“It can get lonely out here”: Using webinars to engage distance learning PGRs and build a research learning community Dr Helen Steele and Ms Denise Sweeney University of Leicester 27 th March 2014

College of Arts, Humanities and Law College of Science and Engineering College of Social Science Leicester Context Researcher Development Library College of Medicine, Biological Science & Psychology Graduate School VITAE Research Councils UK Border Agency DTPs

2012/2013 The Probation Review Finishing the PhD and beyond Rethinking Digital Literacies [guest speaker] Writing the Doctorate [guest speaker]

Reflecting on the PhD Publishing and presenting your PhD The Probation Review 2013/2014

Attendance Subsequent views: 1491*

Attendance

Feedback “This has been so valuable for distance learning. It can get lonely out here.” “This temporary community is really necessary for distance students.” “It was so helpful to hear others sharing their experiences and answering many questions I didn't want to bother my supervisor with.”

DL1: My ethics approval was within 23 hours for the pilot study, and less than 2 days for the main study. This is School of Education. I was impressed. DL2: wow that's quick! DL3: True. My pilot one came the next day itself DL2: awesome - good to know

Feedback “It’s difficult for me to get to Leicester and I often feel like I’m missing really important stuff.” “As a distance learning student we are kind of left out of the loop…the resources that support on-campus students need to be available to those on-line.” “What a good atmosphere, nicely relaxed and informative.”

Feedback “I truly appreciate being “reached out to”… As a part-time, off-campus PhD student, I cannot always fly in for workshops, so I welcome every opportunity to get connected with others on campus. Webinars…give me a "sense of belonging" to campus life and to the university's learning community. They provide a venue to share my PhD experience.”