Your second annual progress review

FMS postgraduate training workshopTuesday 17 March 2015Professor Dianne Ford

Associate Dean for Taught Postgraduate Studies, FMS(Previously Director of PhD Studies), FMSPhD supervisor/progress panel member

Overview• Progress review timeline for PhD students• Where to find information• Purpose of the review• Your written report

– Structure and format– General advice

• Preparation for your interview– Your report to the progress panel– General advice

• Your interview– What to take in– Oral presentation (if required)– General advice

• After the interview– Possible outcomes– What to do next

Progress review timeline

4 year MRes/PhD

3 year PhD

12 months

submissiondeadline!

submissiondeadline!

6months

12 months(MRes result)

8 months 20 months 29 months

8 months 20 months 29 months 42 months*

*if still to submit

Second PhDprogress review

Progress review timeline

• Full details:

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/fms/postgrad/documentation/documents/Resstudenthandbook2014-15.pdf

Guidelines on the purpose of your second annual progress review

“The purpose of this progress review is to monitor your progress and to identify any factors which might lead to a delay in the submission of your thesis.”

….and recommended report structure and format

“We do not require a written report of the length you produced for your first progress review.We recommend the following structure for your report:1. A summary of the data you have acquired to date 2. Detailed analysis of a complete portion of your data3. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of your study to date4. A list indicating what you will need to achieve in order to complete your work5. An appendix containing any abstracts, manuscripts or papers you have written or presentedAs projects develop differently, we believe a word limit is of limited value by this stage. However, we would expect this report to be about 3–4 pages (excluding any figures), but not to exceed 10 pages (double line spacing), including figures but excluding any appendix.”

Preparation

• Presentation– Stick to rules/guidelines– Make sure the presentation helps you to communicate

effectively• Show key “visual” information, avoid use of lots of

text etc.– Ask for input from supervisor

Preparation

• Documents/materials of possible use to your panel (and thus of use to you)– Your e-portfolio– Research diary or lab book– Copies of abstracts/conference proceedings etc.– (Approved project proposal; upload with report)

Preparation

• Student’s report to the panel– Be honest and reflective

• Discuss in advance with your supervisor/supervisory team/institute PG Research Student Coordinator any issues raised?

Preparation

• Supervisors’ report to the panel– A reminder will help speed up the process of you

receiving official notification of the outcome of your review.

Preparation

• Know your panel.• Read your report, and your project

proposal.• Lab books/research diaries and

information on training attended• Be organised.

– Arrange date and time well in advance and as convenient for panel members, book room (and inform panel), get key, set up PC and projector etc.

During the interview

• Oral presentation (if required by your institute)– Stick to rules/guidelines– Make sure the presentation helps you to communicate

effectively• Show key “visual” information, avoid use of lots of

text etc.– Ask for input from supervisor

During the interview• Don’t assume the panel has expert knowledge of

every aspect of your project.– Provide reminders/clarification where you think helpful.

• Don’t be afraid to defend your research, but be receptive to panel’s suggestions.

• Take the opportunity raise any concerns you may have.– E.g. completion of research, attendance at training courses and access

to other activities important to your training and future career

• Remember, it’s a “progress review” rather than an “assessment”

Possible outcomes

Possible outcomes

After the interview

• Reflect• On receipt of panel report

– Discuss recommendations etc. with supervisor/supervisory team.

– Be proactive in engaging in any activities/practices recommended or required by the Head of Institute (Institute PG Research Student Coordinator).

Finally....

• Bear in mind that the review process is for YOUR benefit