Dr Casey Wilson, 2009 Panels and Reviews

1 st year Panels Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Format: (check details with your Dept) Chair, supervisor(s) and at least one (but often two) other assessors. Might ask you to take notes formal 10 minute presentation (rehearse it!), 20 – 30 mins questions. May ask you to leave room Outcome: Yes, no, or further work needed. You should be given this information on the day. Your registration is confirmed = Youve passed Constructive advice on how to proceed If you are unsure - ask

PhD Upgrade/1 st year Panels Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Submission Check with your dept but usually: Produce a piece of focused and edited text (c 8 – 12k words) which you submit in good time. Organise and print this out yourself. Should normally include: Introduction to your topic 1 – 1.5 k Literature review up to 8 k Methodology chapter 3k

Panel is looking for – The Purpose of Your Research Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Introduction (setting out clear aims and objectives). Purpose of my research is to understand x, by doing y, in order to achieve z An indication that you are clear about the purpose of your research and the nature of your research question. How do you intend to try and answer this? Indication about the nature of your scholarly and original contribution to knowledge.

Panel is looking for – The Literature Review Dr C. Wilson, 2009 What debate do you intend to join? Upon whose work will you be building? Whose work might you wish to challenge? To whom, in the academic community, will your work be relevant? (Name names). What gap in the scholarly debate do you plan to focus on? These claims should be realistic and specific and should build on existing work.

Panel is looking for – Your Methodology Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Pilot study or other evidence that your work is do- able. E.g. if hoping to undertake research on psychological contracts between banks and their customers, you have made contact with relevant organisation and secured access Some indication of preliminary analysis to demonstrate that your approach will work What might the limitations be of your chosen approach? Panel will accept that research plans may change as PhD develops, but you need to be clear about direction of research at key points in your progress.

Panel is looking for – Things to Know and Do Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Indication that you understand what is involved in doing a PhD and how long this will take (e.g. have you looked at other theses around your topic in the library?) Clear style of writing – ability to argue your case and produce a convincing line of reasoning. Your panel submission needs to be well presented in the style of a PhD and should be edited by you. Prospect that you will complete within the given timescale, and that you have put plans in place to enable you to do this. You should submit a proposed timetable and this must be realistic (See Phillips and Pugh)

Panel is looking for – Things to Know and Do Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Indication that you have taken ownership of your own work. Supervisors and panels will, from this point on, provide guidance and support. But you need to show that you are the main driver of the thesis, and capable of taking responsibility for the research choices you make. An indication that you have thought through the ethical implications of your work (especially if this involves people, as well as data sets and/or money) The panel may ask you to take brief notes of the proceedings, which you will write up (with action points) and circulate afterwards. Include the bits you didnt like as well as those you found useful. Chair might offer to do this for you, but be prepared in case Important tip: Ask your supervisor to give you a mock panel beforehand

PhD Annual Reviews: Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Check details about how your department does these but generally: Format: similar to panels but less formal. Chair, supervisor(s), one or two other assessors Every 12 months full-time, 18 months part-time and obligatory for both MPhils and PhDs, even if little progress has been made

PhD Annual Reviews - Purpose Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Minimise risk. Constructive discussion of your work with supervisor(s) present Preparation for your MPhil/PhD viva and the kind of questions you will face Offering of guidance regarding direction of the thesis by people who are not involved with your work on a day-to- day basis Formal monitoring by the University of your progress since last review Opportunity for you to raise questions If in the view of the panel, or in your own view, you are not making good progress, the Annual Review provides an opportunity for you and the panel to consider why not, and what should be done about this

PhD Annual Reviews - Format Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Informal 10 minute presentation (rehearse it!), 20 – 30 mins questions Panel has a pre-meeting. May ask you to leave the room for a short end Outcome: Progress report, identification of any problems, areas for further work. You should be given this information on the day Constructive advice on how to proceed If in doubt, ask

PhD Annual Reviews: Submission Requirement Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Submission of a substantial piece of work at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Sensible length, (around 8- 10k carefully chosen words, well-presented). But varies from dept to dept Brief introduction (1.5k words) Chapter (6 – 8k words) Progress report and timetable.

PhD Annual Reviews: The Review Dr C. Wilson, 2009 Essential that you are able to explain and convince without being defensive. Be open to suggestions about changes to your research plans. This is the place and the opportunity to explore the need to do more, or different research. Important to be polite and considerate towards your supervisor(s) during the panel. Be sensitive to their position if you are going to express any concerns you may have As before, panel may ask you to take brief notes of the proceedings, which you will write up (with action points) and circulate afterwards. Include all points. If you dont tackle issues that surface at your review, they will re- surface, later, at your viva. Handy tip: Think through beforehand what the issues raised at your panel may be and discuss with your supervisor