We are pleased to share an update on our work to create a model of the Postgraduate Research Experience to complement the existing model available for taught students. The PGR model will play a key role in quality enhancement processes across Scotland, and sparqs is keen to ensure the model is representative of the authentic PGR experience.
Over the course of March and April 2026, we engaged with dozens of researchers as well as staff and sector agency stakeholders to understand their views on what the PGR experience looks like. Over a series of three workshops and through an asynchronous participation option, we have gathered hundreds of data points about what makes a quality PGR experience – all of which will directly contribute to the shape and design of the final model.
We are now in the process of forming a working group to analyse this data and identify the model’s core building blocks and reflective questions. The working group will contain representatives from Scottish universities, students’ associations, and sector agencies, and the majority of participants will be current PGRs. The working group will be co-chaired by Chase Greenfield (Development Consultant, sparqs) and Sandro Eich (Academic Policy Officer – Quality, University of St Andrews).
Over the summer, this working group will develop a draft model that will go out to sector bodies for consultation and review. sparqs anticipates that the final model will be designed and disseminated in Autumn 2026, subject to this sector consultation. The final model will serve as a sector reference point as a part of Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and will be used to make enhancements to PGR programmes across Scotland.
While membership on our working group is now closed, PGRs in Scotland who wish to participate are able to share their views about their experience through our asynchronous form for a few more days. The form will remain open until 5pm on Monday 1st June 2026, so please do share this with current PGRs or staff who support PGRs to ensure they have a chance to weigh in on our work.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this project so far, your help has been hugely valuable and much appreciated!
Queries
For further questions about this project, please contact Chase Greenfield, Development Consultant - chase.greenfield@sparqs.ac.uk - 07701 273779.