50 people in a schoolroom, on a boiling hot day, did not make the ideal conditions for this event. But I picked up some useful information.
Purpose of PRP - to prove the stage you are at.
MRes -v- Phd - not much difference
The system for PRP changes next year, and we can opt to change to new system. Tutor advised to do so - easier, and more streamlined.
PRP panel are an assessment panel for an individual candidate, and will have been tailored to meet your needs and subject. They confirm your marks and determine your progression (either progress, fail or minor issues for you to address before progression). Progression means you have passed your modules and are making suitable progress.
Check your curriculum framework. This will explain a lot. (I should have read this before the workshop!)
PRP members are:
Your Director of Studies
Independent subject expert
Independent chair.
Role of Director of Studies
- Mainly advisory
- Make recommendations.
- Can't ask questions
- May be asked questions by panel.
Good idea for each student to book a feedback session with their DoS after the PRP.
Independent Subject Expert
- Reads deliverables (assume this means artwork as well as literature)
- Hears presentations
- Asks academic questions - these will be stretching - think of these as a practice for Viva
- Asks DoS questions
- Involved in final decision
- Role as academic
Independent expert cannot be internal examiner.
Independent Chair
- Chairs panel
- Checks procedure
- Reads documents (assume artwork as well as documents)
- Asks student questions
- Involved in final decision.
- Role - academic, pastoral, regulatory.
Student preparation for PRP
- Be aware where you are in phase of study.
- Seek assistance from DoS.
- Complete the checklists
- Marked and moderated written outputs
- Submitted to Research Student Lifecycle Team
- Credits will be added after PRP.
PRP must be held before the anniversary of your enrolment date.
Arranging a PRP.
DoS identifies suitable panel members
Books date and room.
PRP Documents Required
PRP documentation submission form
Appropriate checklists
Written deliverables (marked and moderated) (plus in my case, stitch works and sketchbooks)
Presentation/verbal report
Log book
Others as appropriate eg ethics forms, calendar and notes of meetings with your supervisors
Hand these in 10 days before PRP so the assessors can review it all.
(If you are late - you will fail your PRP and have to repeat it).
What happens at your PRP.
1. Introduction by chair.
2. Student presentation (possibly powerpoint) 10-15 mins. Do not overshoot 15 minutes!
3. Academic questions, comments, feedback. Must appear willing to talk (is this cultural, as oriental candidates may not wish to appear more knowledgeable than the panel?). You are the subject expert in your subject. You may wish to take notes of their comments and feedback, so take pen and notebook. Or ask Jill to take notes.
4. Admin issues (going through requirements)
5. DoS leaves room
6. Student will be asked about supervision, support etc.
7. Student leaves room and remains outside with DoS.
8. Chair and independent expert make decision.
9. DoS returns to complete recommendations, and provide further commentary on progress.
10. Student returns to room and is told decision and recommendations.
PRP formal decisions
Progress
Progress to Write Up
Minor Issues (Referred) minor issues to be resolved by a given date.
Repeat eg missing modules
Transfer eg MRes up to PhD
Fail (and withdraw)
Defer: fixed period for serious personal or medical problems.
PRP Issues
Insufficient logbook or supervision
- so provide calendar and notes of all supervisory meetings.
No detail of future plans
- so provide Gantt chart for upcoming year
No ethics forms
- so provide ethics forms
Checklists not signed off
- so get sign-off on checklists as you progress throughout year.
Personal & Research Development
Skills Audit
PGR research development activity log.
Draft Project Plan
Gantt chart for each phase and target dates of submission.
General points:
Make sure you know your phase of study and curriculum framework requirements
Be on time submitting stuff
Plan for your PRP.
Use the PRP documents submission list.
Talk Content
Who is your audience? Chair and Subject Expert.
Chair is interested in process.
Subject Expert is interested in your grasp of the subject matter. They have already read your written output/artwork.
Consider including
1. Your Question and the background to it.
2. Process. Gantt chart for last year and upcoming year. Show the evolution of your year. Your ideas should have changed, so explain what/why.
Show where your credits come from. Quick run through researcher development credits - conferences and other interesting stuff.
Very relieved to get out of a humid, sweaty room.
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