Action Plan in response to 2021 Postgraduate Research Student Survey

School of Law

Results

Developed in Consultation with the PGR Student Representatives, Vice Dean of Grad Studies, Head of School, and PhD Programme Lead in the School of Law.

Research Infrastructure and Facilities

Issues: The School of Law received feedback that there is a need for better infrastructure and
facilities for PGR students.

Action Points:
• Communication with supervisors regarding their responsibility to ensure that their PGR students have appropriate facilities for their work.
• Communication with supervisors regarding their responsibility to ensure that their PGR students have access to storage space, especially for confidential information.
• Continue acquiring e-books in the library.

Supervision

Issues: The School of Law has low rates of co-supervision across multiple supervisors. There
is much less co-supervision and interdisciplinary supervision than other Schools across NUIG.

Action Points:
• Encourage co-supervision - including across disciplines, in order to potentially facilitate increased exchange of expertise and skills among supervisors and to work towards the creation of a supportive supervisory team with diverse knowledge, experience, and connections.

Research Culture

Issues: The School of Law received quite positive feedback on seminar programs. It also received positive feedback on research ambiance. There was an indication that there is a need for more opportunities for PhD students to discuss their research with peers. In addition, there was an indication that there is a need for more opportunities for students to become involved in wider research community of the School.

Action Points:
• New PhD Conversations seminar series co-hosted with the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies (CASSCS).
• New Doctoral Seminar for collaboration with students from other Irish Universities – focused on general school of law PhDs.

Progress and Assessment

Issues: The School of Law received, overall, positive feedback on progress and assessment.
However, there was some concern regarding an appropriate induction/orientation.

Action Points:
• Update induction videos and information online – including information on:
o Who does what?
o Where can I find things? People?
o What do I do when I want to travel?

Research Skills

Issues: Need for additional training on Agresso.

Action Points:
• Highlight Agresso guides/training.

Other Transferrable Skills

Issues: The School of Law received quite positive feedback, overall – the School could work on increasing networking opportunities for students.

Action Points:
• Email to supervisors to remind them to ask students to attend networking events.
• Research Development Centre intro to their services.
• New research fund for PGRs.
• New visiting scholars programme.

Responsibilities and Support/Personal Outlook

Issues: The School of Law received quite positive feedback overall - however, there is a need
to do significant work on making students aware of supports available.

Action Points:
• Email to PGRs with resources.
• More information available on website.
• New PhD Conversations Series and other new seminar series to promote social connections.
• Regular coffee catch-ups – when permitted.
• Accountability catch-ups (organised by students).

Development Opportunities

Issues: Development opportunities could be improved. The School of Law has lower scores than the wider university for opportunities for attending conferences. The School of Law could also improve on supporting PGRs with publications and communicating research. In addition, the School has very low scores regarding industry collaboration. The School’s could also improve on PRG time spent abroad.

Action Points:
• Greater engagement with the Research Development Office.
• New research fund for PGRs