School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
Welcome!
Induction Meeting
Postgraduate Research
Degree Study
PhD
MPhil
MSc by Research
October 2013
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
Today:
• 10.00 Welcome: Head of School
• 10.05 Studying with us: PGR Tutor
… and getting involved:
o Sustainability Action Group, Sarah Bradbury and
Jen Dyer
o Chatmosphere, Erin Dawkins and Jenny Owen
o RiDNet, Rachel Berman
• 10.40 Health and Safety: David Banks/Jerry Lee
• 11.00 Coffee break***
• 11.30 Group photograph (meet in foyer)
• 12.00 Department Tours: Jerry/Bob (from foyer)
• 12.30 Campus Tours: Student Reps (from foyer)
• 13.00-14.00 Room allocation, photos, keys (SR1)
• 14.00-16.00 SRI Induction (SR3)
3.30pm Welcome Party hosted by PhD
Student Reps and then the Pub!
*** Registrations for***
Training for Teaching
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
….key facts
One of the UK’s top 3 departments for research power for
Earth and Environmental Science (RAE2008)
One of the largest research clusters of environmental and
social scientists in the UK and internationally
Over 100 research active staff
Over 200 research degree students (PGR)
Over 150 taught postgraduate Masters (PGT)
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…our mission
to combine world-class Earth and
environment sciences with environmental
social sciences in both fundamental and
applied research
RAE 2008
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…key people
Professor Rob Mortimer, Head of School
Dr Steven Dobbie, Deputy Head
Professor Alan Haywood, Director of Postgraduate
Research Studies, Faculty of Environment
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…key people
Heads of Research Institutes:
Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS): Dr Jim McQuaid
Earth Surface Science Institute (ESSI): Dr Cris Little
Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics (IGT): Professor Graham Stuart
Sustainability Research Institute (SRI): Professor Lindsay Stringer
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…key contacts
Dr Sebastian Rost ………………………… PGR Tutor
Dr Caroline Peacock…………..............Deputy PGR Tutor
Mrs Michelle Lesnianski…..………….. PGR Administrator
Mrs Angela Gardner…………………….. PGR Admissions and Support Assistant
Dr Julia Steinberger……………………….SRI Director of Postgraduate Research
Dr Patricia Gray…………………………… Faculty Skills Training Hub Leader
H&S Co-ordinators………………………. Dr David Banks, Fieldwork
Mr Jerry Lee, Building/Facilities
Mrs Jane-Marie Stocks, Labs/Workshops
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…management structure
University Graduate Board
Faculty of Environment
Graduate School Committee
School Research Committee
Head of School
Postgraduate Research Tutor
Research Degree Student (You!)
Supervisor/RSG
….
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…management structure
Research Degree Student (You!)
Supervisor/RSG
University Graduate Board
Postgraduate Research Tutor
Faculty of Environment
Graduate School Committee
Head of School
School Research Committee
School Research Committee
Head of School
Faculty of Environment
Graduate School Committee
Postgraduate Research Tutor
University Graduate Board
Research Degree Student (You!)
Supervisor/RSG
….
….
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…key documents
 University Code of Practice and Faculty Protocol
 SEE Postgraduate Research Student Handbook
 University Research Student Handbook
All documents, web links, forms and handbooks are available online via
the School PGR web page:
http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/current/research-pg/index.htm
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…our aim
To train you to be capable of independent research
Evidence of originality
Evidence of independent critical ability
Undertaking research suitable for publication
To train you to be an employable graduate
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…aims of research degree study
Advancement of knowledge
Acquisition of key research skills
Award is a recognition of such a level of professional competence
and innovative skills that you can be expected to undertake effective
research without the need for supervision
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…aims of research degree study
Capacity to work to deadlines
Ability to present concise but informative verbal and written
reports
Understanding of potential safety risks generated by your work
Technical competence alone is insufficient to merit the award of PhD; you
must have significantly advanced knowledge in your field and demonstrate a
broad understanding of the scientific and societal context of your research.
