The i3S PhD Student Representatives give voice to a large student body composed of almost 300 students from a wide variety of Faculties and PhD Programs, covering all research lines within i3S. Every year, volunteer students are nominated and advocate for PhD students in academic and administrative matters. The representatives organize and present the issues and topics PhD students wish to discuss with the Board of Directors and other administrative units of i3S. Therefore, the representatives are members of the Advisory Committee of i3S and, additionally they meet informally with the Board of Directors every month.

This association broadly aims to:

1. disseminate relevant information to the students;
2. organize and promote activities valuable for students’ work;
3. create working groups addressing specific issues and activities;
4. promote and provide a sense of community among PhD students in all institutes and laboratories composing i3S, fostering a dynamic research and social environment.

During the year, the representatives enroll and organize several working groups that run projects ranging from the organization of the annual PhD Students’ meeting (PhDay) and the X-mas party/chill-outs, to the development and implementation of the Guidelines for PhD Students and Research Advisors, and the i3S-Buddy system (starting in 2020). This association meets regularly with the community on the Forum of i3S PhD Students (FiPS), which represent the in-person gathering of PhD Students developing their projects in research groups affiliated with i3S.

New PhD students should contact their representatives (phdstudents.reps@i3s.up.pt) to join the mailing list and receive periodic information about this community.