Your second annual progress review
FMS postgraduate training workshop
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Professor Dianne Ford
Associate Dean for Taught Postgraduate Studies, FMS
(Previously Director of PhD Studies), FMS
PhD supervisor/progress panel member
Overview
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Progress review timeline for PhD students
Where to find information
Purpose of the review
Your written report
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Structure and format
General advice
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Your report to the progress panel
General advice
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What to take in
Oral presentation (if required)
General advice
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Possible outcomes
What to do next
• Preparation for your interview
• Your interview
• After the interview
Progress review timeline
12 months
6
12 months 8 months
months (MRes result)
20 months
29 months
4 year MRes/PhD
submission
deadline!
8 months
20 months
29 months
42 months*
3 year PhD
Second PhD
progress review
submission
deadline!
*if still to submit
Progress review timeline
• Full details:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/fms/postgrad/documentation/documents/Resstudenthandbook2014-15.pdf
Guidelines on the purpose of your second
annual progress review
“The purpose of this progress review is to
monitor your progress and to identify any
factors which might lead to a delay in the
submission of your thesis.”
….and recommended report structure and
format
“We do not require a written report of the length you
produced for your first progress review.
We recommend the following structure for your report:
1. A summary of the data you have acquired to date
2. Detailed analysis of a complete portion of your data
3. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of your
study to date
4. A list indicating what you will need to achieve in order to
complete your work
5. An appendix containing any abstracts, manuscripts or
papers you have written or presented
As projects develop differently, we believe a word limit is of
limited value by this stage. However, we would expect this
report to be about 3–4 pages (excluding any figures), but not
to exceed 10 pages (double line spacing), including figures
but excluding any appendix.”
Preparation
• Presentation
– Stick to rules/guidelines
– Make sure the presentation helps you to communicate
effectively
• Show key “visual” information, avoid use of lots of text
etc.
– Ask for input from supervisor
Preparation
• Documents/materials of possible use to
your panel (and thus of use to you)
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Your e-portfolio
Research diary or lab book
Copies of abstracts/conference proceedings etc.
(Approved project proposal; upload with report)
Preparation
• Student’s report to the panel
– Be honest and reflective
• Discuss in advance with your supervisor/supervisory team/institute
PG Research Student Coordinator any issues raised?
Preparation
• Supervisors’ report to the panel
– A reminder will help speed up the process of you receiving
official notification of the outcome of your review.
Preparation
• Know your panel.
• Read your report, and your project
proposal.
• Lab books/research diaries and
information on training attended
• Be organised.
– Arrange date and time well in advance and as convenient for
panel members, book room (and inform panel), get key, set up PC
and projector etc.
During the interview
• Oral presentation (if required by your
institute)
– Stick to rules/guidelines
– Make sure the presentation helps you to communicate
effectively
• Show key “visual” information, avoid use of lots of text
etc.
– Ask for input from supervisor
During the interview
• Don’t assume the panel has expert knowledge of every
aspect of your project.
– Provide reminders/clarification where you think helpful.
• Don’t be afraid to defend your research, but be
receptive to panel’s suggestions.
• Take the opportunity raise any concerns you may
have.
– E.g. completion of research, attendance at training courses and access to
other activities important to your training and future career
• Remember, it’s a “progress review” rather than an
“assessment”
Possible outcomes
Possible outcomes
After the interview
• Reflect
• On receipt of panel report
– Discuss recommendations etc. with supervisor/supervisory
team.
– Be proactive in engaging in any activities/practices
recommended or required by the Head of Institute
(Institute PG Research Student Coordinator).
Finally....
• Bear in mind that the review process is
for YOUR benefit