Academic Enhancement

Atlas Programme

The Atlas Programme is for all Green Templeton students, whatever their subject or course of study. It’s designed to complement the resources offered by departments and central university services in the smaller, less pressured, and friendly context of the college community, to help students thrive academically and professionally. The programme is run by college staff, in collaboration with our fellows and the Graduate Common Room’s Academic Officer, elected each year as a student voice.

As well as hosting leading research trainers for regular interactive workshops, the Atlas Programme provides Green Templeton students with on-call tuition in areas which students often find challenging during their time at Oxford. Students can contact a range of qualified and experienced instructors at any time to set up a tutorial, allowing them to access the help they need when they need it. There’s an online writing group, called Shut Up and Write, subsidized places on Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, and the college’s famous Coaching Programme.

In surveys of students who participated in the programme last year, 100% agreed that the sessions they attended were engaging and held their interest, with opportunities to ask questions and interact. At the end of the academic year, 95% of participants agreed that Atlas had increased their sense of college community and belonging; 86% that it had increased their confidence in planning future careers; and 95% that it had helped them to develop the skills and awareness needed for their academic work.

Other opportunities

In addition to getting involved in lectures, conferences and other events run by college staff and fellows, all students can apply for support and funding (up to £1,000) to plan and run their own academic projects and events in college: a guest seminar, a student journal club, a research network – or anything else that will build on and enhance their academic lives and careers. They also have the chance to convene the annual day-long Human Welfare Conference.

Research student milestones

The college community marks a series of regular milestones on the Oxford DPhil journey:

• Year One: in Michaelmas Term, a chance to meet Green Templeton’s Research Fellows and learn about their work
• Year Two: all research students can present their work to college members in Trinity Term
• Year Three: an opportunity to invite your departmental supervisor to dinner at Green Templeton