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How to Present PhD Progress Report to Doctoral Committee Members in 03 Simple Stages

As I reflect on my journey through the challenges and triumphs of presenting my PhD progress to the doctoral committee, I’m reminded of the invaluable lessons learned and the transformative experiences gained along the way.

1. Diverse Committee Composition: From the outset, the composition of the doctoral committee struck me with its diversity—comprising experts from within and outside my university, each member brought a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to the table. Their ability to seamlessly map my research problem to their respective domains underscored the richness of their insights and the importance of their feedback in shaping the trajectory of my study.

2. Thorough Preparation: Meticulously crafting my presentation was only the first step. I realized the necessity of thorough preparation, ensuring that each slide effectively communicated my research objectives, methodology, preliminary findings, and future directions. Despite the initial nerves, I remained composed and focused, drawing upon months of dedication and hard work invested in my research.

3. Anticipating Diverse Requests: During one particularly memorable meeting, the committee members had varied requests—one member asked for a demonstration of my work, while another member wanted to delve into the intricacies of my data collection, cleaning, and wrangling process. These diverse requests underscored the importance of being prepared for any eventuality during the presentation, including the need for live demonstrations and detailed explanations of data-related processes.

4. Embracing Constructive Criticism: I welcomed the committee’s feedback with an open mind. Their constructive criticism and encouragement not only bolstered my confidence but also reignited my passion for my work. I learned to recognize the invaluable role of feedback in guiding the next steps of my research journey.

5. Displaying Previous Meeting Observations: One valuable lesson I learned along the way was the importance of displaying and addressing previous committee meeting observations in subsequent presentations. It was during my second presentation that one committee member suggested this approach, highlighting the need to showcase how suggestions were addressed and incorporated into the research progress. From that point onward, I made it a regular practice to include this information in my presentations, ensuring transparency and accountability in my research journey.

In retrospect, each PhD progress presentation was a transformative experience, shaping me into a more resilient, prepared, and adaptable researcher.

As I reflect on the journey of presenting my PhD progress, I invite you to join me in exploring the intricacies of navigating these pivotal meetings. From preparation to presentation, and from feedback to refinement, each step of the journey offers valuable insights into the art and science of doctoral progress presentations.

Introduction

Summary of plan of actions before phd progress presentation meeting, presentation tips, summary of plan of actions during phd progress presentation meeting, summary of plan of actions after phd progress presentation meeting, email template to doctoral committee members for extension or modification for the work proposed, mastering the art of oral and visual presentations for phd presentations, what should be included in the one-page summary for phd doctoral committee members, how can i effectively demonstrate a software-based project during the phd progress presentation, what level of detail should i include in the background section of my presentation, how can i ensure that there are no surprises for my supervisor during the doctoral committee meeting, what types of questions can i expect from the committee members regarding my research plan, how should i respond to suggestions and feedback given by the committee members during the meeting, under which circumstances phd progress presentation can be rejected.

The PhD Doctoral committee is constituted by the university in which the candidate has registered for PhD. The committe is there   to support and guide the research scholar  till his final thesis is submitted. The committe involves the experts in the domain of the candidate from various universities and research labs. The Committee will evaluate your progress and help to make sure that you are on track to get your dissertation within a reasonable time.

At the beginning of your research, their focus will be on making sure you have defined reasonable and achievable objectives. Later, they will help you decide when it is time to write your thesis. Finally, they will be there at your thesis seminar and defence presentations. Their support as mentors will likely continue as you move on in your career.

Doctoral committee meeting happens usually once in 06 months. Here it is expected that the research scholar has to present his  PhD progress work of the past six months. The meeting should not be felt like an exam. The outcome should be productive advice to you for your future research.

The  Presentation of  PhD Progress Report to Doctoral Committee Members happens in three stages namely: i) Before the meeting:   i.e. Once you start preparing the report for the meeting to till the meeting begins. ii) During the meeting:  i.e. From entering into the meeting hall to  till the meeting gets over and iii) After the meeting:   i.e. From the time meeting concludes to till the next six months before you really start preparing for your next meeting report.

Before the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

Along with your supervisor go through all the comments given in the previous PhD progress doctoral committee meeting. Discuss in detail with your supervisor the work carried out for the past six months. If any issues are still pending have justification for not addressing or partially addressing those issues.

Do not hide details regarding the implementation and pending issues with your supervisor.  This actually helps the supervisor to defend you and take inputs from the committee members regarding the future course of directions.

A summary of  PhD progress and plans should be prepared and submitted to the  Doctoral committee at least one week prior to the meeting. Make sure that you have gone through the report with all grammatical corrections and plagiarism checks.

Send out the agenda to your committee members beforehand, but also remind them of the topics you want to cover before you begin the presentation. If you have any manuscripts published or accepted send your committee a copy of the same.

You should prepare a  PhD progress presentation (no more than 20 minutes without interruption) that includes a brief background of your research, objectives and the work carried out from the last presentation to till date. Without fail discuss in detail the presentation slides with your supervisor. In your presentation slides list all the previous comments and your response for each committee in the form of a table.

If you are planning to change the title of your work getting consent from the committee members is essential. Have at least    04-05 titles which you and your supervisor feel appropriate beforehand. This will ease the process of changing the title immediately in the meeting and the committee can recommend the same to the university along with regular suggestions.

The best way to ensure that your  PhD progress meeting goes smoothly is to meet individually with each committee member to discuss your results well in advance. If you cannot meet with them in person, share your results ( refer my blog on how to write result section ) over email and ask for their feedback. If there are any disagreements, resolve them before the meeting by speaking with your supervisor to ensure that the meeting goes smoothly.

During the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

Before the start of the PhD progress presentation give copies of the one-page summary to other faculty members who are attending the session. Submit copies of the complete report to the committee members including your supervisor. No need to present details of any published work. Provide a reprint or preprint, preferably ahead of the meeting. If your work is software based then keep the demo ready. If you do not have a working module then show the video demonstration of the model. This will help the committee members to suggest future directions for your work.

During your PhD progress committee meeting, you should focus on the last six months’ work rather than the background. Only spend as much time on the background as is relevant to what you will be talking about.

There should not be any surprise slides/facts to your supervisor during your committee meeting.

At your first PhD progress Doctoral committee meeting, you will present an outline of your plan for your research. You can build a detailed description of what you plan to do ( literature survey to carry out,  algorithms or theorems to study,  experiments to carry out, software and hardware components to add, systems integration to perform, tests to accomplish ).  The plans can be represented with specific milestones and timelines with a  Gantt Chart .

