PhD Handbook : Modern Languages and Linguistics

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Our Modern Languages and Linguistics unit conducts research on Irish & Celtic Studies, Linguistics, and Language and Heritage.

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Research in the fields of Irish & Celtic Studies, Linguistics, and Languages and Heritage.

All DfE-funded and VCRS PhD researchers are awarded a budget each year (around £900) to be spent on developmental activities to support their research (for instance a training event, attending a conference, collecting data). Prior approval for all DfE/VCRS expenditure must be obtained from the Research Director. The following steps must be followed:

As early as possible in advance of a trip or the date of expenditure (at least 3 weeks beforehand), an email must be sent to the Research Director justifying the expenditure and pointing out its relevance to the researcher’s research project.
Following approval of the spend, PhD researchers process the Prior Approvals and Reimbursed Expense Claims online. PhD researchers should navigate to the Finance Visitors Page and follow the link to the ‘Digital Claims Portal’. The Portal homepage provides a link to Registration instructions for first time visitors.
Once Registration is complete, PhD researchers can maintain their profile and submit digital requests. Training Guides for each claim type are available on the Portal Homepage.
When completing the ‘Claim Details’ section, PhD researchers are encouraged to consult with Unit Admin (Fiona Bradley) to ensure the correct ‘Directorate’ & ‘Department’ values are selected from the dropdown lists presented on the digital forms. This will ensure your request is processed in a timely manner.

If any technical problems are encountered, users should raise a ticket via the ServiceDesk.

Following trips, expenses incurred should be submitted via the Digital Claims Portal.

Please note: Claims for expenditure will only be processed if a prior approval form has been submitted in advance of the trip (and a prior approval number has been received) and if receipts for expenditure are submitted as part of the claim. Researchers funded from other sources may seek funding, though there is no guarantee that the request will be met. In this case, prior approval for all such expenditure must be obtained from the Research Director.

Air travel must always be booked using the University’s approved travel agent – Selective Travel. You can register with Selective Travel Management at their hub. Before booking, Selective Travel will require a prior approval number and a cost centre code (you must contact the Unit admin (Fiona Bradley) for the cost centre code). For low-cost airline travel (e.g. Easyjet, etc.), Selective Travel will require this to be booked via their website – please provide your trip details to the research area administrator who will advise on online booking issues.

Conference fees may be paid in advance to the conference organisers through the University Finance Department. Please provide a copy of the conference registration form and payment details, along with your prior approval number, to the Finance Department.

Car mileage for research trips may be claimed using the Digital Claims Portal.

Accommodation expenses are normally reimbursed after the trip, though it may be possible to book hotel accommodation in advance of a trip through the University’s travel agent (Selective Travel).

It is expected that the most economical forms of travel should be used whenever possible (e.g. public transport rather than taxis).

Claim forms for expenses must be submitted within 2 months of the date of the trip.

The Panels

It is the responsibility of the supervisor(s) to find the panel members and arrange the dates of the assessments. The supervisors will be in attendance.

In both the Initial and the Confirmation assessment there will be a chairperson and two examiners (assessors), one internal and one external. The purpose of the internal examiner is to test the candidate’s performance, the written submission, and the overall project from the perspective of the subject specialism. The role of the external examiner is to test more general aspects such as the clarity and focus of the candidate’s presentation, its coherence and persuasiveness, the structure and scale of the project, especially in light of the candidate’s report on progress to date and envisaged time‐line to completion, with a view to confirming its appropriateness as a PhD project, its viability in terms of scope and the likelihood of successful completion.

The Assessment Process

Each assessment will last for about one hour. It will consist of:

The PhD researcher will give a presentation using Powerpoint or equivalent for 15 mins.

A period of questions from the panel on the presentation and the submitted written material. This normally lasts around 25 mins.

The PhD researcher will step outside and the panel will deliberate on your performance and make their recommendations. This normally takes around 10 mins,

The PhD researcher returns and is given the feedback; there is opportunity for some further discussion. This normally takes around 10 mins.

