Within the first weeks of the appointment of a PhD candidate, an intake meeting takes place with the ACLC representative (i.e., the moderator; replacing the ACLC director), the supervisor(s) and the ACLC coordinator. The ACLC office makes the appointment for the intake meeting.

One week before the intake meeting takes place, the PhD candidate should submit a draft of the Training and Supervision Plan (see template below) to (1) the ACLC representative, (2) the supervisor(s), and (3) the ACLC office. 

The first draft of the Training and Supervision Plan is discussed during the meeting. After the intake meeting, the PhD candidate completes the Training and Supervision Plan, collects the required signatures*, and sends it to PhDskills-fgw@uva.nl (please cc aclc-fgw@uva.nl).

*The moderator/representative of the ACLC signs as the Director of the Research School, and the Graduate Office gets the signature of the Director of the Graduate School, and returns the completed final version to the PhD candidate.

After the first nine months, the pilot interview takes place with the ACLC representative (i.e., the moderator), the supervisor(s), the external reader and the ACLC coordinator. The ACLC office makes the appointment for the pilot meeting about two months in advance.

Three weeks before the pilot meeting takes place, the PhD candidate should submit the pilot study, a table of contents for the dissertation, and the progress report (see template below) to (1) the supervisors, (2) the external reader, (3) the ACLC representative, and (4) the ACLC office.

The total duration of the pilot meeting is roughtly 1,5 hours. The main aim of the meeting is to discuss the pilot study. This is done on the basis of the external reader's written comments. 

The set-up of the meeting is roughly as follows:

• 5 mins: introduction by the ACLC representative (moderator)
• 5 mins: summary by the PhD about the pilot study
• 10 mins: feedback by the external reader
• 10 mins: discussion with the external reader
• External reader leaves the meeting after approx. 30 mins
• 20 mins: reflection on feedback given by the external reader; feedback and discussion with the ACLC representative (moderator); after this discussion, the PhD candidate is told whether or not the pilot is considered of satisfactory quality.
• 10 mins: review of table of contents and progress report.
• At the end of the pilot meeting, the PhD candidate and ACLC representative (moderator) speak in private about the PhD candidate's overall progress.

After the pilot interview, the supervisor fills in his or her part of the progress report and sends it to (1) all parties that were present at the meeting (apart from the external reader) and (2) the ACLC office (aclc-fgw@uva.nl).

After the intake and pilot meeting, annual progress interviews take place with the ACLC representative (i.e., moderator) and the supervisor(s) until the PhD dissertation has been completed. The PhD candidates schedule these appointments themselves, but are reminded to do so by the ACLC office. 

One week before the progress meeting takes place, the PhD candidate should submit the progress report (see template below) to (1) the ACLC representative, (2) the supervisor(s), and (3) the ACLC office (aclc-fgw@uva.nl). 

The total duration of the progress interview is roughtly one hour. The progress report is discussed and one of the supervisors takes notes of any agreements. After the progress meeting, the supervisor fills in his or her part of the progress report and sends it to (1) all parties that were present at the meeting and (2) the ACLC office (aclc-fgw@uva.nl).

At the end of the progress interview, the PhD candidate and ACLC representative (replacing the director) speak in private about the PhD candidate's overall progress and well-being.

At the ACLC, each PhD candidate is assigned a moderator. This moderator is a senior member of the ACLC, who represents the director of the ACLC. The moderator is not directly involved in the project, but serves as the first point of contact for any issues relating to the progress of the PhD that cannot be resolved with the supervisors. In addition, the moderator chairs the intake, pilot, and progress meetings and represents the director of the ACLC during those meetings.