Global Connections Go Digital
A new opportunity is extending international collaboration between the Department of Social Work, and the Universities of Helsinki and Sussex building on an existing international PhD seminar.
A successful graduate research grant from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has enabled Prof Lynette Joubert, Rachel Blance-Palmer, Krista Watts, Sara Taha, Yiqing Yuan, Joan Fang, Ilana Berger, Savannah Rowland, Alison Hocking and Kathryn Turner to bring together PhD candidates internationally, in real time, by means of an innovative online format. Students connect through Zoom for small group discussions and large-scale webinars which focus on Social Science theory and current research methods in health, mental health, and wellbeing.
Professor Geoff Wong from the University of Oxford delivered the opening lecture on Realist Evaluation. This initial session drew over 45 attendees with registrations spanning 11 countries, marking a strong start for the initiative. Feedback highlighted the value of accessing international expertise as well as building global connections in an accessible, online format. This demonstrates the need and appreciation for high-quality, internationally connected research training.
Students are empowered to have agency as active partners in global learning, cultural diversity, and sustainable international collaboration. Importantly, beyond stimulating intellectual exchange on an international scale, this venture, enabled by technology, will reduce the carbon footprint of academic travel.
In addition, the grant creates lasting opportunities that go beyond the webinars, for postgraduate researchers to collaborate, share ideas, and expand the reach of their PhD work. Through building sustainable digital connections, students can strengthen their research impact, develop transferable skills, and lay foundations for future postdoctoral opportunities.
