Postgraduate Student Council recruitment

The Postgraduate Student Council (PSC) is looking for new members!

If you are either:

• a current postgraduate in bioethics or a related discipline;
• an early-career researcher in an academic, clinical or policy setting with relevance to bioethics;
• someone holding at least an undergrad degree and have applied, or intend to apply to a postgraduate programme in bioethics or a related discipline within 12 months

…then you’re eligible to apply to sit on the PSC!

Who we are

PSC is an interdisciplinary, postgraduate-led committee, affiliated with the IME, and with the aim of providing advice, support, information, resources and opportunities to the postgraduate bioethics community. We do this primarily by organising inclusive and accessible events and activities to help postgraduates develop skills, gain experience and build relationships.

Our main annual event is PGBC – the Postgraduate Bioethics Conference – which is free to attend, and where postgraduates can present their research in a supportive, welcoming environment, as well as getting the chance to network with peers and hear from prominent keynote speakers in fields across bioethics.  Our 2024 conference, with the theme of ‘Bioethics in Action’, took place in September 2024 at the University of Cambridge and featured 37 postgraduate presentations across two days, with early-career panel sessions, advice on publishing and presenting in bioethics, and keynotes from Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) (39 Essex Chambers); Dr Pete Mills (PHG Foundation) and Dr Zoe Fritz & Dr Dominic Summers (University of Cambridge).

PGBC isn’t all we do in terms of events and opportunities, however – we have also organised writing retreats and workshops on presenting bioethics research to the media, as well as co-ordinating a mentoring and alumni network. You can get involved in planning and running all of our events, and more, if you join PSC. We operate on a small budget but are a friendly, committed bunch, and manage to achieve a lot with creativity and careful planning!

What we’re looking for

We are looking for at least three new members to join PSC, effective from February 2025.

We have regular meetings (every 2-3 months, more frequently during the run-up to PGBC) which are mostly held online, although we do have at least two in-person meetings per year. If you meet the eligibility criteria above and:

• can commit to attending the majority of our meetings, including in-person meetings;
• can join the IME as a member for the duration of your time on PSC;
• take an active part in the work of the PSC;
• have an enthusiastic, inclusive and welcoming attitude; and
• want to learn from your peers, and for your peers to learn from you

…then we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need to have been on a committee or board before, though if you have any relevant experience, please do mention it in your application.

Please apply below – applications are open until 31 January 2025. We will get back to applicants within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Any questions before applying? Please email us on pgbioethics@ime-uk.org.