Welcome to the MDS Graduate School (MADCAT) e-n
December 2015
Inside This Issue
College Graduate School Updates
Jump to….
College MDS updates
Training and Academic
Sessions
Opportunities
PGR Community
The Christmas break is nearly upon us, but before we take that w
the festivities there are still many exciting events and opportuniti
happening throughout December. You can get involved in events
Network, University Graduate School at Westmere, as well as our
organised by the Student Reps.
This edition of the newsletter also provided guidance on the new
which is of high importance.
Useful Links
Canvas
How to limit being dishonest in science
College of MDS Website The November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation inc
‘Dishonesty in scientific research’ by Mazar and Ariely fr
Management (University of Toronto) and the Centre for Advance
respectively. The article describes a simple test which has bee
wide to illustrate that dishonesty is ‘part of the human conditi
Got News?
asked to find two numbers that add up to 10 on twenty matrix
Have you got an event or
then self-score the answers. They are randomly assigned to a
article you'd like to share
answer sheet and the score, in the knowledge that the score will
with Postgraduate students
which the answer sheet is shred. In the various forms of this tes
within the Graduate School
score in the conflict situation, although usually by only 2 – 3 ans
Contribute to the Newsletter
full score). The mismatch is increased if financial reward is brou
is that a limited degree of dishonesty is the norm.
Email us
The article by Mazar and Ariel asks what we can do to stop ‘lim
research. One approach is to change the ethos to reward wor
even when the results are not in the desired direction. Another
that I am right in my conclusion’ before you write the conclusio
the temptation of ‘limited dishonesty’ must be ingrained from th
and is an essential part of PhD training. As a supervisor I can in
that I perceive performance by emphasising the importance of
else.
It is also difficult to unconscientiously avoid conflict of interes
illustrated by my own experience. Over twenty years ago, I was
from a group which challenged a fundamental law in pharm
receptor interactions in smooth muscle occur over two log units.
take place over six log units based on data in which smooth musc
to stimulation and the length of each cell then manually coun
curves are generated on intact tissue). The first thing that struck
was that blind counting of smooth muscle length was not perm
too generated response curves over six orders of magnitude
colleague to randomise samples, I scored the same data over t
conclusion was that I was not able to objectively score data when
the result. It was a lesson that I have never forgotten.
Steve Watson, December 2015
Mazar, N. and Ariely, D. (2015) Dishonesty in scientific research
3996.
MDS Annual Progress/Probation review: MSc b
students
The Annual Progress Review (APR) for PGR students is a vit
each student is required to undergo this formal assessmen
introduction of a new APR process and there will be some s
consistency across the 8 Institutes within the College of MD
Guidance detailing the procedures can be downloaded her
information regarding the organisation and format of the A
academic year and information regarding the participatory
Researchers, Supervisors and PGR leads in the process. It is
familiarise yourself with these procedures as you will be ex
Students and supervisors will be contacted in the New Year
they will provide further detail on the process as well as do
If you have any questions contact your Institute PGR lead in
Institute PGR Leads:
Institute Cancer and Genomics: Prof Ferenc Mueller
Institute Metabolism & Systems: Dr Gareth Lavery
Institute IMI: Prof Ian Henderson
Institute Cardiovascular: Prof Ed Rainger
Institute Clinical Sciences: Prof Damien Walmsley – (includi
of Nursing)
Institute Inflammation & Ageing: Dr Graham Wallace
Institute Immunology: Dr Geoff Brown
Institute Applied Health Research: Dr Raoul Reulen
Canvas Status Update
On December 4th at 8:00 PM MST (December 5th at 3:00 A
maintenance event that will help sustain performance as C
event will be a longer one, by our usual standards. It will la
two separate maintenance tasks:

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We'll be performing a database upgrade on a set o
asynchronous tasks (like imports, exports, and repo
We'll be migrating these servers to new hardware f
reasons
We've scheduled this to hopefully minimize impact of the l
users. Please contact your Customer Success Manager if yo
Learning Spaces Survey
The Learning Space Development Team are currently cond
student perceptions of University learning spaces, includin
spaces and computer clusters. This is a great opportunity
the campus and raise issues which directly affect your Univ
To have your say (and be in with a chance of winning up to
click on the link below and complete our short online surve
Training and Academic Sessions
Central University Ethics Review Process Train
You may already be aware that as part of the University’s o
research integrity, the Ethics Team are offering termly train
research staff and postgraduate research students in relati
review process.
These sessions will last for an hour, and will cover areas suc
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Why is ethical review required?
When is ethical review required?
How do I apply for ethical approval?
What is the process for applying for central Univer
(including some hints and tips)? NHS and animal w
There will also be opportunities to ask questions and discus
training is not applicable to undergraduate or taught postg
The next session will be on: Thursday 10th December 2015
Building. (NB: this is a repeat of sessions held on 20th Janua
2015)
If you are interested in attending, please email Research Et
Ethics Training’ in the subject box. Please ensure that you
School and contact details. Further details regarding trainin
can be found here
Further details regarding the University Ethical Review Proc
Graduate School Training and Development
Our skills training and development programme aims
necessary skills to undertake high-quality research and
careers when you graduate. Download the training guide
page to find further information including dates.
