1. Sara Spencer Jo Iacovides
Post Graduate Research at the Open University: What you need to know right now!
Sara Spencer
Jo Iacovides

2. Student Journey ?

3. @LegoAcademics

4. Expectation vs Reality

5. Student Journey

7. Challenges along the way…

8. Nailing that elusive research question

9. Dealing with new equipment and data

10. Access to facilities

11. Changes to my supervisory team
At the start
James Aczel, Josie Taylor, Will Woods ….
At the end
Eileen Scanlon, Patrick McAndrew, Will Woods

13. Socialising

14. Misconceptions (my own and others)

15. That my topic meant I got to play video games all day

16. That you know a lot about everything

17. That a doctorate will guarantee you an academic career
USA example
70000 post-doc positions
3000 tenure track jobs…
A PhD alone is not longer enough

19. Milestones 1 Registration (clock starts – 4 years FT, 6 years PT) 2
Supervisory Meetings
(min 10/year FT; 5/year PT – throughout degree) 3
Progress reports
Twice per year – throughout degree

20. Milestones 4 Probation (transfer) (1 year FT, 2 years PT) 5
Intention to submit
3 months before - examiners appointed 6
Thesis submission
You must be registered to submit your thesis

21. Milestones 7 Viva voce Ideally within six to eight weeks of submission8
Result
Following ratification by RDRAC 9
Corrections/amendments
Timelines (up to 12 months)

22. General advice Understand the concept of ‘good enough’
Be realistic about your progress
Understand your goals – if in doubt ask
Fear of failure
‘Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go’ T.S. Eliot
Get with the programme – manage your time
Taking advantage of development opportunities available

23. Research Degree Regulations 2016
New regulations (October 2016)
If you have any questions please refer them to the Research Degrees Office

24. Research Degrees Handbook
Updated annually to reflect changes in the regulations, policy, procedures
MRes handbook can be found on the Graduate School Network
If you have any questions please refer them to the Research Degrees Office

25. Where to get help Supervisors Third party monitor
Postgraduate tutor/DADR/ADR
Graduate School
Research Degrees Office
Open University Student Association
Widening Access and Success Support Team

26. Complaints & Appeals
The Open University aims to provide all students with an excellent learning experience that enables them to achieve their academic goals. We recognise that sometimes things go wrong and, when they do, we welcome the opportunity to put them right as soon as possible.
The Student Complaints and Appeals Procedures apply to all enquirers, applicants and research students.
Students can obtain this procedure in alternative formats and seek help, advice and guidance on making a formal complaint or appeal from the Complaints and Appeals area of the Help Centre, the Graduate School Network and from either the Student Casework Office or the Research Degrees Office.

27. T. S. Elliot
We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.