1. Your Dissertation

2. Getting started  What current third years wish they’d done  The role of the supervisor  Your responsibilities  Provisional key dates  Sources of inspiration

3. What would I do differently? “Recognise the importance of the dissertation” “Make use of the advice in Y2” “Decide on a topic much earlier”

4. What would I do differently? “Start working sooner” “Keep in touch with my supervisor” “Get more feedback on my work”

5. What will your supervisor do?  Around 3 hours of meetings  Enthusiasm and encouragement  Support through the process  Feedback on your drafts

6. What will my supervisor expect?  To arrange supervision meetings  To come prepared for meetings  To work consistently and conscientiously  To send draft work in advance of meetings  To discuss major changes of direction  To maintain contact throughout the process  To commit 12 hours per week

7. Summary : Key Dates  Submit outline topic End of Summer term 2008 (27 th June 08) End of Summer term 2008 (27 th June 08)  Proposal First week of Autumn term (29 th Sept 08) First week of Autumn term (29 th Sept 08)  Intermediate literature review First week of Spring term (12 th Jan 09) First week of Spring term (12 th Jan 09)  Completed final draft One week before Easter break (20 th Mar 09) One week before Easter break (20 th Mar 09)  Final submission date 1 st May 2009 1 st May 2009 (All dates are approximate, and remain provisional)

8. Sources of inspiration!  Related to career aspirations?  Something you enjoy?  Something you’re good at?  Related to our supervisory expertise?  Academic journals?  Previous dissertation topics?  Modules, assessments, visiting speakers?  Current affairs?

9. Questions?