Example: The sample Gantt chart below shows a set of activities planned for the next few months for the Research work. This can be extended to any length. This chart helps the committee members to know how well the researcher has planned the research activities.

At subsequent PhD progress meetings you should present a brief introduction (one or two slides) to remind the committee of your research area – don’t expect them to recall everything from the last meeting, but no need to go into great detail. Aim to put your work in context.

Show your current working objective in the form of a block diagram. This will set the boundary for the presentation and discussion. This will help the committee members to focus on the specified objective. For example in the figure below the candidate is focusing on the “Wheeled mobile Robot” objective in Robot Path Planning.

Make sure you are comfortable moving back and forth among your slides.  Do not cross the time limit. Add photographs of any field visits for data collection , or conference presentations in your presentation slides. If you had any interactions with domain experts in your area then add interaction details with a date. If you have visited any organization as a resource person relating to your Ph.D. work with your supervisor then add that details.

Seek advice from your committee members during the meeting. Note down all the suggestions by yourself or ask one of your research colleagues to note the same.  This is highly desirable, almost to the point that you should make it mandatory. Give a timeline of your plans. What will you be doing over the next month, and what do you hope to accomplish before your next meeting in the next six months’ time.

Keep additional slides along with your regular slides. Get into additional slides detail if any clarifications are sought on any equations or algorithms etc.

Additional slides can be presented as follows:

i) The equipment details you are planning to purchase or currently using for implementation.

ii) The Algorithms which you have implemented or planning to implement.

iii) The mathematical model you have developed,  or

iv) Any slides that you think are important but do not have time to cover at the end of your presentation.

Here are some tips regarding the presentation, including time management, devices, backup, laptop usage, uploading PowerPoint, video, and audio:

• Practice your presentation beforehand to ensure it fits within the allocated time.
• Use a timer or stopwatch during practice sessions to gauge your pace.
• Be mindful of the time during the actual presentation and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
• Ensure your laptop or presentation device is in good working condition.
• Carry a backup copy of your presentation on a USB drive or cloud storage.
• Test the compatibility of your presentation files with the equipment at the presentation venue in advance.
• Close any unnecessary applications or notifications on your laptop to avoid distractions.
• Disable sleep mode or screensavers to prevent interruptions during the presentation.
• Familiarize yourself with the laptop’s function keys or shortcuts for adjusting display settings, volume, etc.
• Save your PowerPoint presentation in a compatible format (e.g., PPT or PPTX).
• Verify that all embedded media (images, videos, audio) are properly linked and functional.
• If possible, upload your presentation to the venue’s computer system before the session to avoid last-minute technical issues.
• Check the audio and video components of your presentation beforehand to ensure they work properly.
• If you plan to play a video, ensure it is in a compatible format and smoothly integrated into your presentation.
• Test the sound levels to ensure audibility for everyone in the room.

Additional tips (from personal experience):

• Rehearse your presentation multiple times to build confidence and familiarity with the material.
• Prepare cue cards or key points to refer to if needed, but avoid excessive reliance on them.
• Maintain eye contact with the audience to engage them and convey confidence.
• Speak clearly and project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you.
• Use visual aids and diagrams to enhance understanding and clarify complex concepts.
• Incorporate storytelling or real-life examples to make your presentation more engaging.
• Practice smooth transitions between slides and maintain a logical flow throughout.
• Be prepared to answer questions and engage in discussions following your presentation.

Remember, the more prepared and confident you are, the better you can deliver your presentation effectively.

After the PhD Progress Presentation Meeting

End your  PhD progress committee meeting with a summary of what you have discussed, common points that you have reached and an action plan for the next six months. Your action plan needs to have “actionable” items, specifically what milestones you will work towards after the meeting and approximate timelines.

A written summary of the  PhD progress committee meeting will be prepared by the supervisor and the committee, and that will be sent to the University. You will receive a copy of this and a copy will be placed in your research file.

Send an email note to each of your committee members through your supervisor to thank them for their time, and summarize the action items or milestones you agreed to. This will give your committee members another chance to give you feedback or suggestions.

During the meeting, you might have accepted to complete some implementation before the next meeting, but you may run out of time or you may not get any ideas regarding implementation. In such situations, have a discussion with your supervisor and the committee members and discuss the challenges faced by you. They may either extend the implementation time or ask you to change the methodology of implementation.

Simply do not wait for suggestions from committee members till the next PhD progress presentation meeting. In order to build trust between you and your committee members, you need to take committee members and your supervisor into confidence before taking any major decisions.

In the meeting, the committee might have suggested publishing your work in a quality conference or journal for better citations. Selecting a reputable journal and avoiding predatory conferences and journals is crucial for maximizing the visibility and impact of your research article.

By publishing in a respected journal, you increase the likelihood of attracting a broader and more qualified readership, thus increasing the chances of your article being cited by other researchers. Choosing the right journal involves considering factors such as the journal’s scope, target audience, impact factor, indexing in reputable databases, peer-review process, and overall reputation in the field.

Additionally, it is important to stay vigilant and avoid predatory conferences and journals that may engage in unethical practices or lack rigorous peer-review processes. These predatory outlets may hinder the credibility and recognition of your work. By carefully selecting a reputable journal, you position your research for greater exposure, credibility, and citation potential.

Visit my articles on ” How to identify and avoid predatory conferences and journals ” and “ Identifying Reputable journals for your research paper “. These articles will help you in getting your articles cited by many authors.

Here is an email template which you can communicate to your doctoral committee members in case you fail to keep the deadline or are unable to work on the ideas you proposed. Please take consent from your supervisor before sending any communication to Doctoral Committee members.

Improving both oral presentation and visual presentation skills is crucial for effective communication. To enhance your oral presentation skills, focus on aspects such as clarity, organization, and delivery. Practice speaking clearly, using appropriate tone and volume, and engaging with your audience. Additionally, consider refining your body language, utilizing effective gestures, and maintaining eye contact. For further guidance and resources on honing your oral presentation skills, you may explore reputable platforms and online courses available in this domain.

When it comes to visual presentation skills, it is essential to create visually appealing and impactful slides or visuals. Pay attention to design elements, such as color schemes, fonts, and layout, to ensure coherence and readability. Utilize visuals, such as graphs, charts, and images, to convey information effectively. Incorporate appropriate animations or transitions to enhance the flow and engagement of your presentation. To access valuable tips, techniques, and tools for enhancing your visual presentation skills, you can explore recommended platforms and tutorials available online.

