The Department of Medicine
Higher Degrees Research
Committee (HDRC)
The HDRC.
 Postgraduate Committee which oversees the
format and quality of the Department of
Medicine’s higher degree programme , and
supports the student experience of
postgraduate research students within the
Department.
Who’s who in the HDRC...
Professor
Julian
Dyson,
Deputy
Director of
Dr Tim
Weaver,
Deputy
Director
of
Postgraduate
Dr Nesrina
Imami,
Deputy
Director
of
Ms
Hayley
Kendall
Postgraduate
Studies
(Research),
Immunology
and
Studies
(Research),
Postgraduate
Studies
(Research),
Dr Kevin
Murphy,Degrees
Director
of Postgraduate
Research
Manager
Inflammation
Brain
Sciences
and Experimental
Infectious
Diseases
Studies,
(Research)
and Chair Medicine
Who’s who in the HDRC...

Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research) and Chair:
Dr Kevin Murphy (Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Three Deputy Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Research):
Professor Julian Dyson (Immunology and Inflammation)
Dr Nesrina Imami (Infectious Diseases)
Dr Tim Weaver (Brain Sciences and Experimental Medicine)

Research Degrees Manager
Ms Hayley Kendall
Who’s who in the HDRC...

Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research) and Chair:
Dr Kevin Murphy (Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Three Deputy Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Research):
Professor Julian Dyson (Immunology and Inflammation)
Dr Nesrina Imami (Infectious Diseases)
Dr Tim Weaver (Brain Sciences and Experimental Medicine)

Research Degrees Manager
Ms Hayley Kendall

Section Cohort Leaders

Student Representatives for each campus
Divisional Cohorts Sectional Cohorts
Microbiology
Paediatrics
Infectious
Diseases
Campus
Cohorts
Chelsea &
Westminster
Infectious Diseases
& Immunity
Virology
St Mary’s
GU Medicine
Immunology
Department
of Medicine
Experimental
Medicine
Mucosal Infection
Pharmacology
&Therapeutics
Northwick
Park
South
Kensington
Centre for
Haematology
Immunology &
Inflammation
Diabetes ,
Endocrinology and
Metabolism
Renal
CCIR + Molecular
Immunology &
Glycosciences
Investigative
Medicine
Hammersmith
Hospital
Cell Biology
Hepatology
Neuroinflammation,
Neurodegeneration
Brain Sciences
Brain Plasticity
and Recovery
Neuropsychopharmocology,
Mental Health
Charing Cross
The role of the HDRC.
 Ensures that appropriate supervisory arrangements have been
made for all research students.
 Reviews all registration and interruption of studies applications.
 Monitors and reviews reports on research student progress,
completion and submission rates .
 Advises on policy matters and responds to student feedback
regarding research student education and welfare.
The role of the HDRC.
 Ensures that appropriate supervisory arrangements have been
made for all research students.
 Reviews all registration and interruption of studies applications.
 Monitors and reviews reports on research student progress,
completion and submission rates .
 Advises on policy matters and responds to student feedback
regarding research student education and welfare.
 Section cohort leaders are responsible for pastoral and
administrative duties at a sectional level.
 Directors and Section cohort leaders can act as independent
mediators if any difficulties.
Registration and Assessment
There are 3 stages of internal assessment during the PhD:
Research Plan
Early Stage Assessment (ESA)
Late Stage Review (LSR)
Shortly after registration, Hayley sends each student an email
containing their milestone deadlines.
All assessments should be electronic.
Paper copies will not be accepted.
Progress Review Panel (PRP)
 The PRP is made up of two subject experts, at least one of whom must
be external to the student’s Section or Centre. The PRP is proposed by
the supervisor and approved by the Higher Degrees Research
Committee in advance of the first assessment.
 The Panel will make all three assessments.
 There is no flexibility with assessment timings. The milestone dates
must be followed.
Recommendations
At each stage of assessment, the assessors make a recommendation:
 Approval by the HDRC
 Approval by the HDRC subject to certain revisions and/or amendments being
satisfactorily completed
 Re-submission within a stipulated length of time
 Recommend that the work is not suitable for PhD registration and the
applicant should be transferred to MPhil registration
 To recommend that the student should not continue
The final decision on all recommendations rests with the Departmental
HDRC.
First Assessment:
Research Plan (by 8 weeks)
 Students must complete the research plan assessment
within 8 weeks of starting their studies. The Progress
Review Panel (PRP) must have been approved by the
Department before the assessment procedure can begin.
 The purpose of the Research Plan is to ensure, as far as
possible, that a successful PhD will follow. The PRP report
aims to be helpful and provide constructive feedback as
appropriate.
Registration and Assessment
The Research Plan is completed on a pro forma with two pages for an
overview of the project.
It should contain: Background, aims and plan of investigation.
The hypothesis to be explored and details of the methods (are they
established in the group? need to be established?) should be discussed.
Other potential issues eg patient recruitment, ethical approval to be
mentioned. Expected to demonstrate understanding of the research to
be undertaken.
Registration and Assessment
Research Plan Assessment: to confirm student has the required
 academic qualifications
 proficiency in spoken and written English
Research Plan and Supervisor meet the required standard:
 Well defined aims
 Appropriate plan of investigation
 Comments on pilot of work where appropriate
 Scope to carry out your own research even though you may be working in a
large team with complementary projects
 Appropriate supervision can be given throughout the PhD.
 The PRP may, on occasion, find it necessary to interview a student if
clarification is needed on any aspect of the application (eg to confirm
proficiency in English ).
Second Assessment:
Early Stage Assessment
(by 9 months FT, 18 months PT )
Student to arrange time/location/send report to assessors
 4,000-word report, comprising a literature review, an overview of
progress to date and a plan of future work. The student will give a 10-20
minute oral presentation followed by a viva (up to 30 minutes can
include open question and answer session).
 Students must have met the Graduate School’s professional skills
courses requirement by this stage.
Third Assessment:
Late Stage Review
(by 24 months FT, 30-36 months PT)
Student to arrange time/location/send report to assessors
 oral presentation of at least 30 minutes and submit a summary
document not longer than 4 pages including an overview of the
presentation and a detailed plan of future work.
 Presentation followed by a viva.
Assessments provide useful practice for PhD viva
Good luck!