PGRSDP for New and New-to-Newcastle Supervisors

Facilitators: Alison Williams/Debbie Hicks 

Attendees: 50 Maximum/10 Minimum 

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes 

This session introduces participants to the role of a PGR Supervisor. It includes important introductory information on being a supervisor of a research degree at Newcastle University 

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: 

• Identify and understand the key PGR regulations and Code of Practice as they relate to supervisors 
• Reflect on the information they have gained from the workshop and how this can help them develop as PGR supervisors 
• Understand the role of PGR supervisors within Newcastle’s PGR progression processes 
• Support their PGRs to engage with the required progression and training processes to support their development as independent researchers 

Preliminary Material (Part A) 

Each participant is required to complete the preliminary learning material provided to support this workshop. This material will be circulated to you via email from the Learning Management System (Elements), one-week before the workshop. 

This material will introduce you to principal issues relating to the key academic activities and progression of research students, it is expected that you familiarise yourself with the guidance provided on university regulations: 

• The PGR Code of Practice.
• Key PGR regulations and policies.

In addition to introduction to the key academic activities, the material will also signpost where to go to for further support and expert advice. 

In-Person/Online Workshop (Part B) 

This interactive workshop will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your experience of supervision and to identify and share best practice in research degree supervision. Real-life examples will be provided as case studies and key concepts such as barriers/challenges that PGR students may face and the support available will be discussed.  

 Who Should Attend? 

• New PGR Supervisorsand those aspiring to start supervising PGRs in the next 12 months 
• PGR Supervisors who are new to Newcastle 
• Professional Services colleagues who are new to supporting PGR students such as PGR Administrators 
• Experienced Supervisors wishing to refresh their knowledge
  
  

Facilitators:  Peter Gallagher/Luke Gaughan 

Attendees: 50 Maximum/10 Minimum 

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes 

This session will address the qualities, standard of behaviour, and attributes of good PGR supervision and will provide an opportunity to identify challenges, barriers, and solutions, for effective, high-quality supervision. 

At the end of the workshop participants will: 

• Understand the core qualities, skills, and attributes of positive PGR supervision 

• Consider a longer-term development activity such as applying for recognition here: The UKGCE Guide to Good Supervisory Practice Framework OR Gaining Advance HE Fellowship (PSF) Recognition | Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle | Newcastle University 

Preliminary Material (Part A) 

Each participant is encouraged to complete the preliminary learning material provided to support this workshop. This material will be circulated to you via email from the Learning Management System (Elements), one-week before the workshop; and will draw upon a range of pedagogy and practice materials available to support best practice in research supervision. Topics covered include:

• Supervision style.
• Managing the relationship. 
• Managing expectations 
• Providing useful and effective supervision/feedback. 

 Please familiarise yourself with the documents which will be referred to in the workshop:

• the Supervisory expectation grid and Supervisory conversations sheet. These brief tools encourage reflection of supervisor-PGR expectations and supervisory interactions. 
• Useful links also at: Newcastle University EDI Toolkit for Researchers 

In-Person/Online Workshop (Part B) 

This interactive workshop will be held as a networking/group discussion session using real life case studies as examples. This workshop will also focus on reflective practice and interdisciplinary supervision teams. 

Who Should Attend? 

This session would be useful to: 

• New PGR Supervisors, or those aspiring to be a PGR Supervisor. 
• PGR Supervisors new to Newcastle. 
• Experienced Supervisors wishing to refresh their knowledge. 
• PGR-focused Professional Services colleagues. 

Facilitators: Luke Gaugham/Peter Gallagher  

Attendees: 30 in-person or 50 online Maximum/10 Minimum 

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes 

This session will focus on the key information you need to be a Project Approval and Annual Progress Review Panel Member. The focus will be on the expectations of this role and the implications of decisions made. 

