POSTGRAD POST ISSUE ONE
POSTGRAD PETS:
Our favourite study buddies
Also in this issue POSTGRAD PROFILE ON...THE POSTGRADUATE SOCIETY YOUR SUBJECT LIBRARIANS CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY BATH SPA’S CARE DOGS ASK AN ALUM
plus much more..
ISSUE ONE | 1
WE ASKED, WE LISTENED AND WE ACTED.
Welcome to
Postgrad Post! You told us you’d like more postgraduate focused content and we wanted to give you that. POSTGRAD POST is your publication, for postgraduates only, celebrating your achievements, providing you with postgraduate specific news and helping to strengthen your postgraduate community. Oh, and it’s written by a postgrad student at Bath Spa too! We’re so excited to bring you this first issue and would welcome any thoughts you have - what’s working well for you and anything you’d like to see in the future. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this first issue.
| WELCOME
IN THIS ISSUE 1.Postgrad Profile on... Zoë and Thomas from The Postgraduate Society 3.Postgrad Pets Meet Yhonet Garcia and Ophelia the cat 5.Study, Support, Succeed Keeping you in the loop with all things Student Wellbeing Services, Careers and Employability and Library and Learning Services 9.Ask an Alum Catching up with MA Songwriting graduate, Rachel Walker Mason
EDITOR Georgia Stride DESIGNER Helen Bollen CONTENTS |
POSTGRAD PROFILE ON... The Postgraduate Society Every issue, we’ll bring you an interview with a postgraduate student or member of staff so you can find out more about what your peers are up to. For our first Postgrad Profile, we’ve been catching up with two members of The Postgraduate Society team: Zoë Newth and Thomas Rolfe. They’re all about creating a supportive postgraduate community and they’d love you to get involved. We hope you enjoy getting to know them better!
1 | POSTGRAD POST
WHAT COURSES DO YOU STUDY AND AT WHAT LEVEL? ZOË: MA Heritage Management (full time) THOMAS: I’m a PHD candidate in Museum and Heritage Management, studying in the Heritage Department. My supervisors are Dr Alison Hems and Dr Kristen Doern and my research title is: Community, representation, social cohesion, and museums: audience engagement in Bath, Bristol, and LA. THE POSTGRADUATE SOCIETY IS STILL VERY NEW. WHAT WERE YOUR MOTIVATIONS FOR STARTING IT? THOMAS: To create a more cohesive postgraduate community environment at Bath Spa University, and where there is a more active and shared research experience from a Masters level, all the way to the senior academic level (The Professors who teach at Bath Spa University). ZOË: The whole committee are the postgraduate academic reps for 2020/2021. We all had the aim of decreasing the undergraduate and postgraduate gap and wanted to create a tighter knit postgraduate community. WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS FOR THE POSTGRADUATE SOCIETY? ZOË: Our aims for the society splits into two sections. The first is creating a fun social space for postgraduates to meet. We have scheduled regular socials and hope they become places for us to meet each other across a range of courses, which we felt was currently missing. The second is creating a research space for postgraduates. We currently felt there was no place for students to share their work and to hear current research that was going on at the university and beyond. THOMAS: To create a lasting and memorable postgraduate experience for all students who study and work at the University. Also to build the reputation of Bath Spa and its unique and creative research disciplines, by sharing, collaborating, and creating engaging experiences for everyone within Bath Spa, but to people outside of it too.
