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Research Supervision Code of Conduct

Policy Statement

The School is committed to fostering a dynamic research environment by providing expert supervision for both undergraduate and postgraduate final projects. The Research Supervision Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for supervisors and students, ensuring effective guidance, regular meetings, and robust support. This policy aims to maximise student success and uphold the highest standards in research supervision.

Principles

  • Guidance: Providing consistent, knowledgeable, and constructive guidance throughout the research process.
  • Ethics: Upholding the highest standards of academic and research ethics.
  • Accessibility: Being accessible to students for regular and meaningful academic interaction.
  • Support: Offering support that recognises the research student’s individual needs and challenges.
  • Professionalism: Maintaining professionalism in all aspects of research supervision.
  • Mentorship: Fostering a mentor-mentee relationship that encourages student growth and development.
  • Feedback: Delivering timely and constructive feedback to facilitate scholarly progression.
  • Responsibility: Encouraging students to take ownership of their research while offering the necessary supervisory support.
  • Development: Supporting the professional and personal development of research students.
  • Respect: Respecting the autonomy and scholarly contributions of research students.
  • Communication: Ensuring clear and open communication regarding expectations and progress.
  • Collaboration: Promoting a spirit of collaboration within the research supervision relationship.

Regulatory Context

This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:

Authority Name Url
Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory framework for higher education in England
This framework outlines OfS' primary aim to ensure positive outcomes for students, including access, success, and progress in higher education. It covers quality academic experience, progress into employment, and value for money.
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) The Quality Code
This code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector, protecting public and student interests and championing the UK's reputation for quality.
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Assessment and Marking
Guidance on assessment and marking for higher education providers .
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Course Design and Development
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Enabling Student Achievement
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Learning and Teaching
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Student Engagement
Guidance on student engagement in higher education, focusing on quality assurance and enhancement processes.
Office for Students (OfS) Sector-recognised standards
The standards set with regards to B5 and B8 of the OfS' conditions of registration for higher education institutions.

Final Projects Modules

Title
Advice
Final Project Modules Requirements

The School mandates Final Project Modules for specific qualifications. These core modules allow students to demonstrate autonomy by exploring and testing questions through suitable methods. The Final Project Modules are required for:

Award

Level

Module

Taught masters’ degrees e.g. MSc

7

Final Project Module (60 credits at Level 7)

Bachelors’ degrees with honours e.g. BSc Hons

6

Final Project Module (30 credits at Level 6)

This rule ensures that students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills independently, reflecting their capability to handle complex projects and contributing to their overall academic assessment.
Rule
Registration Timelines for Final Project Modules

Students must adhere to the following timelines for registering for Final Project Modules:

Award

Level

Module

Postgraduate

7

Students can register for the Masters Final Project module after having completed at least 60 credits in other modules on their programme.

Undergraduate

6

The Final Project Module is available at Level 6.

These timelines ensure that students have acquired sufficient foundational knowledge and skills before undertaking their final projects, thus maximising their potential for success and maintaining academic standards.

Responsibilities of the Final Project Module Leader

Title
Rule
Responsibilities of the Final Project Module Leader

The Final Project Module leader on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is responsible for overseeing the module, which begins with the allocation of supervisors. They ensure that supervisors are briefed on their responsibilities to provide effective supervision. The module leader then organises and delivers workshops to support both students and supervisors. They manage the module in accordance with academic regulations and handle summative assessments, including extensions, extenuating circumstances, marking, and external examiner reviews. After assessments are completed, the module leader presents marks to the Module Examination Board and produces the module evaluation report. Additionally, well-defined processes for reporting concerns or issues are established, ensuring that both students and supervisors feel comfortable raising matters without fear of repercussions. Guidelines for addressing conflicts or issues that may arise during the supervision process, including formal complaint procedures, are provided to facilitate resolution. Students can direct any module-related queries to the Final Project Module leader.

This rule ensures that the Final Project Module leader effectively manages all aspects of the module, including supervisor coordination, workshop delivery, and assessment processes. By establishing clear guidelines for conflict resolution, the module leader fosters an environment where students can address issues promptly and transparently. This oversight and communication maintain the quality and integrity of the Final Project Module while providing students with a designated point of contact for any queries, thus enhancing their overall research experience.

