Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres Handbook – 2021 - 2022 This handbook provides information regarding the services available to research degree students; the policies that apply during registration; and advice about what to do at key points in the student journey. This handbook has been prepared by the Graduate School and the Business and Online Support Services unit of The Open University. While The Open University has done everything possible to ensure accuracy, the information in this handbook may change during the life of this edition due to changes in regulations or policy or because of financial or other constraints. When regulations and policies are updated, the most current edition will apply to all students irrespective of when they registered, unless special provision is made for particular groups or cohorts of students. The Open University reserves the right to record phone calls with students to make sure that it has carried out any instructions correctly and to help improve services through staff training. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres Handbook 2019 - 2020 Page 1 of 52 Contents Introduction ..........................................................................................................................4 Welcome to research at the The Open University ...............................................................4 How to use this handbook ...................................................................................................5 Online resources ..................................................................................................................5 Research website ...............................................................................................................5 Graduate School Network (GSN) ........................................................................................5 Part 1 Research degrees at The Open University ...........................................................6 1.1 The Open University .................................................................................................6 1.2 Equality and diversity ...............................................................................................7 1.3 Research degree qualifications ................................................................................8 1.4 The Affiliated Research Centre (ARC) programme .................................................10 1.5 Organisational structure for supporting research students ......................................12 1.6 What a student should do if they need help ...........................................................13 1.7 Administrative arrangements ..................................................................................14 Part 2 Essential information ...........................................................................................15 2.1 University regulations, policies and codes of practice .............................................15 2.2 Prevent principles ...................................................................................................18 2.3 International Students ............................................................................................19 2.4 Fees .......................................................................................................................20 2.5 Information .............................................................................................................24 Part 3 Studying for a research degree ...........................................................................24 3.1 Key milestones .......................................................................................................24 3.2 Induction ................................................................................................................25 3.3 Supervision ............................................................................................................25 3.4 Third-party monitoring ............................................................................................26 3.5 Upgrade assessment .............................................................................................26 Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 2 of 52 3.6 Progress monitoring ...............................................................................................28 3.7 Examination ...........................................................................................................28 3.8 Degree ceremonies ................................................................................................30 3.9 Directory of graduates ............................................................................................31 Part 4 Facilities and services .........................................................................................31 4.1 The Graduate School .............................................................................................31 4.2 Research facilities ..................................................................................................32 4.3 Library facilities ......................................................................................................32 4.4 Computers..............................................................................................................34 4.5 Statistics Advisory Service .....................................................................................35 4.6 Health and safety ...................................................................................................35 4.7 Ethics review ..........................................................................................................36 4.8 Indemnity insurance ...............................................................................................37 4.9 Studying with a disability or additional need ...........................................................37 4.10 Professional development as a researcher .............................................................37 4.11 Participating in Open University life ........................................................................39 Part 5 Research degree appeals and complaints procedures .....................................43 5.1 Administrative appeals ...........................................................................................43 5.2 Academic appeals ..................................................................................................44 5.3 Complaints .............................................................................................................44 5.4 Sources of advice ...................................................................................................45 5.5 Other policies and statements ................................................................................46 5.6 The Open University’s Research Degrees Supervision Policy ................................46 Part 6 Contact details......................................................................................................50 Research Enterprise and Scholarship Unit ........................................................................50 Other areas of the University ............................................................................................51 Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 3 of 52 Introduction Welcome to research at the The Open University The Open University’s mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. This is reflected in its research which has the same openness and global reach. The research community comprises nearly 1,000 postgraduate research students, at the state-of- the art research facilities on campus in Milton Keynes, offsite, or working in the University’s Affiliated Research Centres (ARCs) around the world. 