SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS

RESEARCH STUDENTS’ INDUCTION AND WELCOME MEETING 2013

Head of School:Professor Kevin Lee

Director of Postgraduate Research:Professor Gianni De Fraja

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The School of Economics2

One of the leading Economics departments for research and teaching in the UK, set in one of the country’s top universities.

Rankings: 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise:

Nottingham School of Economics ranked 3rd in UK in research “power” and 6th= on proportion of submitted research given highest two ratings.

Tilburg University 2005-2012 world-wide ranking of Economics departments: Nottingham ranked in Europe’s top 9 and World’s top 31.

The School of Economics3

Dimensions: Over 1000 undergraduates and around 120

MSc students. Around 50 full-time postgraduate research

students in residence in Nottingham. Around 45 full-time academic staff in

Nottingham, with research interests and supervision capability across much of Economics, esp. in fields of its research centres.

The School of Economics4

Research Centres: Centre for Decision Research & Experimental

Economics (CeDEx); Centre for Finance, Credit & Macroeconomics (CFCM); Centre for Globalisation & Economic Performance

(GEP); Centre for Research in Economic Development &

International Trade (CREDIT); Granger Centre for Time Series Econometrics.

Less formal groups in other areas of economics.

Some key staff

Head of School: Prof. Kevin Lee Director of PG Research: Gianni De Fraja (rm.

B81) Deputy directors: Profs. Oliver Morrissey and

Daniel Seidmann Support:

School Manager: Sue Berry School Secretary: Sue MacCormick PGR Research Secretary: Sarah Nolan (rm. B65) Finance Officer: Janet Lewis (rm. B67) IT Support: IT Helpline 16677 or email elsa-it-support@nottingham.ac.uk)

Staff list: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/economics/people/index.aspx

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Postgraduate research programme Overview:

Supervision; Taught modules; Supplementary, especially:

Research seminars; Annual PG presentations events; University Graduate School and DTC courses.

For more information, see School’s Postgraduate Research Student Handbook.

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Postgraduate research programme All events relevant for Nottingham PhD

students are recorded in a google calendar,

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=u9slphfi2lmnmkjmqj860rfpl4%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=Europe/London

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Early steps

Induction and registration. Get key to room; find desk; Handbook; and

computer. Initial meeting with supervisor(s).

Agree Year 1 training programme form. NB: Return to Sarah Nolan by 15th October at latest.

Discuss schedule of supervision meetings (plus perhaps 2nd supervisors).

Discuss initial tasks. Introduce self to Director of PG Research.

For appointment email gianni.defraja@nottingham.ac.uk

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Supervision

Format likely to vary between supervisors and over course of your research. BUT Usually approx. fortnightly. Usually expected to submit written work first.

Supervision meetings are the main forum in which your developing research is discussed. Prepare. Keep records and notes.

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Taught modules

Role of taught modules. Your supervisors:

may require you to take particular modules. This means you take the exam.

may also recommend that you attend certain other modules, without doing the exam.

The School requires that you take: Both PhD Economics Research Methods modules (Micro. and

Macro.) in Semester 1. At least one of the subject-related Semester 2 PGR modules. Mini-module in Semester 2: Writing and Presenting Economic

Research.

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Writing and Presenting Economic Research

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Interview techniques

Small group academic interaction Marketing research

Writing a PhD Writing papers for publication The Academic Job Market

Writing and Presenting Economic Research Various Years:

Interview techniques, academic and non-academic posts – 26th September 2013 9.30-11.15am.

Introduction to writing a PhD thesis – date to be confirmed, Nov/Dec 2013? First years, 1 x 2 hr session.

Introduction to small group teaching – to be confirmed. Presentations skills training - 2 April 2014, 1-3pm Room

A09, Highfield House. Conference presentation review & debrief - 1 May 2014,

1:30-3:30pm. Submitting work to academic journals - 2x 2hr sessions

2nd&3rd years – May/June 2014 dates to be confirmed. Marketing research – to be confirmed. The US and UK academic job market - 1 x 1.5 hr

session, for 2nd, 3rd & 4th years - May/June, dates to be confirmed.

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Taught modules

Year 1, Semester 1: PhD Economics Research Methods modules:

Microeconomics: Tuesdays 2-4pm. Macroeconomics: Fridays 12 noon – 2pm. All students take both. Exams in January 2013.

Teaching starts in week beginning 1st October. Plus, possibly, some M.Sc. modules.

Year 1, Semester 2: At least one from

Topics in Microeconomics International Trade Econometrics.

Plus, possibly, some M.Sc. Modules.

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An aside: MSc modules

As refreshers or supplements. Semester 1:

Microeconomic Theory Macroeconomic Theory Econometric Theory Economic Data Analysis

For this module, contact Dr. Tim Lloyd.

Semester 2: Around 20 possible modules listed on School

intranet. To access this, click link from School website front page,

sign in and select “My School”.

