You are probably aware that UCU (University and College Union) has announced that action short of strike is continuing from Thursday 20 April and will include a marking and assessment boycott. We understand that those of you with upcoming upgrade reviews or vivas may be concerned how this could impact on you.
Whilst we recognise colleagues’ right to take strike action, I want to reassure you that the Doctoral School is working hard to minimise the impact of strike action and to keep upgrade reviews and vivas running as close to normal as possible. Please note that we are not able to check in advance if a member of the UCU is planning to take action but will of course inform you as soon as we can if we are advised in advance of any potential impact to your progression review or viva scheduling / receipt of your outcome.
Upgrade reviews
- If it has not been possible to hold your upgrade review by the regulatory deadline as a result of one (or more) of the key panel members being unable to participate due to the UCU Marking and Assessment boycott, your upgrade deadline will be extended to up to two months after the date the boycott ends. Once the boycott has ended, the Doctoral School will confirm the exact deadline.
- As there is currently no set end date to this boycott, we will review this policy if the boycott is still in place at the end of July – so that we can consider an alternative to prevent an indefinite delay to your upgrade.
Vivas
- If it has not been possible for the viva to go ahead as scheduled due to examiners’ / Independent Chair’s participation in the UCU Marking and Assessment boycott, the viva should be rearranged for a date once the boycott has ended.
- If this would mean a significant delay which would seriously impact your future, please contact the Doctoral School to discuss if it would be appropriate, in those particular circumstances, and as an exception, for an alternative examining team to be appointed.
- If the boycott is still in place at the end of July, this policy will be reviewed.
Marking of corrections / Masters by Research dissertations / PhD resubmissions
- The UCU Marking and Assessment boycott may impact on how quickly you receive the outcome of your corrections / Masters by Research dissertation / PhD resubmission.
- If this would mean a significant delay which would seriously impact your future, please contact the Doctoral School to discuss what steps would be appropriate to take, in those particular circumstances.
- If the boycott is still in place at the end of July, this policy will be reviewed.
More information and the joint statement from Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and Universities UK (UUK) can be found here.
If you are an international student with any concerns about the impact of the boycott, please get in touch with International Student Support.
If you still have concerns how the boycott action may affect you directly, please discuss with your supervisor and the Doctoral School.