Doctoral School

Research

Conference

Ghent University encourages top-quality research output and academic networking in the form of active participation at conferences. Therefore, three contributions (as a presenting author, oral or poster) to a national or international conference can be included in the Doctoral Training Programme.

A national conference is organised by a national scientific committee and is a public event. English, a vernacular and/or a forum language are used as the official conference language/languages. An international conference is organised by an international scientific committee and is a public event. English and/or a forum language are used as the official conference language/languages.

Presentations (oral or poster) at local conferences, doctoral colloquia, symposia and courses (e.g. summer schools), closed scientific meetings (e.g. meetings of the doctoral advisory committee) etc. are not eligible for inclusion into the Doctoral Training Programme.

These specific requirements are to be fully verified and confirmed by the supervisor.

Annual self-reflection report

According to article 18 of Ghent University's education and examination code for doctoral matters each PhD student is required to submit an annual self-reflection report. An approved report is a necessary prerequisite for the activation of the online re-enrolment for the next academic year.

The self-reflection report should include

  1. an activity report setting out your research activities and achievements of the past academic year;
  2. a research progress plan laying out the key pieces of work you expect to focus on in the coming academic year;
  3. a short reflection on your professional development, listing the main skills and competences you have worked on developing over the past year and those you intend to focus on developing in the coming year.

The generally recommended length of this report is 1-2 pages.

Self-reflection reports should be submitted annually between 1 April and 30 June. On the basis of the submitted report the doctoral advisory committee or, in case no such committee was appointed, the supervisor evaluates the PhD student’s progress in research as well as the progress made in the Doctoral Training Programme.

The Doctoral School Office is responsible for the administrative follow-up of the self-reflection reports.