keele university code of practice on postgraduate research degrees

Supervisor lacks supervisory experience, the Postgraduate Committee will arrange
for the Lead Supervisor to be allocated a mentor to provide support and guidance,
and the Lead Supervisor will also be <strong>of</strong>fered supervisor training. (Mentoring and
training are requirements <strong>of</strong> approval as Associate Supervisor – see Annex B6.)
A research student should not be supervised by a member <strong>of</strong> staff who is currently
studying for a research degree at the same level, except in exceptional
circumstances such as where the member <strong>of</strong> staff concerned had previously attained
approved supervisor status and has already been supervising the student for some
time.
1.7.4 The second (or other additional) supervisor does not need to have core subject
expertise, but may bring other qualities to the supervisory team (e.g. experience,
complementary expertise, methodological advice, etc). Note, however, that the
second supervisor should not be the Lead Supervisor’s Mentor if there is one, as this
would be a confusion <strong>of</strong> roles.
When selecting the second supervisor it should be borne in mind that there will be a
need for an internal examiner, and the most appropriate person for that role (normally
next closest in subject expertise) should not normally be selected as the second
supervisor.
The function <strong>of</strong> the second supervisor is to act as an alternative source <strong>of</strong> advice for
the student (on all kinds <strong>of</strong> matters, not just the precise subject), to ensure that a
second person is aware <strong>of</strong> the student's progress and any issues arising, generally to
open up the supervisory relationship, and to provide for continuity if the Lead
Supervisor leaves for any reason (temporarily or permanently). Therefore it may be
positively beneficial if the second supervisor is not in the precise subject area <strong>of</strong> the
research project.
1.7.5 In a restricted number <strong>of</strong> circumstances it may be possible for individuals who are not
employees <strong>of</strong> the <strong>university</strong> (or honorary clinical staff) to act as Lead or second
supervisors for research students. In such circumstances the individuals so
appointed will need to have been approved as supervisors using the normal
procedures set out in Annex B6, and will also need to sign an Agreement for the
Provision <strong>of</strong> Supervision Services, approved by the Director <strong>of</strong> Planning and
Academic Administration in order to ensure appropriate accountability to the
University. (See Annex B12 for the form <strong>of</strong> the Agreement.)
Circumstances already identified where this procedure may be appropriate are where a
student’s Lead Supervisor leaves the University. The following conditions should
normally apply:
• no alternative appropriate supervisor with the relevant subject expertise can
be found for the student within the University
• the student is realistically expected to submit his or her thesis within 12
months
• the options have been fully discussed with the student, including the
possibility <strong>of</strong> transferring registration to another institution
• the Research Institute appoints a Lead Supervisor who is a member <strong>of</strong> Keele
staff to take overall responsibility for the student and to ensure that the terms
<strong>of</strong> the Agreement for the Provision <strong>of</strong> Supervision Services are met.
In any other circumstances, such arrangements need to be approved by the Research
Degrees Committee.
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