Íþróttafræðideild

Íþróttafræðideild HR býður upp á metnaðarfullt doktorsnám (PhD) fyrir þá sem vilja stunda fræðilegar rannsóknir í íþróttavísindum.

Með doktorsnámi eru rannsóknir við deildina styrktar samhliða því að ungir vísindamenn eru þjálfaðir í beitingu vísindalegra vinnubragða við öflun og miðlun nýrrar þekkingar til hagsbóta fyrir íslenskt samfélag og atvinnulíf.

Doktorsnám er fullt nám í þrjú ár og er 180 einingar, þar af 30 einingar í námskeiðum. Til að uppfylla kröfur til að öðlast doktorsgráðu frá Íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík skal doktorsnemi, undir leiðsögn doktorsmenntaðs leiðbeinanda, hafa unnið vísindalegar rannsóknir sem fela í sér sjálfstætt framlag til þekkingarsköpunar á sviði Íþróttavísinda.

Doktorsgráðu skal því aðeins veita að doktorsnemi hafi unnið sjálfstæðar frumlegar rannsóknir, sem samanstanda af þremur vísindalegum greinum sem hafi nægjanlegt nýnæmi og vísindalegt gildi og séu af nægu umfangi til þess að verðskulda gráðuna.

PAPESH er rannsóknarsetur íþróttafræðideildar.

Umsóknir

Áður en formleg umsókn er send inn þurfa áhugasamir einstaklingar að vera búnir að hafa samband við akademískan starfsmann deildarinnar vegna mögulegrar leiðbeiningar til doktorsgráðu.

Þegar kemur að formlegri umsókn er sótt um á umsóknarvef Háskólans í Reykjavík og eftirtöldum gögnum þarf að skila inn á ensku: 

• Afrit af prófskírteinum
• Ýtarlega ferilskrá (curriculum vitae)
• Nöfn á þremur umsagnaraðilum
• Stutt yfirlit yfir fyrirhugaða rannsókn
• Fyrirhugaður leiðbeinandi
• Upplýsingar um fjármögnun
  
  

Áhugasamir einstaklingar eru hvattir til að hafa samband við akademískt starfslið deildarinnar til að ræða um mögulegar rannsóknir til doktorsgráðu.

Athugið að allar lausar doktorsnámsstöðu eru auglýstar á Starfasíðu HR.

Frekari upplýsingar fást hjá verkefnastjóra deildarinnar.

Ása Guðný Ásgeirsdóttir

Verkefnastjóri íþróttafræði
asagudny(at)ru.is - sími 5996471 

Reglur um doktorsnám

1. INTRODUCTION

As advised in the Reykjavík University (RU) Rules for PhD Studies (approved by the RU Executive Committee on 12 March 2014), individual departments have the freedom to organise doctoral studies in light of the unique features and traditions of their respective fields of study. Accordingly, the present adaptation of the University Rules applies specifically to doctoral studies in the Department of Sports Science.

These rules describe the objectives and requirements of the PhD program at the Department of Sport Science of Reykjavík University. These Rules take account of the Bologna Process on cooperation in higher education in Europe; the Regulation on Doctoral Studies in Higher Education Institutions, No. 37/2007 and Article 7, of the Higher Education Institution Act, No. 63/2006; and internationally recognised customs relating to the organisation and quality of doctoral studies.

Upon successful completion of the program, Reykjavík University confers the title “Doctor of Philosophy” (PhD) on the student. The diploma will specify a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science. The official language of the program is English.

2. PhD programme

The subsequent sections are structured according to items a)-i) in article 3 of Rules 7/2007 on

Doctorate Studies.

2a) Role and objectives of doctoral studies at the Department of Sports Science

The Department of Sports Science at Reykjavik University emphasises three main pillars in its activities: research, teaching and ties with community.

According to the RU rules on Doctorate studies; “The aim of Reykjavik University's doctoral studies is to benefit industry and society through, a) strengthening research and knowledge generation in the University's academic fields, and b) training of young scientists.”

The planned PhD programme in Sport and Exercise Science is intended to strengthen research

within the Department of Sports Science and PAPESH, while at the same time training early carrier scientists to advance knowledge for the benefit of society and enhance the status of Reykjavik University as an internationally recognised university.

In order to complete the PhD program students must as a minimum:

- Possess a range of general and specialised knowledge within the scientific field of their

studies (knowledge).

- Apply advanced scientific methods and procedures to substantive research questions within their field of studies (skills).

- Apply knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to advance the relevant profession and/or in the context of teaching or further studies (competencies).

- Make an original and substantial contribution to knowledge (contribution).

- Further details regarding knowledge, skills, and competencies required of PhD students can be found in the National Qualification Framework for Higher Education at http://www.enicnaric.is/national-qualification-framework.html.

2b) Specifications of doctoral studies

Doctoral studies at the Department of Sports Science will provide students with training in the

application of scientific methods in acquiring, using and communicating new knowledge. The

specifications and substance of the doctoral studies listed below are in line with the National Qualification Framework for higher education (nr.530/2011).

2b.i) Programme structure.

Structure and Progress. The program of PhD Studies in Sports Science comprises 180 ECTS units of formal study, normally completed in 3 years (or the equivalent part-time). In exceptional cases, PhD Studies may be completed in less than 3 years, but never less than 2 years and only then in such instances where credit not exceeding 2 years (120 ECTS) has been granted for prior work of a suitable standard completed by the student in the field of research that is the subject of the student’s PhD studies. The time to completion may be extended beyond 3 years (or the equivalent part-time) subject to approval following application to the Sport Science Research Council (SSRC), stating the length (not exceeding 12 months) of the extension requested and reasons for the extension. Need for extension beyond the period initially requested is subject to further similar application and approval.

PhD students are required to submit for approval to the Thesis Committee a Research Proposal (see Article 2b.ii herein). In addition, an Annual Progress Report is required for each year of study, detailing the progress to date and plans for subsequent steps.

Students may apply for intermission (authorised absence) from their studies for specified medical or non-medical reasons (e.g., parental leave, challenging domestic circumstances, or caring for a sick relative). There is no specified permitted maximum term for authorised absence, although the period should not be such as to undermine the viability and integrity of the PhD studies.

The Chair of Department is responsible for formally approving the applicant's registration for PhD studies in Sport and Exercise Science. If specific terms (e.g., self-financing arrangements) need to be formalised, a study contract may be prepared between the PhD student and the Department. Prospective students may register for PhD Studies in in Sport and Exercise Science only after having their eligibility and specific terms (if any) approved in writing by the Chair of Department or nominee. In this study contract must include a clear understanding of the extent of the commitments in which the student is involved and their possible effect on the PhD and its probable duration.

Seminar Attendance. PhD students are expected to deliver at least two seminars prior to the PhD examination. The first presentation should be made no later than three months after the approval of the Research Proposal. Additionally, students are expected to regularly attend, and to be active participants in, seminars delivered by fellow students and other seminars as may be announced by the Department of Sports Science.

Coursework. PhD students are required to take courses equivalent to a minimum of 30 ECTS. All such courses of study require the prior approval of the Principal Supervisor. Students may

substitute presentations at international scientific conferences (or similar activity as approved by the SSRC) for ECTS credits up to a total of 6 ECTS units. Each such presentation is the equivalent of 1 ECTS unit for a poster presentation or 2 ECTS units for an oral presentation. Students may also substitute other work of suitable scholarly content (e.g., seminar series, summer school, reading course, online course) and/or practical relevance (e.g., placement in research or clinical setting) that materially benefits their PhD studies. Each hour of such work, which may include scheduled contact, home assignments, and examinations, is credited according to policy determined by the Department of Sports Science. The University consider tries a fund to support conference attendance for those students who are not in receipt of funding for this purpose from a project grant, from theIRF, or from an existing RU grant.

A description of general requirements of doctoral studies, in terms of knowledge skills and competences, is detailed in item 3 of the RU Rules on Doctorate Studies, in addition to the National Qualification Framework for higher education (no. 530/2011).

2b.ii) Research proposal

No later than 9 months after admission to the PhD program, students shall submit a completed

Research Proposal to the Thesis Committee. The Research Proposal serves as the foundation for the doctoral work. It shall include:

- Delineation of the field of study.

- A concise review of the state of the art in the field of study.

- Scholarly questions that the research proposes to examine.

- A written research proposal delineating methodology relevant to the research questions.

- A proposed schedule for progress of the studies.

- An overview of planned coursework, as well as any that may already have been completed.

As a voluntary, but highly recommended, part:

• Intention to look for funding.

After the Thesis Committee has approved the Research Proposal and the Principal Supervisor has submitted the proposal to the PRC, final approval must be obtained from the SSRC

Thesis and academic papers

A PhD student’s research is completed with a doctoral thesis, which constitutes independent

scientific work of a high academic caliber such as is required to satisfy relevant international

publication standards. The thesis must be written in English.

The doctoral thesis incorporates at least three papers, two of them accepted and one submitted for publication in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals. The PhD student must be the first author on at least two of the papers. However, the SSRC can manage the criterion of acceptability for publication as judged by the Thesis Committee to decide about the three papers that will be defenced.

Declarations shall be obtained from all co-authors of papers included in the thesis to confirm the contribution of the doctoral student. Under normal circumstances, only work published during the past five years prior to submission of a thesis may be included as part of the thesis. Publications, that the candidate has published prior to registration as a PhD candidate, will not be considered for inclusion in the doctoral thesis.

The written thesis shall be an integrated treatment of the research work submitted for examination. It shall be accompanied by an abstract of no more than 500 words. In broad structure, the written thesis shall consist of three main “parts”: introduction, original research, and discussion. The introduction shall include a substantive review of relevant literature and a statement of the key research question/s, with the whole presented as either a single chapter or multiple chapters containing relevant subheadings. The original research shall contain detailed accounts of methods and results comprising the equivalent of at least three separate peer-reviewed publishable papers. The discussion shall include a substantive interpretation of findings, presented as either a single chapter or multiple chapters containing relevant subheadings. Any published works that have arisen from the thesis shall be appended.

Following the granting of the PhD degree, a print version of the thesis shall be lodged with RU

Library and Information Services, and a digital copy lodged with the digital archive advised by RU Library and Information Services. The general public shall have access to the thesis, e.g. at the repository (www.opinvisindi.is).

2b.iii) Supervisor(s)

The Chair of the Department of Sports Science shall appoint a Principal Supervisor for each PhD student. Appointment of a Secondary Supervisor is optional. The role of supervisors is to advise PhD students in their studies and research, track their progress, ensure compliance with all relevant ethical standards and guidelines, and monitor the quality of all aspects of the work. Supervisors are responsible to the Department of Sports Science for compliance with the Rules for PhD Studies. The Principal Supervisor is a member the Thesis Committee and usually acts in the role of Chair at meetings of the Thesis Committee (see Article 2f.i).

Principal Supervisors shall meet the following academic requirements:

- Have a PhD degree.

- Be a permanent faculty member of the Department of Sports Science, with a substantial

- research record and experience of publication in internationally recognised outlets.

- Have specialist knowledge in the subject field of the PhD student's research topic.

- Be an active participant in the research community and a recognised expert in his or her

- field.

- Assessment of this qualification shall take account of published articles in peer reviewed

- journals, experience of international research cooperation, and funding for

- research projects.

A Secondary Supervisor may be appointed, and shall have a PhD degree but need not fulfil other requirements listed above.

The University will try to explore the potential of training for, or a workshop on, doctoral supervision, with the Teaching Affairs Unit to further develop the competencies of supervisors at RU. The Department of Sports Science will establish the responsibilities of principal and secondary supervisor.

In the event of the Principal Supervisor ceasing to be a permanent employee of Reykjavik University, a replacement Supervisor must be appointed from among the permanent faculty of the Department of Sports Science.

The University will try to explore the potential of training for, or a workshop on, doctoral supervision, with the Teaching Affairs Unit to further develop the competencies of supervisors at RU.

