Feedback, attainment and underperformance in higher education (Deakin Starting)
Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements
Duration: Full-Time – between three and three and a half years fixed term
Application deadline: 29 April 2024
Interview date: Will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates
Start date: September 2024
For further details contact: Siân Alsop
Introduction
This is an exciting opportunity to study a PhD as part of a cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The PhD Student will graduate with two PhDs, one from Deakin University and one from Coventry University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program.
The successful applicant will spend the 1st year at Deakin University and the following year at Coventry University and then the final 1.5 years at Deakin University.
Project details
Feedback processes are a key driver of learning and attainment in higher education, but there is a suggestion that feedback mostly benefits self-regulating and highly performing students.
A recent review identified that students’ prior level of achievement influences their engagement with feedback leading them to take up feedback opportunities differently. Who is able to elicit feedback and seek teacher support varies through any number of student characteristics and local circumstances. Feedback information may be worded differently for lower rather higher scoring papers. Significant questions remain around the intersections of feedback and performance. How and with what sort of inputs and processes students engage (or do not engage) is poorly understood, especially for those who have low outcomes.
Making better sense of feedback practices from the student perspective will support the design of feedback systems that engage students and develop their evaluative judgment. Applicants should propose a specific focus within the research scope outlined here depending on their own interests.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Candidate specification
Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme.
- Applicants should have graduated within the top 15% of their undergraduate cohort. This might include a high 2:1 in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark (80% for Australian graduates) in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average (80% for Australian graduates).
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field requiring at least four years of full-time study, and which normally includes a research component which is equivalent to at least 25% of a year’s full-time study in the fourth year, with achievement of a grade for the project equivalent to a H1 standard or 80%
OR
- A Masters degree, with a significant research component, in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Distinction.
• In addition, the mark for the Masters thesis (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 80%. - Please note that where a candidate has 70-79% and can provide evidence of research experience to meet equivalency to the minimum first-class honours equivalent (80%+) additional evidence can be submitted and may include independently peer-reviewed publications, research-related awards or prizes and/or professional reports.
- Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact Siân Alsop
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
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