Information, Meetings and Deadlines
I will have a Thesis Monitoring Committee (TMC) every six months – the first one being around February 2021. This is a procedure designed for the benefit of the student and involves a meeting with at least two members of academic staff every six months. My first TMC is likely to be in February. A Thesis Monitoring Report will be produced after each meeting. Detailed information about the process can be found on the DJCAD PhD Portal.
In order to be confirmed as a PhD candidate I will go through an Upgrade Process – not before nine months from commencement and not beyond twelve months. This will involve submission of a relevant body of work and a presentation to members of staff and other students. There will be three members of staff acting as Convenor, Internal Examiner and External (to the School) Examiner. Detailed information about the process can be found on the DJCAD PhD Portal.
I should discuss the process and approach with my Supervisors at the six-month stage. I will be able to view other student Upgrade Meetings on-line as part of my preparation.
I asked for clarification as to the likely length of my thesis. This is very flexible, but it should not be less than 20,000 and more likely to be in the region of 60,000.
My supervisor confirmed that the Harvard Referencing System was acceptable to use for my thesis. However, I should check the referencing system that the Philosophy Department use.
Feedback on my PhD proposal received as part of the Application Process
We discussed feedback provided as part of the application process briefly. Some of the issues had already been identified in our first meeting and others I need to pay attention to as I refine and develop my proposal towards the Upgrade Process.
Ephemeral
At our first meeting my supervisor mentioned the ephemeral in art. I asked for further clarification and some help in identifying sources and reading. The genre of ephemeral art is significant. I confirmed to my supervisor that my interest is in seeing and capturing those fleeting, transient glimpses of a reality and being of Skye – of an Island that most people never see. It is about being attuned to the natural surroundings and is a process of deep looking. This may, in due course, become a Thought Piece on my blog.
Below the Surface
My supervisor suggested the idea of photographing what lies below the surface of Loch Cill Chriosd – a place that I have photographed many times.
