school of earth and environment faculty of environment induction meeting postgraduate research...

School of Earth and EnvironmentFaculty of Environment

Induction Meeting

Postgraduate Research Degree Study

PhD

MPhil

MSc by Research

October 2011


Induction Programme

Today:• 9.30 Welcome: Head of School• 9.30 Studying with us• 10.30 Introduction to Skills Training• 10.45 Outreach and Public Engagement• 10.55 Coffee break***• 11.30 Group photograph• 12.00 Department Tours: Jerry and Bob• 12.30 Campus Tours: Student Reps• 13.00-14.00 Room allocation, photos, keys• 14.00-16.00 SRI Induction

*** Registrations for ‘Training for Teaching’ and ‘Equality and Diversity’ sessions


….key facts

One of the UK’s very best research departments for Earth and environmental science; second only to Edinburgh (RAE2008)

One of the largest research clusters of environmental and social scientists in the UK and internationally

Over 100 research active staff

Over 150 research degree students (PGR)

Over 180 taught postgraduate Masters (PGT)


…our mission

to combine world-class Earth and environment sciences with environmental social sciences in

both fundamental and applied research

RAE 2008


…key peopleProfessor Andy Dougill, Head of School

Dr Andrea Jackson, Deputy Head

Professor Martyn Chipperfield, Director of the Environment Faculty Graduate School


…key people

Heads of Research Institutes:

Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS): Dr Steven Dobbie

Earth Surface Science Institute (ESSI): Dr Cris Little

Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics (IGT): Professor Jurgen Neuberg

Sustainability Research Institute (SRI): Professor Andy Gouldson, Director, and Professor Jouni Paavola, Co-Director


…key contacts

Professor Alan Haywood……………… PGR Tutor

Dr Sebastian Rost…………….............. Deputy PGR Tutor

Mrs Michelle Lesnianski…..………….. PGR Administrator

Mrs Angela Gardner…………………….. PGR Support Assistant

Professor John Barrett…………………. SRI Director of Postgraduate Research

Dr David Bond……………………………… Faculty Skills Training Manager

H&S Co-ordinators………………………. David Banks, Fieldwork

Jerry Lee, Building/Facilities

Jane-Marie Stocks, Labs/Workshops


University Graduate Board

Faculty of Environment Graduate School Committee

School Research Committee

Head of School

Postgraduate Research Tutor

Research Degree Student (You!) …. Supervisor/RSG

…management structure


…key documents

University Code of Practice and Faculty Protocol SEE Postgraduate Research Student Handbook University Research Student Handbook

All documents, web links, forms and handbooks are available online via

the School PGR web page:

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/current/research-pg/index.htm


…our aim

To train you to be capable of independent research

Evidence of originality

Evidence of independent critical ability

Undertaking research suitable for publication

To train you to be an employable graduate


…aims of research degree study

Advancement of knowledge

Acquisition of key research skills

Award is a recognition of such a level of professional competence and innovative skills that you can be expected to undertake effective research without the need for supervision


…aims of research degree study

Capacity to work to deadlines

Ability to present concise but informative verbal and written reports

Understanding of potential safety risks generated by your work

Technical competence alone is insufficient to merit the award of PhD; you must have significantly advanced knowledge in your field and demonstrate a broad understanding of the scientific and societal context of your research.


…at the end of your PhD you should have:

Completed work that is innovative and which has made a significant advancement in knowledge is your field

Presented a concise high quality thesis of 100,000 words (300 pages)

A sound knowledge of the literature and data sources in your subject

A good understanding of the concepts underpinning your research field

Competence in the techniques used in the study and understanding of the principles of methods utilized in the instrumentation and in any limitations to the equipment used


…at the end of your PhD you should have:

An appreciation of the appropriate means of analysis, including (where appropriate) the processing of data obtained and in the computer manipulation of results and graphical presentations

The ability to design and execute your own research without guidance

The capability to present your work in a concise logical and coherent manner

An understanding of the potential hazards associated with your field and knowledge of the relevant COSHH legislation

Awareness of scientific ethics and professional conduct of research


…supervision and support

Pastoral care

The PGRT is your personal tutor. You can contact him with any issues related to your studies.

• The PGRT holds a drop-in session each month (dates are advertised in the School’s newsletter and on the School’s plasma screens). At these sessions, you can call in and discuss your progress, the supervision that you are receiving, and to raise any concerns that you may have, in confidence. If the PGRT is your supervisor, then you can arrange to see a nominee.

• Any issues can be brought to the School’s management committee via your Institute Student Representative.


…your supervision/examination team

you will have a Lead Supervisor who will take primary responsibility for your research degree supervision

you will have a co-supervisor

you may have an external supervisor (CASE awards, collaborations)

you will have a Transfer (upgrade) Examiner

you may have a Transfer (upgrade) Chair

you will have an Internal AND an External Examiner for your PhD viva (part-time students who are also members of staff will have an Internal and 2 External Examiners)


…your supervisors’ responsibilities

day-to-day/regular supervision

encouragement to attend relevant lectures, seminars and scientific meetings

to assist in defining the problem to be tackled in the course of the research

to assist in producing a realistic and achievable timetable


…your supervisors’ responsibilities

to discuss your training needs and agree a training plan annually

agreeing to at least 10 supervision meetings each year (FT) and agreeing the notes of each meeting (5 meetings per annum for Part-time and Split-site study)

to comment on written work submitted by you

to provide written feedback on your progress

to generally advise on your research and preparation of your thesis


…what we expect from you

to arrange and attend a formal training plan meeting with your supervisor each year

to arrange and attend regular supervisory meetings and to seek out your supervisor as problems arise

to carry out research effectively and to submit regular written progress reports, within agreed timescales and to a satisfactory standard

all of the above is monitored on your on-line PDR System record and must be kept up-to-date via http://www.pdr.leeds.ac.uk


