All students have a main supervisor and an advisor (or joint supervision in rare cases). The supervisor is the main point of contact for the student during their studies, with whom they meet regularly. Students use online PhD logs to provide a record of meetings and to check common understanding of agreed actions on both sides. In addition to the First Year Upgrade process, students have formal reviews in the second and third years. Though some students will be supervised entirely from within LSE Gender, we occasionally draw on the research specialisms of staff in other parts of the LSE, so the supervisor may be a member of the Department of Gender Studies or of another LSE Department. In all cases, students will be drawn into the research community of the Department, joining with the other research students in the first year taught courses, working together with second and third year students in the PhD research seminar GI500, and participating in our regular seminar series. We hope students will also be able to share interests and knowledge with our Research Fellows, particularly when their areas of research overlap.
Courses taken
Students audit the lectures of course 'GI424 Gender Theories: an interdisciplinary approach', which provides a critical understanding of the field, and provides the basis for the development of appropriate interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks. Students play an active part in the course 'GI402 Gender: Knowledge and Research Practice' and participate in seminars. The course provides training in research design with a particular focus on research ethics. Students take GI500, the Doctoral Workshop, a fortnightly research seminar run by the Director of the Doctoral Programme (DPD) with input from faculty members throughout their studies in years 1-3. The workshop is based on student work in progress, and builds professional skills through the integration of ‘paper respondents’. Spring Term workshops are focused on professional training such as writing job applications, CVs, publication and conference guidance and marking training.
Students choose from the full range of Gender courses to audit in discussion with their supervisory team to enhance their own methods bundle. Where appropriate to their topic, students choose courses in the Department of Methodology such as 'Foundations in Social Research', 'Advanced social Research Methods' and 'Drafting a PhD', which provide a range of key skills necessary to writing a PhD.
Students who are supervised by staff outside LSE Gender may discover that the procedure and requirements for upgrade vary slightly between departments. Please note that as a student of LSE Gender, you will come within our regulations, even if your main supervisor is based elsewhere. Having successfully upgraded from MPhil to PhD, you will then be reviewed annually to ensure that your work is progressing satisfactory.
Completion
Students are normally expected to complete their PhD thesis within three or four of registration (maximum four years). Part-time students must complete by their eighth year of registration - a deadline which also applies to students who have studied a mixture of full and part time.
Requirements for a PhD
LSE PhDs are examined under LSE regulations. These regulations specify the criteria for a PhD.
You will be guided by your supervisor to ensure that your work is compatible with the criteria for a PhD. It is still useful however to read these regulations as you embark on your PhD and subsequently from time to time to ensure your work remains on track.
The DPD has final responsibility for the MPhil/PhD programme. This means they are responsible for admissions, the allocation of supervisors, overseeing the upgrade from MPhil to PhD, monitoring ongoing progress, and arranging the final submission. They also arbitrate in cases of difficulties with supervisors, or problems with general training.