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…at the end of your PhD you should have:
Completed work that is innovative and which has made a significant advancement
in knowledge in your field
Presented a concise high quality thesis of 100,000 words (300 pages)
A sound knowledge of the literature and data sources in your subject
A good understanding of the concepts underpinning your research field
Competence in the techniques used in the study and understanding of the
principles of methods utilized in the instrumentation and in any limitations to the
equipment used
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…at the end of your PhD you should have:
The ability to design and execute your own research without guidance
An appreciation of the appropriate means of analysis, including (where
appropriate) the processing of data obtained and in the computer manipulation
of results and graphical presentations
The capability to present your work in a concise logical and coherent manner
An understanding of the potential hazards associated with your field and
knowledge of the relevant COSHH legislation
Awareness of scientific ethics and professional conduct of research
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…supervision and support
Pastoral care
The PGRT is your personal tutor. You can contact the PGRT or Deputy with any
issues related to your studies.
• The PGRT holds a drop-in session each month (dates are advertised in the School’s
newsletter and on the School’s plasma screens). At these sessions, you can call in and
discuss your progress, the supervision that you are receiving, and to raise any concerns
that you may have, in confidence. If the PGRT is your supervisor, then we can arrange
for you to see a nominee.
• Any issues can be brought to the School’s management committee via your Institute
Student Representative.
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…your supervision/examination team
You will have a Lead Supervisor who will take primary responsibility for your
research degree supervision
You will have a co-supervisor
You may have an external supervisor (CASE awards, collaborations)
You will have a Transfer (upgrade) Examiner
You may have a Transfer (upgrade) Chair
You will have an Internal AND an External Examiner for your PhD viva (parttime students who are also members of staff will have an Internal and 2
External Examiners)
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…your supervisors’ responsibilities
day-to-day/regular supervision
encouragement to attend relevant lectures, seminars and
scientific meetings
to assist in defining the problem to be tackled in the course of
the research
to assist in producing a realistic and achievable timetable
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…your supervisors’ responsibilities
to discuss your training needs and agree a training plan annually
agreeing to at least 10 supervision meetings each year (FT) and agreeing the
notes of each meeting (5 meetings per annum for Part-time and Split-site study)
to comment on written work submitted by you
to provide written feedback on your progress
to generally advise on your research and preparation of your thesis
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…what we expect from you
to arrange and attend a formal training plan meeting with your
supervisor each year
to arrange and attend regular supervisory meetings and to seek
out your supervisor as problems arise
to carry out research effectively and to submit regular written
progress reports, within agreed timescales and to a satisfactory
standard
all of the above is monitored on your on-line PDR System record
and must be kept up-to-date via http://www.pdr.leeds.ac.uk
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…what we expect from you
dedication and application to your research
wide reading in and around your subject and maintenance of a
literature database
periodic review of the plan of your proposed research and
discussion of any suggested variation with your supervisor
attendance at any courses, lectures, seminars and conferences
as agreed in your skills training analysis
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…what we expect of you
to promptly draw the attention of your Supervisor or PGR
Tutor/Administrator to any serious concerns, requests for
suspensions/extensions, or any other matter which you
consider important and which may affect your time spent at
Leeds
adherence to laboratory regulations and health and safety
instructions
to complete your PhD within 3 years where possible – we will
aim for but cannot guarantee a workplace (desk/pc) beyond 3
years
School of Earth and Environment
Year 1: Progression summary
(assumes Full-time PhD study)
Registration: as ‘Provisional’ PhD until ‘Transfer’ at end of Year 1;
Induction Meeting; Initial training courses.
Month 1: Training Skills Analysis with supervisors
Month 6: Attend Publications Masterclass run by Professor Alan Haywood.
Submit mid-year report and arrange meeting with supervisory panel to discuss
your summary of achievements, particular strengths, goals for progression to
successful transfer/upgrade. Arrange Transfer Examiner and date for viva.
Month 9-11: Present ‘Transfer’ talk to Institute members. Produce
Transfer/Upgrade Report and signed Statement of Academic
Integrity and submit on PDR System.
