Key Dates & PhD Progression

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKeLGX8bZcJOiqEoUnRGXlvPrRDA6OC7sL7Qrje2IfiUDXrQ/viewform?usp=header 

Both of these must be completed by the end of month three.

Training Needs Analysis

As a new doctoral researcher, there will be many skills which will require developing before you reach PhD status. In order to help you identify which skills you need to develop and which skills you are already confident in, the University has designed the Training Needs Analysis.

The TNA focuses on your acquisition of skills in four main areas defined by the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. These are

• Knowledge and intellectual abilities

• Personal effectiveness

• Research governance and organisation

• Engagement, influence and impact

You should complete a TNA annually, in consultation with your supervisors, and use it to assess your competence in each of the areas, so that you can identify your training and development needs. 

You can find further information on the Training Needs Analysis here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/rpi/pgr/ddp/tna 

Data Management Plan

A data management plan (DMP) describes the data you will collect during your research and how it will be managed, both during and after the project.

Creating a DMP at the start of your research will help you organise your data, keeping it safe and ensuring access to those who need it. It can also highlight data management issues that may arise over the course of the project.

You can find further information on the Data Management Plan here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/research-data-management/planning

Submission

Once you've completed your TNA and DMP, please email them through to eee-pgr-support@sheffield.ac.uk

These six monthly review meetings with your supervisor are to ensure that you are on track with your research proposal, and are working towards your confirmation review or other upcoming milestones. Please complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUGHQK-YyZginWOO84IGFleVW4-GVk10Ezx5QQZEMGjX3psQ/viewform  

The first year of the PhD will be considered a probationary year, after which time you are required to undergo a Confirmation Review which will confirm your registration as a PhD student. The confirmation review is intended to confirm whether or not you and your research project have the potential for successful research at doctoral level and completion within the maximum time period, of which the last year is considered a writing-up phase.

The first attempt at Confirmation Review must be completed within 12 months of your initial registration and, where a second attempt is required, this must be completed within 18 months of initial registration (pro-rata for part-time students):

• In month 10, Confirmation Review documents are submitted (Confirmation Review Report, Training Needs Analysis, Data Management Plan, Turnitin receipt). You must also have passed FCE621 (research ethics module).

• By month 12, Confirmation Review Viva has taken place

• If necessary,  by month 18, second Confirmation Review Viva has taken place

For a step-by-step guide to completing the confirmation review, please click here.

The annual School Research Symposium will take place in Semester 2 (the date will be notified to you via email), which will be organised by an elected organisation Committee. All first year students must attend the symposium. In the second year, it is compulsory for all PGR students to present a poster or deliver a presentation as part of the progression requirements. Attendance in your third year, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended. At this stage of study, the Symposium offers students an opportunity to give oral presentations on their work.

Please email to eee-pgr-support@sheffield.ac.uk a copy of one of your outputs from the last six months. This could be: a poster presented at a conference outside Sheffield, a conference paper accepted or published, a book chapter or review written and accepted, a journal publication accepted or published, a patent application filed.

Please complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TZnhvuWYXLN54I6AM7Rc4Q3YHQD1yReGaodyfCEJuNw/edit

Please email this to eee-pgr-support@sheffield.ac.uk

The purpose of the Submission Review is to provide a formal check for you and your supervisory team to discuss and agree a plan to support thesis submission within the your tuition fee-paying period, where possible, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Submission Review should comprise a review of your thesis plan and existing thesis chapters, your engagement to-date with the Evidencing Development Summary, and an evaluation as to whether you will have completed your active/core research by the end of your tuition fee-paying period.

Ensures you are aware of and follow the correct procedure for submitting your thesis.