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Research seminars

School Senior Seminar series; School Workshops; Various research centre series, listed at

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/Economics/research/seminars-workshops/index.aspx

Attend as many seminars as you can. You will be required to list the ones you attend (with a brief summary) as part of your regular review. Some topic seems not immediately “relevant” to your work.

Perspective; Techniques; Good and bad presentation skills; Network.

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PGR Presentations Event

Annual event. Required to present in each of Years 1, 2 and 3. Also required to attend presentations of others

and to provide feedback. Presentation:

20 minutes presentation, plus 10 minutes questions.

In Year 1, either present own work or a key article in your field. If the latter, show how your planned work will relate to it.

Years 2 and 3: Present one of your draft chapters.

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2014 PGR Presentations Event Preparation meeting: 2 April 2014, 1-

3pm Room A09, Highfield House First years present on 28th and 29th

April First years review session on 1 May

2014, 1:30-3:30pm. Second and Third years present on

6th-8th May.

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Conferences

Later in your research, it will be a good idea to try to present your work at academic conferences.

This is not formally part of the programme, but the School has a small fund that can help to cover some of the costs of this.

Details in Postgraduate Research Student Handbook.

Other sources of funding include the University’s Graduate School; the conferences themselves; the Royal Economic Society.

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Teaching

There may be opportunities for you to gain some teaching experience (but usually not until Year 2).

For those intending academic careers, it is worthwhile to gain some teaching experience.

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The Graduate School

Located in Highfield House, University Park. Website:

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool/index.aspx

Functions include support and training role for all PGR students at University of Nottingham.

Courses: Graduate School list will be provided in Welcome Pack.

Travel prizes can be used to supplement School funding for conference attendance.

Also provides social space and means to meet PGRs in other Schools.

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Nottingham ESRC DTC

Some of you are funded by this. Meeting for these students with Prof. Morrissey

2pm Wednesday 25th September, Sir Clive Granger, C43.

Jointly with Graduate School, the ESRC DTC runs a number of research training modules. These are optional for Economics students, but some may be of interest. Further information in the DTC’s Module Guide. Apply to register for these modules via Sarah

Nolan and DTC Administrator by 5th October.

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Progress

Monitoring and review: You complete Quarterly reports; Annual reports;

(NB: Your funding body may also have reporting requirements.)

The Upgrade. Formally, new research students in the School

are registered for M.Phil. degree. Upgrade to registration for Ph.D. degree

considered early in Year 2.

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The Upgrade

Upgrade usually considered in November or December of Year 2.

Decision based on: Year 1 annual report A draft chapter of your thesis Marks from all taught modules taken Formal meeting of you, your supervisors, and an independent,

senior member of the School’s PGR Committee. This person takes the chair and is the internal assessor.

Main possible outcomes: Upgrade, in which case become registered for a Ph.D.; Deferral of decision, in which case further requirements will be

specified. M.Phil. registration confirmed in which case write up for an

M.Phil.

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Milestones I

September/October, start of Year 1: Settling in; Initial meeting with supervisors and agreement of training

programme. PhD Economics Research Methods modules begin.

January, Year 1: Exams in PhD Economics Research Methods (both micro and

Macro) and (maybe) MSc modules. January, Year 1:

Semester 2 modules begin. April, Year 1:

PGR Presentations event. May/early June, Year 1:

Assessment in Semester 2 modules.

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Milestones II

October, start of Year 2: Year 1 annual report due. Draft chapter submitted to Upgrade Internal Assessor.

November/December, Year 2: Upgrade Meeting.

Around Easter, Year 2: PGR Presentations event.

October, start of Year 3: Year 2 annual report due.

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Milestones III

October, start of Year 3: Year 2 annual report due.

Around Easter, Year 3: PGR Presentations event Year 3 annual report due, mapping final stages to

completion.

October, start of Year 4: Years of study completed. If thesis not already submitted, move into “registration-only”

period for final writing up by following Summer, at the latest, under current regulations.

After submission of thesis: Viva usually takes place within 3 months.

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Research ethics

All research at the University covered by its Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics.

All PGRs must consider (with supervisors) whether the research requires prior ethical approval. Not normally necessary for economic research that is

purely theoretical or uses only published data sets. Is normally necessary if you gather primary data

directly from individuals yourself (surveys, experiments).

For details and approval procedures, see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/economics/research/research-ethics.aspx

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Difficulties?

Administrative issues: See relevant member of the School’s support

staff. Academic issues:

In first instance, discuss with supervisors. Regular contact with supervisors and reviewing

of progress against targets is best way to avoid academic difficulties.

Can also consult Director of Postgraduate Research.

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And (almost) finally ….

We offer support, advice, training, facilities, exposure to modern research, an environment, ….

BUT: Never forget that it is your PhD! You do the research. You are responsible for planning and making

progress. You write the thesis. You manage your career development.

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Start of Year Social

School Postgraduate Social: New postgraduate students invited to start

of year social event on evening of 4th October (6-8pm) in The Hemsley.???

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