If you are interested in further developing your oral presentation skills, I recommend checking out this comprehensive course on oral presentation skills . It covers essential techniques, strategies, and practical exercises to help you deliver impactful presentations confidently. Likewise, if you want to enhance your visual presentation skills, you may find this resource on v isual presentation design highly beneficial. It provides valuable insights, best practices, and examples to create visually stunning and effective presentations. Feel free to explore these resources to elevate your presentation skills and captivate your audience.

Presenting your PhD progress report to the doctoral committee can be a daunting task, but it is an essential part of your PhD journey. The committee is there to provide guidance and support, ensuring that you are on track to complete your dissertation within a reasonable time. It is crucial to approach the committee meeting with a positive attitude and view it as an opportunity to receive productive advice for your future research.

Remember that the presentation of the progress report to the committee happens in three stages: before, during, and after the meeting. The preparation of the report should be meticulous and thoughtful, and during the meeting, you should be open to constructive feedback and suggestions. After the meeting, you should take note of the committee’s recommendations and use them to shape your future research endeavours.

As you move forward in your career, the support and guidance of the doctoral committee will likely continue to be a valuable resource. By effectively presenting your progress report to the committee, you can make the most of this opportunity and receive the guidance you need to succeed in your PhD program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research Objective: Clearly state the objective of your research and the problem you are addressing. Methodology: Provide a brief description of the methodology or approach you are using to conduct your research. Key Findings: Highlight the major findings or results you have obtained so far in your research. Progress Update: Summarize the progress you have made during the past six months, highlighting significant achievements or milestones reached. Challenges: Briefly mention any challenges or obstacles you have encountered in your research and how you are addressing them. Future Plans: Outline your planned next steps and future goals for your research, including anticipated timelines or milestones. Relevance and Impact: Discuss the relevance and potential impact of your research in your field or discipline. Support Needed: Specify any specific support, resources, or expertise you require to further advance your research.

To effectively demonstrate a software-based project during the presentation: Have the demo prepared and functional Show a video demonstration if the software is not available or requires specific conditions Focus on showcasing key features and functionalities Provide context and explain the purpose of the software

Include only the necessary level of detail in the background section of your presentation, focusing on what is directly relevant to your research and the specific objectives you will be discussing. Keep it concise and provide enough context to help the doctoral committee members to understand the significance and motivation of your work without delving into unnecessary details.

Maintain open and regular communication with your supervisor throughout the research process. Share progress updates, challenges, and findings with your supervisor in a timely manner. Discuss any potential issues or deviations from the original plan as soon as they arise. Seek feedback and guidance from your supervisor at various stages of your research. Keep your supervisor informed about any changes in methodology, data, or results. Address any concerns or questions from your supervisor before the committee meeting to align expectations.

The types of questions you can expect from committee members regarding your research plan may include: Clarification questions seeking a deeper understanding of your research objectives, methodology, or proposed experiments. Questions about the theoretical framework or literature review supporting your research. Inquiries about the feasibility and potential limitations of your proposed research. Questions related to the significance and impact of your research in the field. Suggestions for alternative approaches or methodologies to consider. Questions about the expected timeline and milestones for your research. Inquiries about potential ethical considerations or data management strategies. Questions exploring the potential implications and practical applications of your research. Requests for additional details or explanations on specific aspects of your research plan. Questions about the expected contributions of your research to the existing body of knowledge in your field.

When responding to suggestions and feedback given by the committee members during the meeting: Listen actively and attentively to understand the suggestions and feedback. Thank the committee members for their input and valuable insights. Remain open-minded and receptive to different perspectives and ideas. Clarify any points of confusion or seek further clarification, if needed. Acknowledge the validity of the suggestions and show a willingness to consider them. Provide thoughtful responses that demonstrate your understanding of the suggestions. Clearly articulate your rationale if you choose not to implement a specific suggestion. Engage in constructive discussions and ask follow-up questions, if appropriate. Demonstrate your ability to integrate feedback into your research plan or adjust your approach. Express gratitude for the committee members’ support and guidance throughout the process.

Lack of Clear Objectives: If your progress presentation fails to clearly define and articulate the objectives of your research, it may be rejected. The committee expects a clear understanding of what you aim to achieve and the significance of your research goals. Inadequate Progress: Insufficient progress made during the specified period can lead to rejection. The committee expects tangible advancements in your research within the given timeframe. If there is a lack of substantial work or limited progress, they may question the feasibility or dedication to your research. Methodological Issues: If there are flaws in your research methodology or data collection techniques, the committee may reject your progress presentation. It is essential to demonstrate a robust and well-designed research approach that aligns with the requirements of your field. Poor Presentation Skills: Your presentation skills play a crucial role in conveying your research effectively. If your presentation lacks clarity, coherence, or fails to engage the audience, it may lead to rejection. Effective communication and the ability to present complex ideas in a concise and understandable manner are vital. Inadequate Literature Review: A comprehensive literature review is expected in a progress presentation. If your review of existing literature is incomplete, lacks depth, or fails to address relevant studies, your presentation may be rejected. It is essential to showcase a thorough understanding of the existing research and its relationship to your work. Failure to Address Committee Feedback: If you neglect to incorporate previous feedback and suggestions from the committee, it may result in rejection. The committee expects you to demonstrate the ability to reflect on and address their recommendations, showing your commitment to improving your research. Remember, the specific parameters for rejection may vary depending on your academic institution and the expectations set by your doctoral committee. It is crucial to consult your supervisor and committee members for clear guidelines and expectations for your progress presentation.

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PROGRESS OF THE DOCTORAL RESEARCH

You are required to submit yearly progress reports , documenting how your research has evolved. The first progress report consists of a PhD Research Proposal. Subsequently, you report annually on the progress of your research. Each report should be validated by your (co-)supervisors, and assessed by the other members of the supervisory committee (see below).

First Progress Report = PhD Research Proposal

Your first progress report consists of four steps: (1) draft a PhD Research Proposal, (2) organise a meeting with your supervisory committee, (3) draft a report based on that meeting, and (4) merge your PhD research proposal together with the signed (!) report, and upload it in KU Loket.

Precondition is that you the composition of your supervisory committee is approved (=9 months after you start your PhD).

In principle, your PhD Research Proposal (max. 20 pages) explains the planned research activities based on the work already undertaken. The proposal includes the provisional title of the dissertation, a problem statement, a clarification of the selected theoretical and methodological approach, and a work plan.

