The Department of MedicineHigher Degrees Research

Committee (HDRC)

Postgraduate Committee which oversees the format and quality of the Department of Medicine’s higher degree programme , and supports the student experience of postgraduate research students within the Department.

The HDRC.

Dr Kevin Murphy, Director of Postgraduate Studies, (Research) and Chair

Dr Nesrina Imami, Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research),

Infectious Diseases

Professor Julian Dyson, Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research),

Immunology and Inflammation

Dr Tim Weaver, Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research),

Brain Sciences and Experimental Medicine

Ms Hayley Kendall Research Degrees Manager

Who’s who in the HDRC...

Who’s who in the HDRC...

Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research) and Chair:

Dr Kevin Murphy (Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Three Deputy Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Research):

Professor Julian Dyson (Immunology and Inflammation)

Dr Nesrina Imami (Infectious Diseases)

Dr Tim Weaver (Brain Sciences and Experimental Medicine)

Research Degrees Manager

Ms Hayley Kendall

Who’s who in the HDRC... Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research) and Chair:

Dr Kevin Murphy (Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Three Deputy Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Research):

Professor Julian Dyson (Immunology and Inflammation)

Dr Nesrina Imami (Infectious Diseases)

Dr Tim Weaver (Brain Sciences and Experimental Medicine)

Research Degrees Manager

Ms Hayley Kendall

Section Cohort Leaders

Student Representatives for each campus

Department of Medicine

Experimental Medicine

Infectious Diseases

Divisional Cohorts Sectional Cohorts Campus Cohorts

Microbiology

PaediatricsInfectious Diseases & ImmunityVirology

Pharmacology &Therapeutics

Centre for Haematology

Renal CCIR +

Molecular Immunology & Glycosciences

Investigative Medicine

Cell Biology

HepatologyNeuroinflammatio

n, Neurodegeneratio

nBrain Plasticity and Recovery

Neuropsycho-pharmocology,Mental Health

GU Medicine

Chelsea & Westminste

r

St Mary’s

Northwick ParkSouth

Kensington

Hammersmith Hospital

Charing Cross

Immunology & Inflammation

Diabetes , Endocrinology

and Metabolism

Brain Sciences

Immunology

Mucosal Infection

Ensures that appropriate supervisory arrangements have been made for all research students.

Reviews all registration and interruption of studies applications.

Monitors and reviews reports on research student progress, completion and submission rates .

Advises on policy matters and responds to student feedback regarding research student education and welfare.

The role of the HDRC.

Ensures that appropriate supervisory arrangements have been made for all research students.

Reviews all registration and interruption of studies applications.

Monitors and reviews reports on research student progress, completion and submission rates .

Advises on policy matters and responds to student feedback regarding research student education and welfare.

Section cohort leaders are responsible for pastoral and administrative duties at a sectional level.

Directors and Section cohort leaders can act as independent mediators if any difficulties.

The role of the HDRC.

Registration and Assessment There are 3 stages of internal assessment during the PhD:

Research PlanEarly Stage Assessment (ESA)Late Stage Review (LSR)

Shortly after registration, Hayley sends each student an email containing their milestone deadlines.

All assessments should be electronic.Paper copies will not be accepted.

Progress Review Panel (PRP)

The PRP is made up of two subject experts, at least one of whom must be external to the student’s Section or Centre.  The PRP is proposed by the supervisor and approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee in advance of the first assessment.

 The Panel will make all three assessments.

There is no flexibility with assessment timings. The milestone dates must be followed.

Recommendations   At each stage of assessment, the assessors make a recommendation:

Approval by the HDRC

Approval by the HDRC subject to certain revisions and/or amendments being satisfactorily completed

Re-submission within a stipulated length of time

Recommend that the work is not suitable for PhD registration and the applicant should be transferred to MPhil registration

To recommend that the student should not continue

The final decision on all recommendations rests with the Departmental HDRC.

First Assessment: Research Plan (by 8 weeks)Students must complete the research plan

assessment within 8 weeks of starting their studies.  The Progress Review Panel (PRP) must have been approved by the Department before the assessment procedure can begin.

The purpose of the Research Plan is to ensure, as far as possible, that a successful PhD will follow. The PRP report aims to be helpful and provide constructive feedback as appropriate.

Registration and Assessment

The Research Plan is completed on a pro forma with two pages for an overview of the project. 

It should contain: Background, aims and plan of investigation.

The hypothesis to be explored and details of the methods (are they established in the group? need to be established?) should be discussed. Other potential issues eg patient recruitment, ethical approval to be mentioned. Expected to demonstrate understanding of the research to be undertaken.

Research Plan Assessment: to confirm student has the required

academic qualifications proficiency in spoken and written English

Research Plan and Supervisor meet the required standard:

Well defined aims Appropriate plan of investigation Comments on pilot of work where appropriate Scope to carry out your own research even though you may be working in

a large team with complementary projects Appropriate supervision can be given throughout the PhD. The PRP may, on occasion, find it necessary to interview a student if

clarification is needed on any aspect of the application (eg to confirm proficiency in English ).

Registration and Assessment

Second Assessment: Early Stage Assessment (by 9 months FT, 18 months PT )

Student to arrange time/location/send report to assessors

4,000-word report, comprising a literature review, an overview of progress to date and a plan of future work. The student will give a 10-20 minute oral presentation followed by a viva (up to 30 minutes can include open question and answer session).

Students must have met the Graduate School’s professional skills courses requirement by this stage.

Third Assessment:Late Stage Review (by 24 months FT, 30-36 months PT)Student to arrange time/location/send report to

assessors

oral presentation of at least 30 minutes and submit a summary document not longer than 4 pages including an overview of the presentation and a detailed plan of future work. 

Presentation followed by a viva.

Assessments provide useful practice for PhD viva

Good luck!