PHE-ARC: Supervisor Training

Professor P. D. Marsh: Research & Development, PHE-Porton, Salisbury

phil.marsh@phe.gov.uk

Mission

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“To protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities, working with national and local government, the NHS, industry, academia, the public and the voluntary and community sector.”

PHE Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee[Affiliated Research Centre]

(NIBSC)

Local RDC:8 part-time PhD students

Chair: PGTSCARC Research DegreeCo-ordinator (RDC)

emergency response [ebola, anthrax…]

high containment of pathogenic agents [CL2 - CL4]

reference capabilities [RIPL]

culture collection [bacteria, viruses, animal cells]

developmental production

biopharmaceutical manufacture

translational research [TB, flu, AMR…]

8 part-time PhD students

PHE Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee[Affiliated Research Centre]

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

Why train stafffor a higher degree?

• Personal Development Plan

• Develop enhanced research skills

• Retain motivated staff

• Succession planning

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

Process • Raised & discussed informally at annual appraisal

• Project identified; 5 page proposal written

• Staff member, project, supervisory team assessedby Head of R&D, and by Postgraduate TrainingSubCommittee (PGSTC)

• Rigorous review (presentation & viva) of project,candidate & supervisory team to 2 members of ‘Science Group’

• Documentation submitted for review by local ARC Co-ordinator to Chair of PGTSC

• Submitted to OU

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

Factorsconsidered

• Calibre of candidate, project & supervisors

• Timescale and funding

• Relevance to PHE priorities

• Strategic decision on investment on above

• Review supervisory team:- need external supervisor?- experience, especially ‘Director of Studies’?- combine ‘experienced’ with ‘less experienced’ supervisors- identify training needs

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

Local support &arrangements

• Interview by local ARC Research Degree Co-ordinator

• Reality check for everyone involved!

• PHE-ARC: Student Contract

• Third Party Mentor selected

• Supervisor team:

- external training provided

- combine experienced with inexperienced staff

- informal support groups

• Local ARC team available to resolve disputes

[2 lead members; 2 support members]

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PHE-ARCLearning contractbetween Student & Supervisor- documentation!

Student Log-book

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Student Log-book

PHE-ARCLearning contractbetween Student & Supervisor- documentation!

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Student Log-book – documentation of meetings!

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OU ARC Handbook

Supervisors:- Follow OU guidelines- 2-3 supervisors per student- Director of Studies must have

prior experience- No more than 5 students- Proactive: increase numbers of

supervisors with experience

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

Postgraduate Student Research days – opportunity for students & supervisors to meet!

PHE-Porton - 2012 NIBSC - 2013

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PHE Affiliated Research Centre

PHE ARCsupport forsupervisors

• Rigorous review at selection• External training provided• Inexperienced supervisors are teamed with those

with more experience• Learning contract states expectations

• Supervisors are selected on basis of skills &regular contact with student

• Third party mentor can suggest changes to team• Postgraduate topics are standing item on

‘Science Group’ Agenda

• Updates & news from OU are circulated by localResearch Degree Co-ordinator & ARC RDC

• Informal meeting for supervisors – refresher!