Positive postgraduate research experience at LJMU

Results from the 2021 Postgraduate Research Experience (PRES) survey tell a positive story about the postgraduate research experience at LJMU.

The survey shows an increase in overall satisfaction among LJMU Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs), and above average satisfaction in many aspects of PGR experience, from support and resources to supervision.

PRES is coordinated by Advance HE, and run at LJMU on alternate years. The survey has been designed to help institutions to identify areas of strength as well as areas that require enhancement. It also allows us to compare results with the 94 institutions that took part in PRES this year.

PRES 2021 showed that 83% of LJMU respondents were satisfied overall with the experience of their research degree programme, a 4% increase on 2019 results and 4% above the sector average, placing LJMU in the top quarter of participating institutions for this area.

Respondents were particularly positive about our support, where LJMU was ranked eighth out of all participating institutions. This area measured PGR satisfaction with support for academic skills, health and wellbeing, using IT and accessing resources.

Satisfaction with resources was also in the top quarter, while several other areas of experience - supervision, professional development, awareness of responsibilities, and understandings of progression and assessment - were above the sector average.

The results indicated a couple of areas for improvement. Satisfaction with research culture dipped slightly and confidence in research skills was not as high as in 2019. The Doctoral Academy and faculties are working with our PGR representatives to draw up detailed action plans that will drive change in the coming year.

Professor Julie Sheldon, Dean of the Doctoral Academy, says: “Our action plans focus on measures for supporting personal and professional development during the pandemic and beyond. Our key focus is on rebuilding those interactions that are the bedrock of our postgraduate research community.”

Find out more about PRES 2021.