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The ESHCC PhD Club is a vibrant community of PhD candidates from the History, Arts and Culture Studies, and Media and Communication departments. Rooted in a shared passion for intellectual exploration, we go beyond the academic realm to cultivate a supportive community.
Our bi-monthly events show our Club’s commitment to community building. Through informative sessions and social events, we facilitate a dynamic space for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas, fostering connections while maintaining our work-life balance.
Moreover, as a community, we are advocates for our fellow PhD candidates. By channeling our collective insights, we convey the needs and challenges faced by our peers to the faculty and university. We aim to amplify support systems, foster understanding, and collaboratively enhance PhD experience, reaffirming our commitment to elevating each other's scholarly pursuits.
At our core, we cherish inclusivity and diversity. Our chair selection process underscores this, as we rotate chair positions among the departments. The rotational appointments of the chair and vice chair guarantee representation, empowering all voices to steer the course of our club.
Within the ESHCC PhD Club, we encourage open dialogues, fostering personal growth and fortitude amidst the PhD journey's peaks and valleys. We all work together to explore the rich academic landscape, connecting across fields and making lasting memories on our collective PhD journey.
Scroll down to read more about the PhD Club.
Blog
What we do
At the heart of the ESHCC PhD Club's mission are three pillars that fortify and elevate the PhD experience:
1. Community building
Our approach at the ESHCC PhD Club is anchored in fostering a supportive community for our fellow PhD candidates. As ardent advocates for camaraderie, we extend a heartfelt welcome to new PhD candidates through a warm introductory email, sharing useful and up-to-date information on behalf of the PhD Club. We offer the option to connect newcomers with our active WhatsApp group, where they can instantly engage and directly communicate within the community. For those seeking guidance, we facilitate ‘buddy’ connections, pairing them with experienced senior PhD candidates in similar research fields and/or similar project setups. These senior buddies are not just mentors but allies, ready to share their experiences and insights and respond to queries. Our individualised pairing process ensures mutual assistance and encouragement.
2. Informative events
Our informative events, standing as platforms for sharing knowledge, allow us to engage in lively discussions that traverse ongoing research, practical insights, innovative methodologies, and the diverse facets of teaching. With a commitment to enriching the academic journey, we organise around six such events annually, often with guest speakers from within and outside of our faculty.
Past event: https://www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/news/academic-conferences-how-make-most-out…
3. Social events
Beyond academia, our social events act as vibrant spaces for PhDs to connect, build relationships, and unwind. Held two to four times per academic year, our social events aim to offer opportunities for light-hearted interactions. As a community, we understand the value of balancing scholarly pursuits with moments of shared enjoyment.
Past event: https://www.eur.nl/en/eshcc/news/juicy-art-tour-unveiling-intriguing-st…
What other PhD candidates say
“The ESHCC PhD club has become a sanctuary in my PhD journey, where useful info, peer support, and after-work drinks are constantly on offer.”
Kaixin Cheng, PhD candidate at the Department of Media and Communication
“The PhD Club was my first point of contact with the PhD community at ESHCC! I enjoy the welcoming and friendly atmosphere it creates. Every social and academic event organised by the PhD club brings us PhD candidates closer to the community!”
Zhen Ye, PhD candidate at the Department of Media and Communication
“Being a member of the ESHCC PhD Club was an enriching experience that allowed me to connect with diverse PhD candidates across departments. Engaging in a variety of social activities made my academic journey more enjoyable!”
Britt Swartjes, PhD candidate at the Department of Arts and Culture Studies
Contact
Would you like to get in touch with the PhD Club? Please message us via phdclub@eshcc.eur.nl