Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference

@ukstemconf.bsky.social

Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference: Making connections, innovating and sharing pedagogy. 24th-25th June at Royal Holloway University of London, UK. #UKSTEMConf26

Honoured to present last week at @ukstemconf.bsky.social about the experiences of UK PhD demonstrators, role ambiguity, identity, community bonds, and career implications. Paper is linked below. Thank you to those who attended the talk and asked questions. It was a great discussion #UKSTEMConf25

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Dr Nikki Dean Marshall@ndeanmarshall.bsky.social · last yr.

Very proud to share our latest study exploring the experiences of PhD demonstrators across UK universities. Read more here: doi.org/10.53761/57k... #PhDLife #HigherEd Highlights in the thread below. 1/6 🧵

We examined the experiences of 16 PhD demonstrators from Russell and non-Russell universities, exploring teaching benefits and challenges, dual student-teacher identities, and opinions on the “demonstrator” title. Through interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, 4 themes were found: 1) ambiguity in the demonstrator label persists despite the GTA alternative, reflecting a disconnect between title and role, 2) the unpredictability, heavy workload, and lack of freedom in the role contribute to stress and diminish enjoyment for demonstrators, 3) feelings of being unsupported due to inadequate preparation, lack of recognition, poor treatment by staff, and the burdens of casualised contracts, 4) positive aspects including the unique demonstrator-student relationship, skill development, mentorship, supportive community, and flexible scheduling that provides a break from PhD work. The study highlights the importance of recognizing the dual identity, finding a label that reflects their responsibilities, addressing stress factors, and enhancing support and recognition for individuals within these roles.

Great first subject talk #UKSTEMConf25 by Sam Johnson. Using the self-efficacy framework to better understand first year students to better. My take homes: 1) mastery is success as well as practice 2) stress is important 3) students need skills/ framework to manage stress and time management

Kathryn Dudley next up talking about barriers to uptaking a BMS placement #UKSTEMConf25 My take homes: 1) accessibility of BMS placements is important 2) funding is key 3) travel and cost is a close second 4) those with disabilities and those who are carers are less likely to apply

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