Behind the scenes at the Doctoral Conference – a postgraduate researcher perspective

At Leeds University Business School, we host an annual doctoral conference for our postgraduate researchers (PGRs). The conference brings together PGRs from all departments, providing a platform to present their research and connect with other PGRs, Early Career Researchers, supervisors, and colleagues within the Business School. 

The conference is a great opportunity for our PGRs to develop their presentation, communication, and networking skills further in a supportive environment. It also provides our PGRs with an opportunity to gain constructive feedback on their research and to learn from peers they would perhaps not otherwise engage with. 

There’s always a great atmosphere at the doctoral conference, and we receive fantastic feedback afterwards about how useful and enjoyable the event was.  

Conferences don’t run themselves though. We're lucky to have Jennifer Rodley, our PGR Support Officer, organise the event (finding a convenient date for as many people as possible, booking the venue, organising the panel and poster sessions, collecting presentations from speakers in advance, designing the programme – the list goes on!), with support from PGRs.  

On the day, student workers play a key role in helping to make sure the event runs as smoothly as possible. 

Below, we hear from two of our PGRs who worked at the event last year and will be there again at this year’s conference, helping to register attendees and keep things running efficiently on the day. 

Siran Wang is in her third year of her PhD studies. Her research explores behavioural patterns among individuals with addictive tendencies by analysing their digital footprints. Her goal is to develop data-driven insights that can inform interventions. 

Maren Domer is in her second year and is looking at consumers’ identity and how this influences their decision-making. For the first part of her PhD, she is researching how cultural identity, specifically collectivism, shapes consumer receptivity to artificial intelligence. She proposes that collectivists are more open to AI because they are more likely to attribute humanlike mental capacities (mind perception) to it, treating AI as a social rather than functional entity. 
 

Have you helped at other events before? If so, which ones? 

Maren: I’ve supported some, albeit mostly non-academic, events in the past. I used to work in politics where I was responsible for providing logistical and strategic support before, during, and after public appearances and events for the Minister of Education and Research. This involved everything from coordinating stakeholder engagement to managing on-site execution. More recently, I assisted with the Society for Consumer Psychology Boutique Conference held in Leeds in June last year. 

What made you want to work at the Doctoral Conference? 

Siran: I wanted to work at this event because the Doctoral Conference is a great platform for engagement and contribution. As a PhD researcher, I know how valuable it is to have a well-organised, supportive environment to share ideas. Supporting the conference allows me to give back to the community while also being part of something that brings researchers together. 

Maren: I wanted to gain firsthand experience with how academic events are organised and run. I saw it as an incredible opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes coordination of conferences like this. I was also excited about the chance to meet other amazing individuals across the Business School, like Jen and Siran, whom I wouldn’t normally meet through my own department. 

What did you enjoy most about supporting the conference?

Siran: I enjoyed the sense of collaboration and shared purpose. It was rewarding to see everything come together and to play a small but meaningful role in creating a smooth and welcoming experience for all participants. 

Maren: Seeing the entire day come together. I only played a tiny part in organising this event, but it was incredibly fun and rewarding to witness all the hard work from everyone pay off. One of my favourite moments was spontaneously organising interviews with both students and professors at the end of the conference. It was nice to hear what other people enjoyed and appreciated about the day. 

Even though you were working on the day, did you still manage to network with people? 

Siran: Yes, definitely. We were only busy before the conference started and during registration — helping with equipment setup and poster displays. For the rest of the time, we could fully immerse ourselves in the sessions while also keeping an eye out in case anyone needed assistance. 

Maren: Probably more than I would have if I hadn’t been working. As someone who is fairly introverted, this role gave me a reason and bit of a push to interact with a lot of people. Whether it was by helping to get people registered, setting speakers up in their rooms, or, as mentioned previously, finding people willing to be spontaneously interviewed. It turned out to be a really nice experience. 

How would you describe the atmosphere on the day? 

Siran: Very pleasant - it was a friendly, inclusive, and inspiring environment where everyone was eager to share ideas and support each other. 

Maren: From a work perspective, it was busy in a good way and really fun. As a participant/presenter, it was very relaxed and supportive. People were there to learn from each other and offer constructive feedback during sessions. It also felt like attendees genuinely wanted to meet new people which made it very welcoming. 

What do you think makes this conference special compared to others? 

Siran: This conference stands out because it is organised by and for the doctoral community. It fosters a unique sense of belonging and support, where everyone - from first-year PhD students to early career researchers - feels encouraged to share and connect without pressure or formality. The interdisciplinary setting also allows us to learn from perspectives beyond our own fields. 

Maren: What makes it special is that it’s just for PhD students, which creates a really safe and supportive environment. The feedback is constructive and helpful, without the pressure that can come with bigger conferences. Even though everyone’s from the same School, people come from different departments, so it’s a nice chance to meet others working on similar topics one might not normally come across because they are not in the same department. There are also sessions in between the presentation blocks tailored to PhD students, like advice from people who recently graduated or on how to publish your PhD thesis, so everything feels relevant and practical. 

What are your top tips for other students supporting academic conferences? 

Siran: Stay proactive, approachable, and flexible. Be ready to assist wherever needed, but also take the opportunity to learn and connect. Balancing your responsibilities with genuine participation makes the experience much more fulfilling. 

Maren: Have fun with it. It’s a great chance to see everything that goes on behind the scenes. It gives you a whole new appreciation for how much work and coordination goes into making these events happen.