We are offering the following course so remember to book
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Literature Searching
Endnote
Scriptoria Thesis Writing
Statistics: Theory
Statistics: Practical Sessions
Careers Workshops
Booking a place: Prior registration is essential for all cou
email mds-gradschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk with your
course you wish to book onto and the course date. Regist
one week before the course date unless places remain.
course details will be provided including venue.
Registrations will be processed on a first-come first-serve
book early to avoid disappointment. Please note that if boo
beforehand then a session may be cancelled. Suggestions
or topics are always welcome.
“Academic Careers” - PG Careers Club
Date: Tuesday 15 December, 12-1pm
Venue: Westmere Seminar Room
Are you a current postgraduate? Are you interested in forg
career after graduation?
Do you want to know more about academic job hunting an
an academic post? Or you have tips to share on the subject
Then come along to the December Postgraduate Careers C
share your ideas, get advice and find out more about prepa
search.
Operating through peer-led round-table discussions, Caree
explore and develop career-based topics in the company o
position.
Come with a question, come with an idea, or simply come t
in an informal but informative setting! Since it will be so cl
providing mince pies and hot drinks 
To book onto this event, please click HERE.
Opportunities
Outreach and Public Engagement Training Opp
The College hosts many outreach activities, including an In
Masterclasses aimed at inspiring students from school
involved with medical and healthcare sciences. In additio
there are many opportunities for you to get involved in pub
to share your research with the wider public. However
activity to use for outreach or public engagement can be
know where to start.
This is where we can help! We are looking for postgradua
share their enthusiasm for their discipline and are interest
communication, outreach and public engagement. The Un
help you develop a workshop, which in the first instance
Day, Insight Day and in our Masterclasses but could also
engagement activities.
If you are interested, please could you e-mail me (c.j.ray@
your discipline or area(s) of interest, any previous experie
of activity and to confirm that you are able to attend the
should check that your supervisor(s) is happy for you to be
to attend the training sessions but you would still like to
activities, please also let Dr Clare Ray know.
Details of Outreach Training:
You will need to complete an application form and re
4 December
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Designing and presenting a workshop to school stud
January 2016 10.00am – 4.00pm
You will then have approximately 3 weeks in which
workshop
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A half-day session in the week beginning Monday 1 Feb
workshop to staff and receive feedback
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A half-day session in the week beginning Monday 8
ensure feedback has been acted on
JSPS Summer Programme 2016
Application Deadline: Friday 15th January 2016 Fellowshi
period: 14 June to 24 August 2016
The JSPS Summer Programme provides the opportunity for c
to receive a one week orientation on Japanese culture and re
then move to a host institution in Japan of their choice and
collaborative research activities for 2 months during the summ
Value of award: Return international airfare, maintenan
research support allowance (158,500 JPY) and overseas travel
are provided.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a British national and a curren
at a UK university or research institution at the time of appli
are not limited.
Applications should be sent to the British Council Tokyo. Ap
are available on their website
Also case studies written by former UK JSPS Summer Program
PGR Community
We have a mix of different researchers within our College G
us the opportunity to build a community with a wide range
improve your experience as a PGR. We want to hear from y
MADCAT community. If you wish to write to us about expe
other students we can include them in this newsletter and
other.
MDS Christmas Social
Come along to the MDS Postgraduate Christmas quiz!
socialise with your fellow MDS friends and get into the Chr
held at Westmere house on Wednesday 9th December fro
there will also be free pizza......
Hope to see you there!
Kat and Ness
Speak Week 2015-16
It’s the start of Speak Week, your opportunity to tell us wh
Your Course and Your University.
We want to hear your opinions, so let us know and we will
ensure your experience is the best it can be! A link to the sp
below, or alternatively you can directly email any of the MD
Christmas is always a busy time, but your reps want to hea
they can to help your studies run smoothly, so please SPEA
Happy speak week!
PGR Reps
Your student committee members are in place to listen to a
your institute to the graduate school, so please take a seco
committee members are.
Westmere PGR Hub – Cleo White
Over the last few weeks, more and more of you are using W
see!
Seeing as we are now in December it only seems fitting to h
activities for you and as the saying goes ‘the more the merr
want to get to know more of your fellow PGR’s, then please
Dates for your diaries:
Event: Festive Film night
Date: 4th December 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Westmere House
All PGs are welcome to join us for a feel good Christmas mo
seasonal nibbles. On the night you'll decide which film to w
Christmas Carol. So come along, cast your vote, and enjoy t
Sign up here:
Event: PhD Chat
Date: 15th December 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Being a PhD researcher is hugely rewarding in many ways,
and concerns that one doesn't get answers for. The good n
only one, and the University Graduate School PhD chat ses
fellow PhD chasers who are happy to help. In this session, w
management tips and discuss how you can manage your tim
Book your place here: PhD Chat
Want to book an event at Westmere House?
You can now book Westmere directly here, but as always, i
organising events at Westmere or have an event idea pleas
westmeremds@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
I hope you have a wonderful December and festive break.
Twitter: @UOBWESTMERE
Email: westmeremds@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Facebook: Westmere @ UoB
For more details about the University Graduate School visi
image below
MDS Graduate School
College of Medical & Dental Sciences
University of Birmingham
Contact us at mds-gradschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk