| Composition | Membership |
| PVC (Research & External Engagement) [Chair] | Dr Richard Keogh |
| Director, Graduate School [Vice-Chair] | Professor Ted Vallance |
| Academic Registrar | Ranjit Sahota; vc Gillian Baldwin |
| Senior Graduate School Officer | Miles Purcell |
| A Research Degree Convenor from each Department: | |
| Arts | Professor Alexandra Kolb |
| Education | Professor Lorella Terzi |
| Humanities (English & Creative Writing, Classics, History, Philosophy | Dr Lisa Sainsbury |
| Social Sciences (TRS) | Dr Ashley Cocksworth |
| Life and Health Sciences | Professor Lewis Halsey |
| Psychology | Professor Cecilia Essau |
| School of Business and Law | Dr Michael Izak |
| AHRC TECHNE DTP Training Chair | Professor Sara Houston |
| Programme Convenors for Professional Doctorates: | |
| PhD (Professional) Education | Dr Melissa Jogie |
| PsychD Conselling Psychology | Professor Mick Cooper |
| Doctor of Practical Theology (DTh) | Dr Ashley Cocksuch |
| Four Student Representatives, nominated by the Chair (open business only): | |
| Research Culture | TBC |
| Community | TBC |
| Professional Development | TBC |
| Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | TBC |
| Other representatives from central services by invitation as appropriate (open business only): | |
| IT & Media Services | TBC |
| Library/ Academic Achievement | Anne Pietsch |
| LTEU | Bridget Middlemas |
| Administrative Representative and Secretary nominated by the Academic Registrar | TBC |
Terms of Reference 2022/23
The Research Degrees Committee acts with the delegated authority of the University Senate on all matters relating to the award of Research Degrees and Professional Doctorates.
The terms of reference of the Research Degrees Committee with regard to Research Degrees and the research component of Professional Doctorates are, acting in accordance with the regulations and policies of the University:
- to determine and review the overall arrangements and criteria for the admission, supervision, training, monitoring and assessment of research students;
- to monitor the overall academic progress of research students;
- to work with academic and support departments to enhance the experience of research students working at the University;
- to review and make recommendations to Senate on the academic regulations;
- to appoint and consider the recommendations of internal and external examiners for the final examination and to grant awards to eligible research students;
- to consider the implications of external frameworks as they relate to research students;
- to consider any relevant matters referred to it by the University, a Research Student Review Board, Department Committee or Research Student Representative;
- to review and make recommendations to the Graduate School on the training of research supervisors;
- to report annually to Senate on research degree policies, regulations and standards, including feedback from external examiners.
Meetings and Decisions
The Research Degrees Committee meets as required to conduct business, normally four times across the calendar year.
The membership of the Research Degrees Committee comprises a Chair, appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, and the Research Degrees Convenor from each academic department. Academic staff with responsibility for Research Student programmes and training, relevant staff from the Research Office and Graduate School, and Research Student Representatives.
The Vice-Chancellor and the Academic Registrar each has the right to attend, or to send a representative to attend meetings of the Research Degrees Committee in a non-voting capacity. The Chair may permit other individuals to attend meetings in a non-voting capacity as required.
Decisions of the Research Degrees Committee are normally reached by consensus and are binding on all members. Resolutions may be reached by a majority vote of those members who are present, with the Chair holding a casting vote.
The Chair, or their delegate, has authority to take decisions on behalf of the Research Degrees Committee between meetings either independently, or in correspondence with other members. Any action taken in this way will be reported at the next meeting.
Updated: December 2022