Wednesday 9 October 2024
Induction session for Part II students
11am–12noon, Seminar Room 2 Staffan Müller-Wille (Part II Manager)
Welcome to the HPS research community
2–3pm, Botany Building Large Lecture Theatre (Downing Site)
Hasok Chang (Head of Department), Francesca Anthony (Departmental Administrator) and Nick Hopwood (Director of Postgraduate Education)
This is a general introductory meeting for new PhD students, HPSM MPhil, HMS MPhil and Part III students, new postdocs and academic staff, visiting students and visiting scholars. It will include information about the Whipple Museum and Whipple Library.
Induction session for new and visiting PhD students and new PhD supervisors
3–5pm, Board Room
Nick Hopwood (Director of Postgraduate Education) and Marta Halina (Postgraduate Training Officer)
In the first half, the Director of Postgraduate Education (Nick Hopwood) will explain the basic structure of the PhD programme (including the annual reviews and the log book), give advice on how to establish a working routine with the supervisor, and explain the support structures in the Department, the School and the University.
In the second half, the Postgraduate Training Officer (Marta Halina) will provide advice on how to start researching for your PhD project and how to build the background knowledge and expertise to support that research. This will include a detailed introduction to the rest of the postgraduate and postdoc training programme, and other ongoing teaching, research and training programmes in the Department and elsewhere in the University.
Induction session for HMS MPhil students
3–4pm, Seminar Room 1
Philippa Carter (HMS MPhil Manager) and Sophia Syddall (HMS MPhil Administrator)
The purpose of this session is to allow students to meet each other and some of the staff they will encounter during the year, as well as to provide orientation regarding the course.
Induction session for HPSM MPhil & Part III students (Joint)
3–4pm, Seminar Room 2
Anna Alexandrova and Charu Singh (HPSM MPhil Managers)
Basic course structure and routines will be explained, and initial guidance will be given on how to get on with the first essay: choosing a topic, choosing and working with a supervisor, doing the research, and writing. Initial advice will also be given for those who are interested in applying for a PhD in Cambridge or elsewhere, to be followed up by an hour-long advice session later in the term. A brief introduction to the rest of the postgraduate and postdoc training programme will also be given. (This induction session will be followed, at a later date, by individual meetings with the MPhil Managers. Later in the year, look out for the advice session on dissertation-writing.)
Further Induction session for HPSM Students
4–5pm in Seminar Room 2
Anna Alexandrova and Charu Singh (HPSM MPhil Managers)
Induction session for HPSM Students only, following on from the joint session.
Further Induction session for Part III students
4–5pm in Seminar Room 1
Richard Staley (Part III Manager)
Induction session for Part III Students only, following on from the joint session.
Friday 11 October 2024
Induction session for continuing PhD students and postdocs
1.30–2.30pm, Seminar Room 2
Marta Halina (Postgraduate Training Officer)
This induction is for continuing PhD students and postdocs. You've got a PhD to finish, Department life to participate in, and a future to think about. How do you juggle all your balls and make the best of your time? We will provide a broad range of guidance on managing the mid-stage of the PhD and maintaining the momentum of research and writing. Some preliminary advice will be given on aspects of career development, such as the building-up of teaching experience, giving a research talk, and how to make the most of conferences. We will also touch on managing the final stage of the PhD, the process of applying for academic jobs or developing non-academic career paths, and applying for research grants.