Postgraduate Forum Regional Event Funding

The British Sociological Association is requesting expressions of interest from postgraduate students interested in organising a regional postgraduate day event in 2024.

In 2023, thirteen postgraduate events were accepted to be held throughout the UK. These one-day events express the diversity and dynamism of the postgraduate experience. It is hoped that they will become an annual series in the BSA calendar with a variety of engaging postgraduate events taking place in regions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We would love to hear from any postgraduate organisers who are interested in holding such an event – either at their institution or the BSA meeting room in London – and who are willing to coordinate with speakers and the BSA to organise this.

The BSA will provide up to £1,000 support for the event, which can be used to pay for room hire, speakers, lunch and refreshments. Please note that alcohol cannot be purchased using BSA funds.

If the anticipated event costs are likely to exceed the funding available, organisers are encouraged to seek a contribution from the host institution, such as free meeting room or a financial contribution to refreshments, or to charge an attendance fee for the event. The BSA Office will help to promote and publicise the events through a number of outlets including flyers in membership packs, the BSA website and member e-newsletters.

Please email all expressions of interest to the BSA Events Team, addressing all correspondence: BSA Regional Postgraduate Day Events 2024

All applicants must be a current BSA member. Find out how to become a BSA member.

The submission deadline for proposals is: 5pm, Friday 10 November 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

Expressions of interest should include the following details:

  • Name of organiser(s):
  • Institution(s):
  • Proposal for regional postgraduate day event:
    • Proposed dates
    • Proposed theme
    • Potential speakers
    • Anticipated costs

Please note the following criteria used to judge applications:  All applications will be considered by the membership services directors and a postgraduate convenor. A final decision is then made by the Trustees taking into consideration the feedback from the postgraduate convenor and based on the following selection criteria:

  • Breadth of appeal beyond the organising group
  • Centrality to sociological concerns
  • Quality of information provided
  • Geographical spread
  • Distinctiveness from previous events and institutions

For further information, please email the BSA Events Team.