Chair of Chemistry Graduate School Preparing for your TAP Kirsty Penkman Chair of Chemistry Graduate School Kirsty.penkman@york.ac.uk C/D009, ext 2574

The TAP Your supervisor and Independent Panel Member (IPM) and you! make up your Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) will support you throughout your research; academic and welfare role TAP meetings ~ every 6 months – take the lead in organisation Think of it as a project meeting Opportunity to discuss research progress, plan the routes forward and skills needed

TAP meetings Every 6 months, recorded in Skills Forge Minor (spring for Oct start): short report (2-10 pages) Major (summer for Oct start): longer report (up to 30 pages) will form basis for decision for progression Has to be within specific timeframe…

Before the meeting Fill out the TAP preparation form on Skills Forge with your supervisor https://www.skillsforge.york.ac.uk/york/#common/main/welcome, Good to have read, and even submitted text in advance Reflection on achievements & future goals Describe work Outline achievements & challenges Comments on progress and plans (Objectives: set out, met?) Supervisor report on progress and engagement Research facilities Reflection on Professional Development Planning (PDP) Research training undertaken Training needs

Before the meeting Download review of supervision form (on Chem webpages) To be discussed confidentially with IPM at end of TAP meeting TAP report Timetable for completion Both of these submitted at least a week before the meeting Anything else your TAP ask for…

The TAP report Format of the report There are no rules on length etc. Talk to your supervisors & IPM, coming with your own ideas There are no rules on length etc. Whatever is most appropriate for your stage of research and the type of project Guidelines: minor TAPs ~2-10 pages, Major TAPs up to 30 pages If asked for an extended report, also include a short summary

The TAP report Plan well in advance So you can get feedback from your supervisor on style, format etc. Word processing, data analysis, imaging & referencing software Use these reports to practice & develop your preferred software

General TAP reports Summary of your results to date & an outline plan for the remainder Demonstrate that you appreciate the scientific context of your work Through the report and the meeting, you need to show a good understanding of the background of your research field and techniques in order to demonstrate that your results are believable. Good scientific writing

General TAP reports a brief introduction that sets your work in context a clear statement of aims for the research project your results to date, including an experimental section a discussion of your results and a summary of conclusions reached objectives and a plan for the next part of your research a timetable for your remaining research time, including write up and expected date of submission this should include events such as deadlines for drafts, planned field work, conferences, holidays and jobs

The TAP meeting Based around the report, but a general discussion of your research Have a look at TAP Meeting form: Report by supervisor Additional comments from TAP Evaluation of student’s progress & training needs Research & training objectives for next meeting Discussion of timetable – 3 yrs??

TAP meetings TAP meetings are in place for your benefit  Help you to take stock of your research Can be surprised by how much you learn just by writing a TAP report. Help you to plan the direction of your research, keeping you on track to succeed. Give you much needed viva practice By preparing well for your TAP meetings you will make your PhD life much easier!

PhD Annual Progression All PhD students starting from 1 September 2016 need to pass annual progression points at the end of each year. Your end of year TAP meeting will form part of this recommendation to the progression panel. “based on what any conscientious student could be expected to achieve” If the Progression Panel does not approve your progress at first, you will have another opportunity within 3 months.

PhD annual progression: General principles Students must be making satisfactory progress to continue with programme formally assessed at end of each year (Y1 & Y2, Y3 for 4-yr PhD), within a consistent timeframe (6 week window) Progression decisions to be made by a panel that is independent of student’s supervisor(s) Your end of year TAP meeting will form part of this recommendation to the progression panel. Concerns about performance identified in timely manner Provides opportunities for struggling students to redeem themselves & reassurance for students performing to or beyond expectations

Resit meeting within 3 months Progression panel Minor TAP Major TAP paperwork Y1: Mar Y1: Jul-Aug Criteria not met Criteria met PP meets with student Student progresses to next year Resit meeting within 3 months Criteria not met Criteria met Decision not to progress Student progresses to next year Criteria not met Criteria met Student withdraws or transfers Student progresses to next year

Chemistry system After major TAP (~11 months) Paperwork evidence for progression forwarded to progression panel (Chair & Deputy GS / Deputy Research Committee) Supervisor’s report, student’s report, TAP forms part 1 & 2, training records, plan etc. (all online) Decision based on standardised set of criteria, appropriate to the stage “based on what any conscientious student could be expected to achieve”

Evidence for Y1 progression Through the student’s report, the supervisor’s report and the meeting, there must be evidence that the student: can describe the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses has produced appropriate research outputs/generated appropriate research data has planned in a realistic fashion the second year (or equivalent) of their research, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated has sufficient acquaintance with the relevant field of knowledge to place their research into context has sufficient proficiency in the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches to move their research to the next stage has undertaken all required training has considered ethical issues (including data management) where applicable.

Key points Criteria different to “confirmation of enrolment” No prediction needed: “what any conscientious student could be expected to achieve” 6 week window: “All students asked to do same work at same point” so no more than 4 weeks between TAP and PP meeting Timetabling headache… Resit Panel will be clear in advice whether resitting is appropriate; clear guidance to enable action plan to be drawn up

Help us to help you… For Oct starters: submit Major TAP paperwork to TAP and chemgrad@york.ac.uk by Monday 16th July 2018 TAPs MUST be held between 23rd July and 31st Aug 2018 Please fill in the forms on SkillsForge in meeting (or immediately after); and chase your TAP if not signed off Progression panel will meet between 20th August & 28th September 2018