Duties and Expectations for Supervisors and Students

Title
Rule
Supervision and Support for Final Project Students

The School ensures that all final project students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, are assigned a primary supervisor with research supervision experience and relevant subject expertise, and may also appoint a secondary supervisor to assist when the primary supervisor is unavailable. Regular supervision meetings are mandatory, during which students present their progress, receive feedback, and discuss any challenges encountered in their research. All interactions must adhere to established ethical standards of supervision, including respect, integrity, transparency, and professionalism. A log system will track these supervision meetings to provide structured accountability and continuity.

This approach guarantees that students receive expert guidance and comprehensive support, fostering a high-quality research environment that enhances their chances of success. Upholding ethical standards in supervisory interactions promotes open communication and trust, while the log system ensures consistent oversight and facilitates timely identification of issues, allowing students to effectively address challenges and advance their research work.
Rule
Student Responsibilities for Effective Research Supervision

Students must review and adhere to the relevant policies and regulations, including those outlined in the Student Charter. This includes preparing thoroughly, attending all scheduled meetings, and complying with assessment regulations, including integrity standards. Students should document and log all meetings with their supervisors, keep the final log updated, and stay in regular contact with their supervisor. They should also apply insights gained from weekly training seminars. If issues arise with supervision, students may contact the Final Project Module leader or Director of Education, or use the School’s complaint procedure.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that students maintain a productive supervisory relationship, comply with academic standards, and effectively progress with their research projects. Regular documentation and communication facilitate continuous support and address any issues promptly, while applying seminar insights enriches the research process.
Rule
Supervisor Responsibilities for Final Project Modules

Supervisors must meet with students at least three times during full-time final project modules, with adjustments for other study modes. They are responsible, alongside the Final Project Module leader, for ensuring adherence to the School’s academic regulations, including research integrity, ethics, and the Intellectual Property Policy. Supervisors should:

  • Provide expert advice on research methods, subject matter, and managing research milestones.
  • Ensure the research is structured and aligned with learning outcomes and academic regulations, utilising meetings and logs to track progress and set appropriate actions.
  • Guide students on accessing resources, facilities, and online materials.
  • Advise on summative assessments, including presentations and artefacts, and ensure compliance with assessment regulations.
  • Collaborate with the Final Project Module leader, Personal Academic Tutor, and Student Success Team to offer pastoral and employability support.
  • Refer students to the Student Resources, Support, and Wellbeing Policy as needed.

Supervisors will receive training through the School’s Staff Induction and Training Plan and may apply for further professional development opportunities relevant to supervision.

This rule ensures that supervisors provide structured, expert guidance and maintain compliance with academic standards and regulations. Regular meetings and documentation track student progress and support, while comprehensive advice and resources help students meet learning outcomes and assessment criteria. The collaborative approach to pastoral and employability support enhances the student experience and ensures well-rounded development.

Final Project Assessments

Title
Rule
Final Project Module Assessments

Final assessments for the Final Project Module are detailed in the Academic Regulations:

  • Artefact: Students must submit an artefact that addresses the problem statement from their final report. A workshop will cover ideation and design of practical solutions using an implementation lifecycle. Formative assessments throughout the programme will provide actionable feedback from self, peers, and staff to guide improvement and foster constructive feedback skills.

  • Presentation: Students are required to deliver a presentation on their artefact, demonstrating their ability to communicate research findings, methodologies, and implications effectively to a varied audience. This presentation will stem from the problem statement in the project proposal and will reflect the practical application of programme tools and techniques. Workshops and additional support will be provided for effective presentation skills, with opportunities for peer and tutor feedback during programme modules.

  • Final Report: Students must submit a final report that evaluates their independent research, critical thinking, and systematic understanding in producing their artefact. The report should showcase originality, proficiency in research methods, and the ability to communicate findings to both specialist and general audiences. Workshops will guide students on preparing, structuring, and submitting their report, with examples of successful and unsuccessful reports provided. Ongoing formative assessments and feedback will be available throughout the programme to support continuous improvement.

These assessments ensure that students demonstrate their research, presentation, and reporting skills effectively. Workshops and feedback mechanisms support students in developing practical solutions, communicating their work, and showcasing their research capabilities. This structured approach aims to enhance students' abilities and provide them with the tools needed for successful final project outcomes.
Rule
Regular Discussions and Support for Final Projects

Students and supervisors must regularly discuss learning outcomes, project milestones, and actions, documenting these in the logs. Students may also seek additional support from their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and module leaders for their projects and assessments. For more details, refer to the Final Masters Project guidelines.

