The Speed PhD: Introduction to a Research Degree

1. The Speed PhD: Introduction to a Research Degree Dr. Jim Boran Researcher Development Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences in association with: Dr. Tony Bromley Dr. Gemma Muckle University of Leeds The University of Manchester Dr. Heather Sears University of Leeds An Innovative Workshop of The University of Manchester Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

2. 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 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

3. Researcher Development is all about gaining and enhancing skills to successfully complete your research degree and maximise employability in your chosen career path.

4. 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? Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

5. Professional development Assess your skills Reflect and evaluate Develop personal plan Development activity • Industry & professional bodies • UK Research Councils • International market

6. Skills for Research Postgraduates A. Research Skills B. Research Environment C. Research Management A1. Problem Solving B1. Research Context C1. Project Management B2. Research Ethics A2. Original Thinking B3. Good Research Practice C2. Information Management A3. Discipline Knowledge B4. Health & Safety C3. Bibliography Skills A4. Research Methods B5. Research Funding C4. IT Skills A5. Critical Analysis B6. Research Justification A6. Progress Summaries B7. Research Commercialisation D. Personal Effectiveness E. Communication Skills F. Networking & Teamworking G. Career Management D1. Willingness to Learn E1. Academic Writing F1. Networking G1. Professional Development D2. Creative Approach G2. Career Management E2. Critical Arguments F2. Teamworking D3. Open-Mindedness E3. Presentation Skills F3. Feedback Skills G3. Transferable Skills Awareness D4. Self-Assessment Skills E4. Promote Public Understanding G4. Promoting Oneself D5. Self-Discipline E5. Teaching Skills D6. Awareness of Support D7. Self-Reliance Research Councils UK Skills List

7. Task vs. Process

8. ...like Speed Dating? “…time-efficient and structured interaction” wikipedia.org Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

9. Day One talk exercise break Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

10. Day Two talk exercise break Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

11. 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 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

12. Talks • Introduction to Researcher Development • PhD Elements • Research problem • Supervision • System/regulations [+ Progression Monitoring] • Planning & time • Research environment • Researcher (YOU!) • Library Search Skills • Research Ethics • Career Preparation for New PhDs • Personal Development Planning Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

13. 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. Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

14. red lines are straight Sample Speed PhD Projects Optimisation of the Flying-Wing Concept for Commercial Airliners – An Investigation Using a Model System An Energy Efficient, Environmentally Sympathetic Building Design and Construction Process for an Integrated University of Manchester Student Services Facility Fooling the Brain – An Investigation into Visualisation- Considering Why Optical Illusions Work & the Development of New Illusions Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

15. 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 Dr. Helpful - nearly always available; will come to group & offer help Professor Myway – Partly available, but always suggests a different approach Professor Neverhere – Very hard to schedule Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

16. Pass = 15 points Good thesis is enough to pass Points System Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

17. Deadline Calendar Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

18. 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. Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

19. 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? Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

20. 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 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University

21. 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” 6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University 22

22. ‘Graduation’ Scores are tallied Discussion of ‘extra value’ 6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University 23

23. Evaluation “…I know now what's required in a PhD programme” “This is an eye opener and will assist me greatly in future” “It helps me to make a plan for the future and make my target clearer!” “the group work allowed exchange of ideas and opportunity to meet other students…” “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” 6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University 24

24. Review of Speed PhD GOOD 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? 6 July 2010 Enhancing the postgraduate research experience HEA, Edinburgh Napier University 25