Shaken but not stirred: PhD supervision in a disaster zone

Professor Lucy JohnstonDean of Postgraduate

Research; University of Canterbury; New Zealand

video

VSA

Closed for 1 month Teaching in Tents

PhD Students

776 PhD students enrolled at the time of the EQ on February 22nd

What did we do?ExtensionsT-sticks/laptopsRelocationsAccommodationCommunications

Extensions

776 students given 2 month extension to thesis submission date UC scholarship holders got matching extension to

stipend

231 students received an additional extension – mean 3.3 months; range 1-12 months

Total 2,312 months (~$1,348,667)

T-Sticks/Laptops

139 thesis students received a loan T-stick to enable internet access

59 thesis students borrowed a loan PhD Students laptop

Still have loan laptops

Relocations 12 PhD students spent Trinity Term 2011 at Oxford:

By application (matching of supervisors and colleges) UC covered airfares; Oxford accommodation

36 additional ad-hoc relocations – availability of resources and supervisory oversight 17 within NZ 19 overseas (Australia; Canada; France; Norway; USA) Mean time away 53 days (7.5 weeks); range 3-140 UC covered airfares, bench fees, stipend

Accommodation

A Postgraduate Village was established: 2 study rooms (with wifi) 1 computer room: 10 PCs and printer Social space Open 24/7

Still have a facility

Communications

Email memo to thesis students updating on situation: Has continued since (biweekly)

Email memo to PG Coordinators and HoD/Ss updating on issues related to thesis students: Has continued since (monthly)

How did we do?How helpful have you found the official UC news and information?

Overall, how would you rate UC’s performance during the 2 months since the EQ?

How soon could youaccess information about UC?

What did the students do?If you left Christchurch; when?

How stressful were the aftershocks?

How long until you felt ok?

They kept coming….New PhD enrolments per year

Percentage of new enrolments that are international

Satisfaction with PhD experience

How did they end-up?

The completers

Completion times:Submissions from 433 students enrolled on 22.02.2011:

Mean submission time = 3.95 (3.70) EFTS

The Relocators

Mean submission time = 4.25 EFTS (3.88 with EQ-extensions removed)

The lapsed/withdrawn

41% domestic students

When lapsed?

Lessons Learned?

Communication and reassurance: Quick Clear/simple

Flexibility Data storage:

Back-up!!

AMAZING resilience amongst both supervisors and students.