Programme Committee CL

Purpose: 

The Programme Committee (PGC) for each PhD programme plays a central role in the strategic and academic development of Kristiania’s PhD programmes. The Program Committees is responsible for the scientific coordination of the programme. This entails quality assurance of the programme, changes to programme and course descriptions, follow up the PhD candidates progress, and where and when necessary, suggest appropriate measures. All case documents and decisions are confidential, and the members must observe this confidentiality.
The Head of Programme chairs the committee.

Representatives and appointment period: 

Chaired by: Head of Programme, Audra Diers-Lawson

Deputy chair: Vice Dean for research at School of Communication, Leadership, and Marketing, Faltin Karlsen

 

Regular representatives: 

Two academic representatives from the programme’s host school (SCLM)

One academic representative from School of Health Sciences

One academic representative from School of Arts, Design and Media

One academic representative from School of Economics, Innovation, and Technology

One representative from PhD candidates

The secretary for the committee is the PhD coordinator, Sjur Emilio Hesthammer

  • Each regular representative must have a personal deputy.
  • All regular representatives are appointed by the Head of Programme.
  • The appointment period for the student representative is one (1) year.
  • The appointment period for the representative for the academic staff is two (2) years.

The PGC must ensure a relevant and broad representation from the organization. At least two members must normally have experience from PhD programs at other institutions and at least one must be a supervisor for an active PhD candidate

 

The responsibilities of the Programme Committee: 

  • Shall ensure that Kristiania admits highly qualified candidates to the programme and with projects that are relevant to the PhD program. 
  • Processes the applications and final project description and makes a recommendation regarding admission (see PhD regulations §§6.4 and 9.1).
  • Follows the progress of the candidates, including Progress report, Work-in-Progress seminars and Mid-Term evaluation, and suggests appropriate measures when necessary.
  • Approves the Mid-Term committee.
  • Is responsible for approving change of supervisor outside of the admission process. 
  • Follow-up the candidate’s association with
    • relevant academic environments
    • any planned international activities
    • a research group when applicable
  • Follow up foreign candidates and ensure that they are included in the academic and professional environment.
  • Is responsible for the assessment and approval of completed external courses
  • Approves course description and changes in existing course descriptions specific to the programme.
  • Approves the application to have the PhD thesis evaluated and appoints an assessment committee.

The PGC can delegate responsibilities to the Head of Programme.

 

The Head of Programme can make decisions by delegation in the following instances:

  • The Head of Programme is responsible for approving proposed supervisor(s) after the admission process. When the Head of Programme will have the role as supervisor this will be approved by the dean of SDS.
  • The Head of Programme is responsible for the assessment and approval of completed external courses.
  • The Head of Programme and the Dean of SDS are responsible for appointing the midterm committee.
  • The Head of Programme and the Dean of SDS are responsible for approving the application to have the PhD thesis evaluated and appoints an assessment committee.

Administrative procedures: 

  • The PhD coordinator is responsible for sending out the agenda in cooperation with the Head of Programme
  • The agenda with all relevant case documents must be sent to the committee members at the latest seven (7) days prior to the meeting date.
  • Each item that involves a decision shall normally be accompanied by a case presentation.
  • The minutes from the meeting must be made available to the committee members within one week of the meeting.
  • The minutes form last meeting and the agenda for the current meeting must be approved by the PGC at the start of every meeting.
  • Voting rules:
  • In cases where a decision is not unanimous, a simple majority decides the vote. The number of votes in favour and against a proposal must be presented in the minutes.
  • In cases where a vote is tied, the chair of the committee has a double vote.
  • Quorum is achieved when the chair of the committee or the deputy chair, and at least 50 % of the regular representatives or their deputies are present.
  • Each representative is responsible for evaluating and ensuring their own impartiality in each respective case. If a representative is found partial, that representative’s personal deputy must step in. Should the deputy representative also be found partial, the chair of the committee shall appoint a temporary deputy for the respective case.