2c) Name of degree and length of doctoral studies

The programme comprises 180 ECTS credits and shall be completed in three to five years concluding with the award of a PhD degree in Sport and Exercise Science. In exceptional circumstances, students may apply for further extension to the Department of Sports Science Research Council (see article 2b.ii)

2d) Description of admission requirements and adequate preparation

Admission is limited to students who hold a master’s degree (MSc/MEd/MA). Applicants must

have demonstrated excellent performance in their studies and career and be perceived as capable of showing initiative in the advancement of scientific knowledge. Information provided in application documents must demonstrate the candidate’s qualifications in this regard. It the PhD students has not a clear background in Sports Science an extra course could be necessary before enrolment in the program.

2e) Description of the application process

Applications for admission to the PhD program require the agreement of a proposed Supervisor,

and may be submitted at any time. Applications and supportive documentation (e.g., curriculum

vitae) must be submitted in English. The following documents shall accompany the application:

- Transcripts of the applicant’s university degrees and diplomas.

- A curriculum vitae and list of publications.

- The names of three referees, who may be contacted for a reference.

- A brief description of the subject of the proposed doctoral research.

- Name of the proposed Principal Supervisor.

- Information about how the PhD student will finance his/her studies

Applications (research proposal) can be submitted to the Department of Sports Science at any time during the academic year. The Department of Sports Science Research Council shall assess the qualifications of applicants and submit a written opinion to the Chair of the Department. The Chair of the Department decides whether an applicant is admitted to the PhD programme within two months from receiving the application, taking into account the financial circumstances of the Department and the availability of supervisors.

2f) Information on administrative arrangements (including thesis committees, defence and qualifications of examiners)

Information on the general administrative arrangements of doctoral studies can be found in Articles 2 of the RU Rules on Doctoral Studies.

2f.i) Thesis Committee

Thesis Committee´s role and requirements are detailed in article 6 of the RU Rules.

A Thesis Committee shall be appointed no later than one month before the PhD student's Research Proposal is due (see 2b.ii). The Thesis Committee shall consist of at least 3 persons. If there is a Secondary Supervisor, the Thesis Committee shall be made up of the Principal Supervisor, the Secondary Supervisor, and at least one additional member. If there is no Secondary Supervisor, the Thesis Committee shall be made up of the Principal Supervisor and at least two additional members. At least one of the Thesis Committee members shall not be a faculty member of Reykjavík University. The Principal Supervisor is responsible for reporting to the SSRC the name and affiliation of each Thesis Committee member.

The Thesis Committee members shall review the PhD Research Proposal and must convey in writing (which may take the form of email) their separate opinions, comments, and approval to the Supervisors. Similarly, in tracking progress of the PhD studies, including reviewing and approving annual progress reports, Thesis Committee members shall convey in writing their separate opinions, comments, and approval to the Supervisors. Likewise, the Thesis Committee shall determine when the PhD thesis is ready for examination.

2f.ii) PhD thesis defence and examination

Article 9 of the RU Rules outline the structure and requirements of a thesis defence.

About six months prior to the planned examination date, two External Examiners shall be

appointed. External Examiners shall meet the following academic requirements:

- Have a PhD degree.

- Have expert knowledge of the PhD student's field of study.

- Be active in the research community and recognised as an expert in the relevant field.

- Assessment of this qualification shall take particular account of published articles in peer-reviewed journals, while also considering experience of international research, cooperation, and funding for research projects.

Thesis Committee members cannot serve as External Examiners. External Examiners shall not

have been involved in any research collaboration with Thesis Committee members or the PhD

student in the preceding five years, including, but not limited to, co-authorship of conference/journal papers, collaboration on research projects, or collaboration on applying for

research grants. The selection process for External Examiners shall involve the details of two or more prospective examiners being submitted by the Supervisors to the SSRC for consideration. Final appointment of External Examiners is by approval of the Chair of the Department of Sports Science.

The Thesis Committee shall review the thesis and form an opinion regarding its suitability for

examination no more than 2 months after submission. Prior to examination, the Thesis Committee shall return a consensus opinion that the thesis is ready for examination, requires minor revisions before being ready for examination, requires major revisions before being ready for examination, or is not suitable for examination. In all instances, the Thesis Committee shall submit written feedback to the PhD student. The PhD student can submit a thesis for review by the Thesis Committee no more than twice.

When the Thesis Committee has deemed that the thesis is ready for examination, the thesis shall

be sent to the External Examiners and a date shall be set for the examination about two months

later. After the thesis has been sent to the External Examiners, there shall be no communication

between the Thesis Committee and the External Examiners up to the time of the examination.

The oral examination begins with a 20-minute presentation of the research by the PhD student.

This is followed by the External Examiners separately and jointly discussing and examining the

thesis with the student. The examination shall be chaired by the Chair of the Department of Sports Science (or nominee, who may be a member of the SSRC) serving in an administrative capacity without participating as an examiner. The Principal Supervisor also attends the oral examination, as an observer and without participating as an examiner.

The External Examiners shall endeavor to reach a consensus agreement, including an opinion about whether the thesis includes work suitable for publication in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals. As joint signatories, the External Examiners forward their written opinion to the Chair of the Department of Sports Science, recommending from among the following options:

- Pass without revision.

- Pass contingent on satisfying stated revisions, which may be minor (requiring up to 2

- months to complete).

- Pass contingent on satisfying stated major revisions (requiring more than 2 months but

- not more than 12 months to complete).

- Fail.

In instances where revisions are stated, the Examiners shall specify in their written opinion whether the revisions when submitted require approval from the Examiners. Where such approval is not required, revisions shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Principal Supervisor.

Upon conclusion of the oral examination, there is discussion between the External Examiners who decide the outcome of the examination without the PhD student being present. When the outcome is decided, the examining committee (comprised of the Chair, External Examiners, and Supervisor) inform the student in person of the examination result. If disagreement prevents a consensus being reached during any stage of the examination of a PhD thesis, or if any individual among the relevant parties (External Examiners, Supervisor, and PhD student) feels unable to accept the consensus opinion, Article 2f.iii applies.

Only after the decision has been made to grant the degree, will a date be set for a public seminar at which the PhD student presents the research. The presentation provides an overview as well as coverage of particular highlights. The public seminar is scheduled to last approximately 60

minutes, inclusive of approximately 40 minutes for the presentation and 20 minutes for questions and answers. Advance notice of the public seminar is circulated within the University and posted on the University’s website. The seminar is open to the general public, and is a necessary requirement for the award of the PhD degree.

In the instance where no revisions to the thesis are requested by the Examiners, the public seminar shall be convened not less than two weeks after the formal examination. In the instance where revisions are requested that do not require the approval of the Examiners (as determined at the time of examination), the public seminar shall be convened not less than two weeks after the relevant revisions have been completed with written approval by the Principal Supervisor. In the instance where revisions requiring the approval of the Examiners (as determined at the time of examination), the public seminar shall be convened not less than two weeks after formal approval of the revisions by the Examiners.

2f.iii) Resolution of Disagreements

It is acknowledged that differences of opinion and disagreements are inherent to scholarship, and may occur in the context of PhD studies between members of the Thesis Committee, between the External Examiners and the Thesis Committee collectively and individually, between External Examiners, and between the PhD student and Thesis Committee members and External Examiners. It is acknowledged that disagreements may occur at any time during the tenure of an individual PhD student.

In general, disagreements are likely to be satisfactorily resolved following detailed discussion,

deliberation, and analysis amongst the parties concerned. When such actions do not succeed in

producing a timely resolution, the disagreement shall be brought to the attention of the Chair of the Department of Sports Science.

When notified of a disagreement, the Chair of the Department of Sport Science may refer the matter to the SSRC, which shall provide a recommendation within one month. The SSRC may seek further clarification from any of the relevant parties. When disagreements occur as part of the examination of the PhD thesis, the Chair of the Department of Sport Science may appoint one or more additional External Examiners to provide independent evaluations of the thesis. Irrespective of the nature of the disagreement, the final decision shall reside with the Chair of the Department of Sports Science.

2g.Facilities

Reykjavik University a research centre (PAPESH) and a sports science laboratory, which gives students the opportunity to perform various tests and measurements. The laboratory is equipped with devices, such as VO2max treadmill and gas analyser, EMG, EEG, heart rate monitors, pedometers, accelerometers, anthropometric kit, goniometers, dynamometers, and high-speed cameras. The laboratory will play a central role in educating PhD students.

Approved 25/11/2022: RU Sport Science Research Council, RU Sport Science Curriculum Council, Sport Science Departmental Council