Follow-up group

Follow-up group

• Follows the progress of the research and studies in relation to the Doctoral Training Plan.
• Supports the progress of the doctoral researcher in their studies and career plans.
• Gives constructive feedback on the research and studies.
• Monitors that the training environment and supervision of the doctoral researcher are sufficient in the context of the announced plans.
• Evaluates the Doctoral Training Plan and recommends the acceptance of it.

Requirements for the follow-up group composition and members:

1. At least two doctor-level members that know the field of the doctoral thesis, of which one is appointed as a chair.
2. There can also be a third member in follow-up group. They should preferably be at least a doctor-level member but may also be a master-level expert from outside the University with a strong knowledge of the field in a non-academic context (e.g. industry, government, etc.).
3. At least one of the members is from the University of Oulu (has a work contract or is a docent).
4. Follow-up group members:

• may not be directly connected to the research, or to the doctoral researcher
• may not have joint publications with the doctoral researcher
• may not be close persons to the doctoral researcher or supervisors persons (Administrative Procedure Act 28 §)

5. Supervisors cannot be members of the follow-up group. However, when expressly invited by the doctoral researcher, they may attend a meeting.

• In the first follow-up meeting the doctoral researcher presents their Doctoral Training Plan and a summary of the goals for the following year.
• The meeting should be scheduled for the first year of doctoral training.
• The doctoral researcher submits the Doctoral Training Plan (accepted by the supervisors) and other needed materials to the follow-up group members before the meeting.
• The Doctoral Training Plan consists of a research plan that is made according to the practices in the field, a Study Plan (PSP), and a Career Plan. The PSP is planned in Peppi, and doctoral researcher presents the planned studies to the follow-up group.
• The follow-up group gives feedback on the plans and gives possible suggestions for corrections. This meeting is important for training in how to write a research plan, which is an important skill for research-oriented careers. To aid the development of this skill, the follow-up group plays the role of an expert panel responsible for the evaluation of research funding applications. The aim is to train the doctoral researcher to become skilled in applying for funding.
• The Doctoral Training Plan is formally accepted in the Graduate School after follow-up group's recommendation and the doctoral researcher will receive 3 credits for 920012J Doctoral Training Plan in the study register.

• The second follow-up meeting is arranged halfway through the doctoral training.
• The meeting has a role in analysing and solving possible problems.
• Before the meeting, the doctoral researcher submits all the needed material, a possible updated version of their Doctoral Training Plan and a progress report (accepted by the supervisors) to the follow-up group members.
• During the meeting, the doctoral researcher presents their progress and the key results of the research during the past year, the current status of the articles and/or the thesis manuscript, the goals for the following year, and any possible changes made to the Doctoral Training Plan.
• The doctoral researcher should also report how they have taken into account the recommendations that the follow-up group gave in the previous meeting.
• If the doctoral training has not reached the midpoint relative to the plans, some corrective actions are recommended, and a new meeting is scheduled later to check on the progress.
• If the follow-up group agrees that the doctoral training has reached the halfway point, the doctoral researcher can be given a mark in the study register: 920014J Midterm Report of Doctoral Training, 0 credits.

• A final follow-up meeting is arranged approx. one year before the defence

• Before the meeting, the doctoral researcher submits all the needed material, the possible updated version of their Doctoral Training Plan and a progress report (accepted by the supervisors) to the follow-up group members.
• During the meeting, the doctoral researcher presents their progress and the key results of the research during the past year, the current status of the articles and/or the thesis manuscript, the goals for the following year, any possible changes made to the Doctoral Training Plan, a plan for finishing the degree, and the career plans after graduation.
• The doctoral researcher should also report how they have taken into account the recommendations that the follow-up group gave in the previous meeting.
• In the feedback the follow-up group if the training has reached the stage where the defence of the thesis is possible within about a year. If this is the case, 1 credit is given in study register for 920007J Follow-up Group Reporting and Meetings.