York Graduate Research School Board

York Graduate Research School Board reports to Senate via University Research Committee.

Terms of reference

The York Graduate Research School Board (YGRSB) oversees the work of York Graduate Research School which is responsible for postgraduate research provision at the University.

Remit

To develop, deliver, and review the vision and strategy for YGRS;
To champion postgraduate researchers (PGRs) within the institution, including the contribution that PGRs make to the University's research strategy, and to promote a research culture that is supportive of PGRs;
To identify national and international developments in PGR provision and ensure that York remains aligned to, and competitive with, other research intensive institutions in this respect;
To oversee PGR funding and recruitment within the University, to ensure accountability, transparency and consistency in decision-making;
To oversee the development, delivery, and review of strategic PGR initiatives, including doctoral training entities and institutional projects and international collaborations with a PGR focus or component;
To assure the standards of PGR provision through: (i) the development, monitoring, and review of policy and guidance relating to PGRs including Regulation 2 and the Policy on Research Degrees, (ii) programme approval, monitoring and review, (iii) consideration of PGR data from internal and external sources, with action taken as required, (iv) engagement with the PGR community, and (v) the identification and dissemination of good practice;
Through its oversight of the PGR Experience Committee, to oversee matters relating to the personal and professional development of PGRs, and their wellbeing;
To act as a Board of Studies for interdisciplinary PGR programmes;
To promote equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to all the above.

Members

Ex officio

Dean of YGRS (Chair), Professor Paul Wakeling
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Sarah Thompson
Associate PVC for Teaching, Learning and Students, Professor Steve King (Alternate: Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Students Professor Tracy Lightfoot)
Director of Postgraduate Research Social Sciences, Dr Carolyn Snell
Director of Postgraduate Research Sciences, Dr Gianluca Tempesti
Director of Postgraduate Research Arts and Humanities, Professor Craig Taylor
Director of Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange, Justine Daniels
Deputy Director of Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange: Ms Faye Robinson
Head of the Research Culture & Researcher Development team (or team alternate): Ms Megan McLoughlin
Head of the Policy, Integrity and Performance Team (or PIP alternate): Dr Andrew Taylor
Academic Registrar, Mr Tom Banham (alternate, Deputy Head of Student Administration (PGRs and Casework), Mr Tom Richens)
Union Affairs Officer, University of York Students Union, Mr Lewis Parrey
Academic Officer, University of York Students Union, Ms Aya Haidar
PGR Support Officer (Secretary), Dr Juliet James

Nominated

Academic from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Professor Michelle Alexander until 31/7/26)
Academic from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Dr Sethina Watson (until 31/7/2028 - second term)
Academic from the Faculty of Sciences: Dr Emma Hayiou-Thomas (until 31/7/27)
Academic from the Faculty of Sciences: Professor Sean Sweeney (until 31/7/2028 - second term)
Academic from the Faculty of Social Sciences: Dr Clare Jackson (until 31/7/2028 - second term)
Academic from the Faculty of Social Sciences: Dr Andrew Pickering (until 31/7/2028 - second term)
Graduate/DTE PSS staff: Ms Katy Welford (until 31/7/2028)

In attendance

YGRS Project Officer, Mr James Parker
CEO, the University of York Students' Union: Ms Yeme Onoabhagbe (alternate, Director of Student Support Services and Representation, Ms Rachel Barber)

Quoracy: one third of ex officio and nominated members.

Terms of appointment

Nominated members are put forward by the relevant Faculty. Nominated members should be current or former Graduate Chairs (or similar eg DTP/CDT leads) and/or have considerable experience of supervising PGRs. For nominated members, the standard term of office is three years and maximum term is six years.

Meetings

Meeting dates 2025/2026

Date	Time
Thursday 2 October	1pm to 3.30pm
Tuesday 25 November	2pm to 4.30pm
Tuesday 24 February	2pm to 4.30pm
Tuesday 21 April	2pm to 4.30pm
Tuesday 30 June	2pm to 4.30pm

Meeting frequency

Five times per academic year

Meeting modes

Meetings will normally be in person.

Minutes

2024-25

2023-24

2022-23

2021-22

2020-21

Reporting

YGRSB reports to Senate via University Research Committee.

YGRSB has one sub-committee:

PGR Experience Committee

Collaboration

YGRSB will consult with SCA on matters relating to PGR assessment policy.

YGRSB will work with the relevant FLTGs in relation to the approval and modification of taught awards that are integrated within a PGR programme.

YGRSB will advise UTC on the Policy on GTAs with respect to the impact of that policy on the PGR experience.

YGRSB will work closely with the Students’ Union to engage with the PGR community.