…what we expect from you

dedication and application to your research

wide reading in and around your subject and maintenance of a literature database

periodic review of the plan of your proposed research and discussion of any suggested variation with your supervisor

attendance at any courses, lectures, seminars and conferences as agreed in your skills training analysis


…what we expect of you

to promptly draw the attention of your Supervisor or PGR Tutor/Administrator to any serious concerns, requests for suspensions/extensions, or any other matter which you consider important and which may affect your time spent at Leedsadherence to laboratory regulations and health and safety instructionsto complete your PhD within 3 years where possible – we cannot guarantee a desk/pc beyond 3 years


Registration: as ‘Provisional’ PhD until ‘Transfer’ at end of Year 1; Induction Meeting; Initial training courses.

Month 1: Training Skills Analysis with supervisors

Month 6: Attend Publications Masterclass run by PGRT.Submit mid-year report and arrange meeting with supervisory panel to discuss your summary of achievements, particular strengths, goals for

progression to successful transfer/upgrade. Arrange Transfer Examiner and date for viva.

Month 9-11: Present ‘Transfer’ talk to Institute members. Produce Transfer/Upgrade Report, attach Statement of Academic Integrity,

submit to Transfer Panel.

Month 2: 5-minute Introductory Talk to PhDs/staff

Month 11: Advise the PDRA when your on-line PDR System record is up-to-date with: training plan, 10 supervision meeting reports, 6 months report and meeting notes; transfer report and recommendation. You will then be able to

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Registration: as ‘PhD’ or other category, following decision of Transfer Panel

Month 13: Training Skills Analysis update with supervisors

Months 22-23: Submit 24 months report OR publication which can be in draft if not yet published. Arrange meeting with supervisors

and complete 24 Months meeting pro forma.

Month 24: Advise PDRA when on-line PDR System is up-to-date with: training plan, 10 supervision meeting reports, 24 months

report/publication and associated meeting notes. You will then be permitted to proceed to on-line registration for Year 3.

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Registration

Month 25: Training Skills Analysis update with supervisors

Months 33: Agree outline of PhD thesis chapters and commence writing-up. Arrange meeting with supervisors and complete 33

Months meeting notes. Discuss Internal and External Examiners, and prepare and submit Exam Entry form to PGRA.

Month 36: Advise PGRA when PDR System is up-to-date with: training plan, 10 supervision meeting minutes, outline of PhD thesis chapters and draft of one chapter, and 33 months meeting notes. If you are not ready to submit your thesis by now, you will be required

to Register for Year 4 which is normally the ‘overtime’ /writing-up year. We recommend that you have a mock viva as part of your

preparation for the real thing!Finally: submission of 300 page (100,000 words) thesis and viva! C

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…at least once during your studentship

attend an international conference

present at the annual Faculty of Environment Conference or University Researcher Conference

attend a UK Grad School ‘vitae’ if you are sponsored by a UK research council


…musts

Students whose first language is not English must take the University English Language Test (UELT) to assess the level of support needed from the Language Centre.

Information about the test is on The Language Centre web pages: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/languages/facility/intl_inf.htm

Tests can normally be taken on Friday afternoons.


…musts

… your help will be needed for demonstrating in our labs and leading tutorials – to be eligible you must receive training – registrations will be taken during the coffee break and this afternoon 1-2pm in this Seminar Room:

Training for Teaching: Thursday 6 October 9.30-16.30


…musts

PhD Essentials - Getting Started: Thursday 6 October (but most students will attend the Training for Teaching Day and priority must be given to that training) OR Thursday 13 October OR Friday 14 October – make sure you are available on 13th and 14th because you will be allocated to one of them flexibly.

Library Skills:

Choose one of 4 dates advertised for each of these sessions (see the induction programme) and book a place on-line via the Faculty Training and Development Calendar. You must attend both sessions in this order:

Pt. 1: Finding Information for your PhD

Pt. 2: Managing Information for your PhD


…you first presentation:

1st Year PhD Introductory Talks:

These are 5 minute talks to introduce you and your research to the School. The PGRA will contact you soon to find out which date is convenient for you and your supervisor:


…your first presentation

1st Year PhD Introductory Talks:

Seminar Rooms 1 & 2 (8.119a/b) on:

Tuesday 8 November 1-2pm

Wednesday 9 November 12-1pm

Friday 11 November 12-1pm

Tuesday 15 November 12-2pm

Friday 18 November 12-1pm

Monday 21 November 1-2pm


…tomorrow

Here :

09.30 Health and Safety: Dr David Banks10.00 Computer Systems: Chris Morgan10.30 Coffee break11.00 Faculty Finance: Naomi Armstrong and Joanna McIntyre11.30 Equality and Diversity – Introduction to Training

15.30 Welcome Party: Reception Foyer/Common Room17:00 The pub…. Until late!


For all updates….handbooks….forms and

pro formas….web links….

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/current/research-pg

and check your email regularly!

school of earth and environment faculty of environment induction meeting postgraduate research...

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