Have questions about gradSERU? We have answered many common questions in this FAQ.

Still have questions? Send us an email at communications.gps [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Question%20about%20gradSERU) (communications[dot]gps[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Is gradSERU anonymous and confidential?

Yes, we have taken extra steps to ensure that your personal information will be protected. The gradSERU survey is confidential and we have taken steps to ensure that your identity cannot be revealed publicly. 

Why does the gradSERU email come from a non-McGill email address? Is it safe?

To run the survey, McGill has partnered with the SERU Consortium and their survey provider, Etio.  Because of this, your email invitation will come from mcgill [at] etioglobal.org (mcgill[at]etioglobal[dot]org). Rest assured, gradSERU is sponsored by McGill and the email invitation is legitimate. It is safe to click on the link in the email and to take the survey.

What am I consenting to by completing gradSERU?

Before accessing the survey, you will be asked to agree to the following consent statement:

Context and Purpose of This Research

Welcome to the Graduate Student Experience in the Research University (gradSERU) Survey, co-sponsored by McGill University, Etio, and the Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley. 

The gradSERU survey is your opportunity to provide McGill with critical feedback on your PhD student experience —what is important to you, what is working well, and what is not working so well. McGill will use this information to improve our programs and services for PhD students. 

Your Participation in the Survey

The survey will take 20-25 minutes to complete. The deadline to complete the survey is May 1st, 2026. 

Your responses will be combined together with other responses from individuals in your program and reported in aggregate form. The aggregate results by program may be made available to program leaders and other University members. The University will not report survey results by demographic categories (e.g., by a particular race or gender) that contain fewer than five responses.

All participants that complete the survey will be automatically entered into a random prize draw. More information on the draw can be found at mcgill.ca/gradSERU. 

Voluntary Participation and Right of Withdrawal

Your participation is voluntary. You do not have to answer all questions and you can withdraw at any time. To withdraw your answers, please send a request to communications.gps [at] mcgill.ca (communications[dot]gps[at]mcgill[dot]ca). Once the withdrawal notification is received, the participant’s data will be removed from all data sets. 

Confidentiality

Your answers are confidential: they will be held in the strictest confidence and will be analyzed and reported in aggregate only. Your participation in the survey is not linked to your academic record and will not affect your relationship with McGill University, Etio, or the University of California, Berkeley.  

Additional Information and Contact Information

If you would like more information, contact communications.gps [at] mcgill.ca (communications[dot]gps[at]mcgill[dot]ca). For disability services or access-related survey support, contact help [at] seru.edu (help[at]seru[dot]edu). 

If you have questions or concerns, you may contact the Assistant Director of the SERU Consortium, North American Division, Joshua Patterson at jpat [at] berkeley.edu (jpat[at]berkeley[dot]edu).

I get surveyed all the time. How is gradSERU different?

gradSERU is a powerful tool to make your voice heard at McGill. The results will allow McGill to understand what is working - and what's not- across the university and in individual McGill PhD programs. Since the survey is administered at more than 15 partner universities across North America and around the world, the survey also allows us to benchmark McGill results in comparison to our peers. This evidence is key for improving all aspects of the PhD student experience at McGill.

How long does the survey take to complete?

The survey takes about 20-25 minutes to complete.

Can I take the survey in more than one sitting?

Yes, you can. To return to the survey, simply follow the link sent to your email. You will be able to continue from where you left off.

Can I take the survey on my mobile device?

Yes, the survey has been made compatible with mobile devices.

What do you do with the data? How is the information used?

The results will be reviewed by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and reported to academic departments and administration at McGill University. They will be used to improve our graduate programs and services. We also share our data with other universities in the SERU consortium to improve our understanding of educational best practices at leading research universities. The collected data is used by researchers, professors and students from various countries to gain a better understanding on how to improve the graduate and professional student experience.

What other universities participate in gradSERU?

Participating North American gradSERU institutions

  • University of Toronto
  • University of Alberta
  • McGill University
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • Ohio State University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Purdue University
  • Rutgers University
  • University of California, Merced
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Delaware
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Texas
  • University of Virginia
Will students be able to see the results of the 2026 survey?

Yes, the aggregate results will be posted as a dashboard once they are available. See the 2024 results on the GPS website!

Who do I contact if I have questions about the survey and results?

Please contact McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) at communications.gp [at] mcgill.ca (communications[dot]gp[at]mcgill[dot]ca)