The responsibility for postgraduate research students within the Swansea University is shared between your Department/School and the Postgraduate Research Faculty (PGRF).

The PGRF is made up of a series of committees that make and monitor policy relating to postgraduate study, each of which is led by the Dean or one of the Sub-Deans, and made up of elected staff and student representatives who are there to represent the interests of the postgraduate students.

Many of the members and all of the Chairs of these committees will be full-time academics that also supervise postgraduates in their own departments and undertake their own research. These people will have their offices in their respective departments.

The Research Faculty Office is staffed by specialist administrators, whose job it is to implement policy, alert Faculty to areas of concerns and deal with the administrative needs of postgraduate students.

If you need advice or help, which you cannot get from your supervisor or department/school, it is therefore a good idea to contact the Research Faculty Office. They will either help you, or direct you to the Dean or one of the Sub-Deans. The Research Faculty Office is in the Stable Block behind Singleton Abbey at the eastern end of the campus. Their opening hours are 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm on working weekdays. You will have contact with them when you receive letters confirming Progression Board decisions, or if you have any problems with your Department/school that you cannot resolve directly with your Supervisor or Head of Department/school. It is they who will ensure maintenance of your student record, record your progression from year to year, help provide guidance and training, and help your Department/school arrange the examination of your thesis.

Postgraduate Research Faculty Officers

The Dean and Sub-Deans of the Postgraduate Research Faculty
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) acts in the capacity of Dean of the Faculty, supported by four Sub-Deans. Each has a specific role and set of responsibilities, and are ex-officio members of the Faculty Policy Committee and other committees within the Faculty, details of which are set out below.

Dean
Prof. Nigel P Weatherill
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Chair of Swansea University's Research Committee
Head of School of Engineering
n.p.weatherill@swansea.ac.uk

Sub-Deans:

Assessment, Progression and Records
Prof. Javier Bonet
School of Engineering
j.bonet@swansea.ac.uk

Training and Pastoral Support
Dr Jonathan Bradbury
Dept. of Politics
j.p.bradbury@swansea.ac.uk

Quality Assurance, Control and Enhancement
Prof. Vaughan Robinson
Dept. of Geography
v.robinson@swansea.ac.uk

Part-time Study
Dr Chris Turner
Dept. of Education

The Dean and Sub-Deans are supported in their work by the Research Faculty Office. The Faculty work is principally conducted through a number of committees. There is student representation on most of the PGRF committees but the most accessible committee is the Research Student/Staff Assembly. For a full list please see the Research Student Handbook.

Research Student/Staff Assembly

The Assembly provides an opportunity for students and staff to discuss issues of concern in an informal open forum, and allows for communication between students and staff.

Each Department/school nominates a student representative to serve on the Assembly. The Dean and Sub-Deans and the Students' Union Postgraduate Officer are members, and the meetings are also attended by representatives of Departments providing support services to research students, such as Library and Information Services and the Student Record Unit.