The historic Cloth Hall Court in Leeds hosted an event dedicated to the journeys of mature postgraduate researchers (PGRs) from across the White Rose University Consortium.

On 18 March 2026, researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York gathered for the ‘Supporting Careers and Community for Mature PGRs’ event.

The day-long event brought mature PGRs from across the partners together to share and reflect on their unique, real-world perspectives.

Sarah Bell, the White Rose University Consortium’s researcher developer, who led the event, said: “bringing together careers and development experts from the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York helped to create a genuinely collaborative day, where mature PGRs could learn and connect across institutional boundaries, and begin to shape the type of support they need from the network”.

Participants had the opportunity to step away from their research projects and engage in future planning, exploring how non-linear career journeys, often involving previous professional careers and family commitments, can be framed positively as significant assets in the modern job market.

“I was flattered to be asked to speak, and it was exciting to present my interpretation of what it means and what it takes to be a successful mature PGR. This was a significant chance to explore the considerable challenges and barriers that face mature PGRs, but in the context of hope and joy, and of grasping as many opportunities as possible and saying yes more often than saying no,” says Marianne Talbot, keynote speaker, part-time PGR and educational assessment professional.

“I felt a huge responsibility to represent what is in effect a highly personal, indeed unique, experience. Putting the keynote together forced me to reflect deeply on the fundamentals of becoming a PGR, all of which are complicated or magnified as a mature PGR,” she adds.

“I was delighted to be part of this event and to be able to share my experiences of moving from PGR to postdoc, and beyond! Connection with other mature postgraduate research students, across disciplines and universities, can be invaluable on this journey – through sharing ideas and insights, we can reduce isolation, find inspiration, and build much-needed communities,” says Dr Clare Danek, independent qualitative researcher.

Beyond career advice, the heart of the event was community-building. A major portion of the afternoon was dedicated to an open forum in which participants directly influenced the direction of the White Rose Mature PGR Network.

By sharing their lived experiences, attendees helped define what meaningful support looks like, ensuring that the consortium’s future priorities are built by mature researchers, for mature researchers.

The success of the day underscores a growing recognition within the White Rose Universities that when researchers from different backgrounds and institutions come together, they build a resilient, regional community.

Kelly Cumberland, artist, researcher, academic and PGR participant said:

“The event offered a rare, supportive space to connect through shared experiences, with time for open discussion and critical exchange. The day felt both affirming and generative, leaving me with new perspectives and questions that continue to inform my thinking and future direction” 

Find out about upcoming events here.