Welcome to Newcastle Postgraduate Induction 2019 John Kirby

Welcome to Newcastle! Postgraduate Induction 2019 John Kirby Dean of Postgraduate Research Alison Tyson-Capper Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Research (Faculty Postgraduate Tutor)

The City • Newcastle upon Tyne – the River Tyne divides Newcastle from Gateshead – Founded by the Romans almost 2000 years ago • One end of Hadrian’s Wall (Wallsend) – Population of about 300, 000 • 38 th largest city in the UK • In term time almost 1/6 of population are students! – For its size, one of the safest cities in the UK – We are surrounded by some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside

The University • Newcastle University is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities – The Russell Group (named after a hotel in London where Vice Chancellors like to meet) • Our students are satisfied and benefit from high-quality, research-informed teaching. – What is the evidence?

Congratulations! • You have chosen to study at an excellent university • Our faculty was listed 100 th of 15, 000 universities in a global league table (QS rating) • Students of UK universities are regularly asked about their experience – Our research students surveyed 88% agree that they are satisfied with their experience > university 85% and > the UK sector 82%

Your opinion of us: PRES 2019 My supervisor/s have the skills and subject knowledge to support my research I have access to the specialist resources necessary for my research My skills in applying appropriate research methodologies, tools and techniques have developed during my programme Medical Sciences 94% Newcastle 93% Russell Group 92% Sector 92% Medical Sciences 89% Newcastle 83% Russell Group 83% Sector 80% Medical Sciences 93% Newcastle 92% Russell Group 91% Sector 90%

Some facts and figures • Student numbers: – 16, 000 undergraduates – 6, 000 postgraduates • Staff: – 2, 400 teachers • Organised into 3 faculties: – Faculty of Medical Sciences: 4, 600 students – Science, Agriculture and Engineering: 6, 500 students – Humanities and Social Sciences: 10, 700 students

Principal Officers (our bosses!) • The Chancellor – Professor Sir Liam Donaldson – Former Chief Medical Officer, England – An important ceremonial figurehead • The Vice-Chancellor – Professor Chris Day – Manages the University • The Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Professor David Burn – Manages the Faculty of Medical Sciences

The Faculty of Medical Sciences (now) • All research staff and research students are based in a Research Institute. • There are currently six Research Institutes: – Cell and Molecular Biosciences – Cellular Medicine – Health and Society – Genetic Medicine – Neurosciences – Northern Institute of Cancer Research ICa. MB ICM IHS IGM Io. N NICR

The Faculty of Medical Sciences (1 st Nov) • There will be only three Research Institutes: – Newcastle University Biosciences Institute – Dean: Professor Joris Veltman – Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute – Dean: Professor Andy Blamire – Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute – Dean: Professor Catherine Exley

The Faculty of Medical Sciences • Management – The Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Deans: Prof David Burn Clinical Medicine Research and Innovation Translational Research Applied Health Research Taught Programmes Postgraduate Research Prof Andy Fisher Prof Derek Mann Prof Andy Blamire Prof Cath Exley Dr Ruth Valentine Prof John Kirby • • •

The Graduate School • All research students are also member of the faculty’s Graduate School • Why do you need both an Institute and a Graduate School? – The Institute will support your research activity – The Graduate School will: • • • Register you as a student Ensure your research project and supervisors are appropriate Help you to make good progress throughout your course Provide many additional training activities Support meetings with students from other institutes Provide a sympathetic ear and help you with any problems

The Graduate School • Facts and figures: – We have about 700 Ph. D students at all stages – About 60 MD students – About 200 MRes students • Good news! – Almost all students submit their thesis on time. – More than 95% of students who submitted their Ph. D thesis last year were awarded the degree. • The School also manages more than 700 students registered for taught programmes (MSc, etc)

Where is the Graduate School? Ridley Atrium Student’s reception and office 3 rd floor Ridley Building 1 Training Suite / common room

The Graduate School – who’s who? • John Kirby • Alison Tyson-Capper • • • Prof Rakesh Heer Tim Cheek Peter Gallagher Elaine Mc. Coll Dr Richy Hetherington Miss Elizabeth Amies Dean Deputy Dean and Postgraduate Tutor Director of MD Studies PGRSC Bioscience PGRSC Translational PGRSC Population Development co-ordinator Graduate School Manager

A most important person – your supervisor

Supervisory teams • You will be supported by several supervisors working in a team (minimum of 2 people) – Supervisors must: • Be experienced (supervised previous students) • Have appropriate research expertise • You will have formal meetings with your supervisors – You must meet your lead supervisor at least 10 times per year – You must meet your co-supervisors at least 3 times per year – These are minimal expectations (you might want many more meetings!)

Further academic support • Your project and supervisory team will be examined at the start by your progress review panel – Two independent but appropriately skilled academics (generally appointed by your institute) • Your progress through the degree will be monitored regularly by this panel – This is designed to help you and your supervisors – Please attend the Managing your Research Degree session

We listen to you (and respond) • You will have student representation on important Institute committees • There is a Student Representative’s Committee to inform the Graduate School • We have student representative members of the Graduate School Committee • We do listen and wherever possible we will change our practices to improve the experience of our students.

A final word • At this level we are all colleagues – Your research successes are shared by the faculty and ensure our joint future • Students publish some of our leading papers • Please don’t worry about anything – you can seek help from anyone and we are all eager to help • • • Supervisor Progress panel Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator Graduate School staff Postgraduate Tutor Me!