Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP)

Your Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) consists of your supervisor(s) and at least one other member of academic staff from your department. You should discuss with your supervisor(s) the research skills that will form a major part of the conduct of your research and the completion of your thesis. Your supervisor(s) should then consider which members of staff or external appointees may be able to best serve your needs. Where students are conducting research away from the University, for example in a healthcare setting, it is usual to include someone from the outside organisation. 

Please note that you should NOT approach members of staff with requests to be members of your TAP.

Full-time students meet with their TAP at least once every six months, from the start of their programme. The purpose of TAP meetings is to discuss your progress and training needs and to give advice on the direction of your research and your professional development. 

You and your TAP will document your meeting on the TAP meeting form, highlighting your progress and any goals that you should be working towards for the next meeting. This record of your TAP meeting will be kept on SkillsForge and must be signed by you and your TAP members.