Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2021

• 46% of LJMU's PGR community completed the survey in 2021, 10% higher than the sector response rate.
  
  
• Overall, LJMU PGRs reported high levels of satisfaction in the main areas of PRES. Ratings were above the sector average for overall experience, support, resources, supervision, responsibilities, professional development, and progression and assessment. 
  
  
• LJMU results were in the top quarter of all participating institutions for overall experience, support, and resources. 
  
  
• Results for Covid-19 pandemic, research culture and research skills were below the sector average. 
  

• Satisfaction with overall experience was 83%, 4% higher than the sector average, and a 4% increase on LJMU's 2019 PRES results. 

• Respondents were particularly positive about support, where LJMU was ranked 8th out of all participating institutions. This area measured PGR satisfaction with support for academic skills, health and wellbeing, using IT and accessing resources. 
  
  
• LJMU has maintained its 2019 position in the top quarter for resources. This covered working space, library resources, IT, and specialist resources, both on-campus and remote.

• Satisfaction with research culture has declined since 2019. LJMU respondents were 5% lower than the sector average in relation to 'access to a good range of seminars in my area' and feeling that 'the research community in my research area influences my work'.   
  
  
• Research skills has seen a drop in satisfaction since 2019, and is now in the lowest quarter in comparison with the sector. The research skills statement that respondents were least confident about was 'my skills in critically analysing and evaluating findings and results have developed during my programme.' 
  
  
• Professional development results, while still above the sector average overall, have declined from the top quarter in 2019 to the second quarter in 2021. The weakest area of professional development was confidence in the ability to manage projects, which was 2% below the sector average. 

The Doctoral Academy and Faculties worked closely with PGR representatives to draw up detailed action plans to drive change. The plans have a particular focus on personal and professional development, and on strengthening the postgraduate research community. 

The full institutional report on LJMU's PRES results was considered at University Research Degrees Committee, Faculty Research Degree Committees, Faculty Research, Scholarship and Knowledge Transfer Committees, Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee, and approved at Academic Board. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Victoria Sheppard, Researcher Development Manager in the Doctoral Academy.