New board for the Convention of the Doctoral Student Council has been elected

Towards the end of last year, a new Board for the Convention of the Doctoral Student Council was appointed. Their term begins in January 2024. According to the board members, their primary goal for the next 12 months is the review and update the Doctoral Student Council's regulations, which have remained unchanged for the past five years. The team also plans to foster the community of the doctoral student council, addressing challenges related to the integration and acclimatization of international doctoral students. A key element of their strategy includes collaboration with the university library. Justyna Załuska emphasizes the importance of the library's training sessions on information retrieval and management, which are incredibly beneficial for researchers.

Organizing training sessions and providing psychological support for doctoral students will be among the council's most crucial tasks. Mental health issues among doctoral students, both in Wrocław and nationally, are significant. According to a report by the National Representation of Doctoral Students (KRD), 67 percent of doctoral students experience anxiety levels above the norm, and over 73 percent report symptoms of depression to various extents. The report was part of the "PhD Mental Health" project, aimed at assessing the mental health of doctoral students, focusing on aspects such as loneliness, social support, risk of professional burnout, stress levels, anxiety, and depression tendencies, considering the impact of the pandemic situation.

– We are in touch with Patrycja Krzemieniec, the Director of the Support and Accessibility Department, to organize assistance for doctoral students. From what I hear, many are struggling with stress and anxiety. We want to extend a helping hand – explains Justyna Załuska.

The council also plans to continue developing its community and fostering integration, especially since a significant portion of doctoral students are from abroad and often face challenges in acclimatizing to Poland. The Council has already appointed two delegates to better facilitate the acclimatization of international doctoral students. – Until now, assistance was limited to contacting occupational health physicians, or providing initial contact and simple advice on where to buy things or get things done – says the chairman. The Council also plans to enhance the integration of international members of the Doctoral School, including organizing social outings, trips, and, most importantly, reviving the Doctoral Ball.

– One of our main tasks this year is to organize the Doctoral Ball, which has suffered due to the pandemic. We are planning the event for May, though the date may shift – says the chairman, noting that the event is being organized in collaboration with the Wrocław-Opole Doctoral Consortium (WrOPD), of which Rafał Ramut is a member.

When asked how they plan to start their term this year, council members say – We want to start the same way as last year, by conducting a reference survey among doctoral students. We'll ask if they know what the council does, and what they want it to do. We also want to understand their problems and provide solutions. After all, we are a kind of link between doctoral students, and the Doctoral School and university authorities. If need be, one can come to us and report a problem anonymously too.

Activities within and beyond the university

The doctoral students emphasize that they plan not only to expand cooperation at the national level but also internationally, increasing opportunities for participants of the UPWr Doctoral School, including participation in international internships and conferences.

– We're trying to get involved in the EU GREEN initiative. Our main focus will be on promoting the consortium's activities because many doctoral students are unaware of its existence. It's worth talking about and conveying the opportunities it provides, such as scientific internships, conferences, or simply exchanging knowledge and experiences with other European universities – says Chairman Adam Cegła. –We are also part of the National Representation of Doctoral Students. We strive to maintain constant contact, and attend meetings, and this year we also plan to request an increase in the budget to fund these trips and collaborations at the national level – adds Justyna Załuska.

Maintaining balance

Balancing doctoral studies with council work can be challenging, but as doctoral students say, it is possible and often complements their daily duties. There are various phases, from quieter to more intense ones requiring immediate action. Achieving balance depends on the specifics of the doctoral program, as well as the fair distribution of duties and the commitment of all members.

Rafał Ramut is the only first-year doctoral student elected to the council. – I was welcomed warmly by my older peers, which made my adaptation easier. Having previous experience in the Student Council, I know I can contribute a lot to this community. Both the knowledge of how the university operates and a fresh perspective as a first-year doctoral student – says Rafał, emphasizing that the decision to include a representative from the first year is important and hopes this tradition will continue.

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