BURSARIES have been awarded to 17 PhD students, either local to Reading or aiming to gain a qualification alongside current jobs.
The University of Reading’s Graduate School selected 12 scholars to receive its Regional PhD Bursaries and five to receive the Wilkie Calvert co-supported studentships for those starting in 2023/24.
Regional bursaries support students who live within 25 miles of the University and have been accepted onto any of its PhD programmes.
They support the University’s aim to help people in the community to achieve their highest academic potential, enhance their professional prospects and pursue their research passions.
This year, Regional Bursaries have been awarded to applicants in a diverse range of subjects, including Classics, Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Psychology, Environmental Science, Languages and Literature, Informatics and System Science and Neuroscience.
Beren Delbrooke-Jones, 38, from Windsor is studying for a PhD in Classics and was one of the recipients of this award.
He said: “The Regional Bursary has been crucial in allowing me to turn the dream of doctoral study into a reality. It also showed me how much the University supports and values its researchers.
“Being awarded the bursary has allowed me to focus on my research without distraction or anxiety over where I might find funding each year.
“Quite simply, an amazing opportunity for which I am incredibly grateful.”
The Wilkie Calvert studentships support applicants’ career development and benefit their employers by providing research that is relevant to their work, as well as a range of skills.
The University fully covers the tuition fees via a bursary, addressing the funding challenges faced by many would-be applicants and employers.
Dr Elena Bedisti, Graduate School services director, said: “Studying for a PhD has so many benefits for students, including developing analytical and organisational skills and boosting job prospects. Employers can also benefit from research tailored to their industry and strategic aims.
“We recognise that funding can be an issue for some PhD applicants, so these bursaries help to remove a significant part of that barrier.
“We are pleased to help budding researchers in our local community, and those already in work, take the leap into the next chapter of their studies.
Both schemes are open to applicants from any discipline, with those who know of PhD applicants who may be eligible for these awards encouraged to direct them to these opportunities.
The University has stated that it is particularly keen to receive applications from students from underrepresented groups.
For more information, contact: Dr Lucy Fletcher via l.e.fletcher@reading.ac.uk
