Professor Mike Hannon
University of Birmingham

Contact Details

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Who is your scientific inspiration and why?

Professor Jean-Marie Lehn (Nobel laureate) from Strasbourg because he combines vision and foresight with excellence science.

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

Collaborative; close-contact and guidance; career-development

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

Provision of training:

I will work with you to define your training plan at each stage of your project, and identify the key techniques you need to become skilled in with support from experienced researchers in my team or our collaborating teams to gain those hands-on technical skills. As you progress I expect you to become confident to suggest new methods and approaches and to network effectively with other research groups across different disciplines to achieve your project goals

Progression monitoring and management:

I will expect to see your results on a weekly basis, and will hold formalised monthly project review meetings. But I like to be kept up to date, with day-to-day updates when you have exciting results or need help troubleshooting.

Communication:

In my group we use a combination of verbal face-to-face or zoom discussions (individual and group) and on-line group chat discussions to discuss and share results and ideas.

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 month

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), 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.