Founded in 2010, the goal of the Aston Postgraduate Research Society (APRS) is to improve the social and academic experiences of research students across all areas of Aston University.
All new postgraduate research students are automatically invited to join APRS when they enrol; this requires you to also be a member of the Students’ Union.
Every College has representatives who form the APRS Committee. Members of the committee meet regularly to plan and promote events. If you would like to be involved as a College rep (we're actively recruiting!), get in touch either directly with your existing College representative or via social media.
The APRS Events Calendar usually includes ‘Welcome’ events for new students, ‘Lunch with Professor X’, a Christmas Social, and a Summer Ball.
To keep up-to-date with the latest APRS news, you can join us on our social media sites, which are shown below. If you wish to contact the Society Committee with any enquiries, please email one of the representatives from your College (see list above).
APRS statement on the invasion of Ukraine
We at the Aston Postgraduate Research Society would like to take a moment to recognise the heartbreaking situation which continues to unfold in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with those at the university and beyond who are directly or indirectly affected by the conflict, and with their loved ones.
Aston is home to many Ukrainian, Russian, and Belarusian colleagues – both academic and non-academic staff, and students. We would like to remind everybody to communicate in a way which is sensitive to those around you – be aware of the topics you raise and the feelings they may provoke in others. Please be mindful too that the current situation may be a painful reminder for those who have experiences of conflict in other parts of the world. As always, we should try to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to anyone who may need it.
Resources for allies: How you can help
We have prepared a list of resources for those who would like to support Ukrainians, financially or otherwise. We will also share details of protests in the Birmingham area on our social media pages as we become aware of them.
Donate to the Red Cross to provide essentials including food, water, shelter, and much more.
Donate to Project C.U.R.E. to provide medical supplies and equipment.
GoodtoKnow have compiled a useful list of appeals, including for those who want to help but don’t have the financial means to donate money.
The Ukrainian LGBTQ+ community may be particularly at risk following the Russian invasion – check out this fundraising initiative and donate on PayPal at +14152799995.
The Ukrainian Women’s Guard gives women medical, psychological, and self-defence training.
Fight for Right offers support for disabled Ukrainians. They have a GoFundMe page here.
Everybody Can works to provide assistance to children, the elderly, and hospitals.
United Help Ukraine provides medical aid and humanitarian relief to the Ukrainian people.
Voices of Children offers emergency psychological and psychosocial support to children to help them to overcome consequences of war.
Polish Humanitarian Action is transporting and distributing food and hygiene products in Ukraine, and setting up an emergency aid station in Rava-Rus’ka near the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Fundacja Ocalenie helps refugees from around the world to build a new life in Poland.