How do I manage my work as well as possible?Know who is responsible for what

Three key parties:1.The student (you)2.Your supervisor3.Your unit/UCC

Who is responsible for what?Make three lists!

Teams of three: one play each role

15 minutes

The ‘official position’

UCC Code of Practice: Duties of a postgraduate

student1. Maintain a professional relationship

2. Maintain regular communications with supervisor(s)

3. Record plans of work, and any changes

4. Fulfill requirements of your doctoral programme: completion of academic and/or training modules;

5. Be familiar with the University’s and department’s regulations and the administrative requirements

Duties of a postgraduate student

6. Familiar with Postgraduate Research Student Handbook

7. Initiative in identifying problems that impede the progress; seek solutions ; familiar with procedures and supports

8. Collaboration? Clarity on explanation of the contribution you have made – work by others explicitly defined and acknowledged

Duties of a postgraduate student

You will •receive advice and feedback from your Supervisor(s)•participate in annual formal reviews

Thus, you must:9.Agree on type of guidance and feedback & regular formal meetings to review progress

10.Present reports or other written material

11.Participate in review and evaluation procedures

Duties of a supervisor

1. Guidance and support on the student’s research topic,• Planning• academic standard

2. Professional, constructive and effective relationship

3. Highest ethical and academic standards, • aware of regulations• Policies• codes of practice

Duties of a supervisor

4. Regular communications with the student

5. Advise on selection of academic and/or training modules / facilitate training needs

6. Encourage• Publications• colloquia, seminars• Conferences

7. Leaves of absence (longer than a month) – ensure that alternative supervisory arrangements

Duties of a supervisor

8. Advice and support on the submission & Prep for viva

9. Review the student’s progress • structured manner• ongoing basis• formal and/or informal• formal annual review Graduate Studies

Committee.

10.Regular formal meetings to monitor and review research progress

Duties of a supervisor

11.Regular written work• interim reports or research results• agreed timeline• prompt and constructive feedback

12.Student familiar with reporting and review requirements

13.Providing formal written annual reports if required.

14.Student is made aware of unsatisfactory progress • In writing• Suggesting ways of addressing them.

Responsibilities of the Academic Unit

1. Access to adequate resources, facilities and equipment

2. Confirming adequate supervision arrangements.

3. Provide support and oversight of progress, through its Graduate Studies Committee

Programme Board?

Responsibilities of the Academic Unit

4. Head of Unit to assign student to one Graduate Studies Committee

5. GSC responsibility – monitor and support progress

Transfer Masters/PhD track to PhD programmes Assisting supervisors Improving the research student experience Local resolution of problems

Responsibilities of the Academic Unit

6. GSC identify staff responsible for the review and verify that such reviews have taken place.

7. GSC info & guidance to supervisors and students regarding policy and procedures

Postgraduate Research Studies Handbook

8. GSC accurate records procedures, activities and meetings, including annual

reviews of student progress, are kept within the unit.

9. Academic Unit ultimate responsibility to the Student for the supervision of the research.

Structuring the discussion

• Research Student Learning Plans

• Aim is to clarify expectations and roles at the start of study

• Use to structure the discussion with your supervisor(s)