I am Dr Oliver Walton, Reader in International Development and I am your Director of Studies.
I look forward to meeting you and ensuring your PhD experience in SPS is as enjoyable and rewarding as possible! Your research is fundamental to the Department’s research agenda and academic performance. Our established Research Centres and the pop-up Centres are a great way to develop contacts and find synergies between your research and other PGR and academics in the Department and Faculty. Visit our website.
I am working to build a strong PGR community together, seeking ideas to be more interactive and connected. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on how we can enhance the PGR experience in the Department. My office door is open to you during working hours, and you are welcome to email me to organise a meeting outside those hours in person or online. My email is oew20@bath.ac.uk.
I will see you on the 30th of September at 14:15 in 8 West, room 2.16 on campus for our Induction event.
Have a great start to your PhD studies!"
Induction events and activities
Departmental Induction
Wednesday 30 September 2026
| Activity | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Department welcome and induction | 14:15 - 16:05 | 8 West 2.13 |
If you are part of the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP), you will also need to attend their induction events.
Doctoral College Induction Events
To book your place on these events please log on to MyDoctoralDevelopment. You will need to have completed registration online to access MyDoctoralDevelopment. Bookings open Monday 07 September 2026
Welcome Reception
Tuesday 06 October 16:00 - 18:30 in the Claverton Rooms
Welcome Workshops:
Attendance at the welcome workshops is compulsory.
Establishing expectations in supervision
Thursday 01 October 2026 14:15-16:05 in 10 West 2.47 or
Friday 02 October 2026 10:15-12:05 online
Preparing for agreement of expectations
Wednesday 07 October 2026 14:15-16:05 in 10 West 2.47 or
Friday 09 October 2026 10:15-12:05 online
Introduction to Research Ethics@Bath Webinar
Wednesday 14 October 14:15-15:15 online
This session will be recorded and made available after the event if you are unable to attend.
Introduction to Research Integrity
Wednesday 28 October 2026 14:15-16:05 10 West 2.47 or
Monday 16 November 13:15-15:05 Venue to be confirmed or,
Wednesday 09 December 10:15-12:05 Venue to be confirmed.
The Introduction to Research Integrity workshops are interactive and are therefore only available as in person events.
An Open Research Landscape: What it means for me, my research and my career
To be confirmed.
Your doctoral career: what, why, when?
Wednesday 02 December 2026 14:15-16:05 in 10 West 2.47 or
Friday 04 December 2026 10:15-11:45 online
SU Social Event
Details to be confirmed. Please check back here.
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