My programme is one of militant optimism.

As a fourth year PhD researcher based in the Law School, a former GTA with two years of teaching experience, a committed trade unionist and teachout organiser, I have learnt that postgraduate research is not a merry endeavour. Rather than freely developing our creativity, we tend to experience:

• Alienated and solitary labour, despite research degrees being called ‘programmes’
• Sacrifices to family life and a sense that one is putting their life on hold
• Inadequate financial support amidst a ‘cost of living crisis’
• Hopelessness over limited exit strategies to PGR precarity

Yet, to borrow a line from Seamus Heaney, ‘whatever is given / can always be reimagined’. Continuing from the work of Camille Bou, the previous occupier of the post in 2021-2022, as a PGR Officer I would like to:

• Emphasise the need for treating PGRs as staff uniformly across all LSE departments
• Pressure the School to provide proper mental health support facilities for PGRs (a zen bus is not a silver bullet)
• Support the SU PhD Action Network's efforts to improve PGRs' wellbeing and academic experience
• Overall, inaugurate an LSE-wide race to the top for PGR conditions!

PGRs of LSE, unite!