HOW WILL YOU BE INVOLVED WITH THE ‘POSTGRAD POST’? THOMAS: Highlighting the research and the researchers at Bath Spa University, giving them a platform and opportunity to showcase their research to the rest of the University. Inspiring those who wish to go into research, encouraging further collaboration between different research communities at Bath Spa University, whilst allowing for the further acknowledgement of Bath Spa researchers and the work that they do. ZOË: We wanted to help with the creation of a postgraduate publication to ensure postgraduate students had their own dedicated space for news. We will be involved by helping encourage staff and students to contribute to the publication, whether that is sharing the news of your latest achievements or the interesting research you are conducting. We will also be sharing the upcoming Postgraduate Society events and news. WHAT EVENTS DO YOU HOLD AS A SOCIETY AND HOW CAN OTHER STUDENTS GET INVOLVED? ZOË: We host a range of socials. We run a monthly coffee morning that also doubles as a study morning. We also host many evening socials, such as a wine and cheese night, or murder mystery night. We also run competitions, such as the 3 minute thesis competition, and host lectures from guest speakers. Our first lecture series is covering COVID-19 and its impact across many subjects and sectors. You can get involved by checking out our Facebook or Instagram page where we post these events: BathSpaPostgradSoc bathspapostgradsoc You can become a member, for free, by heading to www.bathspasu.co.uk/activities/view/postgradsoc and clicking ‘Join’! By doing this, you can also receive emails from us.
A massive thank you to Zoë and Thomas for being our first interviewees! Be sure to check out The Postgraduate Society at the above links and stay in touch with your community. Fancy being interviewed for the next Postgrad Profile? Email us at studentcomms@bathspa.ac.uk
ISSUE ONE | 2
POSTGRAD PETS Meet Ophelia..
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF, YOUR COURSE OF STUDY, AND YOUR FURRY FRIEND. My name is Yhonet Garcia and I’m studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. My furry friend is Ophelia, our cat.
Have a furry study buddy that’s been keeping you company during the pandemic? Let us know at studentcomms@bathspa.ac.uk and you and your pet could be featured here in the next issue!
WHERE ARE YOU BASED? In Bristol and I live with three other women- Ophelia belongs to one of my housemates but she sleeps with all of us. WHAT BREED IS OPHELIA? She’s a tortoiseshell. HOW OLD IS OPHELIA AND HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN A PART OF THE FAMILY? 12- she’s an old lady! She’s been part of the family since we moved here together in February 2020 and my housemate brought her along. HAVE YOU HAD HER FROM A KITTEN OR DID YOU RESCUE HER? My housemate has had her since she was a kitten. HOW HAS OPHELIA HELPED YOU DURING THE PANDEMIC? She has helped a lot. She gives me lots of cuddles and comes to me when I’m sad - she’s very good at
3 | POSTGRAD POST
knowing when my housemates and I are sad. She sometimes sits on my lap whilst I’m eating which is very cute. Ophelia also helps by just being around when something is happening- she’s like another housemate and great company too. WHAT IS OPHELIA’S CHARACTER LIKE? She’s the laziest cat ever- I’ve never known such a lazy cat! She gets out of bed to eat and that’s it - haha. She’s also quite chubby and likes someone else to open the door for her rather than use the cat flap! She’s super cuddly but as with every cat, she also likes her own space and doesn’t like being held! She’s also quite skitty- she hates the vacuum and hides every time. She can be very shy around lots of people. She’s dealt well though with moving in with us compared to just living with my housemate in a flat. You can tell by her face when she gets grumpy- she frowns! DOES OPHELIA LIKE YOU BEING AT HOME MORE OFTEN? Yes, she doesn’t like being by herself. Most of us work from home which she likes. She gets grumpy when she’s not had something to eat or had company for a while. If she could, she would
live with her head in the bowl! If my housemate goes away for more than one day, she gets grumpy and misses her. HAS OPHELIA EVER MADE AN APPEARANCE IN A LECTURE OR SEMINAR? She’s knocked on the door before but she hasn’t jumped on my lap. She just likes to check in on me and have a sniff around before going again. YOU MENTIONED YOU’RE STUDYING FOR AN MA IN CREATIVE WRITING. HAS OPHELIA EVER PROVIDED INSPIRATION FOR A STORY OR POEM? Not yet- I’ve thought of it but nothing has appeared on paper. Perhaps in the future. IS OPHELIA HELPFUL OR A HINDRANCE TO YOU WHILST YOU'RE WORKING? Helpful! Her company is a blessing in the house. AND FINALLY, ARE YOU OPHELIA’S FAVOURITE HUMAN? I don’t think so- I think we have a close connection but her human is my housemate, her original owner. We definitely have that close relationship as she often sleeps on my bed and on my lap as you can see from the pictures! ISSUE ONE | 4
STUDY•SUPPORT•SUCCEED Welcome to ‘Study, Support, Succeed’ - the section of Postgrad Post for you to keep in the loop with all things Student Wellbeing, Careers and Library.