This will usually take place within four months of registration (i.e. January) for full‐time PhD Researchers and within ten months for part‐time PhD Researchers, (depending upon the time of registration this could vary).

The PhD researcher must provide a short report (no more than 4 pages) including a statement on how the research proposal has advanced since registration and make a presentation on progress to date. You must also provide reference to further development of the research. This material should be provided no later than one week prior to the assessment.

The Doctoral College will send a reminder, but it is up to the PhD Researcher to start the process on PhD Manager for uploading the required documents, including Turnitin report.

At the Initial assessment the panel are asked to reach a decision on the basis of the following aspects:

The viability of the project

Ability to understand the research degree process
Evidence of sufficient early progress
Evidence that the PhD researcher has shown an ability to identify relevant information sources and gather information effectively
A statement of how the research has advanced since registration and an indication of future development
Consideration in some depth of training needs and how to fulfil them
Effective presentation skills
Confirmation of whether ethical approval is required or not for the study
Evidence that the supervisory arrangements are satisfactory

It would be useful for PhD researchers to consider these questions carefully and tailor their presentation and their submitted material so that the panel will be in a position to make an adequate appraisal.

PhD researchers should be aware that while the Initial assessment is largely intended to be constructive and orientative, examiners do consider decisions such as reassessment (i.e. repeat the assessment at a later date) or ‘continuation for MPhil only or withdrawal from the programme’. The latter two decisions are extremely rare but are a sign of the importance of the Initial assessment and the need to address its purpose in a serious way.

The report of the Initial assessment will be taken into account at the Confirmation Assessment with a view to assessing how the PhD researcher took on board suggestions or recommendations made at that assessment.

This normally takes place within eight and twelve months for full‐time PhD Researchers and between twelve and twenty-four months for Part‐time PhD Researchers.

The main purpose of the Confirmation assessment is to provide assurance that the topic of the PhD is now clearly defined and appropriate, that the scope of the study is appropriate to PhD level (i.e. not more suitable for MPhil or too ambitious and therefore unlikely to be completed in time), that the PhD researcher has developed a suitable methodology that is appropriate to the project and will ensure its successful completion (evidence of this should be present in the sample chapter submitted) and finally that the outline of the envisaged progress over the next two years is convincing as to its viability and appropriateness.

Once Doctoral College send a reminder, it is up to the PhD Researcher to start the process on PhD Manager for uploading the required documents (TurnitIn report, etc).

The format is similar to the initial assessment with the following timings.

- Presentation 15 mins

- Discussion 25 mins

- Panel deliberation 10 mins

- Feedback 10 mins

Preparatory work and submission of material:

For the Confirmation assessment it is important that one substantial piece of work from the thesis is provided (usually a draft chapter or part of chapter if it a long piece).

In addition:

- A report on progress made to date

- The explanation of further development of the research as the basis of a submission of PhD

- A detailed timetable for the submission of the thesis

The presentation should last no longer than 15 minutes and should NOT be a summary of the submitted chapter. Nor should it be in the form of a mini paper delivered on some other aspect/chapter of the thesis. Rather the presentation should try to fully address as far as time permits the assessment criteria of the assessment to allow the panel to take a successful decision. Reference should be made to the submitted chapter but only to contextualize it in the framework of the overall plan of the PhD. As with all presentations, candidates should avoid either reading out the material on the slides (the panel can read) and avoid repeating the material that has been provided in written form prior to the assessment. Essentially, the presentation should demonstrate a command of the research in a clear and persuasive fashion, and to convince the panel of:

- the research questions

- the originality and importance of the research

- the feasibility of the research

Conduct of the Assessment

After the presentation, questions will be asked by the internal and the external examiners. Supervisors will be in attendance but will normally not intervene in this part of the discussion.

Outcome of the Assessment

After some deliberation, the panel will give its decision and, usually, some points to bear in mind. These can be in the form of suggestions or recommendations, to discuss subsequently with your supervisor.

