Resources & Support

The University sets minimum requirements with regards to the provision of infrastructure support for HDR candidates. HDR candidates are regarded as full members of the academic community, and their needs and requirements are considered with this in mind when resource allocation is negotiated.

For information on minimum resources and project specific funding for research students see Infrastructure Support for HDR Students

Access to resources and funding is managed by the host Faculty or Research Institute.

Your Faculty/Research Institute administrator will be able to assist you with the allocation of a desk, chair, computer, telephone and filing cabinet.

Do I have access to skills development and research training?

The Researcher Development program (UC ReD) provides a range of development workshops and information sessions, as well as maintains online resources and hosts social events for research students at the University.

For more information on the UC ReD program and to see the calendar of events see Researcher Development

Will I have guidance?

HDR students undertake their research under the supervision of a panel of at least two academics that have expertise in an area relevant to the project.

Each student should have a primary supervisor as well as a secondary supervisor.

The primary supervisor is responsible for providing appropriate academic support and intellectual input throughout the candidature, including:

• giving guidance about the nature of research and research integrity
• the requirements of the degree
• standards expected for the thesis submission
• choice of research topic
• planning of the project timeline and requirements for candidature milestones.

What is a Progress Support Strategy?

The University is committed to providing HDR candidates with access to the appropriate support.

A Progress Support Strategy (PSS) is the first formal step the University takes to help a candidate who is not progressing as expected, or to provide additional support – for example, to candidates who are returning after an extended period of leave. It is designed to avoid weaknesses growing into major problems later in candidature. The structure, content and outcomes of a PSS are determined through a process of discussion involving the candidate, their Primary Supervisor and the Associate Dean of the Faculty or Director of the Research Institute.

There are many reasons candidates may experience difficulties throughout their candidature and the focus of a Progress Support Strategy is to help get their research back on track for on time completion. A Progress Support Strategy is tailored to individual needs and will give the candidate:

• The opportunity to receive formal support
• Clear expectations on agreed actions and timeframes.

The strategy can be activated in several ways:

1. The Chair of the supervisory panel can recommended a PSS for candidates who are not making good progress.
2. Candidates can self-identify if they have concerns about their own progress.
3. The Faculty Associate Dean (Research) can recommend a PSS if they identify issues through the regular reporting systems.
4. Candidates returning from intermission or other leave of more than 3 months may undertake a PSS to ensure they are reconnected to their research, and able to make good progress.

Read more about  Progress Support Strategy.