8.1. Where an individual is a student and a staff member, such as a research student teaching undergraduate students or acting in a supervisory capacity; that individual could also be captured by the definition of a ‘Relevant staff member’ where they have direct or indirect academic responsibility, or other direct professional responsibility, for a student.
8.2. It is recognised that in many institutions postgraduate students may work closely in teams with other postgraduates, who are also employed as staff, or post-doctoral researchers, where the relationship between them is one of ‘support’ not ‘responsibility.’ In science subjects research students typically work in the Laboratory full-time alongside employed staff and are regarded as full members of the research group. It is usual for all members of the group to learn from each other, keep an eye on each other, especially for safety reasons and discuss their work in informal settings as well as formal presentations. The Policy on Relationships between Staff and Students is not intended to restrict these informal relationships which are valuable both for the student’s learning and the research group’s overall productivity. Some examples are:
- A senior PhD student or a post-doctoral researcher who is a member of staff, assists a more junior PhD student to safely use equipment, learn techniques or to conduct experiments without having responsibility or direction over their teaching, progress or in the assessment of their research.
- PhD students and post-doctoral researchers in the same research group who are pursuing research in related areas who liaise closely about progress and best practice and/or share accommodation and socialise together.
- Friendship between PhD students and post-doctoral researchers in the same institution where the member of staff has no responsibility for that student’s academic progress, teaching, supervision, welfare or for any administrative decisions that affect them.
8.3. However, it is not acceptable for postgraduate students who are engaged (e.g. paid Demonstrator duties) to carry out structured teaching, learning and assessment activities, to have intimate relationships with students that they have a direct and ongoing responsibility for.
8.4. Where a relationship arises in such circumstances as listed in 8.2 and there is a reasonable risk that conflicts of interest might arise now or in the future, members of staff are encouraged to notify their Head of Institution or equivalent post-holder. This is to ensure appropriate measures can be considered and avoid the member of staff being given, or assuming, any future responsibility for the student. Roles evolve over time and members of staff must consider the possibility that what may have originally started as a support function could change into one of responsibility.