Tagged / PhD students

The PhD viva and then….

BU research, Centre for Excellence in Learning, Featured academics, international, PG research, Postgraduate Research, Publishing, student research, Women's Academic Network, writing

Today the Journal of Education and Research published online our paper ‘Reflections on Variations in PhD Viva Regulations: “And the Options Are …”’. [1]   The paper outlines that examining PhD research in the form of a doctoral thesis is specialist work, which is why few people know the potential variations. This paper highlights the different options that are available for PhD examiners. There are four general options: (1) pass, (2) rewrite and resubmit; (3) lower degree, with or without resubmission; and (4) fail the PhD. However, from our experience, of both being examined for our own PhDs and examining others at a range of different universities, we have noted a considerable variety in detail within these common options. This paper outlines a variety of outcomes of a PhD examination, followed by four short case studies, each reflecting on a particular aspect /differences we experienced as examinees or as examiners. This paper further aims to alert PhD candidates and examiners to study the examination rules set by the awarding university, as the details of the PhD examination outcome, and hence the options available to both examiners and the students may differ more than one might expect.

This publication adds to our earlier work on the roles of PhD supervisors providing in-depth discipline-specific Public Health knowledge and technical (e.g., methodological) support to the students, encouraging them towards publications or conference presentations, offering pastoral support for student wellbeing, and finally preparing them to defend their thesis by conducting a mock viva. Our earlier paper focused on the responsibilities, opportunities, and sometimes the challenging nature of being a PhD supervisor in the field of Public Health in Nepal. [2]

Prof. Edwin van Teijlingen

CMMPH

 

References:

  1. van Teijlingen, E., Simkhada, B., Regmi, P. ., Simkhada , P. ., Hundley, V. ., Poudel, K. C. (2022). Reflections on Variations in PhD Viva Regulations: “And the Options Are …”. Journal of Education and Research, 12(2), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.51474/jer.v12i2.624
  2. Regmi, P., Poobalan, A., Simkhada, P., van Teijlingen, E. (2021). PhD supervision in public health. Health Prospect, 20(1), 1-4.

PhD student fellowship opportunity (food science/technology)

Impact, policy

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is currently recruiting for the 2021–2022 IFST-POST fellowship. Applications are open to PhD students of UK universities researching a food science and technology topic. Applicants should be in the second or third year of their PhD studies, undertaking research studies related to Food Science and Technology at a UK university. Students who are writing up their theses but have not yet graduated are eligible to apply.

For all its fellowship schemes, POST welcomes and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

The deadline for application is 23:59 on 7th June 2021.

Please contact the policy team for support and advice before making an application. You can contact Jane and Sarah on policy@bournemouth.ac.uk

More information:

POST and IFST are offering a three-month fellowship to PhD students completing a PhD on a food science and technology topic based in a UK University. There is one funded fellowship available.

Successful applicants will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing material for parliamentarians on emerging food science and technology topics. Work may include:

  • Producing a POSTnote or POSTbrief (briefing documents to help inform the work of MPs and Peers), or contributing to a longer briefing report.
  • Assisting a select committee in an ongoing inquiry.
  • Organising a seminar to inform or disseminate research.

PhD Fellows are encouraged to interact closely with people and activities in the two Houses of Parliament, including Select committees, MPs and Peers, their support services, ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group’ meetings and the very wide range of other activities at the Palace of Westminster.

The fellowship can be carried out full-time for three months or part-time over a longer period. Successful applicants will be expected to start their fellowship between September 2021 and June 2022. The exact start date is to be agreed between the applicant, POST, and the applicant’s supervisor.

About the Institute of Food Science and Technology

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) is the UK’s leading professional body for those involved in all aspects of food science and technology. IFST is an internationally respected independent membership body, supporting food professionals through knowledge sharing and professional recognition. IFST membership comprises individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, from students to experts, working across a wide range of disciplines within the sector.

POSTnotes written by fellows funded through the IFST POST Fellowship scheme include:

Funding arrangements

IFST will support the Fellow by providing funding of £5,000 to cover a 3-month extension to their PhD award, maintenance (including caring costs) and accommodation (including travel costs for relocation).

For even more information and to read the application pack click here.