Peer Support Community for PhD Students within the EUGLOH University Alliance – Exploratory Workshop

We warmly invite colleagues across the EUGLOH alliance who are PhD students, Supervisors for PhD students and Staff interested in supporting PhD students to join our online workshop taking place on April 27, 2026. In a prior workshop – PhD students from various alliance universities expressed a desire to find some sort of peer support for them. Therefore, the aim of the workshop is to see if we together can find a format for PhD students from all disciplines to support each other and share experiences within the university alliance.

Being a PhD student can be very challenging. For instance, in terms of loneliness, stress, dependency on others and or funds, etc. To be able to meet peers in a similar situation might alleviate some of the internal pressure you put on yourself and provide you with ideas on how to handle specific situations. During the workshop we will together explore different peer support models for PhD students and decide upon a suitable model(s) for EUGLOH. Examples of potential peer support models can be

• Peer Mentoring & Coaching: Program where you pair more experienced students with newcomers to provide emotional support and institutional guidance. Peer coaching groups use specific skills (like active listening) to help members create actionable plans for work-related issues.
• Peer-Led Support Groups: These can be structured (following a workbook) or unstructured (open conversation).
• Grant Writing Clubs: Tailored for students to enhance application skills through peer feedback and guest speakers.
• Journal Clubs: Students meet to practice critical analysis of scientific articles.
• Facilitated "Safe Spaces": Offer small-group sessions where participants share thoughts without interruption to combat isolation. 

• PhD Hubs & Cafés: Centralized "PhD Hubs" serve as a one-stop resource for networking, mobility opportunities, and informal social gatherings intended to combat the isolation inherent in doctoral study. 

What Does the Workshop Offer?

Interactive format: Participants will actively contribute to explore peer support formats for PhD students in the university alliance.

Community building and practical takeaways: Our goal is to create a format for peer support for PhD students from all disciplines within EUGLOH and select persons to take this initiative forward.

We look forward to your participation.