Welcome to your department
Alan Thomas, Head of Department
Welcome to the Philosophy department at the University of York. I hope you will find the department be a stimulating research environment for the next step in your studies. The aim of this guide is to make your time here as productive as possible by giving you the information you need about our postgraduate degrees. On behalf of all the members of the department I look forward to your full participation in the research culture of our department.
Janet Eldred, Research Student Administrator
From time to time, you will have questions and concerns about how things work in the Department. Everyone on staff will happily point you in the right direction, so don’t be shy about approaching anyone. I’m here to help with your various department-related admin tasks. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you settle into your time with us. My usual office hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.00am – 4.30pm. Do come say hello whenever you are in the Department!
Jamie Cawthra, PG Student Life Coordinator
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about life as a postgraduate, do get in touch with me. Here's the email address to use: [email protected].
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Contents Page
Introduction……………………………………………..…………….……………………………4 The purpose of this handbook The Graduate Research School University Policy on Research Degrees Your department……………………………………………………………..……………………5 Introduction to the department Departmental office Staff contacts Communicating with the department Departmental facilities Health, safety and security Governance and committees Student representation Student evaluation and feedback Accessibility and disability support Equality and diversity Your research degree………………………………………….…………………………………15 Departmental programmes Programme aims Your responsibilities Research integrity Research Integrity Tutorial Ethics Academic misconduct Academic progression……………………………………………………………………………18 Your supervisor Thesis Advisory Panel Schedule of TAP meetings Formal reviews of progress for PhD and MPhil students Key milestones for your research degree……………………….……………………………25 Programme structure First year (and part-time equivalent) PhD and MPhil milestones Second year (and part-time equivalent) PhD and MPhil milestones Researcher training and development…………………..….……….………..………………28 Becoming an Effective Researcher Tutorial Other departmental training Research Excellence Training Team (RETT) Library Research Support Team Research Computing Departmental conferences/seminars/fora/publications Publication of research Financial support for research
2 Your thesis………………………………………….……………………………………………32 Thesis content and style Thesis submission Continuation period Thesis examination Change of plan? …………………………………………………………….……………………34 Leave of absence Full-time/part-time Change programmes Extension Withdrawal Professional development and employability………………………….……………………37 Teaching/demonstrating opportunities Public engagement Careers/employability A reminder to full-time students about part-time working Appeals and complaints…………………………………………………………………………40 Appeals Complaints Disclaimer……………………………………………………………………….…………………41 Glossary……………………………………………………………………………………………42
3 Introduction
The purpose of this handbook
This handbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the Department of Philosophy and information on all aspects of your studies and research. It is a reference guide to help you and should be kept alongside the Graduate Research School handbook, which provides information on central services and support, including accommodation, finance, living in York and further information on Careers, the Library, and other University services. The Graduate Research School handbook can be downloaded at: http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/
Our department webpages have information for current students http://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/current/, as well as information about the research undertaken by our academic staff and current and past postgraduates http://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/research/.
Additionally, you will find our department’s news and activities (including social events) on these sites:
Department Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilosophyYorkUK Social Facebook (Postgraduate Philosophy at the University of York): https://www.facebook.com/groups/PGphilosophyUoY/ Twitter: @UoYPhilosophy
The York Graduate Research School (YGRS)
The York Graduate Research School exists to ensure research students receive the highest quality supervision and training, and are treated consistently and fairly. The School coordinates resources from across the University to help research students achieve successful outcomes. The York Graduate Research School Board has oversight of all matters relating to research students and leads the strategic development of this vitally important section of the University community. The YGRS webpages (as above) are the main source of information for research students and research supervisors. The YGRS newsletter provides additional updates. All registered research students should automatically receive this.
University Policy on Research Degrees
The Policy on Research Degrees sets out University policy on research degree programmes for research students, supervisors of research students, members of Thesis Advisory Panels and Progression Panels, examiners of research degrees, and other University staff with responsibility for research students. This document provides vital information for all those concerned with research and it is recommended that all are familiar with it. To read the University Policy on Research Degrees in full, visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/policies-documents/research-degree- policy.
4 Your department
Introduction to the department
The Department of Philosophy has more than 20 members of academic staff, offering a wide range of areas of research interest, including the history of philosophy (ancient, early modern, late modern and early twentieth century), metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, philosophy of logic, philosophy of religion, ethics, applied ethics, aesthetics, and continental philosophy. The library provision is strong in all these areas. The Department has links with a number of other Departments in the university, in particular with the Politics Department, the English Department, and the Department of Health Sciences. It is one of the constituent Departments of the Humanities Research Centre.
Being a research student is not just about completing your thesis (or equivalent) and obtaining a research degree. Research students are part of a research community, which is itself part of the wider University community. There is a Facebook group called ‘Postgraduate Philosophy at the University of York’. Here you'll find documents detailing all the research activities (reading groups, WiPs, etc.) that are going on, as well as resources designed to give you information about who in the department does what and is interested in what. These details are updated frequently. We hope that you will flourish as part of this community, and make the most of your time at York.
May your time with us be rewarding and fun!
5 You are now a member of the Department of Philosophy. The department is made up of academic staff involved in teaching and research, support staff and students.
Academic staff - may have the title Professor, Reader or Lecturer. They are leaders in their fields and engaged in teaching and research. Most will supervise research students and some also hold certain key administrative roles within the Department.
Research staff - members of staff employed to conduct research projects within their field of expertise. They may not be involved in teaching or supervision, instead concentrating on their research projects.
Support staff – making the department run smoothly. They communicate important information, provide technical assistance and help signpost you to other services and support you might need within the University.
Students – undergraduates, taught postgraduates and research postgraduates. More than 750 students representing more than 15 countries study with us on a full-time or part-time basis. Many of these students are taking combined degrees with the departments of English, History, Language and Linguistics, Mathematics, Physics, or Sociology. The department also contributes to the teaching of students in the Schools of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP), Natural Sciences, and Social and Political Science (SPS).
The Department of Philosophy aims to bring together stimulating teaching and original research in an informal, friendly setting. We have a large, varied, and lively graduate community who play an active part in the University's Humanities Research Centre and regularly run conferences and workshops.
The Department's research strengths are grouped into three Sections: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy and Practical Philosophy. Within the Sections are Clusters such as Philosophy of Art and Literature, Mind and Reason, and Metaphysics, and we collaborate with many other disciplines across the University for both teaching and research activities. We also collaborate with other Yorkshire universities through the White Rose Centre for the History of Philosophy, the White Rose Aesthetics Forum, and the White Rose Philosophy Postgraduate Forum.
The Department appoints Postgraduates Who Teach (PGWTs) primarily to teach first year modules, although occasionally students, especially those approaching the final stages of their PhD, may be invited to assist in teaching, or to lead, more advanced undergraduate modules. Teaching experience is a useful addition to any research student’s CV, but it should not interfere with completing a good thesis. We try to ensure that teaching duties do not impinge on the student’s own research, and the opportunity to teach will be offered only in consultation with the student’s academic supervisor.
Public engagement is also a good way to develop communication skills and share your love of philosophy. Like teaching, public engagement activities can: ● improve your confidence, ● enhance your ability to explain and engage people with your research, ● allow you to reflect on the impact of your research and why it is important, and
6 ● assimilate you into the faculty as a recognised expert in your field.
Departmental office
The Department is based in the Sally Baldwin Buildings, Block A. The offices of the academic and departmental administrative staff are here. The staff seminars and Philosophy Colloquia are typically held in the departmental seminar room A/009.
Our building is generally open from 8.30am to 5.00pm during term time, with shorter hours outside of term. There is usually at least one member of the administrative staff team available each day. Academic staff members’ office hours are posted in the lobby. Grimston House (see page 11) is locked outside of normal office hours. If you expect to need access outside of these hours, please contact Julie Kay, our Department Manager, to arrange this.
Staff contacts
As members of staff change from time to time, please see the most up-to-date information at: http://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/
Members of Academic Staff and their Research Interests
Meetings with your supervisor should be arranged directly between you and your supervisor, and either of you may request a meeting. It’s helpful if you arrange your next meeting at the end of each meeting you have. If your supervisor is on research leave, they are still required to provide supervision for you, although this may take place via Skype rather than in person.
Keith Allen (BA (Cambridge), MPhil, PhD (London)) Senior Lecturer, Chair of the Board of Studies (on leave Spring 2017) email [email protected] His interests include colour, perception, and Early Modern Philosophy.
Richard Yetter Chappell (PhD (Princeton)) Lecturer email [email protected] His primary research interests are in Consequentialism and non-naturalist normative realism. He’s also interested in applied ethics and epistemology.
James Clarke (BA (Leeds Metropolitan), MA (Sussex), PhD (Durham)) Lecturer email [email protected] His interests include post-Kantian idealism, especially Fichte and Hegel, contemporary critical theory, phenomenology, aesthetics, ethics and political philosophy. He is currently working on a book on Fichte.
Josh Cockayne (BA, MA (York)), Associate Lecturer email [email protected]
7 His interests include philosophy of Christianity, the question of God and morality, Kierkegaard.
Greg Currie (BSc, PhD (London School of Economics)), Professor, Chair of the Research Committee; Impact Officer (Autumn 2016) (on leave Summer 2017) email [email protected] His interests include the arts and cognition, and the imagination as an area of special focus.
Dorothea Debus (MA (Munich), BPhil, DPhil (Oxford)) Lecturer (on leave Autumn 2016), Impact Officer (Spring, Summer 2017) email [email protected] Her interests include memory, emotion, and the will.
David Efird (BA (Duke), MDiv (Princeton Theological Seminary), MSc (Edinburgh), DPhil (Oxford)) Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of Department email [email protected] His interests include metaphysics (especially modal metaphysics) and the philosophy of religion.
Stephen Everson (BA, MA (Oxford), PhD (London)) Lecturer email [email protected] His interests are in ancient philosophy and philosophy of mind. He is the author of Aristotle on Perception, and he is editor of Aristotle: The Politics and of a number of books on ancient philosophy.
Johan Gustafsson (BA, MA (Stockholm), PhD (Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm)) Lecturer (on leave Summer 2017) email [email protected] His interests include decision theory, value theory, normative ethics, personal identity and Locke.
Stephen Holland (MA, DPhil (Oxford), MA (London), PhD (York)) Reader email [email protected] His interests are in ethics, especially bioethics and normative theory. He has published Bioethics: A Philosophical Introduction and also Public Health Ethics.
Owen Hulatt (BA, MA, PhD (York)) Associate Lecturer, Convenor of MA in Philosophy email [email protected] His interests include Frankfurt School critical theory (particularly Adorno), aesthetics, anti- humanist political philosophy, Spinoza and post-Kantian idealism.
Christopher Jay (BA Philosophy (London), MPhil. Stud., PhD (UCL)) Associate Lecturer, Director of First Year Students email [email protected] Most of his current research is in metaethics and related areas of philosophy (especially other areas of philosophy where the sorts of commitments a person can or ought to have are at issue). Other areas of interest are fictionalism and realism, Kant’s moral philosophy and philosophy of religion. He is also working on what sorts of reasons a person can have.
Spencer Johnston (BA (Toronto), MSc (Amsterdam), PhD (St. Andrews)) email [email protected]
8 His interests include History & Philosophy of Logic, Mathematical Logic, Medieval Philosophy, Philosophy of Language.
Nick Jones (BA (York), MA, PhD (Nottingham)) Lecturer email [email protected] His interests include philosophy of mind, epistemology, aesthetics, and the philosophy of Darwinism.
Peter Lamarque (MA (UEA), BPhil (Oxford)) Professor email [email protected] His interests centre on aesthetics and the philosophy of literature. He is the author of Truth, Fiction, and Literature (with S. H. Olsen), Fictional Points of View, and The Philosophy of Literature. He was editor of the British Journal of Aesthetics from 1995-2008. His recent work has been on interpretation, aesthetic properties, and ontology.
Barry Lee (BA (Newcastle), MA (York), PhD (London)) Lecturer email [email protected] His interests include contemporary metaphysics (especially material objects, identity, persistence, supervenience, events, causation and modality), philosophy of language (especially metaphor and fiction), philosophy of mind and Wittgenstein.
Mary Leng (BA (Oxon), PhD (Toronto)) Senior Lecturer (on leave 2016/17) email [email protected] Her interests are in Philosophy of Mathematics; Philosophy of Science; Philosophical Logic; Metaphysics; History of Analytic Philosophy. She is the author of Mathematics and Reality (OUP 2010).
Daniel Molto (BA (Toronto), MA, PhD (York)) Associate Lecturer email [email protected] His primary interests are in philosophical logic and metaphysics, in particular the logic and metaphysics of identity. He is also interested in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of religion.
Paul Noordhof (BA (Oxford), PhD (London)) Professor, Director of Studies (Research Students) (Spring and Summer 2017) (on leave Autumn 2016) email [email protected] His main research interests are in philosophy of mind, action theory and metaphysics.
Christian Piller (Mag Phil (Graz), MA, PhD (Princeton)) Senior Lecturer, Director of PEP email [email protected] His interests include ethics, decision theory, and Austrian philosophy.
Louise Richardson (MA (Durham), PhD (Warwick)) Lecturer (on leave Autumn 2016) email [email protected] Her interests include Philosophy of Mind, and Perception Her research is focussed on questions about the five familiar perceptual senses - seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling. She is currently concerned, particularly, with what differentiates the senses from other faculties that help us to find out about the world, and with
9 what distinguishes the senses from one another.
Tom Stoneham (MA (Oxon), MPhil, PhD (London)) Professor, Director of Studies (Research Students) (Autumn 2016) (on leave Spring and Summer 2017) Dean of the York Graduate Research School email [email protected] His interests include self-knowledge, the epistemology of reasoning, consciousness, and early modern philosophy. He is the author of Berkeley’s World (OUP, 2002).
Alan Thomas (BA (Cambridge), D.Phil. (Oxford)) Professor, Head of Department email [email protected] His interests include moral and political philosophy and epistemology. He is the author of Value and Context (OUP, 2006), Thomas Nagel (Acumen/Routledge, 2008/2015) and Republic of Equals (OUP, 2016). He is currently working on a Templeton-funded research project, “The Moral Psychology of Inequality”.
Rob Trueman (BA, MPhil, PhD (Cambridge)), Lecturer email [email protected] His primary interests are in metaphysics, philosophical logic and the philosophy of mathematics.
Catherine Wilson (BPhil (Oxon), PhD (Princeton), Anniversary Professor email [email protected] Her research is focused on the relationship between historical and contemporary developments in the empirical sciences, including physics and the behavioural and life sciences, and some traditional problems of philosophy. She is also interested in metaethics from a naturalistic perspective and Early Modern Philosophy.
Helen Yetter-Chappell (PhD (Princeton)) Lecturer email [email protected] Her primary research interests focus on consciousness, mental imagery, and introspection. She is also interested in philosophy of mind and areas that touch on it, including intentionality, personal identity and the unity of consciousness, Berkeleyan idealism, metaethical non- naturalism, and character/virtue.
Members of Support and Administrative Staff
Carol Dixon Room A/021, tel 323251, email [email protected] Administrator for Taught Postgraduate Programmes, Second and Third Year Modules, Timetabling, and Taught Postgraduate Admissions, Exceptional Circumstances for taught postgraduates.
Janet Eldred Room A/001A, tel 324323, email [email protected] Research Student Administrator, Research Administrator, Postgraduate Research administration and Postgraduate research admissions.
10 Julie Kay Room A/102, tel 322329, email [email protected] Department Manager, Contact for Head of Department's diary.
Claire Levitt Room A/021, tel 324311, email [email protected] Feedback Administrator, Reading Packs, Supervision and Feedback and Advice Time, Attendance administrative contact.
Karen Norris Room A/021, tel 322328, email [email protected] Undergraduate Assessments Administrator, Exceptional Circumstances.
Communicating with the department
Good communication is vital, and we recognise that it is two-way street. We will communicate with you in a number of ways, most often via email, but also through your pigeonholes in the Common Room and by face-to-face meetings and conversations. The department has Facebook and Twitter accounts (see Page 4) and you may choose to sign up to these for up-to- date announcements of social and academic events and news.
We will always use your University email account to contact you, and it is important that you always use your University email account for all academic and administrative business. This is the only way we can meet our legal requirement to protect your personal information. When communicating with University administration, always include your student ID number in the subject line. Please note: It is your responsibility to keep track of your email and to respond to requests in a timely fashion.
Departmental facilities
Philosophy Department
Your Supervisor is responsible for overseeing both your academic progress and your general welfare. Page 20 has specifics about academic supervisory matters. If you have other concerns of a general nature, do let your supervisor know. He or she may be able to resolve your concerns; if not, they can direct you to appropriate support within the University.
The Department also has a library budget. You should make requests for library acquisitions to the library representative, Dr Stephen Everson (Spring and Summer 2017; Dr David Efird Autumn 2016). All PGRs, upon registration, are added to the Department’s York Print Plus (YPP) account. This allows you to print, scan, and copy at any YPP device on campus, with the cost charged to the Department, but must only be used for legitimate academic purposes and in accordance with copyright law. We also have a limited number of Kindle readers available for loan; see the Research Student Administrator.
There is a common room in the department for the shared use of staff and postgraduates. Here, in addition to kitchen facilities and seating, are pigeonholes for PGRs and all staff members. In
11 the nearby Grimston House, there is a room just for Philosophy PGRs. Here you can relax, catch up with each other, and use a PC and printer. There is also an adjacent room for the PGWTs, and a small kitchen on the same floor.
In light of your longer term career goals, it is important that you give consideration to broader questions of your training and development during the three years of your PhD. The Department expects that you will make full use of the development opportunities available, many of which are provided by the Research Excellence Training Team (RETT) (see Page 29). PGR students’ personal development is monitored within the department in line with the University’s Policy on Research Degrees (http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/policies- documents/research-degree-policy/). The policy outlines the mandatory training required of research students and the programme of Professional Development that you are required to follow. The Department will review these goals with you throughout your degree programme.
Humanities Research Centre
The University of York has invested more in the arts and humanities in the past decade than any other English university, and the Humanities Research Centre (HRC) sits at the heart of that investment, providing a spectacular place of interdisciplinary belonging for arts and humanities academics and postgraduates. But the Humanities Research Centre is much more than a building: it’s a dynamic and inclusive community of those committed to the pursuit of research excellence.
The HRC is housed in the Berrick Saul Building, where space is available for you to work and to meet other postgraduates in the humanities. The Postgraduate Study Area is spread over two floors and has beautiful views across the lake and into Spring Wood. Facilities are spacious and state of the art; the Study Area is wireless and is open 24 hours a day. Printing, photocopying, and scanning facilities are all available on the machine located in the study area. PhD students using the Postgraduate Study Area regularly may apply to have their own desk, providing a base for their research which is free of distractions but in amongst the postgraduate community. Hotdesking space is also available.
York Graduate Research School
The York Graduate Research School (YGRS) supports a community of over 2,000 research students from the UK and around the world as they pursue innovative research alongside world- leading academics. The School co-ordinates resources from across the University to ensure students receive the highest quality supervision and training. Here, you will find links to Skills Forge, the Graduate Students’ Association, and Careers Service. There is also a link to the Research Excellence Training Team (RETT), which provides training and development designed to equip you with the skills, attributes and knowledge to thrive as an independent researcher; see http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/skills/.
You are expected to complete the “Becoming an Effective Researcher” online tutorial within six months following the start of your programme, though we recommend you do it immediately. You can access this on the VLE (vle.york.ac.uk).
The current Dean of YGRS is Prof Tom Stoneham, who is also on staff in our department. For more information, see http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school /.
For central facilities (Library, IT rooms etc.), please refer to the York Graduate Research School handbook.
Registry Services is located in the Student Administration Building. Here, the Research Student Administration Team (RSAT) deals with admissions, grants, fee records, registration,
12 welfare co-ordination and higher degree regulations. Current information about fees and funding, including how to make online payments, is available from the YGRS at: http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/fees-funding/ .
Health, safety and security
Our departmental officers:
First Aid: Carol Dixon (Room A/021, tel 323251, email [email protected]) Fire and Health & Safety: Julie Kay (Room A/102, tel 322329, email [email protected])
For information about the University’s health, safety and security information and policies, visit: www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas.
Governance and committees
The Graduate Research School Board and the Standing Committee on Assessment are the major University bodies dealing with graduate affairs. Standing Committee on Assessment has responsibility for making the final decisions at a number of important points in an individual student’s career. It has student representation for discussion of general graduate matters.
The Arts and Humanities Faculty Board provides oversight of academic and related matters through its broader membership which includes, inter alia, elected academic members and student representation. It is not a formal decision-making body. For more information, including student representation, see http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/faculty-boards/.
The Board of Studies in Philosophy is the Department’s governing academic committee. It determines and co-ordinates all matters of academic policy and practice, and comprises members of the academic staff, plus one taught postgraduate, one research postgraduate, and three undergraduate representatives. It normally meets twice a term, in Weeks 2 and 6. The chair is Keith Allen (Autumn, Spring terms) and David Efird (Summer term).
The Research Forum in Philosophy, of which all academic staff and research students are members, meets at least once a term (normally in Week 10) to hear from the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) concerning progress towards departmental research goals and to advise DRC. It is a non-decision-making, consultative body.
Student representation
Graduate student reps are elected by their peers in their department to act as a two-way mechanism of communication between the University and the student body they represent. They convey the views and interests of students to the department and within the GSA.
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Academic representation is a partnership between students, through the University of York Students’ Union (YUSU) and the GSA, and the department. Together, we aim to ensure that students play an essential role in monitoring, driving and developing the quality of the academic experience here.
Postgraduate course reps are supported by the GSA, with dedicated support and training throughout the year following the elections and initial training in the autumn term, which is coordinated jointly with between the GSA and YUSU.
If you’d like to represent the views of your fellow students and have a say in how your course is run, why not apply to be a Graduate student rep? Visit: www.yorkgsa.org/site/academic/course-representatives.
Student evaluation and feedback
We take your views on your experience within the department and University very seriously. This is an important part of the University’s programme of quality assurance and enhancement, and in the appraisal of members of staff. As such, there are points during your degree where you will be asked to give detailed feedback on your experiences as a student and researcher; for example, a Review of Supervision is requested as part of each meeting of your Thesis Advisory Panel. Your support of this process, by providing relevant and constructive feedback, is critical in delivering the best possible research student journey, as well as in facilitating the continued success of postgraduate research in York.
Accessibility and disability support
Disability Services can provide support, advice and guidance for those with a diagnosed disability, including: dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties; Asperger’s syndrome; visual and hearing impairments and physical/medical impairments amongst others. All students with disabilities, including research students, are encouraged to contact Disability Services to discuss meeting your individual needs.
Please let the department know as soon as possible if you have a disability and may require any support. You can discuss this with your supervisor. Please note that even if you studied a previous degree at York you will need to notify the department’s disabilities representative again of any disability when you enrol for a research programme, as your support needs for the research degree are likely to be different than those for your taught degree.
Our departmental Disability Officer is Keith Allen (Autumn 2016), and Louise Richardson (Spring and Summer 2017).
For further information, visit: www.york.ac.uk/students/support/disability
14 Equality and diversity
The University of York values the diversity of its students and staff and is committed to the creation of a positive environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Our departmental Equality Champion is Catherine Wilson.
For further information about the University’s equality and diversity policies, visit: www.york.ac.uk/admin/eo.
Your research degree
Departmental programmes
The MA by Research Degree
The MA in Philosophy (by research) offers students the opportunity to take a research degree in Philosophy full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Students are supervised by an expert in their research area and will meet with their supervisor at least twice a quarter. Students also have a Thesis Advisory Panel which gives them strategic advice on their thesis. Assessment is by thesis, which should be between 20,000 and 30,000 words. A viva (oral examination) may also be requested by the examiners.
The MPhil Degree
Except for MA(Res) students, all applicants for a research degree in Philosophy will register in the first instance for an MPhil. This is a degree of considerable distinction in its own right, and is awarded for work such as a well-qualified and diligent student, who is properly supported and supervised, can complete within the prescribed minimum time and maximum word limits. It is obtained wholly by research, and the thesis (of 40,000 to 60,000 words) is expected to display: a good general knowledge of the field of study; a comprehensive particular knowledge of some part or aspect of the field of study; and some original or new contribution to knowledge and understanding.
The thesis must be up to the standards of scholarship and bibliography that apply in its field. A viva (oral examination) is required.
The timetable for the MPhil is: Full time: 2 years registration. Part time: 4 years registration.
The PhD Degree
15 The PhD is awarded for work such as a well-qualified and diligent student, who is properly supported and supervised, can complete within the prescribed minimum time and maximum word limits. It is obtained wholly by research, and the thesis (of 60,000 to 80,000 words) is expected: to demonstrate a good general knowledge of its field of learning; and to make a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in its chosen field.
The thesis must be up to the standards of scholarship and bibliography that apply in its field. A viva (oral examination) is required.
The timetable for the PhD is: Full time: 3 years registration. Part time: 6 years registration.
Programme aims
In its postgraduate research programmes, the Department of Philosophy is committed to: producing students of high academic quality who have shown the ability to undertake research; and supporting students’ skills development so as to flourish in the next stages of their careers, whether in academia or other sectors.
Your responsibilities
As a research student, your responsibilities include: taking responsibility for your own personal and professional development; maintaining regular contact with your supervisor and TAP members, including submitting work at least one week before any meetings; preparing adequately for meetings with your Supervisor; setting and keeping to timetables and deadlines, including planning and submitting required work and generally maintaining satisfactory progress with your programme of research; making your supervisor aware of any specific needs or circumstances likely to affect your work; attending any development opportunities (research-related and other) that have been identified when agreeing your development needs with your supervisor; adhering to the University’s regulations and policies regarding research degree programmes, including policies and guidelines on health and safety, intellectual property, ethical research conduct and academic misconduct; and maintaining records of supervision meetings and courses attended on Skills Forge.
Research integrity
16 Researchers have an obligation to the research community, to the funders of research and to society as a whole to conduct their research to the highest standards across the full research process, from planning and conducting research through to recording, reporting and applying the findings. This is known as ‘research integrity’. The University’s expectations are set out online, at www.york.ac.uk/staff/ research/governance/research-integrity-and-ethics. These are: ● Code of practice on research integrity. ● Code of practice and principles for good ethical governance. Research ethics form a subset of research integrity, focusing on the avoidance of harm within the conduct of research. This Code sets out the University’s framework of ethical principles and University requirements for formally reviewing and approving research which raises ethical considerations. It includes a ‘Checklist of areas where ethical considerations are likely to arise’.
It is important that you read these documents and ensure that you have a clear understanding of the standards and practices expected of you. You are advised to talk through the implications with your supervisor. Key elements include: ● ensuring that your research data and supporting records are accurate, complete and retrievable, and stored securely, taking particular care in relation to any sensitive information. ● taking responsibility, supported by your supervisor, for identifying any areas of your research project which fall within the University’s ethical framework, and referring them for University review and approval prior to commencing the activity.
Please note that completion of the tutorial is mandatory for all research students and completion is a requirement for progression.
Research Integrity Tutorial
The Research Integrity Tutorial (RIT) is a compulsory requirement for all postgraduate research students and must be completed prior to your first TAP meeting. The RIT is tailored to the specific needs of postgraduate research students and has been designed to familiarise you with the principles, policies and procedures of research integrity and ethics at the University of York. The tutorial is divided into three main sections each of which takes approx. 45 mins to complete and is followed by a short section test. After completing all 3 section tests you will receive a Research Integrity Certificate and your completion will be recorded in Skills Forge. The RIT will provide you with practical information for your research here at York and will be highly valuable in the development of your academic career.
The Research Integrity Tutorial is located in your Yorkshare VLE module list. If you have trouble accessing the tutorial, email [email protected].
For more information and details of further support for research integrity to build on the core training provided by the tutorial, visit https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/research/governance/research-integrity-and-ethics/training-and- support-for-research-integrity.
17 Please note that completion of the tutorial is mandatory for all research students and completion is a requirement for progression.
Ethics
Ethics is usually defined in relation to standards of conduct or as a set of moral principles or moral judgments (between right and wrong). Research is not a purely technical or instrumental activity - it should be a reflective activity with moral underpinnings.
You may need ethics approval from the Arts and Humanities Ethics Committee (AHEC) before beginning your work – it is your responsibility to seek guidance from your supervisor. The AHEC is responsible for ensuring research is conducted in compliance with the University’s ethical standards; the committee’s chair is Dr Kate Giles ([email protected]). Details of how the AHEC operates may be found at www.york.ac.uk/hrc/ahec/. Our department representative is Dr Richard Yetter Chappell.
For the University’s full code of practice and principles for good ethical governance, visit: www.york.ac.uk/staff/research/governance/policies/ethics-code/ Academic misconduct The University is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and any academic misconduct is regarded as an extremely serious matter. It is your responsibility to be aware of the University's guidelines, policies and procedures on misconduct and act with integrity. Further information is available at http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/registry- services/academic-misconduct.
Academic progression
Your supervisor Supervisors play a fundamental role in supporting research students throughout their programme. Your supervisor or supervisory team is responsible for helping you to manage your research, as well as being your primary link to your department and the University. Your main supervisor is your first point of contact for any issues that arise throughout your programme.
Formal Supervision meetings with your supervisor or supervisory team should take place at least twice per quarter (i.e. roughly once every 6 weeks) for all full-time and part-time students. At these meetings your supervisor(s) should give detailed feedback on the work you present and help you make plans for your next steps. A detailed record of your formal supervisory meetings and actions agreed will be kept through Skills Forge, and must be signed by both you and your supervisor(s).
Should your supervisor be unable to perform these functions, the department will make every effort to provide you with alternative supervision. A replacement supervisor should be appointed within two months of your supervisor becoming unavailable. In the meantime, a member of
18 your Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) should assume a general supervisory role. You will be informed if your supervisor resigns from the University.
As stated above, responsibility for your work ultimately lies with you, but your supervisor will be a major influence on its progress. You can find additional information at www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/academic/supervision.
Thesis Advisory Panel Your Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) consists of your supervisor(s) and at least one other member of academic staff from the department. The Panel will be appointed within the first three months of your registration period, and you will be informed of its membership.
Full-time students meet with their TAP at least once every six months. The purpose of the 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 report, highlighting your progress and any goals that you should be working towards for the next meeting. You will also complete the Review of Supervision report, which is confidential and held securely in the department. The record of your TAP meeting will be kept on Skills Forge and must be signed by you and your TAP members.
Schedule of TAP meetings
MA (research) students: One TAP meeting is required over the course of this programme. It should be held towards the end of the Autumn term or the start of the Spring term.
MPhil/PhD students: The TAP meets twice a year for full-time students. (Part-time students: one TAP per year, towards the end of the year, August or September. All timings below are for full time students.) During a typical PhD programme, there will be six meetings. These should follow a set pattern:
Meeting 1 Held: within six months of registration, ideally December or January. Purpose: to enable the panel to become familiar with your work. Submission: writing sample of up to 5,000 words.
Meeting 2 Held: in Month 9-10, after the Progression Day. Purpose: to confirm thesis topic and provisional title, and to progress to Year 2. Submission: annotated bibliography; a written plan for Year 2; training record; all submitted 14 calendar days prior to the meeting.
Meeting 3 Held: in Spring term (or mid-way) of the second year. Purpose: to evaluate what needs to be done before Year 2 Progression Panel.
19 Submission: one substantive chapter of thesis (i.e. not literature survey); chapter-by-chapter thesis outline; research plan with milestones.
Meeting 4 Held: in Month 24. Purpose: review progress on research plan, and to progress to Year 3. Submission: chapter of their thesis; written plan for Year 3 including research questions; draft bibliography for thesis; training record. All submitted 14 calendar days prior to the meeting.
Meeting 5 Held: Spring term of third year. Purpose: to evaluate standard of ongoing thesis and consider external examiners. Submission: one substantive chapter (not same as for meeting 3); revised thesis outline; dissemination plans.
Meeting 6 Held: towards end of third year. Purpose: to agree completion dates and external examiners. Submission: table of contents with breakdown of work already complete; timetable for completion.
For further information, and both TAP and supervision meeting reporting, visit http://www.skillsforge.york.ac.uk/.
Formal reviews of progress for PhD and MPhil students (Please note: Masters by research students do not have formal reviews of progress)
Formal reviews of progress: overview
All PhD and MPhil students (but not MA/MSc by research students) are subject to formal reviews of progress. The purpose of formal reviews of progress is to ensure that you are making satisfactory progress with your research project and other elements of your PhD or MPhil programme. A formal review of progress should give you a clear sense of the progress you are making on your degree but the decision of a progression panel does not serve as a prediction for the outcome of the final examination.
Formal reviews of progress take place on an annual basis, towards the end of each year of enrolment, for full-time PhD and MPhil students and on a biennial basis for part-time PhD and MPhil students. Formal reviews of progress are not required for entry into a continuation period, where this is permitted. Formal reviews of progress are progression points: failure to meet the relevant University progression criteria may lead to transfer onto a different programme or termination of enrolment.
Procedure for formal reviews of process
20 In a formal review of progress, you will be assessed against University progression criteria (see below) which set out the threshold requirements for progression to the next year (or equivalent period for part-time students).
The assessment is undertaken by a progression panel, which is independent of your supervisor(s) to gain an external perspective on the progress that you are making, and to ensure that your relationship with your supervisor remains focused on your development as a researcher. Progression panels will be individually appointed for each research student and include the non-supervisory TAP members. An experienced supervisor (not your supervisor) from the department will chair the meeting. (NB: It may be that the constitution of the second- year progression panel changes from that of the first year panel, due to staffing changes and research leave, etc.) The exact constitution of your progression panel will be determined at the start of the academic year, within six (6) weeks of registration, and you will be notified by email.
In the Philosophy department, Year 1 progression panels are integrated with TAP 2 and Year 2 progression panels integrated with TAP 4. ‘Integration’ means that the progress review panel (in the absence of the supervisor) will work with the student to deliver the developmental aspect of the TAP meeting and to complete the TAP form alongside the progress review form.
Prior to the progression panel meetings, the department will host an annual PGR Progression Day, which will also be a celebration of all of our department’s PGRs. In 2016-17, this will be on Monday, 19th June 2017. Year 1 PGRs will make a presentation and their supervisors, TAP members and progression panel members will attend, with other PGRs and staff welcome to attend. There will normally be a social event afterwards.
The table below indicates what evidence the Philosophy department’s PhD and MPhil students should provide to demonstrate that they have met the relevant University progression criteria. The evidence you provide is considered alongside a supervisor’s report on your progress, submitted prior to the meeting.
Progression criteria and student evidence for a first formal review of progress
For progression into Year 2 of a full-time PhD or MPhil programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD or MPhil programme), University policy states that a student must demonstrate that they:
(a) can describe the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses; (b) have planned in a realistic fashion the second year (or equivalent) of their research, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated; (c) have sufficient acquaintance with the relevant field of knowledge to place their research into context; (d) have sufficient proficiency in the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches to move their research to the next stage; (e) have undertaken all required training; and (f) Have considered ethical issues (including data management) where applicable.
Therefore, each Philosophy Year 1 PGR will be required: 1. to make a 15-minute oral presentation at an annual PGR Progression Day. In the presentation, the student will describe the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses (see point “a” above); 2. to provide a realistic written plan for the second year of their research, indicating any risks
21 and how these will be mitigated (see point “b” above); 3. to provide an annotated bibliography of sources already read/consulted which places their research into context (see point “c” above); 4. to demonstrate in the presentation and subsequent progression panel meeting sufficient proficiency in philosophical research skills to move their research project to the next stage (see point “d” above); 5. to have undertaken all required training (e.g. Research Integrity Tutorial) (see point “e” above); and 6. to demonstrate that they have considered ethical issues, where applicable (see point “f” above).
Progression criteria for a second formal review of progress
For progression into year 3 of a full-time PhD programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD programme), University policy states that a student must demonstrate that they:
(a) can describe in detail the research questions their project will answer and how this will lead to a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding; (b) have planned in a realistic fashion the third year (or equivalent) of their research, based on the expectation that the project will be completed and the thesis submitted on time, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated; (c) have the ability to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners; (d) have begun to acquire the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD; (e) can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding; (f) have undertaken all required training; (g) have considered ethical issues (including data management) where applicable.
Therefore, each Year 2 PGR will be required: 1. to submit a well-drafted chapter of their thesis, which makes substantive progress towards answering their research questions (see point “c” above); 2. to describe in detail in the progression panel meeting the research questions their project will answer and the significance of addressing these questions (see points “a” and “e” above); 3. to provide a realistic written plan for the third and final year of their research, based on the expectation that the project will be completed and the thesis submitted on time, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated (see point “b” above); 4. to provide a draft bibliography for the thesis which demonstrates that they have knowledge of the full range of research relevant to their project (see point “d” above); 5. to have undertaken all required training (see point “f” above); and 6. to demonstrate that they have considered ethical issues where applicable (see point “g” above).
Progress review meeting
The progression panel will consider your evidence and your supervisor’s report at an integrated TAP and progress review meeting. As a matter of course, you will be in attendance and, based on these elements, the progression panel will make a decision as to whether you have met, exceeded or not met the relevant University progression criteria as well as a recommendation regarding your progression.
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Timetable and evidence required for Philosophy department progression
Year 1 When What What evidence Who progression evidence from PGR? attends? from supervisor? PGR Progression Week 10 of describe the student, Day Summer direction their supervisor(s), Term research is taking progression and the research panel; other questions it PGRs and addresses staff invited progression panel Month 9- a written annotated student, meeting and TAP 2 10, after progress bibliography; a non- meeting the report 7 written plan for supervisory (combined) Progression days prior Year 2; training TAP Day to the record; all member(s), meeting submitted 14 experienced calendar days prior supervisor to the meeting. from dept.
Year 2 When What What evidence Who progression evidence from PGR? attends? from supervisor? progression panel Month 24 a written chapter of their student, meeting and TAP progress thesis; written plan non- 4 meeting report 7 for Year 3 including supervisory (combined) days prior research questions; TAP to the draft bibliography member(s), meeting for thesis; training experienced record. All supervisor submitted 14 from dept. calendar days prior to the meeting.
Progression panel decision and recommendation
If a progression panel decides that you have met or exceeded the relevant University progression criteria at the first attempt, they will recommend to the Standing Committee on Assessment (SCA), which is responsible for approving progression decisions on behalf of Senate, that you progress into the next year of your programme.
23
Second attempt at progression
If the progression panel decides that you have not met the relevant University progression criteria at the first attempt, you will be permitted a second attempt at progression within three months but the panel may recommend that it would be in your best interests to transfer to an alternative programme or to withdraw from the University. You will need to let your department know as soon as possible if you wish to ignore a recommendation for transfer or withdrawal.
If you make a second attempt at progression but do not meet the relevant University progression criteria at the second attempt, the progression panel will recommend that you are transferred to an alternative programme or that your enrolment with the University is terminated.
If you make a second attempt at progression and do meet or exceed the relevant University progression criteria at the second attempt, the progression panel will recommend that you are progressed but this does not alter the timing of the next formal review of progress (if applicable) or the deadline for submission of the thesis.
See https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/policies-documents/research- degree-policy/#progress for full details of the procedure to be followed for making a second attempt at progression.
Exceptional circumstances
If you have any exceptional circumstances that may impact on a formal review of progress then you should contact your supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Type of exception/variation Management Timeframe Part-time PGRs Presentation and progression panel at end of Summer Term of year 1B; second progression panel in final month of year 2B A student has an identified Request appropriate alternative disability affecting some evidence evidence Leaves of Absence that mean Ideally, presentation occurs at After 9 months registration FTE (full- they cannot present at the PGR PGR WiP at appropriate time, time equivalent) Progression Day but otherwise just to progression panel ad hoc. MPhil students Same as year 1 PhD students except must also submit timetable for on time completion like year 2 PhD students MA (Res) students No progression requirements but expected to present at PGR Progression Day Other mitigating circumstances Student and supervisor ensure (e.g. Tier 4 visa issues) sufficient evidence is produced that student meets criteria.
24
Key milestones for your research degree
The following section lays out the key milestones that you must achieve as a research student. The academic year for researchers is 12 months long and divided into quarters. If you start your programme in September, the first three quarters will align with University teaching terms and the fourth with the summer vacation period. The plan below assumes this for ease of representation.
Programme structure
Year 1 Autumn term Spring term Summer term Vacation term Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision meetings meetings meetings meetings Appointment of 1st TAP PGR Progression TAP Presentation Appointment of Progress Review Progression (including 2nd Panel TAP) PGR WiP PGR WiP PGR WiP
Year 2 Autumn term Spring term Summer term Vacation term Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision meetings meetings meetings meetings 3rd TAP Progress Review (including 4th TAP) PGR WiP PGR WiP PGR WiP
Year 3 Autumn term Spring term Summer term Vacation term Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision Two supervision meetings meetings meetings meetings 5th TAP 6th TAP PGR WiP PGR WiP PGR WiP
25 First year (and part-time equivalent) PhD and MPhil milestones
First formal review of progress Second attempt at first formal review of progress Event TAP 1 Progres Progress Submission Consideration Resubmission Further Consideratio sion review of written by GSB of written progress n by GSB Day meeting evidence evidence due review (integrated due meeting with TAP 2) Month from Month 4 - 19 June Month 9 - 10 Month 10 Month 12 Month 15; enrolment (full- 6 2017 Decision time students) Requirement writing 15 annotated 14 calendar 14 calendar sample of minute bibliography; days prior days prior to up to present written plan to TAP 2 second 5,000 ation for Year 2; meeting words training record Outcome Agreed Feedbac Agreed TAP Decision Decision Month 27; TAP form k on form; and Decision present Decision and recommend ation recommendat ation ion Part-time students Month from Month 16 TBC Month 21 - 22 Month 22 Month 24 Month 27; enrolment (part- - 18 Decision time students)
If you commence a PhD or MPhil programme outside a cohort entry point, or if your journey goes out of sync with the rest of your cohort (e.g. due to a leave of absence) the dates specified above may not apply to you, but will be calculated in terms of how long you have been enrolled on the programme.
26 Second year (and part-time equivalent) PhD and MPhil milestones
Second formal review of progress Second attempt at second formal review of progress Event TAP 3 Progress Submission of Consideration Resubmission Further progress Consideration review written evidence by GSB of written review meeting by GSB meeting due evidence due (integrated with TAP 4) Month from Month 16 - 18 Month 24 Month 24 14 calendar Month 25 Month 26; enrolment days prior to Decision (full-time second students) meeting Requirement one chapter of 14 calendar days substantive their thesis; prior to TAP 4 chapter of describe in thesis (i.e. detail the not literature research survey); questions chapter-by- their project chapter thesis will answer; outline; written plan research plan for Year 3; with draft milestones bibliography for thesis; training record Outcome Agreed TAP Agreed TAP Decision Decision and Decision form form; recommendation Decision and recommendat ion Part-time students Month from Month 36-37 Month 48 Month 48 Month 50 Month 51; enrolment Decision (part-time students)
If you commence a PhD or MPhil programme outside a cohort entry point, or if your journey goes out of sync with the rest of your cohort (e.g. due to a leave of absence) the dates specified above may not apply to you but will be calculated in terms of how long you have been enrolled on the programme.
27 Researcher training and development
Being a research student isn’t just about producing a piece of academic work. It’s about developing skills that will help you succeed in your chosen career. Your department and supervisor will help you with skills specific to your subject, and training and support is also provided centrally.
Becoming an Effective Researcher Tutorial
The ‘Becoming an Effective Researcher Tutorial’ is an online induction available through the VLE to all postgraduate research students and supervisors. The tutorial is organised in six easy to navigate sections so that, following completion of the tutorial, you are able to come back to the information as you need it throughout your PhD. You are expected to complete this tutorial as part of your induction at the University and are encouraged to discuss it with your supervisor and TAP.
On completion of all six sections of BERT (as it is affectionately known) you will be issued with a certificate which you can use to demonstrate that you have completed the tutorial. After showing the certificate to your supervisor, please bring it to Janet Eldred, the Research Student Administrator, to be filed.
You can access BERT directly from the VLE or by clicking the link: http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/
Other departmental training
The PGR Work in Progress (WiP) seminars and departmental research groups may also be considered training opportunities: in presentation skills, building an argument, accepting constructive criticism, and more. Attendance at PGR WiPs is mandatory.
At the start of the academic year, a PGR WiP sign-up sheet will be available on Google Drive, with details of dates, times, and locations of the seminars for the entire year. This is where you can sign up to make a presentation – be sure to discuss this with your supervisor first. If you have any questions about the sign-up sheet, see the Janet Eldred, the Research Student Administrator ([email protected]).
Information about the department research groups is in the section, “Departmental conferences/seminars/fora/publications”, on the next page.
28 Research Excellence Training Team (RETT)
The University’s Research Excellence Training Team (RETT) provides a range of training and support to help you develop the skills you need to progress your research and your career. Information about the workshops, public engagement events and resources available to support you please visit the RETT pages: http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/researcher-development/
Library Research Support Team
The Library’s Research Support Team (RST) provides support and guidance on research data management, open access, and copyright. The team also provide training sessions on these topics and on searching the literature. For further information on the team, visit http://www.york.ac.uk/library/info-for/researchers/support/.
To view information on workshops and to make a booking, visit http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/researcher-development/students/.
The Library also provides a wide range of services for researchers in addition to the RST, for more information, visit http://www.york.ac.uk/library/info-for/researchers/.
Research Computing
All researchers use computers at some point in the research process and IT Services provide a wide range of services and support, from email to Tier 3 High Performance Computing. The Research Computing team provide training and one-to-one support so that you can make the most of the systems and resources provided at York. Whatever your level of experience, help is on hand to get you started and choose the right tools for your research or project.
Designed with the aim of making research easier, faster and more productive, our systems and resources could be of use to all researchers, regardless of discipline or research project. To discuss what help we can provide, email: [email protected]
If you are intending to use the University IT systems while overseas, such as while attending a conference, please see the policy and advice on this: http://www.york.ac.uk/it- services/security/it-facilities-overseas/
Finally, additional information can also be found at: http://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/research- computing/
Departmental conferences/seminars/fora/publications
As part of the research community in the Department of Philosophy, you are invited, and encouraged, to attend research events including the Staff Work in Progress (WiP) seminar and the weekly Philosophy Colloquium. There are also a number of formal and informal reading
29 groups and other discussion groups that you are encouraged to attend where appropriate for your own research interests. All of these events are opportunities to engage with fellow researchers at all levels and stages of their careers, which can stimulate your own thinking and help you make contacts to enhance your research student career.
Research activities in the Department are organized under three research sections covering broad areas of philosophy (History of Philosophy, Practical Philosophy, and Theoretical Philosophy) under which more specific research groupings fall. Each research section has a section leader. The Department has a number of formal research clusters, and one research centre (CHiPhi, joint with Leeds and Sheffield), each of which falls under one of these sections and reports to the section leader. Less formal and occasional research activities (such as reading groups) are also recognised in this structure.
DRC
Membership: Chair, Impact Officer, Early Career rep, 3 x Research Section Reps, Director of Postgraduate Studies (+ Research Administrator to minute and in attendance)
History of Philosophy Section Practical Philosophy Section Theoretical Philosophy Section
(Section Leader: Professor Tom (Section Leader: Dr Christian (Section Leader: Professor Paul Stoneham) Piller) Noordhof)
Art and Literature Mind and Reason ChiPhi (White Rose Cluster Cluster Centre for the History
of Philosophy) – joint Philosophy of Religion with Leeds and Practical Philosophy Cluster (St Benedict’s Sheffield Cluster Society for the
Philosophy of Religion
Additional Activities: and Philosophical Additional Activities: Theology)
Marxism and Critical Theory WRECERS (White Rose) Additional Activities: Reading Group (with Politics) (S)PIN (Sense Perception in the
White Rose Aesthetics Forum North) – with Leeds and Durham, Dead Philosophers Reading group includes colleagues in aesthetics (occasional) Practical Philosophy reading working on aesthetic perception
group (occasional) CMods Metaphysics and Metaphilosophy
C2D2 Reading group (occasional) CECS
CREMS
Research Clusters are regularly meeting research groups, convened by a cluster leader, which encourage researchers with common or overlapping interests to work together. They provide opportunities for colleagues to share and receive detailed comments on work in progress, including grant and impact ideas in progress, to hear from invited speakers, and to develop
30 research collaborations. Clusters include PGRs supervised by members of the group where there is relevance of the student’s work to the focus of the group;
From time to time our department organises conferences around special themes or speakers. These events are announced in advance on the department website, social media, posters in the department and on email. There may be opportunities for you to get involved with organisational details, thus gaining valuable practical experience for future employment in either academe or other sectors.
Publication of research
We encourage our research students to publish aspects of their research as opportunities and suitable outlets arise during their studies with us. A good number of our current and previous research students have successfully published in peer-reviewed publications. In case cases, it may be appropriate for you and your supervisor(s) to co-author an article. Your supervisor(s) and TAP members are best placed to advise you.
Financial support for research
There are a number of sources of awards for funding to help with your research. The Philosophy Department has a dedicated fund for subsidising PGRs attending conferences. You should contact the Research Student Administrator ([email protected]) for details on how much funding is available to you and for reimbursement of your expenses. Other sources of funding are listed on the YGRS website. Among them: GRS Conference Fund: Self-funded PhD students can apply for funding to attend conferences when other funding options have been exhausted. Santander International Connections awards funds for international visits and projects. For this and similar opportunities see the University’s Independent Travel Awards webpage: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/study-abroad/travel-awards/. Keep an eye on your emails and the YGRS newsletter for updates and application deadlines. Please note: Staff and students travelling on authorised University business outside of the UK are required to log their trip on the Travel Log and to adhere to travel risk assessment requirements. Once the trip has been logged, the University’s Business Travel Cover insurance will apply, subject to the terms and conditions. The business travel insurance is free of charge for its staff and students for any number of journeys (each to be logged) and any duration of trip up to twelve months: http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas/safetynet/Insurance/travel_insurance.htm
31 Your thesis
Thesis content and style
For detailed information about the style, formatting and sequence of material standards for your thesis, go to www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/academic/thesis/format.
In Philosophy, these are the word counts for each degree: MA by Research: 20,000 to 30,000 words MPhil: 40,000 to 60,000 words PhD: 60,000 to 80,000 words
The binding of theses can be done quickly, and fairly cheaply, in Design and Print Solutions at Market Square (http://www.york.ac.uk/design-and-print/print/), though you may use a bindery of your choice. Because of the cost of making and unmaking permanent bindings, you are strongly recommended to take advantage of the option to submit your thesis for examination in a temporary but secure binding. Three types (glued spines; binding pillars; stitching with flexible covers) are acceptable, but the first is preferable. You should also make a copy for yourself, to prepare for your viva.
In addition to online guidance on preparing and formatting your thesis, the University also offers courses to help you through the Library’s research support team and through RETT. For more information visit: http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/researcher-development/students and http://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/training/materials/thesis.
Thesis submission
Before submitting You should discuss your submission plans with your supervisor, though ultimately it is your decision when to submit your thesis for examination. About two months before you expect to submit your thesis, you should complete the notification of intention to submit in e-vision. This allows the department to make the necessary arrangements for your examination. You do not need to be over-exacting in calculating your submission date, provided that you adhere to your deadline for submission.
You can find the intention to submit form in your e:Vision account. And remember: it is your responsibility to check your thesis for errors before submitting it. We strongly recommend that you ask a friend to proofread the final version before submission.
If you are an MA by research student, you do not need to register your intention to submit.
When to submit You must submit your thesis by the final deadline, though it is a good idea to plan to submit long before that, in order to give yourself time to deal with unexpected events in both your research and your personal life. You can see your submission deadline in your Skills Forge account. Late submissions will only be accepted once an extension has been applied for and approved. A pending extension request is not sufficient.
32
How to submit Theses may be submitted to the Research Student Admin Team (RSAT) by hand, by post, or by courier service. It is your responsibility to ensure that the thesis reaches the RSAT by the deadline.
Continuation period
The purpose of the continuation period (sometimes known as the writing-up period) is to allow for contingencies; you should be planning to submit your thesis at the end of the normal period of enrolment. Further information can be found here: http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/academic/thesis/continuation/
During this time you will retain access to the Library and IT facilities. You may only access departmental facilities with the written permission of the Director of Studies, Research Students. Students entering a continuation period are liable to pay a continuation fee.
Thesis examination
Appointment of examiners
Once you complete the Intention to Submit, the Director of Postgraduate Research Students nominates examiners and submits the recommendation to Standing Committee on Assessment for approval. Your supervisor(s) will have been consulted on who will be suitable examiners and you should be asked to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest with the selected examiners. There will be at least two, and not more than three, examiners, including at least one external examiner from another university.
Oral examination Following the submission of your thesis (or equivalent) for examination, MPhil and PhD candidates will be required to sit an oral examination known as a viva. The purpose of an oral examination is to allow your examiners to explore your work and satisfy themselves that: ● the work is of appropriate quality; ● you are well acquainted with your subject matter; ● you have applied appropriate research methods; ● the work is your own. The oral examination also allows you to respond to any shortcomings identified by the examiners. Your oral examination will take place within three months of submitting your thesis.
Oral examinations for all research degrees will be recorded. These recordings are used only in event of an appeal based on the conduct of the examination, or when an additional examiner has been subsequently appointed to resolve a dispute. Recordings will be destroyed one year after the result of the examination has been confirmed, or one year after appeal proceedings have been concluded.
PhD and MPhil students: the department will contact you to arrange your viva.
33 MA by research students: a viva may be requested by your examiners; you will be notified if this is the case, and suitable arrangements made. . Examination outcomes
Following the submission and examination of your thesis, your examiners will recommend one of the following outcomes: ● pass with no corrections. The degree should be awarded; ● pass subject to minor corrections. The degree should be awarded subject to corrections to the thesis, to be completed within three months of the candidate receiving the list of corrections, to the satisfaction of the internal or another of the examiners; ● thesis referred for revision and resubmission within 12 months of receiving the list of revisions, previously referred theses cannot normally be referred again; ● that the student should be awarded a degree at a lower level than the degree that they are enrolled, possibly with corrections first being made; ● fail. No degree should be awarded.
The outcome will then be ratified by the Standing Committee on Assessment (SCA) and you will be informed of the decision and advised on how to proceed. You have the right to appeal against the examiners' recommendations on the grounds of unfair or improper conduct of the examination, prejudice on the part of the examiners, or procedural irregularity.
More information
Full details on thesis submission and examination can be found on the University website, at: www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/academic/thesis.
Change of plan?
Leave of absence
A leave of absence allows you to take an authorised break of a month or more in your studies. You may apply for a leave of absence for a documented medical or personal reason. Breaks of less than 2 months can be approved at departmental level, but will not then result in an extension to your submission deadline.
Any student can apply for a leave of absence. It can be a good solution for a research student who genuinely finds that medical or personal difficulties are preventing their study for a period of time. However, approval remains at the discretion of the Special Cases Committee.
As far as possible, you should apply for a leave of absence in advance. Departments should not submit requests to the Special Cases Committee later than one month after the proposed start date of the leave period. Leave of absence that is entirely retrospective will not be considered or approved.
34 For more information on when and how to apply for a Leave of Absence, visit www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/change/loa.
Students on Tier 4 visas should be aware that a Leave of Absence is likely to have an impact on their eligibility to remain in the UK, and so should consult with Immigration Advice before making any decision. Additionally, any holiday or research absences from the UK (of any length of time) by Tier 4 students must be discussed with the supervisor, and the Research Student Administrator notified, in advance of making plans.
Full-time/part-time
You may be able to switch between part-time and full-time attendance at University. Not all programmes have a part-time option, so you should check with your department first.
Speak with your supervisor and discuss the options available to you. This decision should not be taken lightly. It is essential that you understand the implications that changing your mode of attendance may have.
Changing your mode of attendance will affect the end of your period of registration, your submission deadline and the tuition fees payable for the remainder of your programme. It will alter how you fulfil the University's requirement of a minimum period of registration.
Changing your mode of attendance may also affect your entitlement to: ● Financial support ● Funding ● Student visas ● Accommodation ● Council Tax exemptions. ● Tuition fees and accommodation. Your funding body may place restrictions on whether and how often you can change status. RSAT can give you further guidance.
For more information, visit www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/change/full-time- part-time.
Change programmes
While we do not encourage research students to change programme, situations may arise which make a change worthwhile.
Reasons may include: ● you're progressing well at a lower level and wish to upgrade to a degree at a higher level; ● you have not met the requirements for the degree for which you are registered and are transferring to a lower degree; ● a change in personal circumstances means you need to end your programme early, but still want to receive a qualification;
35 ● your supervisor is moving to a different department. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Reasons for a change of programme are often unique to your situation. If you think a change of programme may be right for you, you should speak to your supervisor.
For more information, visit www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/change/transfer.
Extension
If exceptional circumstances are affecting your ability to work in the final 3 months before your submission deadline, you may be permitted to extend your submission deadline, but only in proportion to the documented impact on your work. You should be planning to submit considerably before the deadline to allow for less exceptional but still unpredictable events that might affect your work.
There is no guarantee that you will be able to extend your programme in this way, especially if the circumstances could have been remedied with a leave of absence at an earlier stage. Extensions are normally limited to a maximum of six months. In exceptionally compelling circumstances, a longer extension of up to one year may be granted. Multiple extensions exceeding a total period of two years will not normally be granted.
Applications for extensions should be made before your current submission deadline. If you need to apply for an extension of submission date, you should speak to your supervisor. This date should be justified by the circumstances and approved by the Director of Postgraduate Research Students.
For more information, visit www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/change/extension/
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is the term used when a student decides to permanently leave the University before completing their programme of study. Before deciding to withdraw you should meet your supervisor to discuss any issues you may have and explore your options. It may be more appropriate for you to take a leave of absence, switch to part-time study, or change programmes.
If you need more advice, or want to speak to someone other than your supervisor, support is available from: ● RSAT; ● the Student Support Hub; ● GSA.
For more information, visit www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/change/withdraw
36 Professional development and employability
Teaching/demonstrating opportunities
As a research student, you work at the cutting edge of your field. You live, breathe and care passionately about your subject. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities available to teach and share some of your expertise with other students. Each department has a designated Postgraduates-who-teach (PGWT) co-ordinator who organises the teaching opportunities and provides support.
Our Department appoints PGWTs primarily to teach first year modules, although occasionally students, especially those approaching the final stages of their PhD, may be invited to assist in teaching, or to lead, more advanced undergraduate modules.
Teaching experience is a useful addition to any research student’s CV, but it should not interfere with completing a good thesis. We try to ensure that teaching duties do not impinge on the student’s own research, and the opportunity to teach will be offered only in consultation with the student’s academic supervisor.
Why teach? It can:
● improve your confidence; ● enhance your ability to explain and engage people with your research; ● allow you to reflect on the impact of your research and why it is important; ● develop skills of creativity and innovation in you and your students; ● increase your resilience and resourcefulness; ● assimilate you into the faculty as a recognised expert in your field.
The Department recruits PGWTs in two ways:
As vacancies arise, we advertise Graduate Teaching Scholarships (GTS), which typically offer remission of fees and/or a bursary in return for a certain amount of undergraduate teaching. Alternatively, any research student registered at York may apply to join the department’s PGWT register. You can do this at any time, although as a general rule you will not be offered teaching work during suspension of study or during your first term, and only very exceptionally during the first year of registration. This opportunity will be periodically advertised, typically each Summer. Appointment to the register follows a successful interview and completion of the required training, but does not guarantee that teaching work will be offered.
The Department's PGWT Co-ordinator is Dr Chris Jay ([email protected]). Details of the University’s policy on Postgraduates Who Teach is available from the YGRS at http://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/pgwt/. Copies of our own Guidance Notes for Post-Graduates Who Teach, are available on the department's website, at http://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/current/research-postgraduate/pgwts/.
37 All students who wish to teach at the University must attend the ‘Introduction to Learning and Teaching’ workshop. The training for PGWTs is designed to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to support your students. For more information on training opportunities, visit: www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/researcher-development/pgwt/.
RETT additionally advertises teaching opportunities for PGWTs on behalf of academic and support departments (e.g. Maths Skills Centre and Writing Centre Tutors), visit: http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/researcher-development/pgwt/pgwt_adverts.htm.
Public engagement
Another way to share your expertise and enthusiasm for your research is through public engagement. The University runs a range of one-off and ongoing public events and initiatives that are fantastic opportunities for you to share your research and its findings with a broad audience. This includes events such as YorNight, York Talks and the Festival of Ideas. For more information, visit https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events.
Speak with your supervisor about what opportunities are available in the department, and also watch your emails from both the department and the YGRS for additional opportunities.
Careers/employability
The University Careers service offers information and advice to support postgraduate researchers with their skills development and career planning. Developing your employability is about extending skills, making contacts, broadening ideas, and understanding how to use your experiences to enhance your future. Throughout your time at York, you will have many opportunities to do all of this and Careers can help you make the right choices and use them to your advantage.
The Careers website is packed with all you need to start your career planning and is constantly updated with the latest information, on:
Fairs and event dates Skills workshops Community and volunteering programmes Enterprise activities Information for career planning and job hunting Part-time jobs and internships Links to employers Recent graduate profiles
and much more.
Specific pages for research postgraduate students can be found at www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/student-groups/postgrad-research. The Careers Timeline can help you manage your time at York with suggestions of what to do when in your career planning.
38 Check out the online employability tutorial, designed to help you understand yourself, your options and the way forward at vle.york.ac.uk. Also log onto www.york.ac.uk/careers/gateway for your personalised Careers account where you can: Sign up for updates in sectors that interest you Search hundreds of graduate vacancies Explore part-time work, internships and volunteering opportunities Access a wide range of Careers events Book appointments with Careers staff You can message Careers.
To keep up-to-date with the latest events and activities in Careers find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yorkcareers and follow us on Twitter @UoYCareers.
Find the Careers Centre between Campus Central car park and the Berrick Saul building, near the Market Square shops. Term time hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 5.00pm. Vacation opening times vary and can be found on http://www.york.ac.uk/careers.
You can also hone your professional skills and develop your personal networks through regional and national postgraduate organisations such as:
The White Rose Philosophy Postgraduate Forum (WRPPF) (https://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/research/wrppf/) The British Postgraduate Philosophy Association (BPPA) (https://www.facebook.com/philosophy.bppa/)
Our departmental Carers Officer is Keith Allen (Autumn 2016 and Spring 2017) and David Efird (Summer 2017).
Finally, you may also be interested in Vitae, an organisation that supports the professional development of researchers. Read more at https://www.vitae.ac.uk/.
A reminder to full-time students about part-time working
Full-time students are expected to devote the majority of their time to their research. The PhD programme is a 52-week programme, with 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays or days in lieu thereof). Additionally, there is an authorised absence policy. See Regulation 2.5(c) and (e) at http://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance/governance-documents/ordinances- and-regulations/regulation-2/#2.5
Finally, you may not work, in either a paid or voluntary capacity, more than 20 hours per week.
39 Appeals and complaints
A complaint is about any service received. An appeal is about an academic decision reached.
Appeals You can appeal against a procedural error in arriving at the academic decision or on the basis of mitigating circumstances if you have a good reason for not declaring these at the appropriate time. You cannot appeal against an academic judgement of the quality of your work.
Complaints You may complain about your experience of any academic or non-academic service you have received as a student. If you are not happy with the outcome of an initial investigation of your complaint you can pursue your complaint further under the formal Complaints Procedure.
The GSA has a dedicated advice service to guide students through these procedures. If you are considering making an appeal or a complaint, email [email protected], or visit http://www.yorkgsa.org/site/welfare/arrange-an-appointment-with-the-gsa.
For more information on complaints and appeals, and how to complain or appeal visit: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/help/appeals.
40 Disclaimer
Whilst the University tries to ensure that information contained in this document is accurate when published, the University does not accept liability for any inaccuracies contained within it. Where circumstances occur or change outside the reasonable control of the University, the University reserves the right to change or cancel parts of, or entire, programmes of study or services at any time without liability, before or after students have registered at the University. Circumstances outside the University’s reasonable control include: industrial action, over or under-demand from students, staff illness, lack of funding, severe weather, fire, civil disorder, political unrest, government restrictions and concern regarding risk of transmission of serious illness. The University’s contract with its students does not confer third party benefits under the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
41 Glossary
Term Meaning Index
AHEC Arts and Humanities Ethics Committee Page 19
CELT Centre for English Language Teaching n/a
CDT Centre for Doctoral Training n/a
BoS Board of Studies Page 14
DRC Departmental Research Committee Page 14
DTC Departmental Teaching Committee n/a
DTP Doctoral Training Partnership n/a
YGRS (York) Graduate Research School Page 3
GSA Graduate Students’ Association Page 14
HRC Humanities Research Centre Page 12
PGWT Postgraduate(s) Who Teach(es) Page 36
RETT Research Excellence Training Team Page 28
RSAT Research Student Administration Team Page 14
RST Research Support Team (Library) Page 29
SCA Standing Committee on Assessment Page 23
SCC Special Cases Committee Page 33
TAP Thesis Advisory Panel Page 19
WRoCAH White Rose College of the Arts & n/a Humanities
YUSU University of York Students’ Union Page 14
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