At the end of the workshop participants will: 

• Be knowledgeable of panel duties for project approval and Annual Progress Reviews 
• Have an understanding of the timelines for each process and what the available outcomes are for panels to recommend 
• Understand the key criteria for discussion during an Annual Progress Review, including academic, personal development and wellbeing considerations 
• Have knowledge of the support in place for panel members from PGR co-ordinators/directors and Graduate Schools in your faculty
   

Preliminary Material (Part A) 

Each participant is required to complete the preliminary learning material provided to support this workshop. This material will be circulated to you via email from the Learning Management System (Elements), one-week before the workshop.

We recommend reading the relevant pages of the University’s Code of Practise (available here for reference) and then to reflect on your own experiences as a PhD student and panel member (if experienced) on the process of project approval and annual progress reviews. It would be useful for the workshop to consider what you view as important for each process, what is your motivation for becoming a panel member and what particular elements of being a panel member are you unsure about. 

Estimated completion time: 20 minutes 

In-Person/Online Workshop (Part B) 

This interactive workshop will focus on the key elements of our Code of Practise, including criteria for appointment of panel members, their role in both project approval and Annual Progress Review, and how best to support students through each activity. Reviewing and dissecting case studies interactively will highlight best practise and increase our preparedness for challenges along the way.   

Duration: 60 minutes 

Who Should Attend? 

This session would be useful to: 

• New PGR Supervisors, or those aspiring to be a PGR Supervisor. 
• PGR Supervisors new to Newcastle. 
• Experienced Supervisors wishing to refresh their knowledge.  

Facilitators: Luke Gaugham/Peter Gallagher  

Attendees: 30 in-person/50 online maximum/ 10 Minimum 

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes 

This session will focus on the key information you need to be a PGR Examiner.  The focus will be on the expectations of this role and the implications of decisions made.  

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: 

• Be knowledgeable of the process of examiner appointment and what is expected of you leading up to the viva. 
• Have an understanding of best practise when conducting examinations, styles of dialogue utilised during the exam and how best to support the student during the viva.  
• Understand the different academic outcomes of the viva and what role you will play in the subsequent process of Joint Examiner Report completion, thesis revisions (if required) and submission.   
• Have knowledge of the support in place for examinera from PGR co-ordinators/directors and Graduate Schools in your faculty.  

Preliminary Material (Part A) 

Each participant is required to complete the preliminary learning material provided to support this workshop. This material will be circulated to you via email from the Learning Management System (Elements), one-week before the workshop. 

We recommend reading the relevant pages of the University’s Code of Practise (available here for reference) and then to reflect on your own experiences as a PhD student and examiner (if experienced) during viva examinations. It would be useful for the workshop to consider what you view as best practise for conducting an examination, how this aligns to the University’s Code of Practise what elements of being an examiner are you unsure about. 

Estimated completion time: 25 minutes 

In-Person/Online Workshop (Part B) 

This interactive workshop will focus on the key elements of our Code of Practise, including criteria for appointment of examiners, how to prepare for the examination, and how to conduct the examination in a scholarly and fair dialogue with the student. Reviewing and dissecting case studies interactively will highlight best practise and increase our preparedness for challenges along the way.   

Duration: 60 minutes 

Who Should Attend? 

This session would be useful to: 

• New PGR Supervisors, or those aspiring to be a PGR Supervisor. 
• PGR Supervisors new to Newcastle. 
• Experienced Supervisors wishing to refresh their knowledge.  

Facilitators: Rachel Pain, Mwenza Blell, Yujia Xu (PGR) 

Attendees:  Maximum 40/Minimum 10  

Course Summary: 

This session aims to provide supervisors with knowledge about some of the additional barriers that can face racially and ethnically minoritised PGRs at Newcastle. It has been developed in response to strong evidence at the UK and local level that these PGRs have poorer experiences and outcomes of the PhD journey. 

The session will: 

•        Define key terms such as race, racism, anti-racism, intersectionality, allyship, cultural competence
•        Consider the evidence base around race,ethnicityand the PGR experience 
•        Emphasise the diversity of experiences within the broad group of racially and ethnically minoritized PGRs
•        Discuss the implications for supervision, and how supervisors can respond proactively

The format will be interactive, with opportunities for questions and sharing existing ideas and good practice. It will signpost further resources to support us as supervisors in actively tackling inequalities across the PGR journey.  

