Dr Amy Naylor
University of Birmingham

Contact Details

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

Supportive, organised, collaborative

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

Provision of training:

Your training will be supervised predominantly by my experienced post docs/PhD students and those within the wider department. This is important because it ensures that you are trained by the people who know the techniques the best, and it widens your contact network and your experience of different working practices from an early stage. Only when I am the expert in the technique will I conduct your lab training.

Progression monitoring and management:

Ultimately the only person who can really drive your PhD is you but I will guide you and keep you on track to succeed throughout. I hope you will find me supportive and understanding as a supervisor, but I have high expectations of what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. I will push you to take as many opportunities as possible to ensure that you come out of your PhD with a strong CV and excellent transferable skills.

I will ensure that we have regular progress meetings and I expect you to come to these well prepared. I expect you to be proactive in seeking out additional supervision and training when you need it.

Communication:

I think it important to set sensible boundaries and I do not, as a rule, answer emails outside of standard office hours or whilst I’m on holiday. I expect the same from the people who work with me. I like to plan ahead and to be given good notice of deadlines. Given this, I don’t take kindly to last minute urgent requests (especially if they are as a result of poor planning) but I will always answer emails within a reasonable timeframe and I prefer my students to do the same.

I have an open door policy and am always happy to respond to queries in person or on the phone as they come up, if I am available. My lab has a WhatsApp group for urgent matters or for anything concerning the whole group. Unless urgent I prefer this chat to be contained within standard office hours.

I take the welfare of my team seriously and I think it important to keep the channels of communication open to discuss anything that is impacting your ability to do your PhD. I will signpost you to additional support or guidance when appropriate. I expect all of the members of my team to support each other and to work together for everyone’s benefit. I am fair and inclusive when it comes to recognition and authorship.

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

At least once per week

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 fortnight

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 month

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 month

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 (if required) on every working day.

My expectation of PhD student working patterns?

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings or if using certain facilities) I expect my students to manage their own time.

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

I need at least 2 weeks’ notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.