The supervisory committee will discuss the proposal and decide whether it can be approved, with or without amendments. The results determine whether your participation in the Doctoral Programme can be continued. The evaluation takes place on the basis of two criteria: (1) the progress made in the doctoral research, and (2) the advances you have made regarding academic ability and research maturity.

A well-founded report is drawn up of this meeting, using the correct template (see below). All members of the committee have to sign the report.

Merge the PhD Research Proposal and the signed report of the meeting of the supervisory committee to one pdf document. Upload that document in KU Loket (PhD Progress). Your first progress report will be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Committee for approval during the first meeting after your submission.

• Academic year 2022-2023 : your first progress report should be uploaded at the latest one year after the start of your PhD .
• As of academic year 2023-2024 : your first progress report should be uploaded at the latest 11 months after the start of your PhD .

Other relevant information

If the supervisory committee believes that in view of the doctoral student’s research activities or self-supporting status a different mode of reporting and/or of assessing is more appropriate for the first progress report, the doctoral committee will be informed in good time by a reasoned letter. The doctoral committee will build up its own jurisprudence regarding the exceptions on the expected first progress report.

If the PhD researcher wishes to depart substantially from the approved research proposal during the work on his/her dissertation or wishes to change the subject of the dissertation, the supervisor again convenes the supervisory committee. In the case of a significant change to the accepted research proposal, the supervisory committee determines whether the drafting and evaluation of a new research proposal is appropriate. In the case of an intended modification of the dissertation’s subject, the PhD researcher submits a new PhD proposal to the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee assesses a new PhD proposal in accordance with the procedure outlined above.

My supervisory committe?

Following the preparation of the first progress report, the supervisor and the PhD student set up a supervisory committee. The supervisory committee consists of the supervisor, any co-supervisors and at least two other members.

The supervisory committee monitors the progress of the doctoral research by evaluating the annual progress reports. When desired, the doctoral student or the promoter can reach out to the members of the advisory committee for additional discussions. More information regarding the supervisory committee and the examination committee on this page .

Yearly Progress Reports

Subsequently, you report on an annual basis on the progress of the doctoral research, and in addition, if required, when applying for or extension of a scholarship or mandate.  You can also reach out to the members of the supervisory committee for additional discussions, which provides an opportunity to receive constructive academic feedback on the research conducted. 

Every progress report is validated by the (co-)supervisor and is assessed by the other members of the supervisory committee. The result is substantiated and recorded in writing and sent to the PhD researcher and the Doctoral Committee.

The templates for your first progress report and the subsequent yearly progress reports can be found under the " PhD Templates " section of this website.

MILESTONE First Progress Report (=PhD Research Proposal)

To validate this milestone, you should upload following documents:

• Your PhD Research Proposal
• The First Progress Report (see Templates ) with the required signatures (original, digital or email approval)

Merg the documents into one PDF file and upload it in you KU Loket in ‘PhD progress’ in KU Loket.

Difficulties with uploading the file? Try to shorten the name of the document (e.g. "ProgressReport_yourname_year")

MILESTONE Yearly Progress Reports

To validate this milestone, you should upload following document:

• The Yearly Progress Report (see Templates ) with the required signatures (original, digital or email approval)

You can only upload one document for each milestone. If you collect digital signatures or approval via email, you have to merge all the information together in one PDF file. 

Writing a progress/status report

By michael ernst, january, 2010.

Writing a weekly report about your research progress can make your research more successful, less frustrating, and more visible to others, among other benefits.

One good format is to write your report in four parts:

• Quote the previous week's plan. This helps you determine whether you accomplished your goals.
• State this week's progress. This can include information such as: what you have accomplished, what you learned, what difficulties you overcame, what difficulties are still blocking you, your new ideas for research directions or projects, and the like.
• Give the next week's plan. A good format is a bulleted list, so we can see what you accomplished or did not. Try to make each goal measurable: there should be no ambiguity as to whether you were able to finish it. It's good to include longer-term goals as well.
• Give an agenda for the meeting. Some people like to send this as a separate message, which is fine.

The report need not be onerous. It can be a few paragraphs or a page, so it shouldn't take you long to write. Minimize details that are not relevant to your audience, such as classwork and the like, in order to keep the report focused; you will spend less time writing it, and make it more likely to be read.

Writing the progress report has many benefits.

Writing the report will make you more productive, because it will force you to think about your work in a manner concretely enough to write down. Any time that you spend organizing your thoughts will more than pay itself back in better understanding and improved productivity. When a project is complete, it is all too easy to forget some of your contributions. You can look back over your progress reports to remember what was difficult, and to think about how to work more productively in the future. You may be able to re-use some of the text when writing up your results.

Writing the report will make your meetings more productive. When you have a weekly research meeting, the report should be sent 24 hours in advance, to help everyone prepare. (Two hours is not an acceptable alternative: it does not let everyone — both you and others — mull over the ideas.) Don't delay your report because you want to wait until you have better results to report. Instead, send the report on schedule, and if you get more results in the next 24 hours, you can discuss those at the meeting.

Writing the report will give you feedback from a new point of view. The report enables others outside your research project to know what you are doing. Those people may respond with ideas or suggestions, which can help get you unstuck or give you additional avenues to explore. It also keeps you on their radar screen and reminds them of your work, which a good thing if you don't meet with them frequently. (For PhD students, a periodic report to the members of your thesis committee can pay big dividends.)

Writing the report helps explain (to yourself especially, but also to others) how you spent your time — even if there isn't as much progress as you would have preferred, you can see that you did work hard, and how to be more efficient or effective in the future.

If your meetings are more frequent than weekly, then the progress report should also be more frequent. If your meetings are less frequent, it's a good idea to still send a progress report each week.

Important tip: Throughout the day, maintain a log of what you have done. This can be a simple text file. You can update it when you start and end a task, or at regular intervals throughout the day. It takes only a moment to maintain the log, and it makes writing the report easy. By contrast, without a log you might forget what you have done during the week, and writing the report could take a long time.

Back to Advice compiled by Michael Ernst .

Secondary Menu

• Research Progress Report/Prelim Document

The preparation and submission of the Research Progress Report/Prelim Document emphasizes your research accomplishment at an early stage. The report also provides practice in technical writing, an important part of graduate training. The report serves as a first concrete step toward the preliminary examination, and the revised and updated version will also serve as the written document that guides the examination. As such, the report demonstrates your accomplished research and an understanding of the project, and is used to measure (and correct) your organizational and technical writing ability. It should be completed with minimal input from the research advisor.

A written prelim document  will be submitted by each student to the Director of Graduate Studies Assistant no later than March 1 of the Spring semester of year two. If a student’s affiliation with a lab is delayed due to not completing the required coursework stipulated in Section C or placement on academic probation due to poor academic performance, the preliminary exam will not be deferred.

The report will be evaluated by all members of the student’s supervisory committee, each providing critical comments and suggestions for revisions, both on the prelim document itself and the Chemistry Thesis Assessment Protocol (ChemTAP) worksheets provided. The report and comments will be returned to the student by March 15. A final and updated version of this report will serve as the written document for the preliminary examination and will be considered part of the examination.

Report Structure

The report should normally include the following sections. The body of the document should contain no more than 2500 words, not counting figures, references, and any appended experimental details. Students are encouraged to consult the ACS Style Guide and/or research journals in their research area for guidance on matters of style and format.

• Abstract of no more than 100 words.
• Introduction section that should state the broad goals and specific aims of the research, point to the significance and/or relevance of the research, and should provide sufficient background to place the research in the context of past and ongoing work in the research area, e.g. the literature.
• Methods - brief section outlining relevant methods employed in the research, with expanded experimental details appended outside the body of the document as necessary.
• Results - this section should summarize progress to date.
• Discussion section
• Future Work

When submitting the final draft of preliminary exam document to the committee the student should also provide a summary of their changes.

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Annual ph.d. progress report.

Starting in their second year, students will meet with a mentoring committee annually. Prior to candidacy, the mentoring committee will be composed of their Qualifying committee. After candidacy, the mentoring committee will be composed of their Dissertation committee, which depending on the nature of a student’s thesis may include members of the Qualifying committee. At least one week prior to the annual meeting (which also includes the candidacy exam), the student will provide a brief progress report (3-page max, excluding non-mandatory figures), an updated CV, and a copy of their IDP. At the beginning of the meeting, the student will meet alone with the committee, followed by a meeting of the advisor(s) with the committee. The committee chair will fill out the PhD Committee Meeting Report.

Access the Progress Report Submission form her e.

The purpose of the Dissertation Committee is to provide objective advice and fresh points of view to the student and Advisor. A lively discussion may be expected at these meetings, which is sure to benefit the student and the student’s research. Committee meetings are also important for ensuring that the student is: i) on schedule to complete the Thesis in an appropriate time frame, including maintaining the appropriate balance of experiments, analysis, writing, and dissemination; ii) thinking about and effectively pursuing post-graduation career plans; and iii) at the appropriate time is given permission to defend.

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Faculty of --> faculty of graduate research, progress reports.

Both PhD and Master’s thesis students must submit regular progress reports.

Progress reporting helps to ensure that candidates receive quality supervision, make suitable progress with their research, receive access to resources and have plans in place for the next phases of their research. If you see problems emerging of any kind, it is best to be open about them in your report. Where problems are identified, these reports allow for steps to be taken to resolve them as soon as possible. You can raise any issues of concern to you. These might include:

• the type or amount of feedback you get from your supervisor
• library facilities
• research resources
• ... or anything else.

Issues raised in these reports that are of concern to postgraduate students generally will be brought to the attention of the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research.

PhD candidates

Every May and November , PhD candidates and those enrolled in the thesis component of a professional doctorate must complete a Candidate Development Plan (CDP).

Candidate Development Plans are completed online. Students will be notified by email when each reporting round opens; the email will contain a link to the online system or you can access the system here .

Please refer to the information below to familiarise yourself with the Candidate Development Plan process.

• pdf 101.4KB Candidate Development Plan (CDP) FAQ for VUW Doctoral Students
• pdf 811.4KB Students How to navigate Research Master
• pdf 1.6MB Staff How to navigate Research Master

If you are a professional doctorate candidate you are only required to complete CDPs during Part 2 of your programme.

Master’s by Thesis students

Master’s by Thesis students are required to submit progress reports at set points during their enrolment.

The Confirmation of Master’s Research Proposal is due after one month, the Interim Progress Report after three months and the Final Progress Report after eight months. These deadlines are pro rata for part-time students.

Master of Architecture students enrolled in a research portfolio should be aware that the above timeframes differ.

You can find information on timelines for full-time and part-time study and learn how to submit mandatory progress reports here .

Graduate School for Health Sciences (GHS)

Progress report.

Please find an overview of relevant documents for your progress report below:

Progress Report (old regulations)

Progress Report (new regulations)

Mentor Guidelines

Guidelines: Interviews on further career path (DOC, 70KB)

Example of Structure of Scientifc Research Progresses

Evaluation Progress Report by Mentor (only Expert Committee III / FKIII for old regulations and all students for new regulations)

Doctoral Agreement

Progress report

Evaluate your progress.

The progress report allows to better monitor the progress of students in their program. It also makes it possible to evaluate the progress made  during the last year and to define the objectives for the following year. The information provided in the report ensures that all students are making systematic and consistent progress in their research.

It’s also an opportunity for the student and the thesis supervisor to meet and to take stock of the research and adjust accordingly. It is important to take advantage of these meetings to review the research goals and agree on the expected progress in the months to come. It is possible that several versions of the progress report are needed before coming to a final version.

Download the Annual Research Progress Report form (PDF, 796 KB) .

Who must submit a thesis progress report arrow_drop_down

All students registered in a thesis program must submit an annual progress report.   Students who receive scholarships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) or from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) must also submit progress reports.

How to submit the progress report arrow_drop_down

The student must submit the progress report to the thesis supervisor by submitting a Service Request accessible through  uoZone . The supervisor will then assess the student's progress. He or she will decide if the report is satisfactory or not, by comparing the objectives achieved by the student with the objectives established in the previous progress report.  If the student does not reach these objectives, the progress report could be deemed unsatisfactory.  It is therefore important that the student communicates with his supervisor throughout his studies in order to ensure an adequate progression of the academic path and the research. It is also possible that, following a meeting or a consultation, the student and the thesis supervisor decide to modify the objectives established during the last progress report. If this is the case, both must agree with the changes.

Once reviewed and approved by the thesis supervisor, the report will be submitted to the administration for verification and final approval.  The progress report will then be noted in the student's file.

When to submit a progress report arrow_drop_down

First report: During the second year of the program, specifically during the 4th term. Some faculties or units may however require a progress report before the 4th term. Following reports: One report per year until the submission of the thesis. If the progress is unsatisfactory, a report may be required more frequently.

Please note:

• If the student has been granted an extension to complete the program, he or she will have to submit a progress report each term.
• If the student is requesting a leave of absence, he or she must submit a progress report at the same time in order for the request to be approved.

