Annual Monitoring Process: Notes of Guidance
Introduction
This note is intended to provide First Supervisors (Director of Studies) with guidance
on Anglia Ruskin University’s Annual Monitoring Process and to highlight the
respective roles of members of the Supervisory Team and the candidate.
The Annual Monitoring Process is intended to ensure that candidates progress at
an appropriate rate through their research degree studies. In addition, it provides
the Supervisory Team with an opportunity to assess progress in the last twelve
months, to ensure that training is undertaken at the appropriate stage and to
consider and agree objectives for the forthcoming year.
It is also intended to aid the Faculty’s Associate Dean/Director of Research and the
University by providing early warning of any problems that may be arising
Completion of a satisfactory Annual Monitoring Report is COMPULSORY for all
registered research degree students.
Failure to submit a satisfactory report may result in the termination of a candidate’s
registration
The Annual Monitoring Process
The Annual Monitoring process is administered centrally by the Research &
Development Services Office, (formerly the Graduate School). It has the following
stages:
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Distribution of documentation by Research & Development Services Office
to First Supervisors (Director of Studies). (June ….)
Consultation of First Supervisors (Director of Studies) with other members of
the supervisory team
Review meeting with research student
Completion of annual monitoring report (AMR) by First Supervisors (Director
of Studies), including comments from research student
Return signed AMR to Research Office, R&DS by 31 August …. for
recording on SITS
Supervisory team and student return AMR to the panel review team at least
7 working days prior to the annual panel meeting.
Hold annual panel meeting
Remedial action by Associate Dean/Director of Research (by end of Nov ….)
Consideration of Associate Deans/Directors of Research synoptic reports by
appropriate FRDSC (by Dec ….)
Synoptic report of annual monitoring process by University Director of
Research and Graduate Studies (Prof. John Davies) to Research Degrees
Committee and Senate.
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Responsibilities of First Supervisors (Director of Studies)
Once the documentation has been received it is the responsibility of the First
Supervisors (Director of Studies) to:
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agree a date with research student at which progress will be reviewed.
consult all other members of the supervisory team
consider also objectives for the next twelve months. In particular, whether studies
have progressed to the point at which submission for confirmation of candidature
is appropriate. Consider whether arrangements to attend the appropriate session
of the University’s Training programme for research degree students or other
training is necessary.
Annual Panel Meeting
The annual review meeting will consist of:
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A short (10 mins maximum) presentation by the student on the progress of their
research and their future plans for the forthcoming year (or part of year if close to
completion)
Questions from the whole panel, which should comprise of Head of Department,
supervisory team, Faculty Director of Research and/or Associate Dean
Meeting of review team with student, but without supervisory team
Meeting of review team with supervisory team, but without student
Meeting of review team alone to discuss recommendations
Meeting of whole group (panel/supervisory team/student) to agree outcomes
Completion and signing of agreed annual monitoring form by First Supervisors
(Director of Studies)/student/Faculty Director of Research or Associate Dean.
Forms then need to be forwarded to R&DS Office
Alternative arrangements will be made for research students with special
circumstances (e.g. overseas students. (by Sept/Oct ….)
Faculty Associate Deans/Directors of Research
Completed reports will be forwarded by the R&DS Office to the appropriate Faculty
Associate Dean/Director of Research, who will assess whether progress has been
satisfactory and will be responsible for implementing any necessary remedial action.
Please note that all documentation related to the Monitoring Process can be
downloaded from
http://www.apu.ac.uk/research/gradsch/gshome.shtml
Fiona Marshall
Research Officer
Research & Development Services
Sawyers Bldg
Email: f.marshall@apu.ac.uk, Ext. 4210
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