Education

Actions

Responsible

Status*

1

Research

Infrastructure and Facilities

With campus facilities now open and available again to all, most challenges encountered by students in this regard have been addressed. However, students agreed with our suggestion that making available a PhD ‘hotdesk’ in Nuns’ Island would be useful.

  HoS

 *In

Progress Delayed due to inadequate office space

2

Supervision 

No actions are planned here; satisfaction rates for the College were between 75-88%, and on consultation with students, a very high level of satisfaction was reported.  

N/A

N/A

3

Research Culture

While scores on certain items in this category were under 60%, following consultation with staff and students, only one action was seen as necessary. Students were clear that they would like more opportunities to connect with each other for both social and research purposes. In this regard, the following is being done:

1. Setting up a ‘social’ group, led by the newly elected ‘social secretary’, for in-person social meet-ups;
2. Setting up a student-led open (online) monthly session for general check-in and discussion about their research; and
3. Organising an annual online (optional) form for PhD students to complete about themselves and their research, for sharing amongst all PhDs in the School. 

 1. DDS

2. DDS

 3. DDS  

1. Complete

      2. Complete                                          3. Complete

4

Progress and

Assessment 

Satisfaction scores in this area were over 60%, and students expressed general satisfaction with their progress in our feedback session.

However, during our student consultation, they also expressed a desire for an occasional forum for general discussion about their research progress, at which a staff member would be present to advise. In this regard, the Director of Doctoral Studies will host an online check-in meeting with all PhDs once per term. This session will also be used to get feedback from students. 

 DSS

 *Complete for last semester (being implemented once per term)

5

Research Skills 

Satisfaction scores were over 60%, and students expressed satisfaction in our School feedback session. However, it was agreed during the consultation with students, that if any research skills needs were to arise, the students would inform the Director of Doctoral Studies, who would review the request and ascertain if relevant training could be organised. 

 PhD Students and DSS

*Complete 

6

Other Transferable

Skills

Satisfaction scores were over 60%, and students expressed satisfaction in our feedback session, so no actions are being identified. 

N/A

N/A 

7

Responsibilities and Supports

Most scores here were over 60%. However, two actions were noted:

1. An information sheet on University student supports will be compiled and made available on Bb;
2. The once per term check-in and feedback session noted in no. 4 above will also assist in supporting student feedback and response to feedback;
3. Director of Doctoral Studies will work with VD PGR to ensure better engagement of SoE PhD students with the national survey of student engagement.

1. DDS

2. DSS

3. VD PGR &

DDS

1. *Complete 2. *Complete 3. *In progress (VD PGR to notify DDS at relevent time)

8

Personal Outlook

While three items in this area were scored at under 60%, discussion with the students did not reveal any core actions to be taken. Students were aware of the supervisor role (vs. a counsellor). It was agreed that supervisors would regularly discuss workload with their students and encourage them to take adequate rest time. 

All SoE PhD supervisors

*In

Progress (Supervisors reminded Jan. '23)

9

COVID-19 Questions

Items scoring less than 60% here were discussed with students and staff, and all agreed that challenges in this regard would be greatly alleviated by campus facilities being reopened and by in-person meetings returning. It was also noted that recent developments in online learning have enhanced access and flexibility for many students into the future, including SoE PhD students, many of whom are parttime. Our upcoming annual Postgraduate Research Symposium in April 2022 will be held in-person and students and staff are greatly looking forward to this event. 

N/A

N/A 

10

Development

Opportunities  

While quite a few items here scored less that 60% at College level, many of these are not relevant for our School. For example, re. receiving advice on career options, we already run a session on this as

part of our Structured PhD module ED6167, and supervisors also point students in the direction of further information and supports. During the consultation, our students were also clear that they received excellent support for any teaching they did in the School.

Actions: 

1. On ‘communicating your research to a non-academic audience’, we will add a section to the relevant session on this on the ED6167 module;
2. Supervisors will discuss the student’s future plans and point the student in the direction of relevant further supports, and also discuss relevant opportunities (e.g. getting lecturing experience, doing some other available training, if the student so wishes);
3. Supervisors will continue to provide strong supports to PhD students who wish to gain teaching experience in the School.

1. DDS

2. All SoE PhD supervisors

3.  All SoE PhD supervisors

 *Complete

 *In Progress (Supervisors reminded Jan.'23)

*Complete

11

Motivations

We are not identifying actions here as we do not see we have a role in evaluating (or changing) our students’ initial motivations to do a PhD.

This was discussed and agreed with staff and students. 

N/A

N/A

12

Career

As with the ‘Motivations’ section, we are not identifying actions here as we do not see we have a role in evaluating (or changing) our students’ future career aspirations in terms of the specific areas into which they plan to progress. This was discussed and agreed with staff and students.

N/A

N/A 

13

Overall Experience 

Scores here, as well as for the following item with regard to considering withdrawing, were all more than satisfactory. During our consultation with SoE PhD students, a high level of general satisfaction was expressed. We anticipate that this will only increase as campus reopens and more events return to in-person. 

N/A

N/A