Dr Bridget Penman
University of Warwick

Contact Details

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Who is your scientific inspiration and why?

Alice Stewart, who (among other achievements) discovered the risks of x ray exposure to unborn children.

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

Supportive, collaborative, student-centred.

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

Provision of training:

I will work closely with you to develop your project and help your research progress. At first I will offer plenty of direct guidance as required (e.g. helping you develop code); later on we will be collaborating, but you will be researching independently.

Progression monitoring and management:

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of what you have been working on from week to week. However, I expect you to keep track of your own upcoming deadlines. I will support you by providing timely feedback for reports, manuscripts etc – but I prefer for you to take the initiative in asking me for this feedback, rather than me chase you up about an upcoming deadline.

Communication:

If there is anything that is affecting your work, or anything that is concerning you, be it research related or otherwise, please do discuss it with me and I will do my very best to help or point you in the direction of who can help.

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, or expect responses outside of your normal pattern of working hours.

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

At least once per fortnight

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 month

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

A mixture of face to face or via video chat or telephone, according to individual circumstances and preferences .

Open door policy?

Yes, I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 days per week.

My expectation of PhD student working patterns?

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

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

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