The Speed PhD: Introduction to a Research Degree An Innovative Workshop of The University of Manchester Dr. Jim Boran Researcher Development Faculty of

The Speed PhD: Introduction to a Research Degree

An Innovative Workshop of

The University of Manchester

Dr. Jim BoranResearcher DevelopmentFaculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences

in association with:Dr. Tony Bromley Dr. Gemma MuckleUniversity of Leeds The University of Manchester

Dr. Heather SearsUniversity of Leeds

6 July 2010 1Enhancing the postgraduate research experienceHEA, Edinburgh Napier University

Overview• The Researcher Development Challenge

• Background to Speed PhD Concept

• Workshop Schedule: Talks + Exercise

• Sample Projects

• Supervisor Relationships

• Conference Submission? /Journal Paper?

• Viva & ‘Graduation’

• Evaluation

6 July 2010 2 Enhancing the postgraduate research experienceHEA, Edinburgh Napier University

Researcher Development

is all about gaining and

enhancing skills to

successfully complete your research degree and

maximise employability in

your chosen career path.

The Challenge• How to increase awareness of the key skills,

milestones, challenges and opportunities of a PhD?

• Key considerations

– Timing [1st month? / 9 months?]

• Where in project development?

• degree of knowledge re: Supervisor?

• UG @ Manchester?

– Discipline [good to have a mix?]

– Home vs. Overseas?

• Balance of experience vs. knowledge needed?

• Degree of interactivity?6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience

HEA, Edinburgh Napier University4

Professional development

Assess your skills

Reflect and evaluate

Development activity

Develop personal plan

Industry & professional bodies UK Research Councils International market

Skills for Research PostgraduatesB. Research Environment C. Research

ManagementA. Research Skills

D. Personal Effectiveness

F. Networking & Teamworking

E. Communication Skills

G. Career Management

A1. Problem Solving

A2. Original Thinking

A3. Discipline Knowledge

A4. Research Methods

A5. Critical Analysis

A6. Progress Summaries

B1. Research Context

B2. Research Ethics

B3. Good Research Practice

B4. Health & Safety

B5. Research Funding

B6. Research Justification

B7. Research Commercialisation

C1. Project Management

C2. Information Management

C3. Bibliography Skills

C4. IT Skills

D1. Willingness to Learn

D2. Creative Approach

D3. Open-Mindedness

D4. Self-Assessment Skills

D5. Self-Discipline

D6. Awareness of Support

D7. Self-Reliance

E1. Academic Writing

E2. Critical Arguments

E3. Presentation Skills

E4. Promote Public Understanding

E5. Teaching Skills

F1. Networking

F2. Teamworking

F3. Feedback Skills

G1. Professional Development

G2. Career Management

G3. Transferable Skills Awareness

G4. Promoting Oneself

Research Councils UK Skills List

Task vs. Process

6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experienceHEA, Edinburgh Napier University

8

...like Speed Dating?“…time-efficient and structured interaction”

wikipedia.org

Day One TIME

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

0930 Introduction to GPDP

presentation on the skills training programme & ‘ice-breaker’ introductions

1000 Research Overview

presentation on principles of research, the role of creativity & defining originality

1045 Coffee

1100 PhD Elements presentation on defining PhD degree, managing supervisor & maximizing success

1200 Introduction to Exercise

presentation to describe ‘mock’ PhD project, scoring system & ‘thesis’ regulations

1215 Group Work I teams receive project description pack

1230 Lunch a free lunch is provided

1330 Introduction to Library Services

overview of Library electronic resources

1345 Group Work II teams go online to locate additional literature for their topic

1500 Group Work III teams write up day 2 proposal

1545 Deadline Submit day 2 proposal

1600 END OF DAY 1

talk

exercise

break


Day Two TIME

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

0930 Research Ethics & Intellectual Property Rights

presentation on ethical principles of research & protecting ownership of research results

1030 Group Work IV teams carry out research & receive ‘Calls for Conference & Journal Papers’

1045 Coffee

1100 Group Work V teams complete research & prepare any conference submission

1230 Lunch display of conference submissions

1330 Personal Development Planning & Guide to Progression Monitoring

presentation on the principles and processes of the skills audit and personal development plan; also overview of online progression monitoring system

1415 Group Work VI teams finalize journal papers & theses

1500 PhD Questions later stage PhDs answer questions submitted by participants

1530 Mock Viva teams answer sample viva questions on their project

1550 Graduation scores are tallied & ‘degrees’ awarded

1600 END OF WORKSHOP

talk

exercise

break


Elements of the Speed PhD• Teams of 4 – 6 people on a two-day workshop

EXERCISE

• Each team plays a single ‘fictional’ research student

• Each has a supervisor, ‘acted’ by the workshop facilitator

• Mirrors the timing & structure of a PhD [15mins = 1 month]

• Points system reflects good PhD practice

– Thesis = 15 points = pass

– Additional points for publishing, conferences, etc.

