Teaching
Although the course is a research degree, students are able to undertake relevant training both within and beyond CFI, complemented by cohort-wide components such as seminars that serve their professional and personal development and contribute to a collaborative research environment. With the agreement of their supervisor, students may also audit relevant modules from the Institute for Technology and Humanity's MPhil courses to develop specific methodological or substantive skills relevant to their research project. These activities do not constitute part of any formal examination or assessment.
Students will be encouraged to attend events and conferences valuable for their professional development, as well as actively organise workshops and reading groups themselves, including shared seminars across the three ITH-based PhD courses (AI and Society, Human-Inspired AI, and Global Risk and Resilience).
| One to one supervision |
Students will be part of a research group, with which they will have weekly or daily contact. As this is an interdisciplinary course, 1-1 supervision frequency will vary depending on the primary discipline of the supervisors. As a minimum, we expect students and supervisors to meet at least twice per term, with more frequent contact during the planning stages and the writing-up phase. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University's expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes |
Students participate in research-led seminars, workshops and lectures, including cohort-wide seminars shared across the ITH doctoral programmes. |
| Literature Reviews |
Conducting a literature review is a normal part of the PhD writing process. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Entirely Research
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Feedback
Throughout the PhD, students can expect to receive feedback from their supervisors, whom they will meet for regular supervisions, as well as assistance from those working in the same research group. Principal supervisors will also submit termly reports on students' progress, which will be made available via an online system.
Every student is also allocated an academic adviser, who is available for consultation alongside the supervisor. Students usually meet their academic adviser formally once a year, and adviser(s) are often available for less formal consultation throughout the year.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The outcome of the PhD programme is determined through the submission and examination of an up to 80,000-word thesis. Examination will include an oral examination on the thesis and the general field of knowledge within which it falls by two examiners. The word limit reflects the range of disciplinary traditions from which students will draw: students working in fields such as law, philosophy and political theory typically produce longer, more discursive theses, while those drawing on more empirical social science methods may produce shorter work.
Other
All PhD students are admitted on a probationary basis, and registration for the PhD depends on a successful first-year review. The review consists of a written report and an oral assessment, submitted in the third term for full-time students (or part-time equivalent). The report will cover the research work completed during the first year, as well as a review of appropriate literature and a clear indication of how the PhD will develop in the second and third years (i.e. future work). An oral examination will be held to discuss the contents of the report and the plans for the remainder of the project.