Decisions can range from straightforward confirmation or confirmation with recommendations, to deferral (i.e. repeat the assessment within a month or two) to recommendations of transfer to an MPhil or withdrawal. The latter two are most unusual but possible. So again, this is an indication of the seriousness with which the Confirmation assessment should be approached.

The final assessment can be flexible and negotiated between PhD Researcher and supervisors. It can be a mock viva, or a near final draft of chapter(s), or a seminar or conference presentation. The aim of the final assessment is to confirm that the work is at or approaching the standards required for an original contribution to knowledge. It should reassure PhD Researcher and supervisor(s) that submission is appropriate and timely.

PURE is an abbreviation of 'Publication and Research' and is the University’s Current Research Information System (CRIS). It is a single source location for much of the University’s research data. A highly versatile centralised system, it enables our Institution to build reports, carry out performance assessments, manage researcher profiles, enable research networking and expertise discovery and more, all while reducing administrative burden for researchers, faculty, and staff.

PURE provides functionality for academics, research staff and PhD Researchers to manage their individual research profile by recording research outcomes, such as:

Research Outputs/Publications
Activities
Press & Media
Projects/Awards
Datasets
Impacts

PURE is designed to maintain an ongoing historical record of research activity at Ulster University. All members of staff in academic and research related posts, and PhD Researchers, are provided with PURE profiles when joining Ulster University.

Additional PURE accounts may be requested by emailing the PURE support team.

More information on PURE and support materials can be found on the PURE Support webpage.

Open Access (OA) means unrestricted online access to peer-reviewed research outputs and enables the prompt and widespread dissemination of research findings. It benefits the efficiency of the research process and allows publicly funded and other research to drive economic growth while delivering social benefits through increased public understanding of research.

More information on OA and details of how to register online for training

ORCiD is an abbreviation of ‘Open Researcher and Contributor ID’, and provides a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from every other researcher and supports automatic linking between you and your publications and professional activities.

It is everyone’s duty to ensure a safe working environment. Your first point of contact if you have a health and safety query should be your supervisor.

Risk assessments are carried out and updated annually. First Aid/ Defibrillator available from Security – on internal phones dial 22222 (DDI 02870123456).

In event of an emergency requiring Police, Fire or Ambulance dial (9)999 directly then contact security immediately on extension 22222 (DDI 02870123456). If working late you should make security aware and let them know when you leave.

If you discover a fire, activate the alarm immediately using nearest break glass point.

On hearing alarm:

You must leave the building using the nearest available route by following the emergency exit signs
You must go directly to the assembly point
You must not re-enter the building until told it is safe

Fire marshals sweep each floor in the event of an evacuation. The alarm is tested on all campuses at 1:10pm and 5:55pm every Wednesday. During the test the alarm will sound for a short period of around 10-15 seconds. Any continuous sounding of the alarm is not a test and should be treated as a genuine alarm.

First Aid/Defibrillator is available on each campus by contacting Security – on internal phones dial 22222 (Direct Dial (DDI) 02870123456). In event of an emergency requiring Police, Fire or Ambulance dial (9)999 directly then contact security immediately on extension 22222 (DDI 02870123456).

You should also download the Safezone app on your mobile phone. This is free app for students and staff that connects you to the University security team if you ever need urgent help, first aid or if you have an emergency while on campus.

Ensure all mandatory H&S courses highlighted on your PORTAL Dashboard / Blackboard / PhD Manager are up-to-date, e.g., risk assessment (Labs), Digital Screen Equipment (DSE), FIRE Safety Awareness, Cyber Safety, Data Protection, GDPR, etc.

PhD Handbook : Modern Languages and Linguistics

Meet the Team

Professor Raffaella Folli

Dr Gearoid O Domagain

Fiona Bradley

Lauren Kearney

Working Environment

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Modern Languages and Linguistics

Research Ethics and Integrity

Subject Specific Training

Travel and Procurement

Teaching and Demonstrating Opportunities

Assessment Seminars

The Panels

The Assessment Process

Your Thesis

Thesis requirements

Disseminating and Publishing your Research

Health and Safety

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School