IMAGINE volunteering campaign celebrates second anniversary
Tuesday, 05 June 2018
This week marks the second anniversary of launching IMAGINE, the University’s fundraising and volunteering campaign.
IMAGINE has inspired support for many of Reading’s research and teaching activities. Over the course of this week, we will feature stories from some of the projects and people supported by generous donations of funding and time from staff, students, alumni and friends.
Today we highlight the growing contribution of fundraising to support PhD students.
The interest and generosity of donors has always had a strong focus on providing opportunities for students at all levels, but doctoral study is increasingly an area that donors can see the great impact of their funding.
Faith Orchard, Postdoctoral Research Assistant for the Charlie Waller Institute, explains the difference a PhD has made for her:
“My PhD was vital in attaining my current position. During my PhD I had the brilliant opportunity to deliver teaching to undergraduates, and was supported with training and mentorship throughout this process. My PhD also developed my research and writing skills, and a key focus for me was publishing my work. Being able to demonstrate these skills meant that I was in a good position to step up into the postdoctoral research post.”
As well as the opportunities a PhD provides for the individual, they also make a vital contribution to our impactful research, often tackling the real world problems that donors care most about. Funding a PhD student is a compelling way that donors can make an impact on the world through the work of the University.
Recently we have attracted donations for PhD funding in the Arts and Humanities and the Agricultural Sciences, and are progressing relationships with potential for PhD support in many other areas, from history to mental health. Through these relationships we can provide more opportunity for students and strengthen the impact of our research.
Find out more at reading.ac.uk/imagine.