Some of the PhD students at the Department of Teaching and Learning. Photo: Private.

During the autumn season, their efforts received a boost as they successfully secured a 7,500 SEK project grant from the Student Union (SUS), enabling them to conduct activities aimed at fostering connections among the department's PhD students. These grants from SUS are a game-changer for the PhD Student Council, highlighting their dedication to creating a collaborative and connected environment.

Throughout the current semester, spanning from August to September 2023, the council's board orchestrated two well-attended lunchtime gatherings, which garnered substantial participation from the PhD student community. These events were warmly appreciated by their colleagues.

– We're thrilled to receive funding for this semester's social activities," said Harita Raval, Chairperson of the PhD Council. With nine new PhD students joining our department, it's a great opportunity to build connections within our growing community.

– The activities organized by the board have not only been instrumental in strengthening bonds among the PhD candidates but have also provided a platform for interdisciplinary networking and personal growth.

Here are snapshots and quotes captured by our own PhD students during their recent lunch gatherings

"I'm very grateful to the organizers of these events, and to SUS for funding them. As a foreign student, I think such occasions are particularly helpful for creating connections and feeling more a part of the department. We are a large body of PhD students spread out across campus, so meeting everyone and finding out not only about their research but also who they are as a person, takes time. These events facilitate us getting to know one another, which hopefully will result in not only greater coalescence as a body but also mutual encouragement and help when the PhD journey gets really tough, which it inevitably does!" said Samantha when asked to share her experience.

Laura added, "It has been very nice to meet other doctoral students at the 'new department.' Having time to discuss who we are and what we are working on has been very rewarding.It's been great meeting people with similar interests, both privately and in research, and socializing across previously drawn 'department borders'. It was so much fun."

"I think these social gatherings are very valuable, the lunch the other week at Lantis being no exception. It's nice both to catch up with longstanding projects and to get acquainted with new ones, in a relaxed atmosphere. Personally, I'm not very much for taking part in photo sessions, but if that is the public will, I'll yield 😃," shared Björn, a PhD student at the department.
 

"I'm from Barcelona, and I'm only in Stockholm for a few months, so the meal was a great opportunity to meet the department's doctoral students and share our projects. It also served as a space for relaxation and fun. Additionally, I had the chance to know the natural surroundings around the university and try the traditional Swedish meatballs." -- shared Miriam, a visiting student who enthusiastically participated in one of the lunch activities.

While Annalotta couldn't join the events, she expressed, "Since I have worked full time at my school since January, I have not had any possibilities to join the activities. However, it is very important to find ways to meet. I just want to say that I hope you will continue to arrange gatherings of different kinds, especially the combination of work-related gatherings and social events."

This feedback and appreciation are the things that keep the board going and improving day by day. --  Harita added.