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This Procedure relates to appeals submitted by applicants for admission to research study or research funding which have been unsuccessful. It is expected that informal resolution would be pursued in the first instance but if this is not successful, the following procedure would apply.

It should be noted that the only acceptable grounds for appeal are procedural irregularity or bias in the selection process. No appeal will be considered which challenges a decision made on academic grounds. The process is as follows:

Stage 1

a) the applicant will write to the Doctoral College within 15 workings days of the date of notification of the outcome of their application indicating the grounds for appeal.

b) The Doctoral College will request the Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of the appropriate faculty with the Chairperson of Doctoral College Board (or a nominee external to the faculty) to convene a meeting of the relevant selection panel to review the selection materials. The review will be chaired by the Dean and a decision will be made in consultation with the Chairperson of the Doctoral College Board (or nominee). Support will be provided by the Doctoral College. Relevant related documentation and correspondence may also be shared with the selection panel.

  1. If no prima facie case is disclosed in the review of the selection materials, the Dean will write to the applicant indicating that no evidence of procedural irregularity or bias could be found.
  2. If a prima facie case is disclosed in the review of the selection materials the Dean will recommend that appropriate remedial action be undertaken, i.e. that the applicant be given the opportunity to be interviewed again by a different panel and  their ranking amended where appropriate.

Stage 2

c) should the applicant choose not to accept the decision that there is no prima facie case under 1b.i. (above), they have recourse to the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) and must write within 15 working days of the notification of the outcome of the review indicating why the decision is not acceptable.

d) the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) will convene a panel comprising the Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (or nominee) and supported by the Doctoral College. The Doctoral College will give the applicant ten working days’ notice in writing of the date of this meeting and will inform them that they have a right to present their case in person and to be accompanied by a member of Ulster University staff of their choice should they wish to do so.

  1. If no case is disclosed, the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) will write to the applicant indicating the outcome.
  2. If a case is disclosed the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) will agree that appropriate remedial action, as indicated under 1b.ii. (above) is carried out.