‘Spas’ in Roman times were places where people came together for ‘health through water’ (Salus per Aquam); Masters and PGR Spa is a space for you to find refreshment and the opportunity to decompress with fellow postgraduate travellers. Postgraduate work is often a more solo enterprise than Undergraduate studies, and can become isolating and correspondingly anxious-making. At Masters and PGR Spa sessions, you receive group-coaching for good Postgrad-health. We look after the body, spirit, and relational network, as well as the mind. You will feel revitalised, grow your confidence, and be resourced spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and mentally as you navigate your Postgraduate years.
The Spa gatherings and coaching are run by Dr Harriet Harris, a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, and Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon. The sessions do not encroach upon or duplicate the work you do with your Supervisors; the academic and technical expertise that they bring. They complement your supervisions, and support you in the various adaptations life asks of you when doing Postgraduate study, including:
- Adapting to solo working
- Being part of research teams or collaborations
- Knowing and sustaining your vision and purpose for your academic work
- Keeping agile in body and mind
- Moving with flow between creativity and focus
- Handling procrastination and recovering momentum
- Making your inner critic and imposter syndrome work for you rather than against you
- Calming perfectionism
- Saying ‘No’ so that you can ‘Yes’ to what is most important and meaningful
- Finding and sustaining networks of support
- Showing up as you most want to at conferences, in giving presentations, etc
- Starting/supporting a family, and sustaining relationships over distance
- Discerning the next iteration of your career or vocation
When and where we meet: 1.30-3pm, Friday of 0th week and Monday of 9th week
Seminar room 30.301 (A and B combined), Faculty of Theology and Religion, Schwarzman Centre
Michaelmas Term dates: 9 October and 7 December
All Masters and PhD students welcome. To sign-up or for enquiries, email Harriet at [email protected]
Masters and PGR Spa is designed and facilitated by Dr Harriet Harris, Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon, a philosophical theologian, and a licensed Coach and Trainer with One of Many® the fastest-growing network of women leaders in the UK. Harriet is also a Trainer with Student Minds, an Embodiment Coach, and a Licensed Time-To-Think Facilitator. A former university lecturer, she continues to publish academically, and has thirty years’ experience of supervising and examining PhDs. She created PGR Spa at the University of Edinburgh, where she also set up PhD Book Club and Abundant Academy. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for Services to Multi-Faith Education and Community Cohesion, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2022 for her innovative work in universities.
Some Feedback from the University of Edinburgh PGR Spa
- ‘This is so helpful. I’m so happy that you have offered this. You give us the space to talk about the things that are important to us. And you also give us ideas and resources, so it’s practical.’
- ‘Deep/important topics of conversation.’
- ‘Compelling Ideas. Quite a few things to reflect on.’
- ‘Meaningful Connection. Finding common ground. Feels a bit like group therapy in the best way possible’
- ‘Made me think things that are useful’
- ‘Made me realise that other people are going through the same feelings. Gave me a place that I feel I belong in.’
- ‘It’s so helpful to know I am not the only one facing these challenges’
- ‘It’s really important to find communities like this’
- ‘It’s a relief to be able to talk about things I find difficult to juggle’
- ‘I feel less alone; the community of other PGR's who are facing similar things. The sessions themselves were “regulating”. The learning is educational (theory about 'parts') and also practical (how to cope w/ inner critic)’
