Historically, PhD students have been provided with the opportunity to teach undergraduate students during their time studying at Cardiff University, which not only benefitted undergraduates, but was invaluable for the PhD students. Unfortunately, since last year, these opportunities for postgraduate students to teach have been drastically cut across the university. This has resulted in a significant decrease in teaching roles being offered to PhD students, with some schools, such as Social Sciences, cutting postgraduate teaching opportunities completely. This motion was presented in opposition to these cuts.
In August 2023, after several years of campaigning by students, postgraduate students were finally provided with official contracts of employments that gave the rights and recognition for the work that they do and paid them the amount that they deserved. In the proposal of this motion, it was suggested that the reason why the university were removing postgraduate teaching roles was to save money. Teaching experience is imperative to PhD students, providing them with skills that not only assist them in their future careers, but also aid their knowledge and understanding in their subject and contribute to their professional development.
PhD students bring fresh and new perspectives to undergraduate students and help to improve the quality of education that the university offer, so cutting these jobs and opportunities is incredibly impactful. The removal of these roles not only impacts the professional development of PhD students, but greatly affects the financial situations of many people, as most postgraduate students rely on the income of the teaching roles to make ends meet.
The motion asked the Students’ Union to oppose the university’s decision to reduce teaching opportunities for PhD students, lobby the university and advocate for the expansion of teaching opportunities for students, run awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of PhD teaching roles and work with relevant departments to explore alternative solutions to maintain or increase teaching opportunities for postgraduate students.
This motion was proposed by Michaela Panes and after she gave a passionate speech to the AGM, the motion was passed, almost unanimously.