PG Research Festival 2026
The PG Research Festival returns in June 2026 with an expanded programme designed to celebrate, support, and highlight postgraduate research at the University of Birmingham. This year marks the relaunch of the Festival as a month-long series of events and opportunities dedicated to our postgraduate research community.
Throughout June, the PG Research Festival will complement UoBXtra through bringing together a wide range of PGR-focused activities, including:
- Careers and researcher development workshops
- Networking and community-building events
- Guest speakers and panel discussions
The Festival also includes the University Doctoral School Showcase, our flagship celebration of postgraduate research, featuring the annual Research Poster Competition, PGR Talks, and UDS Awards - read on for further information.
As events go live, you will find full details and registration link on the PGR What’s On Page, so please keep an eye out for updates.
University Doctoral School Showcase 2026 - Tuesday 16 June
Our 2026 theme of ‘Impact and Innovation’ recognises the groundbreaking research being carried out by postgraduate researchers across the University of Birmingham.
The Showcase explores the exceptional depth and quality of PGR research, highlighting the dedication, creativity, and expertise which underpins our postgraduate community – and recognising how postgraduate research creates innovation and impact both locally and globally.
The Showcase is open to all postgraduate researchers, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the University.
Why attend?
- Postgraduate Researchers: Connect with peers, share your work, and celebrate the breadth of research taking place across campus.
- Prospective or early‑stage researchers: Gain insight into what postgraduate research looks like in practice, including its challenges, creativity, and impact.
- Academic and research staff: Meet and hear from our academics and researchers of the future and help share your insights and experience through our panel events or Research Poster Competition.
- Alumni, externals, and friends of the University: See some of the fantastic research being carried out by our postgraduate researchers, and how this is helping communities and making discoveries across Birmingham and beyond.
What to expect?
- Keynote Speaker: Our Keynote Speaker will launch the Showcase, sharing their perspective on how postgraduate research benefits and drives positive change across communities. Keep an eye out for our speaker announcement coming soon!
- Research Poster Competition: Featuring posters from all five Colleges, the Research Poster Competition is your chance to meet and ask questions of our postgraduate researchers as they present their projects and findings – with the opportunity to help select our competition winners!
- PGR Talks: The 2026 edition of PGR Talks will celebrate the innovative, Black-led research happening across the University. Delivered as a collaborative effort between the Black PGR Network, the 125th Anniversary Scholars and the University Doctoral School, join PGR Talks to hear more about why representation is key in inspiring the future of research.
- UDS Awards: celebrating excellence through announcing the 2026 winners of Research Poster Competition, the Michael K. O’Rourke Best Publication Award, the Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research, and prizegiving for the 2026 3MT Finalist and 3MT People’s Choice Award.
- Drinks Reception: All registrants are invited to join us to close the Showcase with our annual drinks’ reception, where you can connect and discuss your favourite parts of the day over free drinks.
Reminder to Register
Excited to join our UDS Showcase? Don’t forget to register via Eventbrite. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch at doctoralschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk.