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Forming the Research Committee

Following research project allocation and Main Advisor appointment, a research committee must be formed for each student. While the Advisors assume primary responsibility for monitoring and directing the student’s research, the role of the committee is to evaluate the student’s progress, provide comments and finally, decide on the recommendation to award the graduate degree. The student should meet with committee members regularly every semester to present his/her progress, discuss any research problems and receive feedback. The committee is formed in consultation with the student and typically consists of the Main Advisor, Co-Advisor(s) and two additional full-time KU faculty members who are familiar with the student’s area of study. Committee members are recommended by the student’s Main Advisor, appointed by the relevant Department Chair and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The following guidelines apply:

MA Students

  • MA students are required to complete a Thesis Workshop course and the student’s research is supervised by his/her Advisor(s).

MSc Students

  • The Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) should be formed within a month of the confirmed research project allocation.
  • The student’s Main Advisor serves as the Chair of the RSC and he/she is responsible for leading meetings of the RSC.
  • One of the two additional RSC members must be KU faculty from the student’s home department.

PhD Students

  • The Research Supervisory Committee (RSC) should be formed following the confirmed research project allocation and prior to the end of the second semester of study for full-time students or fourth semester of study for part-time students.
  • The student’s Main Advisor serves as Chair and he/she is responsible for leading all meetings of the RSC, with the exception of the student’s Research Proposal Examination and the final dissertation defense.
  • One of the two additional RSC members must be KU faculty from the student’s home department.
  • An additional external member of the RSC may be selected as follows:
    • Faculty from a department at KU, a national or a regional university, or an industry expert. In this case, the member must possess a Doctoral degree.
    • Faculty from a reputable international university. Such members are likely, but not necessarily, drawn from departments working on collaborative projects with KU.