Research Student Committee

The Oxford Population Health Research Student Committee is led by research students, for research students. It is co-ordinated by volunteers from among the student body, is supported by the Graduate Studies Office and organises a broad range of activities.

Activities

Social activities

• Monthly tea and coffee afternoons – a chance to socialise with research students from elsewhere in the department and get to know the large and diverse student body.
• Termly socials – these vary each term but previous events have included meals out, bowling, afternoon tea, crazy golf and movie nights.

Academic and career activities

• DPhil seminars – regular seminars, usually twice per term, at which one or two DPhil students present their research to students and staff from across the department.
• Journal clubs – termly journal clubs led by academics from the department where key issues and papers which are making the headlines are discussed.
• Academic talks – sessions on preparing for Transfer of Status, Confirmation of Status, and Examination, led by senior academic staff with experience in assessing and examining DPhil students.
• Committee representation – student representatives sit on departmental and divisional committees to aid communication from the department and division to their fellow students, and to provide feedback from the student body.
• Student representative meetings - twice termly meetings between the Research Student Group representatives and the Director and Deputy Director of Graduate Studies.

Student support

• Buddying – provided by volunteers from amongst the existing student body for new DPhil students.
• Peer support network – a number of Research Student Group reps have received formal training to provide peer support, and to act as independent advisors.

NDPH/Oxford Population Health student blog 

• All graduate students in Oxford Population Health are encouraged to contribute to the student blog which covers a variety of topics ranging from viva tips and film reviews to conference reports.

Get involved

All Oxford Population Health DPhil students are encouraged to volunteer and get involved with the Research Student Group activities. All suggestions are welcomed.

DEPARTMENT PASTORAL SUPPORT

In addition to pastoral support provided by individual university colleges, the department is committed to supporting graduate students throughout their studies. The Academic Supervisor is the first point of contact for academic related matters. The Director for Graduate Studies offers advice and support where there may be a difference of opinion between supervisor and student. 

The department has five trained student peer supporters who facilitate weekly drop-in sessions each term to discuss anything of concern to students over coffee and biscuits.