1. Chair of Chemistry Graduate School
Preparing for your TAP
Kirsty Penkman
Chair of Chemistry Graduate School
C/D009, ext 2574

2. 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

3. 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…

4. Before the meeting
Fill out the TAP preparation form on Skills Forge with your supervisor
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

5. 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…

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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??

11. 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!

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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”

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Help us to help you…
For Oct starters: submit Major TAP paperwork to TAP and 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