This page is a hub of all things HISA for you as a postgraduate researcher
Here you will find information, resources, events, articles, and all sorts of things relevant to your student experience as a researcher at UHI.
Did you know that we have a society specifically for PGRs? The aptly named PGR Society are a friendly, lively, and active society balancing social and academic pursuits, both online and in-person. You can find out more about them, and how to join (for free) by clicking the link above! Of course they are not the only one of our student-led groups that are open to you. We have loads, ranging from scuba diving to knitting, and everything inbetween. Just follow this link to see them all!
Write for us at HISA! We would love to share your writing on this page! Click the link for more info, or email PGR.HISA@uhi.ac.uk to ask questions or send us something awesome to publish online.
Our wonderful Advice Service offers guidance and practical support to all UHI students. Saying that, we are aware that some of the challenges and hurdles faced by our PGR community are specific to the experience of being a postgraduate student, so we have a section of FAQs just for you.
If you are a UHI Postgraduate Researcher and registered with one of our Academic Partners (or live near one of them), then do also check your local 'Your Campus' page to keep an eye on what is going on locally.
Can you be one of our SVRs? Yes! Stepping up to be an SVR is a great way to shape your research experience and develop skills that are an undenyable CV boost. You can read about the roles and see if it is right for you by following the link above.
Volunteer Pool (in collaboration with the UHI Graduate School)
See below for a range of volunteer opportunities. These cover a wide range of degrees of time and effort commitment, and a broad selection of topics and focuses. To find out more about what is expected of volunteers, or to pop your name down for any, simply email PGR.HISA@uhi.ac.uk.
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Research Degrees Committee - The Research Degrees Committee (RDC) is responsible for overseeing the admission, registration, support, progression and examination of research students, and as a PGR, you can support, monitor, and review policies and procedures relating to PGRs, student support issues, and the monitoring of quality assurance and enhancements. Time commitment: RDC is held approx. every 6 weeks for approx. 1hour.
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PGRs Who Teach - UHI-led working group supporting the development of teaching opportunities for PGRs across the Partnership. Time commitment: TBC
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UHI PGR Induction - come along, meet our new PGRs and let them know how to get involved in our PGR Community. Dates: 21st and 22nd October at UHI Inverness.
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UHI Research Conference Steering Group - be involved in the planning of the next research conference at UHI. Time commitment: TBC
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Validation events - bring a PGR perspective to approval and re-approval events of academic research areas. Available opportunities will be advertised here.
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PGR panel members - on Day 2 of the UHI Research Conference there will be a PGR panel focusing on what it's like to be a UHI PGR student and sharing nuggets of advice as others start their research journey. Get in touch if you'd like to be part of the panel! Time commitment: TBC (but a one-off event with minimal preperatory work required).
TQER - call for volunteers!
This autumn is our TQER (Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review). You can find some more information about it by clicking the link above. This external review includes a series of online conversations with specific groups of UHI students. Each Teams call is anticipated to last an hour.
The meeting for postgraduate researchers is on Tuesday 6th October 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
This is a great opportunity. Not only will you be meaningfully shaping 
UHI's focus for the future, but for those of you intending to go on to work in academia this is a fantastic snapshot of how university structures work, beyond teaching and research.
We are looking for a broad range of PGR volunteers to step up! Involved in teaching? Volunteer! Not involved in teaching? Volunteer! Part-time? Full time? Volunteer! Spending all your time on campus and in a lab? Volunteer! Researching remotely in the outer Hebrides? Volunteer! Just started? About to have your viva? Well you can see where I am going with this.If you are interested, or have any questions, then please email us at HISA on: PGR.HISA@uhi.ac.uk
Contact us
We have a mailbox where you can reach us at HISA, simultaneously with a staff member at the Graduate School, and the PGR Rep! Just pop an email over to: PGR.HISA@uhi.ac.uk
Note: this email mailbox is accessed by three people, so please do not send confidential information meant for a single department or person!
Anyaku Alicho Onyebuchi - PGR Rep (UHI Graduate School)
"I am a PhD Sustainability doctoral researcher at the University of the Highlands and
Islands, North, West, and Hebrides – Stornoway Campus, and I bring you greetings from the Western Isles, where my research focuses on community and household energy decarbonisation. I study how communities and households navigate low-carbon, socio-technical transitions and place-based renewable energy innovations, with particular attention to energy justice and equity, aging populations and energy vulnerability, contributing to the overarching goal of decarbonising the Scottish Islands, and I began this research project in May 2025. I am part of the PGR Committee, and also grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Post Graduate Researcher Representative at UHI.
Beyond my research, my other interests include advocating for, motivating and inspiring people and business towards positive change. I also enjoy conflict resolution, communicating, writing, researching and continuous learning, and I publish Digital Decarb and Diplomacy, a LinkedIn newsletter at the intersection of sustainability debates and climate diplomacy.
I commit to mental clarity and de-stressing, leveraging skipping-rope, dumbbell weight training and cardio exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. I look forward to meeting you."
PGR News
PGR Events