This week I am delivering my final in-progress PhD milestone before submission – the Thesis and Candidature Review Milestone (TCRM).
The timing is perfect/necessary/awkward being right at the end of the year and just before holidays! Righto!
What is a TCRM?
The aim of the TCRM is a ‘final check-in’ to see how the candidate and thesis are tracking and to provide a forum for a formative review of work completed so far. Part of the TCMR is to also outline what work is still left to do and progress towards submission.
Like other milestones such as the Early Candidature Milestone Report (ECMR) and Confirmation, the TCRM requires a written report and a 30-mins presentation. The report is reviewed by external assessors who also attend the presentation (with your supervisors and anyone else who is interested and invited).
The TCRM is set up to:
- review and confirm I am making ‘satisfactory progress’
- check my timeline for completion
- review that my work is fulfilling the University research output requirements (like publications)
- identify any difficulties I am having that might negatively affect the quality of my research or completion (ie COVID – like everyone else!)
- give me an opportunity to share preliminary findings
- demonstrate I have been developing capabilities that progress my research goals and career objectives
Preparing for my TCRM
Like any milestone, preparation is a little nerve-racking, but also very helpful.
I kept telling myself: I don’t have to have all the answers; this is a moment-in-time ‘catch-up’; my data analysis is still unfolding, so I can only share as much as I have.
It was really beneficial to take stock and audit my work done so far – it feels good!
For my TCRM, I ditched the ‘template’ format the Uni recommended and opted instead to ‘tell the story’ of the project’s evolution in my own way. It was more ethical, genuine and satisfying to do so.
Unlike my previous milestones, I felt much more relaxed and confident because now I have some prelim ‘findings’ after doing my fieldwork in Sierra Leone earlier this year.
I was tired by the time the presentation came about, so I was conscious not to overinvest. I knew I ‘had this’ and that the project is on track.
Dr Sherilyn Lennon (my principal supervisor and kick-ass educator, writer, philosopher and New Materialist) made the brilliant suggestion that I perform some of my data as the clincher at the end. This way I could give a sense of what I was working on for data analysis. It was a unique and engaging way to finish – and was very much in keeping with New Materialisms and my personality…and the audience LOVE it!!
My TCRM went really well
The external assessors were very supportive and gave me awesome feedback and ideas to consider.
My mum and dad came along for moral support (and because they are genuinely interested) and it was awesome having them there. After the presentation, people were invited for questions and comments and both my parents contributed some very thoughtful on-point comments (as well as being very proud – which was a given). My other supervisor Prof. Parlo Singh said it was lovely they came and gave them a special mention.
I’m not sharing the details of my work here (still top secret) but below are a few slides from TCRM slides as an indicator for some of the content covered.
Hazah! It was good to do and a relief now it’s now done.
For the next wee while, I’m taking some time to rest and recuperate.
Then the real hard work starts: data analysis and write up.
For anyone else doing a TCRM – best of luck!
