Terms of Reference – PhD Programme Management Board, University of Kent and Northeastern University London (PhD PMB)

Context

The PhD Programme Management Board (PhD PMB) will be the lead unit for the strategic oversight of doctoral programmes at Northeastern University London delivered through the validation agreement with the University of Kent, for regular reviews of their operations and for approval of any significant changes.

Terms of Reference

Whilst the PMB will have oversight of all matters relating to the delivery of this programme and the wider validation agreement, it will give particular attention to:

1. The agreement of recruitment and selection processes for doctoral projects and students, and sign-off of recruitment and selection decisions as required;
2. Monitoring the delivery of regular supervision monitoring reports and periodic student reviews as required by the University of Kent’s Code of Practice, and ensuring that any individual or programme-level issues arising from these are addressed;
3. Understanding the student experience on these programmes, including from feedback from student representatives and the student voice committee for doctoral students at Northeastern University London, and identifying initiatives that can enhance for the students’ training and wider experience;
4. Reviewing, on an annual basis, any available continuation and completion data for students on these doctoral programmes, and ensure that delivery of the programmes is consistent with standards and thresholds required by the Office for Students in their Conditions of Registration;
5. Considering any further ways in which the programmes might be developed or enhanced in relation to national policy development or discussions in relation to good practice in doctoral support and training;
6. Ensuring that the programmes are delivered in accordance with the University of Kent’s Code of Practice for Research Courses of Study, and the Memorandum of Agreement for these validated programmes.

Frequency

The PMB will meet three times in each academic year, with the expectation that at least one of these meetings will take place in-person, rotating between being hosted at Northeastern University London (NU London) and the University of Kent (UoK).

Membership

Director, Graduate and Researcher College, UoK (Chair)

Dean, NU London

Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange, NU London

Head of Operations, Graduate and Researcher College, UoK

Deputy Dean, NU London

Associate Vice President for Academic Services and Student Engagement, NU London

Director of Graduate and Researcher School, NU London

Associate Director of Postgraduate Research, NU London

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, LSSJ, UoK

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, CEMS, UoK

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, Arts & Hums, UoK

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, Nat Sci, UoK

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, KBS, UoK

Divisional Director of Graduate Studies, HSS, UoK

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