Preparing for your annual
progress review
FMS postgraduate training workshop
Monday 29th February 2016
Alison Tyson-Capper
Faculty Postgraduate Tutor, Associate Dean for
Postgraduate Studies, FMS
PhD supervisor/progress panel member
Overview
• Progress review timeline
• Preparation
– Research report/literature review
• Relevant researcher development programme sessions
– Oral Presentation
• Relevant researcher development programme session
– Other documents/materials
– Student’s report to panel
– (Supervisors’ report to panel)
• During the interview
• After the interview
Progress review timeline
12 months
6
months
12 months
(MRes
result)
8 months
20 months
29 months
4 year MRes/PhD
submission
deadline!
8 months
20 months
29 months
42 months*
3 year PhD
First PhD
progress review
submission
deadline!
*if still to submit
Progress review timeline
• Full details:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/fms/postgrad/documentation/documents/Resstudenthandbook2015-16.pdf
Preparation
• Research report/review
– Read guidelines.
• First review – literature review, aims, preliminary results (7,500
words)
• Second (and third) review – shorter report (3/4 pages; maximum
10): summary of data, detailed analysis of some data; strengths and
weaknesses; “to do” list; appendix
• Final review – detailed breakdown of structure of thesis; identify
research to complete
– Be sure to cite information from other sources correctly
• Plagiarism will be treated seriously
• www.ncl.ac.uk/right-cite
– Provide sufficient information to “bring your panel up to speed”.
– Ask your supervisor for feedback.
• Check he/she will be available and agree a deadline for submission
of a draft, giving you sufficient time to
make any changes
– Pay attention to presentation.
– Submit in good time, including a hard copy if required.
Preparation
• Research Student Development Programme
training sessions: UPDATE
• Tuesday 1st (13-14.30) & 9th March (14:00- 15:30) –
“Writing a literature review”; Writing Development
Centre
– Research Beehive 2.20
– Baddiley Clark - seminar room
• Thursday 3rd March 2015 13-14:00) Dent LTD– “Writing
your first year report”; Alison Tyson-Capper, Faculty
Postgraduate Tutor (Associate Dean)
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)
–
–
–
–
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
• 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).
– Associate Dean/Dean comments to help you
Finally....
• Make a list of things you’d like to
discuss with them
• Bear in mind that the review process is
for YOUR benefit