This presentation was prepared for the Faculty of Education PhD Symposium at the University of Hull. The confirmation and the final viva are the two milestones to defend your research on the PhD journey within a British higher education institution. While there will be differences within the UK, this presentation offers one perspective.
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PRACTICES FOR TEACHERS AND TRAINERS.pptx
UK PhD Confirmation Process: A Trek into the Known
1. The Confirmation Process:
A Trek into the Known
A milestone in the UK PhD Journey
Margaret Korosec
Technology-Enhanced Learning
PhD Student / University of Hull
Presented at the Faculty of Education PhD Symposium
2. Welcome
Introduction
What is a confirmation?
My own trek
The confirmation
Prepare
Deliver
Reflect
Conclusion
3. What is the PhD confirmation?
Image by Kreuzschnabel/Wikimedia Commons. 2013 License: artlibre and CC BY-SA 3.0
4. When is the confirmation?
According to the Checklist of the Key Stages of the
Research Degree Process found on the Graduate
School site:
The PhD confirmation (the ‘upgrade’ meeting)
generally takes place between
8 – 12 months
after commencing your PhD programme
Documents and Forms:
http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/graduateschool/documentsandforms.aspx
6. Confirmation: Prepare
Submit
Summary of the research
Research questions
Thesis organisation with chapter headings
Statement of progress to date
Schedule and plan for further research
Literature review
A draft chapter or evidence of critical writing
8. Confirmation: Prepare
Review documentation with your supervisor(s)
Prepare verbal responses to your written submission
Practice responding with a friend or fellow student
Find out who the examiners are and their areas of
research
Be prepared to address your progress between
submission and the actual confirmation meeting
Please note: Some departments require a presentation which is open to staff
and students. Be sure and know what is expected of you!
10. Confirmation: Deliver
Ask if the meeting can be recorded.
Listen carefully to the questions and to the responses.
Answer questions honestly.
It is okay to say, “I do not know.”
Remember the University wants you to succeed!
Trust your efforts thus far, because….
Please note: Your supervisor(s) may be present during the meeting but
are not allowed to speak!
12. Confirmation: Reflect
What guidance will you incorporate as you continue?
Be sure to request a copy of the confirmation report.
Review the audio and pull out key points, names of
recommended reading or themes, or other relevant points.
If you have any conditions, are you clear on what is
expected?
Schedule a follow up meeting with your supervisor to
review and gain his or her feedback.
13. My experience
Photo: Claremont Colleges Digital Library (1965). Students In Class – Pitzer College. [Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/
15. My experience
The trek became clearer after confirmation
Railway Yards at Stourbridge junction (Rob Newman)
16. Gain new perspective and reflect on your work.
Salac, M. (2013). Framed [Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mik2/6225621707/in/photolist-au8Wri-e4FP3G-bkKu99/
17. Do not make assumptions!
Be sure and consider all recommendations and
evaluate whether they are right for you.
18. Keep the end in mind!
You know where you are going, though there are
sometimes different ways to reach the end.
19. Own it.
This is your work and your work will influence
your trek after graduation.
20. Lee, S. (2009). Every which way in downtown
Brooklyn [Photo].
Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/
21. Doctorates are awarded to students who
have demonstrated….
The creation and
interpretation of new
knowledge….
General ability to
conceptualise, design
and implement a
project for the
generation of new
knowledge….
A systematic
acquisition and
understanding…
A detailed
understanding of
applicable techniques
for research and
advanced academic
enquiry.
22. Thank you for your attention and good
luck to you on your educational journey.
Editor's Notes
The PhD upgrade or confirmation was historically a milestone to upgrade the student from Mphil status to PhD status.
Since students may now enter a PhD programme directly, it is an opportunity for an internal academic team to CONFIRM that the student is working at a PhD level and authorizes them to continue.
If the student is not confirmed, they may be awarded an Mphil for their first year work.
This is generally 10 – 20k words.
This is generally 10 – 20k words.
In addition to arriving well rested and with a bottle of water…..
Recording will allow you to relax and not take too many notes.