Regular discussions and documentation ensure that students stay on track with their project milestones and learning outcomes. Accessing additional support from PATs and module leaders provides further assistance, contributing to successful project completion and assessment.
Rule
Resit and Resubmission Policy for Final Project Module

If an undergraduate or postgraduate student fails a summative assessment on their final project module, they are allowed only one further attempt. This may involve either a resit or a full module retake, depending on the nature of the failure.

  • Resit: For a resit, the student has 3 months to resubmit their work and is entitled to 2 additional supervision meetings.

This policy ensures that students have a clear and structured opportunity to address their shortcomings and improve their work, while also managing resources and maintaining academic standards.

Fostering a Positive Research Culture:

Title
Rule
Enhancing Research Environment and Support

The School is dedicated to fostering a robust research environment for students. Resources and support provided include:

  • Programme Integration: All programme modules will include significant opportunities for students to gain specialist knowledge and apply various research methods.
  • Presentation and Feedback: Students will present their research and receive feedback from tutors and peers.
  • AI Software: Each module features bespoke AI software based on knowledge graphs, with a dedicated AI platform for the Final Project Module to support research design and application.
  • Training Programme: The Final Project Module includes lectures on research design, management, methods, ethics, and the process for seeking ethics approval.
  • Ethics and Governance: Training on research ethics, integrity, cyber security, and data handling will be provided in line with the Research Ethics and Governance Code of Practice.
  • Intellectual Property: An intellectual property policy will be established to address how student IP is managed.
  • Research Events: Regular research events featuring internal and external experts will be held to expose students to a diverse research environment.
  • Industry Expertise: Industry experts will provide practical insights into the implementation lifecycle and career development.
  • Research Presentations: Students will be invited to present their research for further feedback.
  • Research Clusters and Societies: The School will facilitate research clusters and societies for students and staff to collaborate on shared interests.
  • Meeting Spaces: Dedicated spaces will be available for students to discuss research and organise events.
  • Strategic Alignment: The School aligns with the work of organisations such as BCS, UKRI, Vitae, and UKCRC, incorporating their strategies into its own.

These measures ensure that students are supported through comprehensive resources, expert guidance, and ample opportunities to develop and showcase their research. By integrating advanced tools, providing extensive training, and fostering collaboration, the School aims to enhance the quality and impact of students' research experiences.
Rule
Continuous Improvement

The School commits to regularly reviewing and updating the Research Supervision Code of Conduct based on feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, including students from different backgrounds, to ensure its relevance, comprehensiveness, and inclusivity. Clear accountability measures will be established to address breaches of the code, ensuring that there are consequences for unethical behaviour to uphold the integrity of the research environment.

This commitment to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement ensures that the code remains effective and reflective of the diverse community it serves. By holding individuals accountable for their actions, the School fosters an ethical research culture that promotes trust and integrity among students and supervisors alike.

Metrics and KPIs

The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.

Title
Attendance at Supervision Meetings
Achieve a 95% attendance rate for scheduled supervision meetings by both students and supervisors.
Regular attendance at meetings ensures continuous support and progress monitoring, which is crucial for successful project completion.
Compliance with Research Ethics
100% of students and supervisors must complete mandatory research ethics training within the first month of their project.
Ensuring compliance with research ethics is fundamental to maintaining integrity and quality in research.
Meeting Documentation
Ensure that 100% of supervision meetings are documented, with meeting minutes uploaded to the student’s online log within 48 hours.
Proper documentation of meetings provides a record of progress and agreed actions, which is essential for tracking and accountability.
Student Satisfaction with Supervision
Achieve a minimum satisfaction score of 90% on student surveys regarding the quality and effectiveness of supervision.
High satisfaction scores reflect the effectiveness of supervision and the support provided, which contributes to overall student success.
Timeliness of Supervision Meetings
Ensure 90% of meetings are scheduled and held on time.
Regular and timely meetings are crucial for ongoing support and feedback, directly impacting the student's progress and success.
Policy: Research Supervision Code of Conduct