Post-Grad Connects: November edition

An exciting evening for connection, creativity and networking.

As we settle into our routines and explore the new Autumn term, the UAL Postgrad Community hosted another ‘Postgrad Collab and Connects’ event.

On this occasion, the team took over the Darkroom Bar at London College of Communication, popular amongst students for after-hours pints and pool tournaments, which offers a great atmosphere for students to relax and connect with their peers.  Attendees came from all UAL Colleges, offering refreshing conversations around creativity and getting a glimpse at what others are doing.

As an Ambassador, I decided to bring back the ‘Tiny Set Design’ workshop, an activity aimed at understanding the purpose of set design for storytelling and exploring what we can express through special design.

Since all our attendees are enrolled in different courses, it was an interesting activity to witness how everyone approaches the concept of set design related to their practice. The idea is not to build or design something perfect, but to take inspiration from others, initiate conversations and share experiences as postgraduates.

I’ve come to notice how many of us are international students, and the main drive to come to the events is to make new connections and hear from the rest how they are dealing with the stress of moving abroad and settling in. It can be a challenging task to juggle between the balance of academic and social life while adding the changes that come with adapting to a new culture and rhythm and not knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. During Postgrad Connects we allow everyone to feel heard and seen, we listen to their stories and learn about their journeys, which enriches the evening and helps us stepping into the unexpected.

Hopefully some new friendships were made; hopefully everyone found a moment of comfort amidst uncertainty.

Interest group Neuroinclusive Play Collective, dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for neurodivergent, brought boardgames and crafty activities to set the tone and promote connectivity. Activities included postcard making and some exciting discussions around inclusivity through play.

Postgrad Connects has events scheduled throughout the year to continue supporting students who seek a moment of leisure and connection. We might feel at times as if we are navigating our courses alone, but stopping by for a drink and a few chats can make a huge difference to realize many of our experiences are shared amongst our peers, providing some needed relief to carry on.

Do you want to host a workshop at our events?

Whether it's photography, software tips, bookbinding, sewing or another creative skill — we’d love to hear from you! Submit your workshop proposal.

• Join our Collab and Connect Moodle forum where you can post and reply to callouts from UAL students looking to collaborate on various exciting projects.
• Come and join us  at our next Collab and Connect event : a holiday market at Camberwell
• Follow Post-Grad Community on Instagram and sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep informed of all our upcoming events.