Working in the Wider World: A PhD Workshop
On Friday 17 July 2026, postgraduate researchers came together at Manchester Metropolitan University for Working in the Wider World: A PhD Workshop.
The workshop explored how researchers can communicate their work in accessible, creative and engaging ways to reach wider audiences. The day combined three talks with three practical group activities, covering accessibility, audience engagement and the development of public-facing projects.
Participants reflected on perceptions and misconceptions through a timeline activity, explored how to identify and reach different audiences through audience mapping, and worked collaboratively to design and pitch their own public history projects.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. All respondents identified something they had learned, including the importance of preparation and time when developing projects, accessibility, and thinking creatively about public engagement and collaboration. All participants also said they would apply what they had learned and would attend a similar event in the future.
Suggestions for future events included sessions on funding opportunities and expanding the scale of the workshop. This feedback highlights the value of creating opportunities for researchers to develop practical skills in public engagement and suggests strong potential for future workshops and collaborations.
What an incredible experience it was to put together and host a workshop at the end of my first year as a PhD student. The experience not only allowed me to develop my organisational, event planning and facilitation skills, but also provided an opportunity to contribute to the growth of a student network and support other postgraduate researchers in developing their own approaches to public engagement. Personally, it has been a rewarding opportunity to step outside my own research and gain confidence in creating meaningful opportunities for others.
Thank you to those who supported the organisation of the event, and of course to those who attended and engaged. A special thank you to our guest speakers, Sarah Hitchen from the Disabled People’s Archives, Professor Catharine Coleborne from the University of Newcastle in Australia, and Professor Rob Ellis from Manchester Metropolitan University for sharing their expertise and experiences with us. Your contributions helped make the day such a valuable, engaging and inspiring experience for everyone who attended!
This activity was funded by the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP), part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
