Research students from across the University of Westminster came together on 3 June for the World in Westminster Café: Graduate School Community Building event, a relaxed and welcoming gathering designed to strengthen connections across the doctoral community.
Delivered in partnership with the University of Westminster PhD Society and the Graduate School, the event provided an opportunity for postgraduate researchers to meet peers from different disciplines, share experiences and build new friendships over food and conversation.
The café also marked the culmination of this year's World in Westminster Café programme, which has created a series of informal spaces for students throughout the academic year. From welcoming international students to exploring themes of inclusion, wellbeing and community building, the programme aims to ensure that students from all backgrounds and levels of study have opportunities to connect and feel a sense of belonging at Westminster.
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, said: "Our PhD community is one of Westminster’s greatest strengths — scholars from across the world who bring not just intellectual rigour but lived experience, multiple modes of thinking and a refusal to accept that knowledge is produced in only one place. Celebrating this diversity as part of our World in Westminster series is not a gesture; it is a recognition that the best research happens when diversity of ideas and excellence is nurtured."
Professor Andrew Linn, Deputy-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, added: "Doing a PhD is a big deal, and the outcomes are amazing, but it’s also a long journey. The PhD Society does so much to help ensure that our PhD researchers are part of a community - a community of very smart people!”
Wei Wang, President of the PhD Society, added: “The World in Westminster Café created a welcoming space for doctoral researchers to meet, share experiences and build connections across disciplines. As a PhD Society, we believe these opportunities for in-person conversation are essential to fostering a strong and inclusive research community.”
Fabia Hannan Mone, first year PhD student in Public Health Nutrition, said: “I really enjoyed the session and meeting everyone. The open, relaxed conversation was wonderful. I’d love to join more.”
The World in Westminster Café programme directly contributes to the University's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering inclusive communities and meaningful collaboration across the University.
Find out more about postgraduate courses at the University of Westminster.
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