TALKS

• Induction to training and development programme

• Introduces concepts of needs analysis and personal development planning

• Learn of support across the institution


Talks• Introduction to Researcher Development

• PhD Elements1. Research problem

2. Supervision

3. System/regulations [+ Progression Monitoring]

4. Planning & time

5. Research environment

6. Researcher (YOU!)

• Library Search Skills

• Research Ethics

• Career Preparation for New PhDs

• Personal Development Planning

6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experienceHEA, Edinburgh Napier University

12

Speed PhD Exercise Objectives Time management and project management within a

research project; Working with a supervisor type; Teamwork within a research project; Producing written work to fixed regulations; Managing a range of activities within a research

degree; Different research approaches of disciplines; Generic skills common to all disciplines; The psychology of a research degree.


Sample Speed PhD Projects

red lines are straight

Optimisation of the Flying-Wing Concept for

Commercial Airliners – An Investigation Using a

Model SystemAn Energy Efficient,

Environmentally Sympathetic Building Design and

Construction Process for an Integrated University of

Manchester Student Services FacilityFooling the Brain – An

Investigation into Visualisation- Considering Why Optical Illusions Work & the Development of New

Illusions


Supervisor Relationships• The role of the supervisor is incorporated into the

Speed PhD through caricatures of common supervisor styles; mostly based on availability

• Groups have to ascertain how best to work with the supervisor style they are given

• Groups gain points for filling in the meeting form

Professor Myway –Partly available, but always suggests a different approach

Professor Neverhere –

Very hard to schedule

Dr. Helpful -nearly always available; will come to group & offer help


Points System

• Pass = 15 points

• Good thesis is enough to pass

Description Points

Transfer report not submitted on time -3

Record of first meeting with supervisor 2

Conference poster 2

Conference presentation 3

Published Paper 9

Submission Notice Form submitted late -3

Poor Viva 1

Good Viva 2

Excellent Viva 5

Unacceptable thesis Fail

Borderline Thesis 10

Good Thesis 15

Excellent Thesis 20


Deadline Calendar

Time Deadline

Day 1 – 15:45 Transfer report submission closes

Day 2 – 10:30 Call for Conference Papers issued

Day 2 – 10:45 Call for ‘Special Issue’ Journal papers issued

Day 2 – 11:10Final submission time for abstract of conference presentation and/or poster

Day 2 – 12:00 Final submission time for title of journal paper

Day 2 – 12:00 Final submission time for conference poster

Day 2 – 12:00 Final submission time for conference presentation

Day 2 – 14:00 Final submission time - draft journal paper

Day 2 – 14:15 Deadline for Notice of Submission Form submission

Day 2 – 14:30 Final submission time - revised journal paper

Day 2 – 15:00 Deadline for submission of THESIS

Day 2 – 15:30 VIVA


Thesis Regulations• Text: hand written, legible and written in black ink.

• Margins: two (2) centimetres from the page edge.

• Length: a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 13 pages.

• All pages of the thesis (except the Title page) should be numbered.

• Submit in the project folder by two holes punched in the left hand margin.

• Any thesis submitted that does not conform to these regulations will not pass.

• The thesis must be submitted at or before 15:00 on day 2 of the course. Strictly no thesis will be accepted after 15:00.

THESIS CONTENTS• Thesis Cover

Sheet• Contents• Acknowledgements• Introduction• Materials and

Methods• Results• Discussion and

conclusion• References• Figures and/or

tables.


Conference In Your Lunchtime• Day Two: 1030 - 1200

• Teams are given an optional “Call for Conference Submissions”

• Title [8 words max] / Abstract [50-80 words]

• Two options:– Poster [flip chart paper] – Presentation: min. 4 transparencies

• Deadlines– 1110: Submit abstract– 1200: Poster / Presentation due– 1230: Conference displayed over lunch

• Time management: focus on thesis? or conferences?6 July 2010 20Enhancing the postgraduate research experience

HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

Call for Journal Papers• Day Two: 1045 - 1430

• A call for papers from the “Journal for Researcher Development” is issued

• Submission is optional: [time management?]

• Deadlines

– 1200: Submit title

– 1400: Draft due

– 1430: Final submission time

• Can publish same topic as Conference submission


The Viva• After Thesis Submission, each team is asked a

‘generic’ Viva question [e.g. What is original about your thesis?]

• Must answer for Speed PhD project

• Discussion around what examiners are looking for

• Examples of how to answer ‘weakness’ questions

• Review of examiners options for minor corrections, re-examination & requests for additional research

• Emphasis on “You will know more than your examiners…help them understand your research”


‘Graduation’• Scores are tallied

• Discussion of ‘extra value’


Evaluation

“…I know now what's required in a PhD programme”

“the group work allowed

exchange of ideas and

opportunity to meet other

students…”

“It helps me to make a plan for

the future and make my target

clearer!”

“This is an eye opener and will

assist me greatly in future”

“This gave me an idea of what I will be doing for the next couple of years and how I can manage it in an efficient and planned manner”

“…provided a worthwhile experience in planning and prioritising”


Review of Speed PhDGOOD POINTS

• Able to present a broad overview of what to expect during a research degree

• Good teamwork practice

• Meet postgrads from other disciplines

• Find common problems through shared experience [e.g. working with a supervisor]

BAD POINTS

• Transferability not always understood: “I should be working on my own thesis topic”

• ‘Compulsory’ can lead to unhappy campers

• Two days can be seen as too long

• May reduce future engagement?


Documents

The Speed PhD: Introduction to a Research Degree An Innovative Workshop of The University of Manchester Dr. Jim Boran Researcher Development Faculty of