Annual SDHI Postgraduate Retreat
Thursday 21st May to Friday 22nd May 2009
The Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI) held its 5th annual
short retreat for postgraduate students conducting health research. This
year's retreat took place from Thursday 21st May to Friday 22nd May 2009
in Kindrogan Field Centre near Pitlochry. See http://www.field-studies-council.org/kindrogan.
The retreat was designed to be informal and enjoyable with food and overnight
accommodation provided. "Entertainment" was provided
in the evening and time made available for enjoying the beautiful location.
Feedback from last year's event was extremely positive and has shaped
this year's programme. Comments included, "The retreat was very
beneficial and convenient ", "It should be extended to at least
3 days….", "Faculty talents are well balanced to deal with
the variety of methodologies represented through the students", "it
was good to meet other students and share ideas…", "…..selection
of topics for presentation was really helpful as they exposed the audience
to multiple methodologies".
This two day retreat allowed health-related PhD students and early career
Postdoctoral fellows:
- To discuss key methodological issues relating to their thesis with
fellow health researchers and to become familiar with a range of related
research methods.
- To make contact with health related researchers from across the Universities
of Dundee and St Andrews to help future collaboration and employment
options.
- The opportunity to explain and discuss their research in a less familiar,
but nonetheless supportive and friendly environment.
- To become familiar with wider disciplinary perspectives on health
related research, essential for current and future multi-disciplinary
working.
The revised retreat programme was largely discussion based. All students
submitted a one page summary describing an aspect or element of their
PhD or studies. This formed the basis for an initial group activity.
Nine attendees had the opportunity to deliver a more detailed
conference style presentation of their thesis topic/findings. This was
followed by discussion of a key methodological, practical or analytic
issue that arose.
This programme allowed participants the opportunity to raise and discuss
key methodological issues relating to their current research activity
and build generic research skills.
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