STUDY
LIBRARY AND LEARNING SERVICES
YOUR SUBJECT LIBRARIANS
The Library is here to help and support you in your studies. We recognise that, as postgraduate students, you will need to engage more deeply with the academic literature in your subject. You can find everything you need to know, including our latest service updates, on our website. We have gathered together a few things which will be of particular interest to you as postgraduate students.
Each Academic School has a dedicated Subject Librarian who can support you in your research.
WRITING AND LEARNING CENTRE
Our purpose is to support you in your academic work at any stage of your academic career. All appointments (including Maths and Stats) are delivered online. Book an appointment slot with an advisor to discuss and find ways to improve your work. Find a time that suits you from our available appointments. Our workshop programme will restart in the new academic year; we deliver a wide range of academic skills workshops so watch out for notifications which will also have instructions on how to book. If you have any queries about your work then please email us at: library@bathspa.ac.uk
• • • • • • • •
Bath School of Art - Helen Rayner Bath Business School - Melissa Collier-Baker School of Creative Industries - Melissa Collier-Baker Bath School of Design - Helen Rayner School of Education - Lis Wallace School of Humanities (and Corsham Court based postgraduates) - Katie Rickard Bath School of Music and Performing Arts - Lis Wallace School of Sciences - Melissa Newall
If you would like to contact them, or book an online appointment, you will find their details on the Library’s subject pages.
Melissa Collier-Baker 5 | POSTGRAD POST
Melissa Newall
Helen Rayner
INTER-LIBRARY LOANS Did you know that if we don’t hold the book or article you need, that we will endeavour to obtain it for you through our extensive network of major academic and research libraries in the UK including the British Library. This video shows you how to make a request to borrow books, as well as request digital copies of chapters and journal articles using this service. Although It is difficult to predict precisely how long it will take for these to come through, it is a fairly speedy and efficient service. Digital articles will arrive directly to your bathspa.ac.uk email address.
Katie Rickard
Lis Wallace ISSUE ONE | 6
STUDY•SUPPORT•SUCCEED SUPPORT Our Student Wellbeing Services team understands how it is equally important to look after yourself, as well as your academic studies. That’s why we wanted to make you aware of all the ways we can help support you: • • • • • • • • •
Money Advice Support to Study Medical Service Mental Health The Chaplaincy Young Adult Carers Care Leavers Estranged Students Accessibility and Disability
Alongside this, we also offer a range of out of hours services and you can access our 24/7 digital services here. We are always here to help you, to offer professional advice and guidance, so that you can make the most of your student experience as a postgraduate at Bath Spa. Please email us on studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk, if you need to get in touch about anything relating to your wellbeing.
7 | POSTGRAD POST
STUDENT WELLBEING SERVICES (SWS) AND BATH SPA’S CARE DOGS Did you know we have furry friends that you can cuddle? These accredited care dogs have adopted members of Bath Spa University staff and when they are able, come to campus to hang out with students. You can book 15 minute slots to meet the Care Dogs outdoors on the Newton Park Campus. One person needs to book for their household and you can choose a slot that suits you from the link. Once you’ve booked you will see an event in your calendar - at the time of your booking you should wait outside The Stables on the Newton Park campus and we’ll meet you there.
UNIWELLBEING APP UniWellbeing - using the Five Ways to Wellbeing, the app enables you to track your mood, thoughts and habits, to make positive changes. The app contains short self-help courses and signposting to useful University services. The app is downloadable by searching ‘Bath Spa UniWellbeing’ in the Apple or Google Play stores.
ISSUE ONE | 8
STUDY•SUPPORT•SUCCEED SUCCEED
Are you from the South West? Looking for local graduate opportunities? Then check out the GradTalent Development Agency and see how they can help you. The GradTalent Development Agency offers a personalised employment service designed to assist graduates from the South West to secure local graduate opportunities. If you’re from the South West originally and looking for a graduate job in the region, register on our dedicated recruitment portal.
