A New Deal for postgraduate researchers

30 May 2022

Postgraduate researchers (PGR) are vital part of the research system and delivering sustainable growth in numbers is vital to the UK's science superpower ambitions, the Russell Group has said. 

In its response to a UKRI consultation on a new deal for PGRs, which has been published today (30 May) the Russell Group has made a series of recommendations on how to improve the experience for PGRs and address issues with research culture to continue driving up recruitment and retention. 

In its recommendations, the Russell Group also advises against changing PGR's legal status to employees because it would shift focus away from their position as students who are there to learn and leave them financially worse off because they would become liable for income tax and national insurance.  However, more can be done to mirror good practice around sick leave, parental and care leave and working conditions and to align PGR and staff rights wherever possible.

Read the full response below.

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