SCDTP and Network Update
Newsletter
13 February 2025
Dear SCDTP Students, PGRs, and Supervisors,
Welcome to the latest edition of the SCDTP & Network Update! As we step into 2025, we’re excited to continue supporting our vibrant community of researchers across the South Coast. This year promises new opportunities for collaboration, training, and knowledge exchange, along with inspiring research from our doctoral candidates and alumni.
In this edition, you’ll find updates on upcoming events, funding opportunities, and recent achievements within the SCDTP network. We’ll also highlight thought-provoking blog posts from our researchers and share ways to stay connected and engaged.
Stay tuned, get involved, and let’s make 2025 a year of impactful research and meaningful connections!
SCDTP Meditation Sessions!
Instinctive Meditation
New Schedule & Details:
Fridays, 1:00 – 1:30 PM (via Zoom)
Upcoming session - 14 Feb 2025
Join Zoom Meeting
https://port-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/83122081904?pwd=pn5SFr03TObeO4tjbVeiwzacAJfKQO.1
Meeting ID: 831 2208 1904
Passcode: 654839
We’re pleased to share the next block of Friday meditation sessions designed to support PhD students in managing stress, developing self-awareness, and fostering a sense of community. Led by Sabrina, these 30-minute guided sessions offer practical techniques to help you feel more balanced and connected.
Session Time: Fridays, 1:00 – 1:30 PM (via Zoom)
Upcoming Dates:
February: 14th, 21st, 28th
March: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th (Final session for this block)
No sessions in April – May & June sessions TBC
Each session explores a different meditation technique, so there’s no commitment—join whenever it suits you! Sessions cover stress relief, anxiety management, and self-mapping, with time for reflection and sharing at the end.
For full details, including how to prepare and participant testimonials, check out the session guide.
Take a break, reset, and reconnect—join us this Friday!
In these sessions, you’ll learn techniques to:
Visualize your goals and aspirations
Manage anxiety with practical tools
Incorporate movement to restore balance
Integrate meditation into busy days
Participants have shared:
“Sabrina explains concepts in a way that deepens self-awareness. I feel more grounded and connected after each session.” – Callum
“Incorporating movement has been a game-changer for me. I’m more relaxed, and my body feels calmer.” – Georgia
“Sabrina’s knowledge and personal approach gave me the confidence to explore practices I might have dismissed.” – Jess
For more information:
www.tailoredmeditation.com
Instagram: @Tailored_Meditation
Meditation questions: tailoredmeditation@protonmail.com
Join us and create a moment of calm in your day!
Latest Blog & Updates
This week, we’re featuring two insightful blog posts from our SCDTP researchers, each exploring critical themes of identity, activism, and systemic change.
Mine is not a river it is an ecosystem
Katie Munday (University of Portsmouth) reflects on their PhD journey through a powerful visual metaphor—not as a river, but as an ecosystem of participatory research. They explore the interconnectedness of lived experience, research, and community, highlighting the transformative power of inclusive research practices.
Read here: https://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/mine-is-not-a-river/
Reflections on Mombasa: Decoloniality, Aid, and Youth Power in Africa
Thokozile Tembo (University of Southampton) shares insights from her research trip to Mombasa, Kenya, examining financial decoloniality, youth resistance to corruption, and the lasting impact of colonial systems on African economies. Her reflections offer a thought-provoking look at Africa’s path toward self-determination.
Read here: https://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/reflections-on-mombasa/
ESRC News
A fellowship and two active placement opportunities by the ESRC
Explore Exciting ESRC Fellowship and Placement Opportunities!
Link: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/international-fellowships-for-phd-and-early-career-researchers-2025/
As part of the SCDTP network, we’re thrilled to highlight an excellent ESRC Fellowship and two placement opportunities available to SCDTP students (excluding first-year PhD and Master's students).
These opportunities are designed to enhance your research experience and expand your professional skills. Don’t miss out on the chance to gain valuable expertise and make impactful connections!
International fellowships at the Library of Congress
Closing date 13 March 2025 4:00pm
More information can be found on the UKRI Funding Finder
This scheme offers early-career researchers, along with AHRC-funded and ESRC-funded doctoral students, exclusive access to the world-renowned collections, programs, and expertise at prestigious host institutions. Its goal is to enrich research by enhancing its depth, diversity, and range, including studies on underrepresented and under-researched cultures and histories.
ESRC-funded PhD students are invited to apply for a fellowship to visit the Library of Congress for 3 to 6 months. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, join a webinar on January 23 at 2:00 PM, where further details will be shared, and you will have the chance to ask questions.
Thank You for Reading
As we share the latest edition of the SCDTP and Network Update, we want to thank you for your continued dedication and contributions to our community. Your engagement and support make this network a thriving hub of collaboration, innovation, and shared learning.
This edition highlights some of the exciting opportunities, events, and resources available to you in the coming weeks. We hope it provides valuable insights and inspires you to stay actively involved.
Remember, we’re always here to hear from you! Whether you have feedback, questions, or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out at scdtp@soton.ac.uk—your input helps shape the future of our community.
Thank you for being an essential part of the SCDTP network. We’re looking forward to all we can accomplish together this year.
Warm regards,
The SCDTP Team |