Entitlement policy for research degree students

The Information Systems and Innovation group seeks transparency and fairness in its treatment of research degree students. The following basic entitlements have been agreed.

Audiovisual equipment

The ISI Group has a digital camera, data projector and camcorder for short-term loan. Tape recorders (very short term) and a transcription deck are also available. Where other equipment is required a request should be forwarded to the School's AV Unit, avunit@lse.ac.uk.

Computer, desk and chair

All students should have access to the PhD computer area (Studio Ciborra, 5th floor, Tower 1). These are in addition to the many PCs for student use in the School's Library and computer workshops.

Conference expenses

The ISI Group is committed to supporting its research students in their studies and when they have opportunities to present their work at conferences, consortia and workshops. Requests for financial support to attend conferences are dependent on the student submitting a paper which has been accepted, and on the work being largely that of the student and relating to their research. It is also possible that any previous support given to the student will be taken into account.

Requests for support for participation in PhD consortia are given a high priority. The ISI Group will continue to do its best to financially support students who are selected, and similar events will be treated in an equivalent manner.

ISIG library

Doctoral students can gain access (keys available from room U308) to the ISI Group library on the fifth floor, Tower One, where a range of books, journals, magazines, working papers and periodicals are available.

Expenses

Requests for financial support in connection with research activities (field work, special equipment, materials, software, training courses etc) may be awarded after assessing the benefit to the student and ISIG and taking into account any previous financial aid.

Lockers

Lockers are allocated to any doctoral student requiring an on-site storage facility (subject to availability). Keys can be collected from room U308.

Meeting facilities

Doctoral students can consult the administrative team to book a ISI Group meeting room (there are two available).

Personal web pages

Students can set up and maintain their own web pages using the personal.lse.ac.uk service run by IT Services. For more information see How to Register for Personal Web Space (PDF). Periodic training courses and advice are available. Home pages of current students can be accessed at PhD research in progress.

PhD seminars

There are a number of seminars arranged and scheduled specifically for doctoral students during the course of the academic year. See Research seminars (IS554) - Lent Term 2005. There is also a seminar series which is entitled "Information Systems Research Forum" (ISRF) organised by research students.

Photocopying

A photocopying card with 500 units is provided at the beginning of the academic year for all full-time students (250 units for part time students).

Post

Individual pigeon holes are located on the fifth floor, Tower One. School-related items to be sent out should be deposited in the post out tray, located in the third floor entrepot.

Student support desk

The Information Systems student support desk on the third floor acts as the main point for the submission and collection of materials.

Supervisor role

The supervisor's role is to support students in developing their methodological and analytical skills and to guide them in achieving the tasks necessary to complete the thesis successfully. Supervisors will read and comment on drafts and chapters. The emphasis is on support and guidance. The momentum must come from the student. In the event of problems arising due to a breakdown in communications between student and supervisor, every effort should be made to resolve issues through discussions between the two parties. Should this not prove satisfactory, the PhD tutor will act as an intermediary with a view to resolving any outstanding problems.

Teaching and administrative employment

All research students are entitled to apply for teaching and administrative posts within the ISI Group. A questionnaire is sent out in the Lent Term by the PhD tutor asking all students to indicate if they wish to be considered.

Telephone and fax

Local calls/ faxes, within reason, will be paid for by the ISI Group. International calls are at the discretion of the ISI Group administrators.

Website and public folders

The ISI Group's website contains important resources for learning. The three most important parts of the site for PhDs are News and events, the Working Paper Series and Resources and links. News and events contains information regarding the current activities of the ISI Group and of events elsewhere that may be of interest. The working papers enable students to read about work in progress by the staff of the ISI Group. The resources and links pages give quick access to IS-related web sites around the world, electronic sources within the School, links to useful software and links to many resources for building web pages.

The ISI Group is gradually implementing Moodle, which will provide a web-based location for core PhD course materials. PhD students should register with individual courses if they want to access teaching related material. The system also allows for improved student to teacher communication and student to student communication - all in one virtual space.

Welcome pack

First year doctoral students are presented with a welcome pack at the outset of their degree. This includes a booklet detailing possible sources of funding, information regarding the wider School facilities and other LSE literature.