161 students were awarded research degrees by The Open University in the academic year 2019 - 2020. Our innovative research and development ranks in the top third of all UK universities and research influences national and international policy and practice, and enriches the lives of ordinary people around the world. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, 72 percent of all Open University research submitted was graded as internationally excellent or world leading. In music, 94 percent of research was assessed as internationally excellent and above, ranking it 8th in the UK in its field. The REF assessment of research impact on society has shown that our research makes a substantial contribution to the economy, policy making and quality of life in the UK and across the globe. Examples of these outstanding impacts: • Space researchers built the instrument Ptolemy, part of the Philae lander, which landed on comet 67P in November 2014. • Research on the climate fauna at the earth’s poles was used for the BBC TV programme, Frozen Planet, which was watched by over 10.8 million viewers per episode. • Research into design of sustainable growth is influencing the development of transport technologies and systems in Milton Keynes. • Innovation research has influenced government policies on the pharmaceutical industry in several African countries. • Research by the Institute of Social Marketing on alcohol marketing led the British Medical Association to call for a ban on alcohol advertising and the introduction of minimum alcohol prices. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 4 of 52 The Open University aims to ensure that its research continues to be recognised for excellence and impact, delivering substantial benefits to the University’s mission and priorities. The aims of the Open University’s Research Plan, ‘Research Shaping the Future’, are to: • Ensure that our research transforms lives by meeting the challenges of the twenty- first century and promotes social justice. • Improve our national ranking in the next Research Excellence Framework. • Achieve global influence for research through open and innovative forms of knowledge sharing, supporting by digital technologies. • Continue to use our research to inform our curriculum and underpin an outstanding learning experience for all students. • Support, develop and value the research community in a sustainable environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. How to use this handbook This handbook should be read together with the Conditions of Registration for PGR Students and the Research Degree Regulations prior to registration and subsequently referred to throughout registration. Upon acceptance of an offer of registration, students will be bound by the Conditions of Registration for PGR Students, the Research Degree Regulations and relevant policies on the Forms and Guidance section of the Graduate School Network website. Online resources Research website A wealth of information about the University, the research degrees programmes, and student registration can be found online. Please visit the Graduate School Network. Graduate School Network (GSN) The Graduate School Network is the gateway to online training and development resources. Online training resources that support student development are available on the GSN. All of the University’s forms, guidance, policies, statements and regulations can also be found on this website. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 5 of 52 Part 1 Research degrees at The Open University 1.1 The Open University The Open University is a world leader in modern distance learning, the pioneer of teaching and learning methods that enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying at times and in places to suit them. It promotes educational opportunity and social justice by providing high quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Through academic research, pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnership the University is world leader in the design, content and delivery of supported open learning. The University’s central headquarters is at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, and it has 4 faculty- aligned Student Recruitment and Support Centres (SRSCs) and national centres located in Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Over 1000 full-time academic and research staff are employed by the University, the majority of whom are based at Walton Hall which is the administrative and operational centre of the University and where most of the research is undertaken. The University has 19 Affiliated Research Centres around the world, within which approximately 230 students are engaged in research degree studies. The Open University Graduate School launched in October 2016, and is a focal point for research degree community support, facilitates the development of research degree community networks, partnerships and training pathways to support an open, engaged and digitally literate research student community. It promotes wellbeing and personal development and widening access to postgraduate opportunities. Research degree policies, regulations and services for research students are reviewed annually and are aligned with the Quality Code for Higher Education. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 6 of 52 1.2 Equality and diversity For more than 40 years, The Open University has been promoting social justice and equality of opportunity which is core to our mission and is as important today as it was when The Open University was founded. The Open University is creating an inclusive university community and a society, where: • people are treated with dignity and respect • inequalities are challenged • it anticipates and responds positively to different needs and circumstances. The Open University’s equality and diversity principles 1. The Open University values diversity and recognises that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. 2. The Open University believes that discrimination or exclusion based on individual characteristics and circumstances such as age; disability; caring or dependency responsibilities; gender or gender identity; marriage and civil partnership status; political opinion; pregnancy and maternity; race, colour, caste, nationality, ethnic or national origin; religion or belief; sexual orientation; socio-economic background; trade union membership status or other distinctions, represents a waste of talent and a denial of opportunity for self-fulfilment. 