Postgraduate taught students will receive a monthly email on the first Friday of the month.

Check out our Instagram @CAL_PG for more information and fortnightly round-ups!

All times given in British Summer Time (BST).

Each post will have a title and text summary, but you can click on the post to view attachments in full-screen or download, or to follow a link to sign-up for an event. 

See the full list of your community newsletters.

Time: 0900-1700

Venue: Westmere House

The workshop is designed as a space for thoughtful exchange across disciplines, with opportunities to present research, reflect on methods and challenges, and build connections with other postgraduate researchers and academics working on related themes. Alongside research presentations, the programme will include interactive discussion sessions aimed at encouraging conversation, collaboration, and mutual support across different fields and approaches.

Time: 12:00 - 13:30

Location: Online

Sign up via the event listing on Careers Connect

Fellowships and other Early Career Postdoc funding grants can be a great way to establish yourself as an independent researcher and set you up to apply for longer-term academic positions. They are, however, increasingly competitive.

This workshop aims to equip you with practical tips on how to write a strong research funding or fellowship application.

The second half will focus on a Q&A discussion with current academic staff who hold various postdoctoral fellowships, giving you the chance to ask any questions that you have.

Time: 10am-4pm (BST)

Venue: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston campus, UK

Tickets: £49/£42 (concessions, inc. for UoB staff and students)

Book here: https://shorturl.at/VWSwv

After last year’s sold-out event, the National Writers Conference is back for 2026.

Join Writing West Midlands for a day of dynamic panel discussions, insightful presentations and excellent networking with writers from across the country.

Leading writers, agents, publishers, and other industry professionals will share their expertise on topics designed to support and elevate your writing career such as working with agents, editing your work, promotion for writers, monetising your work and more.

The National Writers Conference is delivered in partnership between Writing West Midlands and the University of Birmingham.

Time: 12.30-14.30

Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, Law Building

No need to sign up – just come along!

In today's rapidly changing social and legal context, there is a real need for law students and lawyers to work collaboratively with communities to address systemic legal issues and be part of community engagement and power-building.

In this workshop, the Citizens UK Migrants & Refugee Organising team will share insights into what community lawyering is, it's history and context, why it is important, and how it intersects with community action and campaigning for change. The talk will bring in examples of community lawyering in practice and encourage space for critical thinking around the advantages of the approach and how we create more space to practise this.

Time: 12.30-14.00

Venue: Arts 127, Lecture Room 3

Lunchtalk on Philosophy, Creativity, and Art: Yoruba Metaphysics as Inspiration from world-leading scholar of Africa Toyin Falola (UT Austin). Food provided!

See https://globalphilosophyofreligion.com/gpr_events/toyin-falola-public-lecture/ and register here

Time: 4pm

Venue: Lecture Room 3, Arts Building

The Arts of Place annual lecture, a collaboration with Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, brings together thinking about place with some of the most exciting current work in the fields of biography and life-writing. Lives happen in places; places shape lives and have lives of their own.

For 2026 we welcome Professor Karen Karbiener from New York University.

Walt Whitman (1819–1892), often celebrated as ‘The Poet of New York’, never travelled beyond North America and spent most of his life in only a few locations. Yet he remains a living presence in Bolton, a former Lancashire mill town, where an annual ‘Whitman Walk’ through the surrounding countryside has taken place, with occasional interruptions, since 1887.

More details and (recommended) registration:
https://www.oxfordwritingmentors.com/book-now/p/professor-karen-karbiener-who-wishes-to-walk-with-me-walt-whitman-poet-of-places

Venue: Westmere House

CPC 2026 creates an exploratory space to examine the ethical implications of writing others, filming others and speaking about or through others, with particular attention to consent, power and positionality. 

To apply, please fill in this Google Form with a short summary of your practice and why you’d like to attend.

AWAS Presents: Editing for Argument: Identifying Where to Advance Your Analysis in the Writing Process — a practical session focused on strengthening academic arguments through revision. Explore strategies for identifying gaps in analysis, deepening critical engagement, and refining structure and clarity to produce more persuasive and cohesive writing.

