Dr Akram A. Hosseini
University of Birmingham

In three words or phrases how would you describe your supervision style?

Supportive, organised, goal-driven.

In one or two sentences please describe your strategies regarding the following.

Provision of training:

Your training will be supervised predominantly by my experienced team members, post docs/PhD students.

Progression monitoring and management:

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a daily/weekly basis.

I will set out my expectations of your progression on a weekly/monthly basis. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together.

Communication:

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same.

The team has a WhatsApp group chat with which we regularly communicate during the week and weekends. Whilst I expect you to keep up with my/ team communications I will expect you to manage your work/life balance.

I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

How often do your PhD students see you in a timetabled group meeting?

At least once per week during the Nottingham placement. This may be less frequent after the recruitment is completed.

In year 1 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per fortnight

What form do your 1:1 meetings with PhD students take?

A mixture of face to face or via video chat or telephone.

Open door policy?

Yes, I am usually contactable for an instant response 1 or 2 days per week.

My expectation of PhD student working patterns?

Work in my lab requires being present on site (be it in a laboratory or at a field site) during the core hours of [complete defined hours and days]  (or a subset if working part time).

Notice for feedback (e.g. on reports, manuscript drafts, thesis chapters)?

I need at least 1 month’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.