Unsatisfactory progress reports arrow_drop_down

A progress report may be deemed unsatisfactory by the thesis supervisor or by the administration. 

A report can be unsatisfactory for several reasons. For example:

• The thesis supervisor thinks that the student should be more advanced in the research;
• External factors are influencing the research;
• The objectives achieved by the student are not sufficient and/or are not aligned with the established objectives;
• The research findings are not clear or do not support the thesis sufficiently.

In the case of an unsatisfactory report, the student will be informed of the imposed recommendations to follow. For example:

• Submit a detailed study plan;
• Establish more detailed goals with the thesis supervisor;
• Meet with a thesis committee.

Please note:  After being informed that the report was unsatisfactory, the student will be asked to submit a new progress report that must be satisfactory before the next term.  Students who receive two unsatisfactory progress reports during their studies shall be withdrawn from the program.

Consequences of not submitting a progress report arrow_drop_down

If the student fails to submit a progress report, the access to registration will be blocked until the student remedies the situation. Not registering could have major financial impact and may eventually lead to the student's academic file being closed without further notice.  Any scholarship may be suspended or cancelled.

Tips for establishing effective communication with your thesis supervisor arrow_drop_down

• The student must stay in touch with the thesis supervisor and meetings should be frequent to ensure the supervisor is well informed of the student's progress;
• uOttawa encourages students to prepare self-evaluation reports on a regular basis and give them to the supervisor for feedback;
• After each meeting, the student could make a summary including items discussed and the progress reached;
• At the end of each meeting the student and the supervisor should plan the next meetings and establish objectives to be met. If possible, set the date of the following meeting.

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Annual Progress Reports

Doctoral candidates have to submit a progress report every year once they have passed the public presentation. The annual progress reports serve two purposes:

First, they take stock of the progress made during each year of the doctoral studies. This may sound trivial, yet it helps both doctoral candidates and their supervisors to keep track of their doctoral projects and to avoid pitfalls that could have been easily avoided in retrospect (e.g. unrealistic timetable, procrastination, etc.).

Second, in the annual reports changes can be documented that become necessary or even desirable during the doctoral studies which could not have been anticipated when the dissertation agreement was signed. For instance, it might occur that the initially intended data collection becomes impossible because access to special archives or datasets was denied. Alternatively, it might be that new opportunities turn up, such as a new conference or workshop on the topic of the doctoral project. These changes to the dissertation agreement need to be documented in the annual reports. However, it is important to emphasize that ultimately it is up to the Director of the Doctoral Study Programme to accept these changes.

 Submission of Annual Progress Reports

The annual progress report has to be sent to the respective SSC. Please check the website of your SSC for submission deadlines and for documents which have to be submitted in addition to the annual progress report.

Please note that for many funding schemes (e.g. dissertation completion fellowship) studying according to the university regulations is required. This includes the subsmission of annual progress reports.

 Downloads

Annual Progress Report

DZ.V2 Annual Report.doc

File size:  191 kB

PhD Progress Reports | Feinberg Graduate School

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What is defined as a progress report?

Research proposal, interim report, special report.

• Final Report  

Deadline for your Progress Reports

It is mandatory that you submit all reports on time, according to your set deadlines. For your convenience, you may view the deadlines for your reports at any time through the online service. Requests for extensions for up to one month must be sent by email, a month before the deadline, to your FGS Faculty Coordinator.

Requests for extensions for more than one month must be sent by email, a month before the deadline, by your advisor directly to the Chair of the Board of Studies

• Research Proposal :  Month 12 (Direct Track: Pre-condition to start)
• Interim Report: Month 30 (Direct Track: Month 18)
• Final Report: Month 48 (Direct Track: Month 36)

Current information concerning the deadline for the submission of your progress reports is available online.

If necessary, you may file a fully detailed request with the Board of Studies to postpone submission of any of your Progress Reports.

Submitting Your Progress Reports

Each one of your progress reports must be submitted as a PDF file via the online uploading service .

Defending Your Progress Reports

The Chair of your Board of Studies will appoint an examining committee of at least two scientists.

Their task will be to review your reports and to meet with you following the submission of each report in order to examine your progress and general knowledge of the field as well as your ability to pursue your research.  Your advisor(s) should not be present at these examinations.

As soon as you coordinate a date for the examination of your progress report (i.e., a meeting with your appointed examiners), you should record the date through the online service .

At the end of the process the recommendations of your examiners and of the Chair of the Board of Studies are submitted to the FGS Dean for consideration and approval.

As a PhD candidate, you will be expected to select a specific doctoral research topic (in consultation with your supervisor), prepare a proposal, and submit it to the Feinberg Graduate School. This should all take place within the probationary period, not exceeding one year from the start of your studies.

Technical Details

• Your research proposal must be written in English (unless pursuing science teaching studies).
• The length may not exceed ten pages, not including pictures, graphs and bibliography.
• The font should be Times New Roman size 12, and line spacing should be 1.5.

Structuring the Proposal

Your research proposal should include the following sections:

• Title page:  Use one of two possible formats, one for the regular PhD track and one for the direct PhD track. For your convenience, provided herewith are WORD templates of the two title page formats: Regular PhD Track and Direct Track .
• Abstract  (half a page).
• The subject of your proposed research
• Aims and bjective
• Experimental approach and methodology
• Preliminary results

Your Interim Report should contain a summary of the results you have achieved to date, as well as your plans for future work. It should be submitted within 30 months from the start of your studies, or at a date determined by the Dean.

• The Interim Report must be written in English (except for students of Science Teaching).
• The length may not exceed 15 pages, not including pictures, graphs, and bibliography.
• The font should be Times New Roman size 12 and line spacing should be 1.5.

Structuring Your Interim Report

It is obligatory to include a title page and an abstract. For your convenience, provided herewith is a WORD template of the  title page for the Interim Report .

Your Research proposal and Interim Report examiners, as well as the Board of Studies, may require that you submit a Special Report on your progress. This request may be made of you at any time. When such a decision is made, you will be notified of the deadline for submission of a Special Report. 

Submitting a Special Report


• The Special Report must be written in English (except for students of Science Teaching).
• The required length is usually between one and ten pages, not including pictures, graphs, and bibliography.

Submitting the Special Report


It is obligatory to include a title page and an abstract. For your convenience, provided herewith is a WORD template of the title page for a Special Report .

Final Report

Your Final Report should summarize the main results of your research, and serve as a basis for writing your thesis. Review of your Final Report by the examiners who have accompanied your work throughout your doctoral studies is required ─ not only for the submission of your thesis, but also in order to provide you with helpful comments in terms of style and organization.

