Thursday 18-12-2025 - 09:47

 

The PGR Hub, in Bowland Annex, is the new community study space for PhD students in FHASS. PhD students in FHASS, previously had smaller desks in small, shared offices. The move happened in January to the new space. You can read more about that here.

 

 

Since September, with PGRs having time to settle in the new space, we have been engaging with impacted students. This was through visiting the space and hosting feedback sessions. The result of this was a report written outlining the impact of the space on students, with examples. 

From the feedback, students felt that whilst the space is generally pleasant, it was not suitable to many students' study needs. Some students do not enjoy the studying environment that the space provides. For instance, students need a quiet space to study, and many want fixed desks, something which the hub fails to accommodate for.

Students feel a loss in connection with their disciplines, notably the staff and master’s students. This has reduced social interactions and casual opportunities to learn and network. 
International students feel particularly unhappy about the changes, with questions about use of their fees being unanswered. 

Throughout, we have been in conversation with Unison and University Colleges Union (UCU), collaborating on their health and safety report and getting involved with student discussion. In addition to this, we also met with the university’s health and safety team in people and organisational effectiveness on this matter. 

 

 

The move to Bowland Annex has shown what happens when university decisions are made without meaningful student consultation.  Although steps have been taken to improve the space, the students feel as if they are not supported by upper University management. I look forward to working with the new Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent and deputy Vice-Chancellor Rebecca Lingwood in the new year to get to a conclusion which students are happy with. 

Read the report here.

 

David Gott, FHASS PGR Faculty Representative
“As students at a leading international university, I'm keen to talk to FHASS PGR students to see if they feel that their needs are being met”
 

 

 

 

Space in town

The university has agreed to look into options for a temporary lease for a study space in town. Despite this, this does not remove the long-term demand for an accessible study space in Lancaster City Centre.
 
This is especially clear considering the economic circumstances, with bus tickets increasing and the cost of parking on campus going up with the introduction of ANPR cameras. For post graduate students who have minimal contact hours on campus, the appeal for a space to study in town is ever prevalent. 

Going into the new year, I will be working with the estates team and collaborate with incoming Vice Chancellor Professor Steve Decent to see if we can establish a longer-term study space in town, with student consultation at its heart.