Time: 17:45-19:45

Venue: The Exchange

More information and registration

Queer artist Edward Luke Thrush leads a drawing workshop using plants from the University’s botanic gardens at Winterbourne House.

Working in pen and ink, explore the intersection of queerness and nature in a friendly, inclusive setting this Pride month. Using plants from the garden as your inspiration, you’ll explore shape, texture, colour, and the play of light, learning to capture the beauty of the natural world on paper.

£5 student tickets available.

Time: 18:00-19:30

Venue: The Exchange

More information and registration

Join The Exchange Book Club in partnership with Lyza Lawal (@lyzaslibrary). Together, we’ll celebrate a list of amazing books featuring powerful stories inspired by the arts and sciences behind our exhibition Seeing the Sun.

Expect lively conversation, fresh perspectives, and a welcoming space in the heart of the city. The second book on our TBR (to-be-read) list is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Tickets for this book club are £5 per person, which includes entry to the session and a drink.

All postgraduate students in the College of Arts and Law are eligible to apply for funding to help with conference expenses or research expenses as part of the Postgraduate Research Support Fund. The funding can cover anything from travel and accommodation to photocopying and books.

Postgraduate taught students should contact calpg-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk for more information.

PGR Careers In Academia has top tips designed to help you on your journey towards a career in academia.

PGR Careers Beyond Academia has information on how to move your career beyond academia.

When does the SSF close for applications? 

For postgraduate students and international applicants, the Fund will remain open until the end of August 2026. 

The University also offers financial support and advice for all postgraduates, from budgeting advice to financial assistance. You can find a full list of financial support resources here.

Are you are family member or friend who’s stepped up to care for a child when a parent wasn’t able to? You may be eligible to take part in research looking at how to make a difference to support kinship carers.

What is this research about?

We want to see if a tailored course of “parent-led” Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help carers. You will be offered between 6-12 sessions online or in-person.

How can I find out more?

Please get in touch with Eleanor Sinfield (e.sinfield@bham.ac.uk).

The Common Room now has 12 lockers, installed on a trial basis. The lockers will be available on a good faith basis during this trial, with keys left in the lockers. Completing the above form means you are agreeing to the terms of the locker policy.

Time: 11.00-16.30

Venue: Online

This event will take place in Winterbourne and online. In person spaces have all been allocated but you are more than welcome to join online!

Join Cai for a series of half-day Writing Retreats this summer.

The aim of these retreats is to support your research project goals by creating protected time to focus on a writing or research project of your choice, strengthened by accountability and supported by a community of peers.

Time: 16.00-17.30

Venue: Online.

Sign up for the Zoom link.

The aim of these sessions is help you carve out 60 minutes - your power hour - of protected time to focus on a project of your choice, strengthened by accountability and supported by a community of peers.

Time: 13.00-15.00

Venue: Arts G38a (PGR Common Room)

All postgrads across the College of Arts & Law are welcome. Beverages and nibbles provided.

Time: 16.30-17.30

Location: Online via Zoom.

All postgrads in the College are welcome. Sign up via Jotform for Zoom Link. Hosted by Cai.

Time: 13.30-16.30

Venue: Online

Join Cai for a series of half-day Writing Retreats this summer.

The aim of these retreats is to support your research project goals by creating protected time to focus on a writing or research project of your choice, strengthened by accountability and supported by a community of peers.

Photographs within and without their communities is an interdisciplinary, student-focused conference funded by Midlands4Cities through the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

All speaker applicants must be postgraduate students (Masters or PhD). Audience registration will be open to anyone interested in the conference research topics, including undergraduate students, academics, artists, and practitioners.

Time: 11:30-13:00

Venue: Alan Walters LT2/G11

More information and sign up here

Get ready for a playful, participatory session that shows the power of hands‑on learning by letting you experience it for yourself. Inspired by Would I Lie to You?, you’ll work with real museum objects from University Collections to create one 'true' story and two convincing lies!

Working in teams, you’ll handle objects, interpret evidence, build persuasive narratives, and try to fool the other groups. Along the way, you’ll practise critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills. No subject knowledge is needed - curiosity, openness, and a willingness to take a risk are enough.

https://www.wearepunch.co.uk/community-routes

Applications are open for Punch Records’ Community Routes, supporting the next wave of DJs, vocalists, broadcasters, photographers and digital artists.

This free creative development programme offers 50 fully funded places for 18-25 year-olds in the West Midlands with the opportunity to develop their creative and professional skills, with a residency, showcase and performance opportunities at Shambala Festival, a programme of workshops, and a chance to get an industry mentor.

The Birmingham Film Festival is a 10-day international film celebration showcasing professional and independent films from around the world. The Festival is taking place across the city 6-16 November 2026. Students are welcome to enter their work in this year’s festival!

Submit your work here and claim 75% off the submission fee by using the code: BFFSTUDENT26

For those works selected for screening during the Festival, there are awards for Best Student Filmmaker, Best Young Filmmaker and Best First Time Filmmaker.

Time: 09:30 - 17:00

Venue: Alan Walters

Register here

Spend the day exploring careers in the football industry with professionals from a wide range of roles. This event welcomes students from all disciplines, whether you're a lifelong football fan, interested in sport as a career, or simply curious about using your degree in a new industry. Talks span a wide range of disciplines, including coaching, performance, medical, wellbeing, business, media and technology.

The University Doctoral School is here to support and enhance the postgraduate research experience at Birmingham, working with Colleges and teams across the University like Careers Network, Library Services, and Registry, to guide PGRs from induction to graduation.

Time: 10:00-17:00

Venue: LR6 (Arts Building)

Join us for a stimulating workshop orbiting British involvement in international conferences in the short twentieth century. There will be a host of fascinating presentations, Q&A panels, and a keynote lecture.

Kindly funded by BRIHC.

Complete this form to register your attendance

Present your research at our BRIHC-funded workshop on British participation in international conferences in the short twentieth century.

We welcome abstracts from all disciplines, and we are especially keen to promote postgraduate engagement. Please email your abstract to britintconferences2026@outlook.com

Time: 13:00-15:00

Venue: Alan Walters Building, Lecture Room 2

Are you passionate about storytelling, languages, or both?

For Film & Creative Writing Students:

Please bring a printed poem or short story and see it transformed into another language.

For Modern Languages Students:

Explore the art of translating creative writing into the language you study.

What to expect:

· Hands-on creative translation practice

· Guidance from Modern Languages staff

· Tips on building authentic international characters

· Learn how to make stories set abroad feel real and immersive

Time: 09.30-17.00

Venue: Law Lecture Theatre 2

This hybrid conference provides Masters students with a supportive platform to present their dissertation research, receive feedback, and develop their communication skills. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with and exchange ideas with their peers.

Staff, students, and members of the University community are warmly invited to attend, either in person or online, to support presenters and learn more about the innovative work being undertaken across the College.

Time: 14.00-18.00 (BST)

Venue: Online

every·body·writes is queer run experimental writing workshop that explores how our physical selves are sources of < non-hegemonic > languages of their own and incorporates them into our writing practices. through somatic practices, theatrical techniques and shared vulnerability, we invite participants to reimagine their relationship to the < plurality of > languages of our bodies and what they carry.

theme: code switching – when our bodies write different identities

The workshop is open to members of staff and postgraduate students.

Get 'Xtra' from your time here with us with our programme of events, challenges, and opportunities that you don’t want to miss. Unwind with our fun social activities designed to make sure you get time to destress and celebrate. Connect with other students. And learn new skills and qualifications to level up your LinkedIn profile or CV.

See what's on!

Find out more about UoB Xtra and the Summer Term programme.