Month 11: Advise the PGRA when your on-line PDR System record is
up-to-date with: training plan, 10 supervision meeting reports, 6 months
report and meeting notes; transfer report and recommendation. You will
then be able to Register for Year 2.
Core research and 10 supervision meetings
to be documented throughout the year on
the on-line PDR System
Faculty of Environment
School of Earth and Environment
Registration: as ‘PhD’ or other category, following decision of
Transfer Panel
Month 13: Training Skills Analysis update with supervisors
Months 21-23: Submit 21 months report OR publication which can
be in draft if not yet published. Arrange meeting with supervisors
and complete 21 Months progression meeting pro forma.
Month 24: Advise PGRA when on-line PDR System is up-to-date
with: training plan, 10 supervision meeting reports, 24 months
report/publication and associated meeting notes. You will then be
permitted to proceed to on-line registration for Year 3.
Core research and 10 supervision
meetings to be held throughout the
year using the PDR System
Year 2: Progression summary
Faculty of Environment
School of Earth and Environment
Year 3: Progression summary
Registration
Month 25: Training Skills Analysis update with supervisors
Months 33: Agree outline of PhD thesis chapters and commence
writing-up. Arrange meeting with supervisors and complete 33
Months progression meeting notes. Discuss Internal and External
Examiners, and prepare and submit Exam Entry form to PGRA.
Month 36: Advise PGRA when PDR System is up-to-date with:
training plan, 10 supervision meeting minutes, outline of PhD thesis
chapters and draft of one chapter, and 33 months meeting notes. If
you are not ready to submit your thesis by now, you will be required
to Register for Year 4 which is normally the ‘overtime’ /writing-up
year. We recommend that you have a mock viva as part of your
preparation for the real thing!
Finally: submission of 300 page (100,000 words) thesis and viva!
Core research and 10 supervision
meetings to be recorded throughout
the year at the on-line PDR System
Faculty of Environment
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…at least once during your studentship
attend an international conference
present at the University’s Showcase Postgraduate Research
Conference
attend a UK Grad School ‘vitae’ if you are sponsored by a UK
research council
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…recommended training courses:
Managing your Supervisor!
A balancing act – dealing with the stress of doing a research degree
Preparing for your Transfer/Preparing for your viva
Full list of University courses at:
http://www.sddu.leeds.ac.uk/sddu-index-of-research-student-courses.html
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…musts
Students whose first language is not English must take the University
English Language Test (UELT) to assess the level of support needed from
the Language Centre.
Information about the test is on The Language Centre web pages:
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/languages/facility/intl_inf.htm
Tests can normally be taken on Friday afternoons.
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…musts
… your help will be needed for demonstrating in our labs and leading tutorials –
to be eligible you must receive training – registrations will be taken during the
coffee break and this afternoon 1-2pm in this Seminar Room:
Training for Teaching:
Friday 11 October (all except SRI)
Thursday 17 October (only SRI)
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…musts
Starting your Research Degree: Tuesday 8 October
Library Skills:
Choose one of 4 dates advertised for each of these sessions (see the
induction programme) and book a place on-line via the Faculty Training and
Development Calendar. You must attend both sessions in this order:
Pt. 1: Search and Save: Information searching
Pt. 2: Working with Literature: Impact, note-taking and reading
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…musts
Your personal web page:
We will create your page and add:
name, photograph, location, project name, supervisors and start date
You should add:
biography
project details
Publications
Link to personal page if you have one
Example of a good page is http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/people/n.favretto
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
Finally……looking forward
REF 2014
(Research Excellent Framework)
Submitted: November 2013
Publication of Outcomes: December 2014
Several current students are included with 4* papers
We need your support (for the next one)!
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
…tomorrow
Here :
Coffee from 9.30 and introductory
sessions running from 9.45am
School of Earth and Environment
Faculty of Environment
For all updates….handbooks….forms and
pro formas….web links….
http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/current/research-pg
and check your email regularly!