Learning Agreement
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate:
the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced
scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit
publication;
a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the
forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;
the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new
knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the
project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic
enquiry.
[from FHEQ Descriptor for qualifications at Doctoral level]
Approach to research:
Approach to research
This is the learning agreement between me, ……, postgraduate student and my supervisors
Professors Rob Flynn and Paul Bellaby.
I was registered as full time PhD student at the University of Salford on October 5 2004. The
studentship is funded by EPSRC for 3 years and supposed to terminate in 2007.
We will work in a close partnership with shared responsibilities and common targets, but also so
as to enable me to develop my own individual approach to the topics being researched. The principal
purposes of the research are: (i) the attainment of a PhD degree that will be pursued according to
university procedures and requirements; (ii) contribution to the work of the UK-SHEC (UK Sustainable
Hydrogen Energy Consortium), especially the work package on the socio-economic aspects of
emerging hydrogen economies in Europe; (iii) to develop skills and expertise as independent social
science and policy researcher in the field of renewable hydrogen issues in the European context.
The postgraduate research is funded by a project-related studentship, funded by the EPSRC.
The objective of the research project as a whole is to gain insights (theoretically and empirically) into
the conditions for success, drivers and barriers on the paths towards the transition of post-industrial
societies to hydrogen economies.
General roles of postgraduate researcher and supervisor(s):
Responsibilities of student and supervisors
I am aware of the enormous amount of work that is associated with this research, that a huge amount
of literature has to be searched, reviewed and analysed critically. This can only be done by regular and
continuing work in the libraries, at the office in the university or at home not only during the term but
also during semester breaks.
Learning Agreement
The supervisors will assist me in these efforts by reviewing regularly written essays on agreed upon
topics or issues relevant for the research, by monitoring progress and, where necessary, redirecting
me.
I have read the Code of practice for the conduct of postgraduate research programmes and
understood the implications for my work.
We have agreed (unless otherwise decided) to meet on a fortnightly basis to discuss, essays or
papers I prepared or on the general progress of my work. Here we will also talk about the next steps of
research and reading.
Professor Flynn is my principal supervisor, but I can equally address and contact Professor Bellaby
to discuss the same concerns as with the first supervisor. Questions or problems that for any reason
cannot be discussed with my supervisors can be talked about with my agreed personal tutor, Dr. Neil
Hazel.
I do not have any specific individual needs. I have been given access to the PhD computer room in
Humphrey Booth House (including copying and printing services) and the university network with its
electronic resources which are essential for the conduct of successful research. Furthermore, I have a
shared office space in HBH room 508, that will be equipped with a network connected PC.
If necessary there are additional restricted financial means for acquiring books or publications not
otherwise available or travel expenses for research, interviews, conferences or dissemination activities.
I will limit those expenditures to necessary activities. The funding of these research-related
expenditures will be discussed with my supervisors when appropriate.
Specific roles and mutual expectations
I will attend specified doctoral training modules for postgraduate research and write the assignments
agreed upon with my supervisors. I will attend the SPORT and SPARC sessions and above that
broaden the intellectual horizon by visiting lectures and seminars which may not be directly linked to
my topic (for example the lecture series of the postgraduate community or ISCPR organised
seminars). I will attend courses with reference to interview techniques and empirical data analysis
(SPSS and NVivo, Endnote...)
I understand that I need to engage in the activities provided for postgraduates, and contribute to the
academic community in seminars to peers and postgraduate workshops.
We will be in regular personal contact, but at all times we will remain in contact via email. This will be
especially important during times of my field work in Germany and during semester breaks.
I will be receptive to comments and criticisms of my supervisors and ready to change my views but
also critically challenge my supervisors’ work.
Being a German student, I am thankful for any help in terms of form, grammar, style and comments
on my written work, because the outcome of my research is expected to be publishable. Nevertheless
any kind of preferential treatment beyond that cannot be provided.
The supervisors can be contacted at any time. They will suggest reading and literature and respond to
other suggestions and directions. The nature of our partnership is that of an open dialogue and cooperation, of mutual learning and also that of academic dispute when opinions diverge.
The topic is not ethically sensitive, but care will be given to any work involving interviews,
correspondence by email and the use of unpublished grey literature and archive resources in terms of
Learning Agreement
property and personality rights. Where interviews are to be carried out, ethical approval will be
sought from the university Research Governance and Ethics Subcommittee.
Topic specific roles:
The nature of the topic (cross-national comparison UK/Germany) requires field work in Germany
(archives, libraries, interviews, conferences, establish contacts in the hydrogen community). I will
therefore spend some time in Germany, which will be planned and agreed so that it does not affect my
obligations during semesters at Salford University. The supervisors will assist me in establishing
contacts with researchers, interviewees and data sources in the UK. I will also undertake selected
literature searches and some analyses of information connected with the UK-SHEC socio-economic
work packages co-ordinated by Professors Flynn and Bellaby.
Research support:
I will undertake to produce suitable documents for the fortnightly sessions, the annual review
process and for consortium related activities. Professors Flynn and Bellaby will organise the interim
assessment, internal evaluation and examination of the thesis, including determining possible
external examiners. We will all work towards producing papers for relevant conferences and
meetings within and outside UK-SHEC to disseminate the research work to an interested larger
audience. I will be assisted in the publication of the thesis or other articles.
The learning agreement has been agreed and completed within a three-month time scale from
registration.
Research training:
Specific training: Attendance and satisfactory completion in year 1 of doctoral training modules:
Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Issues in Research Design, Conducting Social Research;
Ethnographic Methods; Qualitative Research Practice. Attendance and satisfactory completion in Year
2 of Survey Design and Analysis. If possible, attendance at training session on elite interviewing.
General training: Attendance where relevant at working meetings of the UK-SHEC social science
teams (PSI and Salford), and at occasional ‘technical’ meetings of the UK-SHEC. Presentation of
working papers (subject to supervisors’ approval) at appropriate conferences.
Consultation and reviews:
There will be regular meetings (fortnightly in Year 1) with supervisors. Review will comprise Interim
assessment and a final evaluation report prior to submission of thesis.
Approach to collaborating organisation (if applicable):
Advice and information is available from appropriate social science colleagues at the Policy Studies
Institute, London (part of UK-SHEC).
Research Ethics
Any research involving human subjects or animals must conform with the University's policy and
procedures on 'Integrity and Self-Regulation in Research' [http://www.rgc.salford.ac.uk/7__Ethics.shtml]. It
must be discussed with supervisors in advance, and approval obtained from the University Research
Governance and Ethics Sub-Committee before any data collection or fieldwork commences.
Intellectual Property Rights
Learning Agreement
Intellectual Property created by a registered student of the University is subject to the existing
University regulations governing Intellectual Property Rights if created by the student when working on
a project connected with his/her course of study or research or created by utilisation of University
resources.
This Learning Agreement is made on
(date)
between the above named Postgraduate Researcher and the University of Salford
Signed by the Supervisor(s) for and
on behalf of the University of Salford
Signed by the Postgraduate Researcher