UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN: ACCREDITATION AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

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1 UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN: ACCREDITATION AGREEMENT WITH UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS POSTGRADUATE STRUCTURED MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR A 60 MONTH PART-TIME PHD PROGRAMME The framework for postgraduate supervision outlined herein has three key components: Development of a strong interactive relationship between student and supervisors; Monitoring of student progress and supervisor performance at Academic Partner level by the Head of Academic Partner or deputy and operation of a thesis panel; Ensuring quality assurance of postgraduate progress, education, training and development across Academic Partners by a UHI-wide monitoring system. It is intended that the Framework will be modified by Academic Partners to suit their needs while retaining a core element to ensure consistency of quality supervisory practice. Page 1 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

2 APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND INDUCTION PROCEDURES FOR ALL POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS Processes Issues Staff involved Application All research degree students(uhi application form submitted to Academic Partner) Qualifications Experience References Academic Partner (through as appropriate) Funding Language Competence Consideration Detailed consideration of application (with interview) Project identification & suitability Student/Supervisor compatibility Financial implications Academic Partner (Interview panel to include member) Recommendation Recommendation by Academic Partner to RDC using RD2 application for registration form Facilities suitability Head of AP Decision accept for registration or reject Overview of candidate s suitability, composition of supervisory team, and facilities available to support student. Registration Student s registration with UHI and with UoA as an associate student Identity card Fees source Financial support Induction Academic Partner Academic Partner rules Safety Demonstrating/teaching skills IPR Welfare arrangements Academic Partner UHI Administrative procedures including monitoring and reporting Access to library resources Student representation Third party monitoring Page 2 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

3 MONITORING PROCESS FOR PART-TIME PHD POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS Months 1 to 18 Processes Issues Staff involved Month 1 Month 6 Research topic agreed. Training needs analysis carried out using the Researcher development Framework (RDF). Professional development agreed. Good research practice. 1st Progress Report to RDC Milestones Meeting with supervisors Resources Training menu Transferable/subject specific skills Month 12 2nd Progress Report to RDC Months 13 to 15 Early warning meeting if necessary transfer or discontinue if appropriate. Head of Academic Area Months 15 to 17 The student should submit a first formal report to a thesis panel. This report should include: i) An in depth academic review ii) Establishment of research and thesis plan iii) Academic progress to date iv) Demonstrated understanding of good research practice Oral presentation of research by student to thesis panel Thesis panel Month month Probationary Report to RDC Include report prepared for thesis panel with probationary report. Decision on continuation or transfer Page 3 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

4 Months 19 to 36 Processes Issues Staff involved Month 19 Training needs analysis carried out (refer to the RDF). Professional development agreed, including planned attendance at conferences. Reset milestones Review training menu Month 24 4th Progress Report to RDC Head of Academic Partner or deputy Month 30 5th Progress Report to RDC Head of Academic Partner or deputy Month 31 to 35 Attendance at external conference Industrial visit/secondment/academic visit (as appropriate) Presentation or poster The student should submit a second formal report to a thesis panel. This report should include: i) Review of research and thesis plan ii) Academic progress to date Oral presentation of research by student to thesis panel Thesis panel Month month Continuation Report to RDC Include report prepared for thesis panel with continuation report. Decision on continuation or transfer Page 4 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

5 Months 37 to 60 Processes Issues Staff involved Month 37 Month 42 Month 48 Month 54 Training needs analysis carried out (refer to the RDF). Professional development agreed, including planned attendance at conferences. 7th Progress Report to RDC 8th Progress Report to RDC 9th Progress Report to RDC Reset milestones Review training menu Identify objectives Completion on schedule? Identify objectives Completion on schedule? Identify objectives Month 55 to 60 Attendance at external conference Presentation or poster Thesis panel meeting Presentation by student Consider progress towards submission Thesis panel Month 60 Notice of PhD submission. External and internal examiners identified and appointed Career development e.g. Job application. CV writing, mock interview Submit MPhil thesis. 10th Progress Report to RDC Preparation for viva training Mock oral examination Completion on schedule? Identify objectives Page 5 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

6 Month 60 onwards Continuing 6 monthly progress reports until submission. Extension of registration application required for all registrations beyond 60. Completion on schedule? Submit MPhil thesis. Preparation for viva training Mock oral examination Viva examination. Examiners Notes: 1. In completing the six-monthly RDC progress reports and the annual thesis panel meetings, the objectives are to: carry out an in-depth academic review of the student s work; establish and then review the student s research and thesis plan; report on the student s academic progress; assess the student s understanding of good research practice. 2. Where possible a thesis panel should be established consisting of one or two staff with some subject expertise to meet with the student and review reports to give feedback outwith the supervisory team. If this is not possible, independent review by another academic of the 18 month probationary report and the 36 month continuation report is recommended as a minimum. 3. Students should make every effort to submit their thesis by month 60. However, it is acknowledged that this may not always be achieved. Where submission does not take place by the end of a student s registration period, an application for an extension of up to one year should be submitted. The student and supervisor are responsible for maintaining regular contact and for ensuring that the thesis is submitted at the earliest opportunity. Postgraduate Progress Report Forms should continue to be submitted to RDC during the post-registration period (i.e. during the writing-up stage). Page 6 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

7 4. The successful implementation of the structured management framework described depends upon postgraduate students and supervisors being suitably prepared for their respective roles through attendance at training and development courses which should include the following topics: A. Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities B. Personal Effectiveness C. Research Governance and Organisation D. Engagement influence and impact Please refer to the Researcher Development Framework (outlined at the end of this document) for a complete articulation of the skills, attributes and behaviours of a successful researcher Student Training Requirements: Computing skills use of spreadsheets, databases, statistical packages, data analysis software. Information retrieval literature awareness, extracting information from databases, library work, information science/technology. Commercial appreciation of research IPR, copyright, patent law. Presentation skills writing skills, writing of CV, thesis writing, poster making, seminar presentation, learning through teaching, mock interview. Knowledge transfer and public engagement activities. Personal and financial skills team working, budget management, leadership, project and time management, problem solving. Subject specific skills to be identified by academic area. Demonstrating/Teaching skills to include training in the assessment of students. UoA Guidelines on Good Research Practice. Staff Training Requirements: Regulatory aspects UHI and UoA regulations, Research Council regulations, Academic Partner requirements, monitoring processes, health & safety regulations. Project management - team working, financial management, time management, interviewing techniques, student counselling, professional development, oral examinations, report, dissertation and thesis writing. Commercial aspects - IPR, patenting procedures, technology transfer, entrepreneurial skills. Admissions - recruitment and selection procedures. Page 7 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015

8 THE VITAE RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (RDF) The Researcher Development Framework articulates the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researchers and encourages them to aspire to excellence through achieving higher levels of development. The RDF can be used to review skills development and identify future needs for research students. Full details of the RDF are available from the Vitae web site: Page 8 of 8 Updated by Graduate School Office May 2015