Back in February, WELS PGRs may have seen an email from Dr Inma Alvarez, Director of Postgraduate Research Studies and Dr Carol Azumah Dennis, Director, Praxis announcing a new project exploring the lived experiences of WELS PGRs.
The initial call outlined a series of study aims, to:
• explore the WELS PGR study experience at the Open University
• understand of the most valued features/aspects of the doctoral programmes
• understand the challenges of WELS PGR study and consider PGR views on how these might be addressed
• recommend enhancements to WELS doctoral programmes and potentially in other Faculties, and externally.
Uniquely, this study is being carried out by recently graduated and current WELS PGRs keen to capture student voices. The research team are:
Dr Ben Evans – is our Project Lead, he is a research associate and associate lecturer based in LAL (Languages and Applied Linguistics). Ben completed his PhD in 2020.
Dr Liz Smith – affiliated researcher, and headteacher at a secondary special needs school in London. Liz completed her EdD in 2023.
Sarah Alcock – 3rd year full time PGR in IET (Institute of Educational Technology)
Lorna Sams – 4th year part time PGR in ECYS (Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport)
The team have been busy with research design, keeping to a qualitative approach founded on phenomenological and social constructivist assumptions. We promise one thing – no surveys! We are in the final stages, negotiating the normal and important ethical and data protection hoops for human research, so please watch this space for your chance to join this exciting project – your chance to have your voice heard.
To find out more, email: wels-pgrs@open.ac.uk
Thanks to Sarah Alcock for writing this blog post.
Sarah Alcock is a postgraduate researcher at The Open University (OU), UK. Her PhD project “Using Learning Analytic Dashboards to explore data driven reflection and planning in professional learning” focuses on use of Learning Analytic Dashboards (LAD) by professional learners preparing for a high-stakes examination for a post-graduate qualification. Sarah’s interests also include types and use of feedback, and self-regulated learning.