The Professor Geoffrey Petts Research Fund

2007 – 17

PROFESSOR PETTS’ TIME AS VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT

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WESTMINSTER HAS MATCHED THE FUND’S FOUNDING DONATION

10 – 15

Fieldwork in particular is often an issue for our young researchers, as it’s an area that doesn’t receive funding through Graduate School scholarships. The additional costs incurred to complete this research can often be overwhelming for students, stretching them too far financially and having a detrimental impact on their well-being and focus.

Thanks to a generous pledge made by Professor Judith Petts CBE in memory of her late husband, we have launched the Professor Geoffrey Petts Research Fund. The funding, which has been matched by the University, will allow PhD researchers to apply for financial support towards equipment and fieldwork costs. By relieving this financial strain, the Fund will make postgraduate research more accessible and elevate the standard of work produced. Not only will this help improve students’ prospects for the future and the contribution to the academic community they represent, but also the overall reputation of our University.

In memory of the late Professor Geoffrey Petts, former Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, we have established the Professor Geoffrey Petts Research Fund to recognise the distinguished contributions he made to interdisciplinary river science research and his belief that all students, regardless of their financial situation, should have the opportunity to succeed.

The University is committed to developing a unified, interdisciplinary community of researchers with a vibrant body of PhD students at its heart. There are currently around 450 doctoral researchers contributing to the hive of activity happening within our research communities, the vast majority of which are self-funded. With such limited external sources of funding available, many researchers struggle to find the funding they need to enrich their research, deepen their understanding and ultimately reach their true potential.

PHD STUDENTS PER YEAR WILL RECEIVE BURSARIES

“Doing a PhD demands extraordinary commitment – emotional, psychological, intellectual and financial,” explains Professor Leigh Wilson, Director of the Graduate School. “Any financial support given to a PhD student has a significant impact on their ability to maintain this commitment. In addition to this, the activities made possible through the funding of research expenses enrich and deepen the eventual research, ensuring that University of Westminster PhD students have the best possible chance of producing innovative, original and world-changing work.”

Acknowledging the significant contribution made by Professor Geoffrey Petts, this fund will allow the impact of his life to continue to benefit many more future students at Westminster.

To help us sustain the fund and give our research students the best possible chance of success in their field, please get in touch with Jordan Scammell, Head of Development, at development@westminster.ac.uk