PhD in Art and Design Research Programmes – Ulster University

Please note at this point, the work to date is formatively considered. This means the panel (comprised of supervisors and PGT) will evaluate the progress of your work during your project, monitor the learning process, help improve the researcher’s learning and ensure the rigour of the research, thus preparing them for the ‘writing up’ phase of PhD.

For their final assessment researchers can choose between the following:

• a 15-minute presentation + 15 minutes Q&A in the 1st semester of 3rd year. This will be presented as part of the seminar series with an audience of peers & supervisors. An abstract, should be sent to your supervisors one week prior to your presentation.
• an article on an aspect of your PhD research, to be published in the Faculty’s postgraduate journal, Intersections.This should be sent to your supervisors in advance for feedback.
• A public form of dissemination; that could include an exhibition, a conference paper, a talk/lecture, an article.

The former option should detail the nuts & bolts of your PhD, while the latter options are the PhD scholarship applied and disseminated.

Content and Procedure

The following describes the content and procedure for the Final Assessment within the Belfast School of Art.

1. You should begin the Final Assessment process through PhD Manager. This will allow for the assessment to be made by your supervisors. For the presentation option, you should consider the inclusion of:
   • A review of the original research plan outlined in Confirmation Assessment. Including a discussion on whether this has been completed, to what extent and why this is the case
   • A thesis structure – highlighting key headings and knowledge contributions for each section
   • A submission timeline- planning what work still needs to be completed when you will begin
   • writing of your thesis, when your supervisors will receive a first draft and when you should receive feedback. This should also include a realistic submission date for the final thesis
   • We encourage those researchers with a practice-based project to bring (where practicable) art/design work to the presentation

For the latter options, you should consider:

• In discussion with supervisors, the approach and content to the article
• The article could review your whole project or a focused aspect of your research
• The article should be sent in advance to supervisors for feedback before submission to the journal

1. Researchers should aim to submit an abstract to your supervisors, (for those doing the presentation: at least one week in advance of your presentation).
2. Following the assessment of these materials, the Supervisor will provide some comments/ feedback through PhD Manager. This should include:
   • A description on the current state of the writing-up. Comment on how far is the student from completion and if the current plan/timetable is feasible?
   • Are there any developments that are cause for concern?
   • Is any particular action needed to ensure a timely completion?
   • Any other comments, on student or supervision?

These comments will normally be shown to the student and discussed with the student by the supervisor.

3. Once submitted by the supervisor, this assessment will be passed to the Research Director for final approval through PhD Manager.

Any questions regarding this assessment should be discussed with your supervisors or the Postgraduate Tutor. See ‘Guides’ on PhD Manager for a step by step guide through the process.