In this blog post, RGRG PGR Rep Perpetua Ifiemor (Prifysgol Bangor University) reflects on a recent PGR morning coffee meeting.
The first Early Morning Online Coffee, hosted by the Rural Geography Research Group, brought together MRes students, PhD researchers at various stages of their journeys, an aspiring PhD researcher, and an early-career researcher for an informal yet meaningful chat about life in research.
The session was designed to be a relaxed space where participants could share what they’re working on, discuss the challenges they face, and celebrate the small but significant wins that often go unnoticed in the day-to-day grind of academia. It quickly became apparent how comforting it was for everyone to realise that many common struggles, such as feeling overwhelmed by data, navigating ethics approvals, juggling research with work or caring responsibilities, and questioning whether they’re “doing enough”, are shared across the research community.
The discussions covered a wide range of rural research topics, from land-use governance and social justice in Wales to equitable food environments in rural India, as well as innovative, non-traditional PhD pathways that connect academia, policy, and industry. A particularly valuable part of the session was hearing insights from a post-PhD researcher, who shared honest reflections on data management, narrative-building in a thesis, and the freedom that comes with understanding that not all collected data needs to be used.
The atmosphere throughout the hour was open, generous, and supportive. Participants noted how rare it is to find spaces where they can discuss their challenges without fear of judgment and where achievements, no matter how small, are genuinely celebrated.
Looking ahead, the strong engagement in this first session has laid a positive foundation for future RGRG PGR coffee meetings. Upcoming sessions will continue to emphasise peer support, research methods, and the realities of postgraduate research, fostering a connected and supportive community within rural geography.
These supportive peer spaces are also linked to wider opportunities within the RGS-IBG community, such as the New and Emerging Rural Researchers sessions at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference. These sessions provide postgraduate and early-career researchers with a welcoming platform to share work in progress and emerging ideas.
Get Involved
The RGRG PGR Early Morning Coffee meetings are open to MRes and PhD students at all stages of their research in rural geography. These informal online sessions are designed to be supportive and easy to join, even amidst busy schedules.
Future meetings will cover topics like research methods, data analysis, fieldwork and ethics, and managing the realities of postgraduate research.
If you’d like to participate in future sessions or suggest topics, please get in touch with Perpetua or check the RGRG PGR webpage and mailing lists for upcoming dates.
We look forward to welcoming you to a future coffee!