Ideas Xchange Event

Supervisors from across the Doctoral Training Alliance network were invited to apply for grants of up to £2,000, to be used towards the development and delivery of activities that would benefit and add value to the wider UA doctoral community of supervisors and doctoral researchers, through expansion of skill set and/or supervisory practice. Cross-institutional applications and activities and those that directly involved doctoral researchers as part of the proposal development phase were encouraged.

Building on the success of the That’s Me! Project, Jacqueline Taylor and Eli Ashong from Birmingham City University will host The Ideas Xchange event at STEAMhouse bringing together postgraduate researchers, supervisors, EDI experts and professional service staff from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to ‘Xchange’ ideas on inclusive and sustainable supervisory practices and doctoral networks.

The Ideas Xchange

The Ideas Xchange is not a traditional conference. It is a dynamic, one-day, in-person forum designed to foster meaningful dialogue, critical reflection, and collaborative problem-solving. Bringing together doctoral researchers, supervisors, EDI practitioners, policymakers, professional services staff, scholars, and external stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, the Ideas Xchange creates space for honest conversations about the doctoral experience.

At its core, the event explores the intersectional lived realities of the doctoral journey – recognising the complexities of identity, power, and institutional structures that shape it. Attendants are invited to share practices and to challenge assumptions, test new ideas, and co-create practical, sustainable approaches to improving inclusivity and enhancing supervisory practices. 

Funded by the Doctoral Training Alliance and inspired by the  project, a collaboration between Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton, supported by the Office for Students and Research England, the Ideas Xchange is a catalyst for reflection, experimentation, and meaningful change. 

Call for contributons - submit by 26th April 2026

Indicative agenda  

Welcome & Framing the Space | Opening remarks, shared principles, and setting intentions for collaborative exchange.

Provocation Session | Short, thought-provoking contributions (e.g., lightning talks or provocations) to challenge assumptions and spark discussion.

Interactive Exchange Session(s) | Small-group, participant-led discussions or workshops focused on themes

Co-Creation Lab: From Ideas to Action | Collaborative working groups to develop practical, sustainable recommendations, tools, or interventions.

Collective Reflections & Commitments | Sharing insights, key takeaways, and identifying opportunities for ongoing collaboration. 

The day will also include opportunities for exchange through dialogue and informal networking, along with refreshments and lunch.