enjoyed time for unstructured networking over refreshments towards the end of the session. Feedback was collected at the conclusion of the event, and participants suggested hosting a greater frequency of these interactive events during their MA journey.

PGT celebration

This celebration for our PGT students marked the conclusion of their taught modules and the beginning of the dissertation period. The primary focus of this social event was to provide an opportunity for all PGT students to unwind, socialise, and connect with peers across different programmes. Activities included some impressive student talks on an exciting educational innovation from their respective home countries. There was also a language exchange, music from around the world, board games, and several students beautifully showcased their national dress. To wrap up the event, a raffle was held, a new concept for many, which students could enter in exchange for providing feedback on our assessment processes. Refreshments were provided, giving everyone a chance to chat and relax over food.