The Inclusive Research Network is a public LinkedIn group, designed to connect prospective and current postgraduate researchers, alongside addressing some of the barriers that ethnically minoritised students may face in postgraduate research. The network ran an online panel event called ‘Candid Conversations: Navigating Life Behind the PhD’ on 31st January 2025. It was co-hosted by Lubena Mirza and Amirah Muhammad, and included the panellists Victory Chidinma Oforji and Suruthi Gnanenthiran. Below, Amirah shares her reflections on co-organising and co-hosting the panel.
Why I Joined
As a part-time PhD student, connecting with my peers is often a challenge. The realities of treating the PhD as a marathon and not a sprint often look very different compared to my full-time peers. So, when I read the initial call about the Inclusive Research Network’s plans for an upcoming peer-led event, I was excited to be involved.
The Network facilitates connections among postgraduate researchers across institutions and at all stages of their PhD journey. I resonated with the emphasis on treating the Network’s events as a peer-led initiative. I resonated with the Network’s drive for peer-led initiative; it promised both an immediate opportunity to connect with other researchers, and would ensure prospective researchers had access to insights about the realities of PhD journeys.
Creating ‘Candid Conversations’
To create the event, Lubena and I collaborated with Ade Omitowoju and Dr Asha Akram, who work in Work Stream 3 of the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE). Ade and Asha were so positive about the event and receptive to the ideas Lubena and I put forward. I really appreciated the freedom they gave us to create an event that we felt would resonate with postgraduate researchers, and allowed us to lead it in a way that was authentic to us. Their support throughout the planning stages was invaluable, particularly in organising the practical elements of the panel, such as putting out a call for the panellists and encouraging attendees to sign up.
Working with Lubena was such a pleasure! Through collaboration and discussion, we came up with an event structure and questions that would allow panellists and attendees to delve into their PhD experiences, share insights and practical advice, and find commonalities across their disciplines, institutions, and stages of study.
It was exciting (and a little nerve-wracking) to see the plan for the panel become a reality. Our panellists, Victory and Suruthi, provided an enlightening and honest discussion about their PhD experiences. Their tact and warmth facilitated a safe space for attendees, encouraging them to share their own experiences too.
Final Thoughts
From start to finish, I had such an enjoyable experience with ‘Candid Conversations’. I really appreciated the chance to co-create something for postgraduate researchers that leant into questions I had (and, sometimes, still have) about PhD study. The event has reminded me that the Inclusive Research Network is a valuable space that postgraduate researchers can cultivate for support, community, and discussion.