Facilitators:  Stephanie Alderslade, Edward Hillier 
Attendees:  Maximum 30 / Minimum 10

Course Summary: 

This workshop is designed to provide participants with information on resources available to support PGR students with their mental health and wellbeing during the course of their studies.  We will also cover where colleagues can access support for their own wellbeing. 

This course will provide an overview of: 

• The key wellbeing issues affecting PGR students and supervisors
• Student Health and Wellbeing Services provision
• Dealing with distressed students 
• Where responsibility starts/stops & where to signpost 
• Review of Case studies and an open forum discussion to network and share practice/experience

Preliminary Material (Part A) 

Each participant is required to complete the preliminary learning material provided to support this workshop. We are asking attendees to complete the following online Workshops. This will help to supplement some of the topics discussed during this workshop. As these courses are part of the University Essentials, you may have already completed them, but if not, please see the links below. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness - https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1450 

Suicide Prevention - https://elements.ncl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1299 

Estimated completion time: 25-30 minutes 

In-Person/Online Workshop (Part B) 

This interactive workshop will focus on add here the focus and discussion element of an interactive workshop, case studies and sharing of best practice as a COP 

Facilitators:  Steven Boneham, Heather McKenna, Bogdan Metes

Attendees:  30 Maximum/5 Minimum   

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes 

Openness in research —through inclusive methodologies, sharing publications, data, methods, code and insights—enhances transparency, critical engagement, and the wider societal impact across all disciplines. As a result, research funders, publishers and institutions increasingly require the use of open research practices. However, adopting such practices isn’t necessarily straightforward and there are a range of practical and ethical issues to consider.  

This workshop will introduce the principles and practices of open research and how we support our researchers in making their work as accessible as possible—whether it involves quantitative data, qualitative inquiry, or interpretive and creative practices—while recognising the need to protect sensitive information and the integrity of participants and collaborators. Participants will be encouraged to consider and discuss both the benefits and challenges of seeking to make research 'as open as possible and as closed as necessary’. 

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: 

• Understand the key principles and practices of open research 

• Evaluate the benefits and challenges of adopting open research practices in their discipline 

• Consider how to make their research ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’ 

• Direct their PGRs to appropriate sources of training and support with open research, considering the approaches and systems available, funder and institutional expectations, copyright and sources of funding.  

Who Should Attend? 

This session would be useful to: 

• New PGR Supervisors, or those aspiring to be a PGR Supervisor. 

• PGR Supervisors new to Newcastle. 

• Experienced PGR Supervisors who would like to refresh their PGR knowledge. 

Facilitator: Debbie Riby - Durham University

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes

This session focuses on neurodiversity-affirmative PhD supervision and support, with the following learning objectives:

• Increased knowledge of neurodiversity and neurodivergence, including the language of neurodiversity;
• Considerations for supporting a neurodiverse, inclusive, postgraduate research community;
• Reflecting on support for postgraduate researchers with lived experience of neurodivergence (and understanding the individual);
• Consideration of potential modifications to supervision practices, communication, and support for neurodivergent PhD students;
• Reflections on potential areas of specific need for neurodivergent PhD students, for example in relation to viva preparations.

Facilitators: Khadija Badri and Fahrina Chowdhury

Course Summary & Learning Outcomes TBC

Newcastle University is committed to the responsible use of research metrics as part of our research culture and research strategy. We advocate for the transparent, appropriate, and inclusive use of metrics, guided by expert judgment, to support high-quality, impactful research that is open, collaborative and sustainable. Click here for our full policy statement on the Responsible use of Research Metrics. The self-study e-learning module on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics is available here: Responsible Use of Research Metrics e-learning.

This self-study e-learning covers the core principles of responsible research metrics and can be completed in your own time.

This training is designed for:

• Anyone who is interested in how research is measured and assessed.
• Anyone involved in recruitment, reward and recognition processes or grant applications where research may be used as an assessment tool. 

For support, please contact res.policy@newcastle.ac.uk