9 | POSTGRAD POST
CAREERS EMPLOYABILITY PLAYLIST Check out this playlist put together by your Careers Team for advice on CV’s, interviews and applications, and interviews with different industry professionals.
ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO POSTGRAD FUNDING You may be eligible for funding from charitable trusts and foundations for your postgraduate study. The Alternative Guide to PG Funding enables you to search a database of charitable trusts and foundations, check eligibility criteria and apply for funding. Free access to the database is currently available for Bath Spa students using a Bath Spa email address.
VITAE AND PHD CAREERS ADVICE Vitae is packed with lots of useful resources to support you in your career development as a researcher. The careers section provides advice and guidance on pursuing an academic career, hosts a database of career story case studies, provides an insight into what researchers do, and supports your career management. PhD Careers Advice also includes useful career development tools as well as practical advice on applying for academic opportunities.
SUPPORT FROM BATH SPA CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY To find out more about how we can support you, go to our Careers and Employability webpage: www.bathspa.ac.uk/students/ careers You can also access workshops, events and Careers Appointments via MyCareer: http://mycareer. bathspa.ac.uk/
ISSUE ONE | 10
ASK AN ALUM Rachel Walker Mason
Every issue, we’ll be bringing you an interview with a Bath Spa postgraduate alum, asking them what they did after obtaining their degree and how their time at Bath Spa helped them to achieve their goals. For our first interview, we caught up with Rachel Walker Mason, five years on from her time at Bath Spa.
WHAT COURSE DID YOU STUDY AT BATH SPA AND WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE? I studied for my Masters in Songwriting and graduated in 2016. WHAT IS YOUR JOB NOW? CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT IT INVOLVES? I am now a multi-award winning professional songwriter, writing songs with and for Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Academy Award nominees, Country Music Award winners, The Voice and American Idol alumni, independent artists and many others. I’m also a judge for many international songwriting contests and am the only British musician to be inducted into the Indie Music Hall Of Fame. I write a popular column in Write Away songwriting magazine in which I answer questions from aspiring songwriters. I’m a best-selling author and I also run Listen In Colour Artist Management and record label.
11 | POSTGRAD POST
HOW DID YOUR MA IN SONGWRITING HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS? It helped me hone my skills, learn new songwriting techniques, believe in my abilities and most importantly, the module on collaborative writing made me realise that my ideal job was cowriting with other artists which is now what I am lucky enough to do. I had the most amazing lecturers who were really supportive and kind throughout the course and taught me so much about the music industry. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS? That while getting your Masters is a fantastic achievement that you should rightly be very proud of, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you’ll be able to find work in the area you’ve studied. You need to be tenacious, brave and keep putting yourself forward for opportunities rather than expecting the opportunities to find you. Remember that you were clever and motivated enough to get your Masters so keep that momentum going to create the career you dream of.
FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER ARE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE GRADUATING? That’s a hard question as I’ve been blessed with lots of amazing things since graduating. Some of my favourites include writing songs for an upcoming album with a Grammy winner, being crowned Freelancer Of the Year, being a 2020 Woman of The Year, being a Hollywood Music In Media award nominee, my induction into the Indie Music Hall Of Fame 2021, being an expert judge on Sky Television’s NTA nominated series Sing: Ultimate A Cappella, being called “an inspiration” by Prince Harry for my work mentoring young musicians and winning Album Of The Year for Whisper in 2020. However, I think my greatest achievement and joy is having the opportunity to balance my career with being a mother of two toddlers, one of whom is already an award-winning musician at age four!
ISSUE ONE | 12 ISSUE ONE | 12
Thank you to all our contributors and to you, our readers, for engaging with the first issue of Postgrad Post. We hope you’ve found it a fun read and hope you’ll stick around for the next issue. Want to give us some feedback? We’d love to know what you thought about Postgrad Post and if you feel so inclined, do drop us a line at studentcomms@bathspa.ac.uk
See you soon! The POSTGRAD POST team
www.bathspa.ac.uk
