Research Environment for International Postgraduate Research Students (REFIRS)

1. Research Environment for International Postgraduate Research Students (REFIRS) Dr Linda Hui Yang & Dr Lowry McComb Centre for Academic and Researcher Development Miss Helen HanLaw School 3 Dec 2013 Global Citizenship SeminarUstinov College, Durham University

2. Summary • Background • Research Environment for International Postgraduate Research Students (REFIRS) Project • Key findings • Q&A

3. Background: 2003-2013 • Number of international students has more than doubledin the UK • Proportion of full-time international postgraduate research students (PGRs) increased from 34% to 50.3% • International PGRs’ experiences are under-researched

4. Background: previous studies • Supervisor/supervision • Access to research cultures • Academic & cultural transition • Integration with UK students • Etc.

5. Aims of REFIRS Project • An evaluation of the extent to which various different research environments meet international PGRs’expectations and needs; • Recommendations forbest practice for ensuring research environments are suitable for international PGRs; • A methodologywhich is applicable to other institutions wishing to evaluate their research environments.

6. Research Method: Participatory approach • Co-enquirersFinal-stage international full-time PGRsEast Asia and Middle East regionsAll three faculties • Qualitative data collectionSemi-structured interviewsFocus Group • Thematic data analysis

7. REFIRS Project • HEA-funded • One-year • Case study (Durham)

8. Durham Student Profile • Summary • 12,087 Undergraduate Students . • 3,028 Taught Postgraduate Students. • 1,548 Research Postgraduate Students (PGRs). • 15,273 Total Student Numbers. • PGRs • FT PGRs. • 407 PT PGRs.48% of total FT PGRs are from outside the UK.60% of total PT PGRs are from outside the UK.

9. MREEMethodology for Research Environment Evaluation

10. Supervisor • Internal PGRs & staff • External PGR & academics • Research • Language • Publication • Teaching • Funding application • Transferable skills • Emotional • Mental health • Staff in department • PGRs with families • Office & social space • Library • Computing support • Technical support • Equipment necessary for research • Application of research & skills • Career in academia and industry • Support for Ovs PGRs • Employment-related skills

11. Research Community

12. Research Community • SupervisorRegular meetings; prompt and constructive feedback; tailored supervision; contact point for networking; employment and career; emotional support; monitoring progress; prompt arrangement of new supervisor.

13. Research Community • Internal PGRs and staffFeedback on research; belonging to active research group; interactions with senior PGRs; integration with UK PGRs; opportunities to interact with PGRs (different research area & disciplines); support for interdisciplinary PGRs; suitable working/social space.

14. Research Community • External PGRs and academicsAccess to completed research projects by external PGRs; external researchers; regional/international research community & collaboration; financial support.

15. Knowledge and skills • Research skillsSubject/discipline-specific training; management of supervisor(s)/supervision; identifying and addressing training needs; • LanguageAdvanced-academic writing; subject-specific terminology; foreign language which is essential for research; speaking skills;

16. Knowledge and skills • PublicationSubject-specific support for publication; journal rankings; • TeachingEqual teaching opportunities; support for teaching(culturally specific needs; diversified classroom);

17. Knowledge and skills • Funding applications;More opportunities; support on making funding applications; • Transferable skillsPopular courses; awareness of transferable skills; skills for cultural and academic transition.

18. Employment and Career • Application of research skillsCareer choices (own research field and broader context); subject-specific & generic research skills. • Career paths in academic and industry in the global contextInterests & choices; beginning of PhD programme.

19. Employment and Career • Application of research in non-academic contextApplication in non-academic context & benefits to the society. • Support addressing the international PGRs’ needsCompetitive advantages; UK and own context; visa. • Employment-related skillsIdentifying skills; how to improve; job-application.

20. Facilities • Office and social spaceOffice (own PC, bit of privacy); social area (tea break; fridge, microwave;chair/sofa). • LibraryHot drinks; good collection of references; longer opening hours. • Computing supportPC quality; prompt response & assistance

21. Facilities • Technical supportPrompt, advanced & professional support; designated technicians. • Equipment necessary for researchFree (printing, photocopy, DDS stickers, data analysis software).

22. Pastoral Support • Emotional supportSupervisors; friends from same country • Support on mental healthStress (friends); Counseling service?; Nightline?

23. Pastoral Support • Support from staff in departmentSupport mechanism in department (noticing); friends, supervisor; • Support for PGRs with familiesPGRs (work and family); family (cultural transition; language; school; social activities).

24. Yang, H L & McComb, L (2013) Research Environment • For International Research Students Project Report. • DurhamUniversity, UK.