Time: 18.00-20.00

Venue: BRIG Café, The Warehouse, 54–57 Allison Street, B5 5TH

Free (booking required)

Rebel Light is a vital film series showcasing key works by the celebrated Birmingham Film and Video Workshop. Drawing on the radical traditions of the Birmingham Film & Video Workshop (BFVW) and the critical imagination of Stuart Hall, these films invite audiences to rethink how stories of place, identity, and power are produced — and who gets to produce them. Across six bold works from the 1970s and 1980s, we encounter a Britain alive with cultural struggle and creative resistance.

Time: 18.00-20.00

Venue: BRIG Café, The Warehouse, 54–57 Allison Street, B5 5TH

Free (booking required)

Rebel Light is a vital film series showcasing key works by the celebrated Birmingham Film and Video Workshop. Drawing on the radical traditions of the Birmingham Film & Video Workshop (BFVW) and the critical imagination of Stuart Hall, these films invite audiences to rethink how stories of place, identity, and power are produced — and who gets to produce them. Across six bold works from the 1970s and 1980s, we encounter a Britain alive with cultural struggle and creative resistance.

Time: 18.00-20.00

Venue: BRIG Café, The Warehouse, 54–57 Allison Street, B5 5TH

Free (booking required)

Rebel Light is a vital film series showcasing key works by the celebrated Birmingham Film and Video Workshop. Drawing on the radical traditions of the Birmingham Film & Video Workshop (BFVW) and the critical imagination of Stuart Hall, these films invite audiences to rethink how stories of place, identity, and power are produced — and who gets to produce them. Across six bold works from the 1970s and 1980s, we encounter a Britain alive with cultural struggle and creative resistance.

The Academic Skills Centre, based within Libraries & Learning Resources, is gathering expressions of interest for the role of Postgraduate Teaching Assistant. Please note that this role is only suitable for students who will be registered as doctoral researchers during the 2026/27 academic year. This includes PhD and all other doctoral-level degree programmes. 

There are some potential teaching opportunities in Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies for academic year 2026-27. 

School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music - Teaching Opportunities 26/27 – Fill in form

Any problems accessing the application link please contact Erin Withers (e.withers@bham.ac.uk)

Time: 13.30-18.00

Venue: Law Boardroom 220

This is open to all staff and PhD students. Please forward this email or share the attached posters with your networks and if anyone is interested, please email Iyan Offor at i.offor@bham.ac.uk or Rubina Chaudhary at rns859@student.bham.ac.uk and we will forward the meeting invites! 

Time: 09.00-17.00

Location: Murray Learning Centre UG10

Sign up via this Microsoft Form

The event will bring together international graduates and professionals from academia and industry to share their experiences of finding jobs, international recruitment challenges, and building careers after their PhD. It will also include a talk from the Careers Network. 

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. 

See attached opportunity for all PhD students. It is funded by M4C but open to all regardless of funding status.

Application form

PhD students and early career researchers in Law are invited to apply to participate in a Social Class and Law workshop.

This one-day workshop is designed for legal scholars interested in researching social class in the legal profession, substantive law and/or legal procedure and processes. It aims to provide attendees with a broad grounding in the social class literature to support current or future research projects that consider how law and legal process hold the potential to contribute to or disrupt the construction of class.

Time: 11.00-15.00, drop in anytime.

Venue: The Exchange

The Exchange is joined by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage for a warm celebration of summertime.

Take part in a free family-friendly storytelling and dance workshops inspired by traditions and rituals linked to the longest day of the year, make your own sun catcher, and join in crafts and music inspired by the sun.

Our Activities:

• 11.00-14.00: Flower garland and sun catcher workshop

• 12.00, 13.15, 14.15: Icarus dance performance by Prem Rai

• 12.30, 13.30, 14.00: Drumming from Mendhi Singh

Full programme: https://shorturl.at/f6MNe

UOB-led events: https://shorturl.at/xe2lc

HABrum is a city-wide initiative demonstrating how arts, culture, and heritage can transform health, wellbeing, and social equity. The programme includes over 60 events, delivered by organisations and venues across the city, including workshops, family activities, exhibitions, talks and performances.