• The Final Report must be written in English (except for students of Science Teaching).
• The length may not exceed 30 pages, not including pictures, graphs, and bibliography.
• Setting a Date for the Examination 


Structuring the Report

The Final Report you submit should follow this structure, and include the following:

• Title page.  For your convenience, provided herewith is a WORD templates of the title page of the Final Report
• Brief summary of the main goals of your research (about one page).
• Concise report on your main findings and central conclusions (one page).
• Short introduction to your entire study.
• Summary of the Experimental or Theoretical section, presented in accordance with the chapters that will constitute your thesis. The description of experiments should be brief and accompanied by tables, illustrations, etc.
• The description of results in this report may NOT be replaced by a printed version of papers you have published. However, copies of papers you have published may be attached to your Final Report as appendices.
• Short discussion of your ENTIRE study deliberating on your work as a whole.
• List of all publications that you have authored during your PhD studies.

* Comments concerning the list of  publications:

• Each paper is a primary research paper – not a review, review-style book chapter, or meeting abstract – and was published in a peer-reviewed journal, or as a peer-reviewed abstract in a scientific conference as is customary in mathematics and computer science fields.
• Each paper must be at the published, in press or accepted stage. In other words, you or your advisor is in possession of a formal, final acceptance letter or email from the journal. The following stages do NOT fulfill these threshold requirements: In preparation, submitted, or in revision.
• You are either the sole first author or one of two equally contributing first authors. Papers in which you are one of three or more equally contributing first authors will not be considered for this purpose.
• In case of scientific disciplines where a different order of author listing is customary, such as alphabetical order, your advisor and examiners will determine if indeed the paper abides by the spirit of the above-mentioned requirements. 


Declaration of specific contributions - for Life Science

Starting 1/05/2023, All PhD progress reports, Research proposals Interim, Final and Thesis submitted to the FGS must include a section in the form of a table, after the Abstract, titled ‘Declaration of specific contributions:’.

In this table the student has to declare who collected the experimental data presented and who analyzed it for each table and figure.

If this information varies at the level of individual panels, it further needs to be provided on the panel level. The students are encouraged to include this specific information also at the bottom of each table/figure legend.

In the case that ALL the data were both produced and analyzed solely by the student, the aforesaid table can be replaced by a brief statement. Note that reports will not be approved without including the information mentioned above or if it is only partial.

An example table

1) Declaration  - The student shall declare that the thesis summarizes his/her independent research. If part of the research was performed in collaboration with another investigator(s) and/or students, the collaboration should be explained.

This includes specifying which parts of the thesis describe results from this collaboration, the work done by the collaborators (and not by the student), and the role of the student in the collaboration.

2) List of all publications that you have authored during your PhD studies.

Comments concerning the list of publications :

• The " main publications section " should include only those where you are the sole first author or one of up to three equally contributing first authors.
• In addition, you can also have an optional " additional publications " section, which can include any other papers meeting the criteria listed above on which you are listed as one of the authors, as well as review manuscripts, published preprints and review-style book chapters.
• In case of scientific disciplines where a different order of author listing is customary, such as alphabetical order, your advisor and examiners will determine if indeed the paper abides by the spirit of the above-mentioned requirements.
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To help keep track of progress and any difficulties,  all HDR candidates need to complete monthly research progress reports .

Research progress reports are 1–2 pages in length.

These reports are designed to help you and your advisors review your progress and any impact or disadvantage you may experience.

A  research progress template (DOCX, 49.9 KB) is available.

Research Data Manager (RDM)

Upload your research progress report to your project record in the Research Data Manager (RDM) and share them with your advisors.

See the UQ Research Data Manager guide  f or advice on setting up and using the RDM.

Keep these records of your progress, and any challenges you face, to help us assist you later if other options or an extension need to be explored. While progress reports are not a requirement of progress reviews, you may find them useful to refer to when outlining any challenges you have faced or adjustments you have had to make during your studies as part of the progress review process.

• Changing your candidature
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• Take leave or interrupt my candidature
• Withdrawing from my HDR program

Need assistance?

Get in touch with the Graduate School Team. 

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PhD Six Month Progress Report Sample/ Format

Annexure-II

UNIVERSITY NAME

SEMESTER WISE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE RESEARCH SCHOLAR CONFIDENTIAL

Six Monthly Progress Report of the Research work done for the period from 01 November 2017 to April 2018 of the Research Scholar.

• Name of the Research Scholar:  Mr. Daniel Sehwag
• Subject:   Computer Science
• Topic registered for Ph.D. Degree:  Optimum web personalization system using semantic annotation.
• Research paper published during this tenure and conference/seminar attended (if any)

  A. Research Paper Published:

• An optimum approach for preprocessing of web user query.

B. Conferences Attended:

• National Conference – 2
• International Conference – 3

C. Workshop Attended:

• One Week National Workshop on  “Statistics through SPSS and R” at   University of Texas.
• Three day National workshop on Research Methodology at GCW Parade, India.

Name of the Supervisor: Dr. Arjun Kumar

Name of the Co-Supervisor: Dr. Flemming

Description of the guidance                 

___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Signature of Candidate

Remarks of the supervisor on the work done by the candidate on topic:

   …………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………..…………………………

Signature of the supervisor

Remarks of the co-supervisor on the work done by the candidate on topic:

Signature of the co-supervisor

PhD six month progress report sample  PPT | PhD  half-yearly  progress report sample | 1st year  PhD progress report  example first year  PhD | PhD six month progress report sample

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Progress reporting for PhD candidates and supervisors at the Department of Geosciences

PhD candidates and supervisors must reports progress during the PhD degree. This is to ensure that PhD candidates receive necessary support  and to aid a smooth implementation of their PhD project.

The progress reports includes a compulsory meeting in the 3rd semester followed by yearly reports filed online.

Third semester reports

All PhD candidates are invited to a meeting between 12 and 15 months after the PhD candidates appointment date. This third semester report meeting is mandatory and the purpose is to follow up the supervisor relationship and the candidate's progress until now. 

The purpose

The meeting is conducted to give PhD candidates the opportunity to present their work, to get external input and new ideas for further research, rethink their project, and ultimately increase their confidence in own work and their job satisfaction. It also provides an opportunity for the candidate, their supervisors, and the PhD committee, to identify challenges with the project and take appropriate actions.

The expectation for the evaluation is not for the candidate to show a significant academic production, but rather to ensure that the project is developing as planned.

