Postgraduate Student Experience Working Group

Dr Rob Daleyr.a.daley@hw.ac.uk

@RD531

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

3 Sub-Groups1. PDP and Career Planning 2. PGT Identity and Expectations3. End of PGR Lifecycle

Each of these Sub-Groups has its work plan and project elements.

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

PDP & Career Planning

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Exploring scale of activity and Institutional approaches to:• PDP and career planning for PGRs,• Consideration of tools used or promoted• Do the PGR community value these?

Initial pilot survey run

Second survey now open http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PDPCareerPlanning/

PDP & Career Planning04/07/2016

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Initial findings:

• Processes for supporting PDP vary from informal skills training and career development to very formal approaches PDP with reflective practice.

• Several HEIs using the Vitae RDF, others have developed own frameworks.

• PGR engagement measured through use of online tools, records, career consultations and annual PDP reports.

This work is ongoing!PDP & Career Planning

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

PGT Identity & Expectations

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Are HEI processes sufficiently aligned with PGT needs? Initial focus on:• Programme level support & community building• Transitions in and out of PGT study (including alumni

involvement)Initial survey of PGT programme directors at 3 HEIs 79 responsesInfographic of Results https://magic.piktochart.com/output/9167436-pgt-programme-directors

PGT Identity & Expectations04/07/2016

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Full survey: 380 responses; 60 HEIs (23% post 92, 76% pre 92) data analysis ongoing

Key Themes• Trends and common challenges within PGT• Institutional factors and pinch points • PGT sense of belonging• Student representation• Engaging alumni

PGT Identity & Expectations04/07/2016

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Expected outputs and activities:• Seminar on “Supporting the journey to

independent learning in PGT”– Lichfield, 16th February 2017 12:30 - 16:00

• Report on the survey findings• Possible academic papers from the survey

work

PGT Identity & Expectations04/07/2016

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

End of PGR Lifecycle

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Thesis Submission Viva Conferring

End of PGR Lifecycle

Viva Support

Viva & post-Viva experiences

DTCs & Student Status

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Aims:1. Identify CDTs (and similar) across the UK2. Compare student experience within CDTs with

experience of non-CDT students.Outcomes:3. List of CDTs identified fed into report from

sustainability and structures working group http://www.ukcge.ac.uk/article/report-released-structural-changes-in-doctoral-education-in-the-278.aspx

4. Overall complexity and lack of available data meant that the comparison was not realised.

DTCs and Student Status04/07/2016

UKCGE Annual Conference 2016Viva Support

1. Literature search Complete2. Case study on support available through Social Media (podcasts, blogs,

videos, hashtags etc.) data collected3. e-survey on preparation for viva (doctoral graduates and late-stage PGRS)

42 responses4. e-survey on how supervisors support their students (with supervisors) 74

responses

Survey data being analysed

Expected Outputs:Survey report, pen portraits of supervisors, e-booklet on viva support

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Viva & Post-Viva Experiences

Carried out a study of a discreet sample of HEIs to identify the level of information provided to candidates.

Recommendation the all HEIs provide clear information on a number of elements.

Output: An example document of what could be provided which HEIs can edit to suit the institution. (presently in draft)

Piloted at UCD http://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/currentgradstudents/researchphdsupport/assessmentexamination/

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Rob Daley (HWU-Chair)Tina Barnes (Warwick)Ken Wann (Cardiff)Stuart Norton(HEA)Julie Blant (Nottingham)

Emer Cunningham (UCD)Gale Macleod (Edinburgh)Katy Vigurs (Staffordshire)Sharon Huttly (Lancaster)Jim Gazzard (Cambridge)

The Working Group

AcknowledgementsThanks to Carolyn Wynn, Kate Payne, Angus Burns and Ben Massey for their support. Thanks also to previous members for their contributions to work by the group. The working group is grateful to the Higher Education Academy for its sponsorship.

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UKCGE Annual Conference 2016

Thank You!

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