3. It is recognised that patterns of under representation and differences in outcomes at The Open University can be challenged through positive action programmes. 4. The Open University respects the rights of individuals, including the right to hold different views and beliefs. The Open University will not allow these differences to be manifested in a way that is hostile or degrading to others. 5. The Open University expects commitment and involvement from all its staff, students, partners and providers of goods and services in working towards the achievement of its vision. For further details about equality and diversity at The Open University, including its Equality Schemes, please visit the Equality and Diversity website. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 7 of 52 Student responsibilities Students should: • treat all members of the University community with dignity and respect for their rights and beliefs • challenge or report incidents of discrimination and bullying • respond positively and inclusively to individual differences. For help or advice with an issue relating to equality and diversity, contact the Graduate School in the first instance. The Research Degree Student Administrators will be pleased to help, and all enquiries will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Equality and diversity policy enquiries may also be addressed to The Open University Equality and Diversity office (email: [email protected]). The office offers general information and guidance on University equality and diversity policy. However, it cannot normally take an active part in issues of an individual nature concerning cases involving staff or students where these are being handled by existing institutional complaints, appeals or grievance processes. 1.3 Research degree qualifications The University awards three higher degrees by research: • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (full or part-time) • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (full or part-time) • Professional Doctorate e.g. Doctorate in Education (EdD) (part-time) and Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) (part-time). MPhil For the Master of Philosophy a student must undertake a research programme leading to the submission of a thesis that is a distinct contribution to scholarship in the field. It needs to include a critical review of the literature and provide evidence of research ability. In order to be awarded the degree students must demonstrate that they have met the expectations for the Master of Philosophy degree as specified in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (see Appendix 1A of the Research Degree Regulations). Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 8 of 52 PhD A thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy must be a significant contribution to knowledge, worthy of publication and demonstrate the ability of the candidate to undertake further research without supervision. In order to be awarded the degree students must demonstrate that they have met the expectations for the Doctor of Philosophy degree as specified in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (see Appendix 1B of the Research Degree Regulations). The Open University also offers the opportunity for a staff members to undertake a PhD by Published work. This is a separate degree pathway and any staff member intending to submit a portfolio of published works for consideration by the examiners must be registered on this degree pathway from the start. Students registered on the MPhil/PhD pathway may include published work as appendices but cannot submit published work in lieu of thesis chapters. The entrance requirements for all research degrees can be found in the Research Degree Regulations. Professional Doctorate Professional doctorates are work-based programmes and studied part time. They offer you the chance to enhance your professional career to doctoral level enabling you to make a unique contribution to your profession, while continuing to work and progress in your field. Professional doctorates aim to equip practitioners with the research skills, expertise and confidence to advance their practice and become champions of change within their areas of professional practice. The programmes promote the creation and interpretation of new professional knowledge and practice, contributing to the development of new ideas, methods or approaches. A Professional Doctorate may be awarded to a candidate who has demonstrated, through the presentation and defence of a thesis, to the satisfaction of the examiners, that the expectations outlined in Appendix 1B of the Research Degree Regulations have been met. Taking another research degree If a student has been awarded one research degree and wants to take another, they must reapply for admission to the University. The second research programme may build on the work from the first thesis, but the submission for the qualification must contain entirely new material. Clearly indicated references to the contents of the first thesis are permitted. Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres handbook 2021 - 2022 Page 9 of 52 1.4 The Affiliated Research Centre (ARC) programme The ARC Programme enables leading research institutes who do not have their own degree awarding powers, to provide doctoral training with the support of The Open University. ARCs may register students across the full range of areas of The Open University academic excellence for a UK postgraduate research degree. Standards The Open University will ensure that the research degrees awarded to students at ARCs are consistent and comparable in standard with similar degrees throughout higher education in the United Kingdom in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Code for Higher Education. The University conditions Full-time and part-time students may undertake an Open University research degree at an ARC that has met the conditions set by the University, which are available on request. The University needs to be satisfied that the research environment of an ARC is a suitable one in which to undertake research leading to a research degree. Formal agreement Approved ARCs have entered into a formal agreement with The Open University. In the agreement the organisation has confirmed that it accepts responsibility for: • the general arrangements under which each student’s research is carried out, including arrangements for academic supervision and the provision of adequate facilities and training to enable the student to conduct and complete the research programme efficiently and safely • proposing examination arrangements to the University for approval • the conduct of examinations. The agreement requires ARCs to undergo periodic reviews, and to produce an annual report. 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