Via its Culture Forward initiative, the University of Birmingham has partnered with Birmingham City Council (BCC), Ikon Gallery and Jameel Arts and Health Lab (JAHL) to deliver HABrum. Learn more about the HABrum partnership.

Time: 11:00-12:30

Venue: The Gallery (3rd Floor), Library of Birmingham

Register for free

Join us for a relaxed daytime conversation with Vanley Burke and Professor Pat Noxolo.

Burke is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Black British photography. For decades, his work has documented everyday life, political struggle and community experience in Birmingham and beyond.

Professor Pat Noxolo, Chair in Postcolonial Geographies at the University of Birmingham, brings a complementary perspective, exploring how Vanley’s work connects to wider cultural, historical and academic conversations about race, place and representation.

This event is part of Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum).

Time: 14:30-17:00

Venue: Allens Cross Community Association, 24 Tinkers Farm Rd, Northfield, Birmingham B31 1RH

REGISTER FOR FREE

This workshop explores overlooked forms of urban nature with creative activities for health and wellbeing.

Learn from practitioners who work on healing, community, and green spaces, enjoy a self-guided nature walk, and join a multimedia workshop creating stories and art from urban nature found in Birmingham.

Please contact the venue for directions, and for parking and accessibility guidance.

Part of Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum)

Time: 15:00-18:00

(Talk: 15:00 - 15:45, Drop in workshop 16:00 - 18:00)

Venue: Heritage Room, 3rd Floor, Library of Birmingham

No registration needed - turn up and take part

The session introduces Uli, a traditional Igbo body and mural art historically practised by women in south-eastern Nigeria. Participants will learn about the cultural significance of Uli and its connections to nurturing and community, and guided to create their own Uli-inspired designs on paper or canvas.

Workshop hosted by Gloria Adichie, PhD researcher at the University of Leeds, and Dr Juliet Gilbert, Associate Professor in African Studies & Anthropology at the University of Birmingham.

The workshop is part of the Beyond the Fattening Room project and its current Embodied Care display.

Part of Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum)

Time: 10:00-12:00

Venue: Room WF19, Medical School

FREE REGISTRATION

A chance for students, patients and medical professionals to take part in an empathy-building exercise known as the ‘story exchange’.

This two-hour workshop will bring together students, patients and medical professionals to experience the ‘story exchange’ first hand. The session will be co-facilitated by Professor Ruth Gilligan (University of Birmingham), and Erin Gilbey (National Literacy Trust).

Part of Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum)

Time: 16:30-18:30

Venue: The Exchange

FREE REGISTRATION

Niki Gandy, Ikon Artist in Residence at HMP Birmingham (2025-26), reflects on her recent collaboration with prisoners, exploring exposure to light and its impact on vitamin D and circadian rhythms. After the talk, Niki will lead an outdoor workshop where you can create your own image using a pinhole camera – a tiny, lens-free camera that captures images with natural light.

Part of Healing Arts Birmingham (HABrum)

Are you a PhD student studying at the University of Birmingham? Interested in working for AWAS?

Check out the job description and apply through the Microsoft Form link found in the document.

The Midland History Essay Prize of £400 is offered in 2026 for the best essay submitted on an historical subject relating to midland England. The essay must be a genuine work of original research, not hitherto published or accepted for publication as an article in a peer-reviewed academic journal or a chapter in an edited collection book produced by an academic publisher in history or a related subject. The text must not exceed 10,000 words, including footnotes, tables and figure captions. There is the opportunity for the winning essay, and others judged meritorious, to be published in Midland History.

For queries, style guides and to enter, please send to Administrative Editor, Dr Justine Pick, at j.pick@bham.ac.uk (please mark subject ‘MH Essay Prize 2026).

Details of the teaching opportunities and further info about the application process, timelines and who to contact for further info are provided in the attached document.

Application is via this online form.