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I'm sure Peter will respond; however, in the meantime, you'll find an overview of the Interviewer software on our web site http://www.brad.ac.uk/educational-development/technology-enhanced-learning/i nterviewer/ Ruth Whitfield Learning Architect: http://bit.ly/9xIRGP Outduction Project Officer: http://www.outduction.ac.uk/ PASS Project Manager: http://www.pass.brad.ac.uk/ Centre for Educational Development, Academic Development Unit, University of Bradford, BRADFORD, BD7 1DP Tel: 01274-233336 -----Original Message----- From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Race, Phil Sent: 20 February 2012 7:29 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... Great discussion. My own doctorate (on interfacial electochemical kinetics and thermodymamics) is well past its 'use-by' date, and I also have FSEDA (started but never finished). However, I noticed Peter's email about software to give one a viva. As someone who gets asked reasonably often to be external for PhDs (am I too soft?), I wouldn't mind a play with the software to see if my viva technique is OK. cheers, Phil ___________________________________________ Professor Phil Race Main email: [log in to unmask] Website: http://www.phil-race.co.uk/ ___________________________________________ ________________________________________ From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Macdonald, Ranald F [[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 February 2012 14:12 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... Hi, Bland I'm interested in your comment on the SEDA Fellowship. Over the last couple of years I led an initiative to re-vamp the Fellowship to reduce the bureaucratic perception as it was obvious that quite a number of people who we would have expected to have undertaken the Fellowship were not doing so. We don't feel that the process is any less rigorous but that it better meets the needs and expertise of those applying for it. We are also currently reviewing the CPD element of the Fellowships to ensure that it is fit for purpose. So, it is worth you looking at the new scheme on the SEDA website - http://www.seda.ac.uk/fellowships.html - and, if you are interested, contacting Shân Wareing as she is the Fellowships Co-ordinator. Best wishes Ranald Professor Ranald Macdonald SFSEDA, FHEA, NTF Emeritus Professor of Academic Development, Sheffield Hallam University Higher Education Consultant +44 (0)1629 734307 or 07900 213800 (mobile) [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> and: www.ranald.pbworks.com<http://www.ranald.pbworks.com/> ________________________________ From: Online forum for SEDA, the Staff & Educational Development Association [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of BLAND TOMKINSON [[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 February 2012 13:47 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... Yes, I have considered a Doctorate, several times, and even applied for a studentship when I "retired". My big problem has always been the view from above that I shouldn't pursue this route because I could not then supervise PhDs whilst I did it. This has largely proved to be an overstatement as I only managed one supervision, and two doctoral examinerships, in the whole time during which I could have forged ahead - though I am now co-supervising the person who did get the studentship for which I applied! I think that a suitable doctoral programme can provide a good framework for professional development - I have given up on my FSEDA, I can't be doing with all the bureaucracy. I am still not too old to start a PhD, but I am not sure that I want to belong to a club that would have me as a member... Seriously, though, there can be a conflict of interests if you want to pursue a doctorate but might somehow be involved in supervising/examining them. ________________________________ From: Gwen M. van der Velden <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tuesday, 14 February 2012, 15:25 Subject: If you ever considered doing a doctorate.... Dear colleagues, If you ever considered doing a doctorate and didn’t get round to it ‘first time’ (like me), then maybe you’re interested in a professional doctorate like the one I am taking at the moment. If not, I am sorry to have filled up your mailbox… Mine is a research doctorate in International Higher Education Management, offered at the University of Bath (yes, that’s my own institution, but I’m no less critical, not to worry). In brief, it consists of four residentials in the first phase, each with their own research assignment to follow and then a full thesis, just like you would produce for a PhD. The big advantage of not going for the individual PhD route, but taking this type of doctorate is that you meet a group of fellow students from universities all over the world, and you build up a study network that keeps you going, inspires you and challenges you to do better than you thought you could. But you also learn how to write at publication level, even before you start on your thesis. By the time you start, you should be well prepared for ‘the real thing’. Your fourth assignment is your research methodology and so you will have lots of help and assurances on that aspect before you start collecting data. In my case, I am now a year an a half into the programme. Working on finalising assignment three, I have just had my first assignment accepted for publication in an international journal (Higher Education Quarterly). The wider research and reading I’ve done so far on student engagement and organisational cultures has also helped inform the talks and seminars I am giving in a few universities and at conferences, and the stronger research underpinning is well received. I have also made professional and personal friends in countries across the world and this has led to new insights into how universities could be organised that I would never have had otherwise. Incredibly useful for my day to day work. In my year group there are 22 HE managers studying on the programme, from 19 different countries. And that is not unusual, it seems. The whole experience so far, has been ‘brain candy’ as one of my Canadian fellow students descries it. This Saturday, five of us met online to catch up on our study progress, and this is how we all keep on track with our studies. I am not writing this out of any other interest than encouraging perhaps just one or two of you, to give a doctorate a go, no matter where you are in your career. I can honestly say, it is absolutely worth it. To be fair, you may also want to have a look at alternatives, such as the Doctorate at the Institute of Education which I know some colleagues are also quite happy with. I guess there are others as well, but I’m afraid I like the Bath one so much, I didn’t look that far! If you are interested, have a look at the brochure the programme team has just released: http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/dba/ . Also, feel free to drop me a line if you want to hear more about my own experiences, or talk to me at any next event we might both be at, but keep in mind, I’m still going, who knows what I’ll say when I reach the other end of the course? Best wishes, Gwen van der Velden Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office Wessex House 5.38 University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY t: 01225 383775 m: 07891 790105 e: [log in to unmask] w: www.bath.ac.uk/learningandteaching<http://www.bath.ac.uk/learningandteaching > [cid:1.2703715180@web87208.mail.ird.yahoo.com] To view the terms under which this email is distributed, please go to http://disclaimer.leedsmet.ac.uk/email.htm