University Doctoral Studies Committee (UDSC)
We are responsible for the academic standards and coordination of doctoral study.
We are responsible to Senate for strategic coordination, the maintenance of high academic standards and the continuous improvement of the student experience for all doctoral study, including taught components of doctoral programmes and all Doctoral Training Entities.
You can read the full responsibilities of the committee in the terms of reference.
Our meeting dates for the 2026/7 academic year are: 29th October 2026, 21st January, 13th May, and 1st July 2027
Deadlines for submitting papers in the 2026/7 academic year are: 15th October 2026, 7th January, 29th April, and 17th June 2027
Read the minutes of our meetings which are held in the resources folder in the Governance and Risk online committee system.
Committee members
- Professor Joe Devine, (Chair), Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research (Doctoral), term of office ex-officio
- Professor Jianzhong Wu, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), term of office ex-officio
- Dr Dick James, Academic Director (Doctoral), term of office ex-officio
- Dr Shyeni Paul, Director of Doctoral College Operations, term of office ex officio
- Professor Lizzi Milligan, Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, term of office ex-officio
- Professor Chris Bowen, Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Engineering & Design, term of office ex-officio
- Professor Ventsi Valev, Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Science, term of office ex-officio
- Professor Andrew Brown, Associate Dean (Research) School of Management, term of office ex-officio
- Mercy Martins, SU Postgraduate & International Officer, term of office ex-officio
- One student per faculty/school elected by the SU and one student from the doctoral student community, term of office ex-officio:
- Doctoral Executive Chair
- HSS Faculty Rep
- Engineering Faculty Rep
- Science Faculty Rep
- SoM Faculty Rep
Routine attendees
- George Newham, Student Union Education Manager
- Dr Alice Motes, Senior Data Librarian
- Gitte Sparding, Deputy Head of Academic Quality & Standards (Academic Quality and Standards)
- Dr Susie Douglas, University CDT Lead
- Simon Gane, Head of PhD Student Administration
- Dr John Brice, Head of Professional Doctorate Administration
- Dorcas Mumford, Doctoral Progression & Engagement Manager (Doctoral College),
- Dr Caroline McMurray, Doctoral Quality Framework Officer
- Kate Morley, Doctoral College Co-ordinator (Secretary)