Third semester report meetings procedure

• The head of section appoints a committee of three members and set a date for the meeting together with the candidate and supervisors.
• At the meeting, the candidate starts with a short presentation (max 30 minutes) of how the research project is going.
• Next comes a conversation where both the candidate and the supervisor is involved.
• The supervisor leaves and the candidate can take the opportunity to speak freely about any issue confidentially.
• The committee can also talk to the supervisor without you being present if they wish.
• The third semester progress report form will be filled in by the committee during the meeting.

Annual reporting

All PhD candidates and their supervisors have to submit separate reports on the candidate's progress once a year. The student administration sends out a reminder, links to the online report forms and information at the beginning of each year.

The annual report is an important tool for monitoring and helping each PhD candidate and supporting the relationship with their supervisors. It is therefore important that everyone submits the report at the beginning of the year.

Annual reporting procedure

• At the beginning of each year, we ask you to report for the last year. So in January 2021, you report for 2020.
• Reporting is done by filling in an online form that we send out. The administration collects individual progress reports from both PhD candidates and their supervisors. Co-supervisors may file joint reports with the main supervisor, if they wish to.
• All PhD candidates are offered a conversation with the leader of the PhD council. PhD candidates may also, at any time during the year (regardless of reporting), request a meeting with the PhD council leader. Please contact the student administration for an appointment.
• The head of the PhD committee and student administration compares the responses from both PhD candidates and supervisors. Any deviations will be discussed and  measures taken.
• After a PhD candidate has defended their thesis, all report papers are shredded. 

Who can and must report yearly?

You have to report if:.

• the third semester meeting has been conducted.

Who can, but is not expected to report?

All doctoral candidates and their supervisors who

• have had the third semester meeting during the year of the reporting
• have started their PhD studies during the year of the reporting 
• are on a leave of absence. They should report for the period they have been active during the year of the reporting.
• have an agreement that has expired, but who are still working on their PhD projects. Please do remember to apply for extension of the contract in that case.

If you have submitted your thesis?

• You should not submit an annual report, but you can contact us in case you want to give any feedback or need help.
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Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) Module

Policy :  Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report Policy and RPPR Guide Notice .

The RPPR module allows extramural grantee institutions to electronically submit Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) to the Grants Management community.

See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for RPPR here (these do not apply to Department of Commerce--DOC-- awards):

https://grants.nih.gov/faqs#/research-performance-progress-report.htm

RPPR module features include:

• Electronic initiation of an RPPR
• Electronic routing of an RPPR to authorizing officials at the applicant institution for review and approval prior to submission to the agency
• Viewing of RPPR routing history
• Error checking capabilities
• Electronic submission of an RPPR
• Creation of Interim RPPR
• Electronic submission of Interim RPPR
• Creation of Final RPPR
• Electronic submission of Final RPPR
• Ability for an SO to delegate authority to a PD/PI for submitting an RPPR
• PDF generated version stored in the electronic grant folder (Commons Status Information screen)

Agency-Specific Instructions: Department of Commerce (DOC). Delegations cannot be used for DOC awards.

Accessing the RPPR Module

To access the RPPR module after logging into eRA Commons, select Status from the main menu.

Field-by-field guidance is available for completing the NIH, AHRQ, and VA Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs). Refer to the NIH and Other PHS Agency RPPR Instruction Guide ( https://grants.nih.gov/grants/rppr/rppr_instruction_guide.pdf ) for completing Sections A-I of the RPPR. This guide does not apply to Department of Commerce (DOC) awards.

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Drinking alcohol is linked to six types of cancer, experts say: ‘it’s toxic’.

It’s long been known that no amount of alcohol is good for the body — and now new research spotlights the potential harm it can cause.

More than 5% of all cancer cases are caused by drinking alcohol, according to the Cancer Progress Report 2024 from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Among the modifiable risk factors for cancer, alcohol is the third biggest, behind obesity (7.6% of cases) and cigarette smoking (19.3%).

“Excessive levels of alcohol consumption increase the risk for six different types of cancer, including certain types of head and neck cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast, colorectal, liver and stomach cancers,” said Rajarshi Sengupta, PhD, lead author of the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

“Further, research shows that alcohol intake at an early age can increase the risk of cancer later in life.”

Based on these findings, limiting or eliminating alcohol can reduce the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers by 8% and the risk of all cancers by 4%, the report noted.

Addiction expert warns of risks

There has been a “roller coaster of information” about whether alcohol is harmful, according to addiction psychiatrist Dr. Adam Scioli of Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania.

“There have even been reports for years that it could be beneficial for one’s health — but we know now that alcohol ingestion is one of the modifiable risk factors for cancer,” Scioli, who is not affiliated with AACR, told Fox News Digital.

Around 75,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with a cancer that is linked in some way to alcohol use, according to Scioli. 

The more someone drinks — both in volume and frequency — the higher the risk, he warned.

“Alcohol is a toxin,” Scioli said. 

“We’ve long known that it impacts any number of organs, essentially starting with the brain and working its way down to the colorectal system.”

Is there a ‘safe’ amount?

Moderate alcohol use is defined as one drink or less in one day for women. 

For men, it is two drinks or fewer per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Drinking alcohol in moderation may increase your overall risks of death and chronic disease,” the agency stated on its website.

“Even low levels of alcohol use (less than one drink per day) can raise the risk of certain cancers.”

Scioli agreed, emphasizing that “we can definitely say there’s no added health benefit to ingestion of alcohol.”

“The line between safety and danger is debatable, and is different for each person.”

While risk factors like tobacco use are widely known, public awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer is still low, according to Sengupta.

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Most Americans (51%) are not aware that alcohol increases cancer risk, per AACR data.

“It’s been flying under the radar for far too long — especially given the number of Americans who have met the criteria for alcohol use disorder, which is around 29 million Americans in 2023,” said Scioli.

What needs to change?

The good news, according to Scioli, is that with modifiable risk factors like alcohol, reducing the intake decreases the risk. 

As the report stated, those who are successful in decreasing their drinking or abstaining below those moderate risk levels will see a risk reduction in overall cancers, he noted.

“We need to do a much better job of making the public aware of the risks inherent in drinking — particularly moderate to heavy drinking,” Scioli said. 

“And we need to make the public aware that there are mechanisms by which they can access help if they are unable to moderate their drinking or quit on their own.”

To help raise awareness, Sengupta of the AACR called for public messaging campaigns, “such as cancer-specific warning labels displayed on alcoholic beverages.”

Along with that, she told Fox News Digital, “effective clinical strategies that reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption must be considered to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers.”

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