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Orientation for research students

HDR Orientation: Semester 2, 2023

Welcome to your research journey!

Join us for your introduction to your research journey where we will be providing you with key information regarding your research degree, research ethics, wellbeing during research, plus general advice regarding the campus and the support organisations that are available to you.

The first session in the series will be offered in person and online, and recorded for those who cannot attend live, with registration through the link below. Other sessions will be delivered online only and recorded, unless otherwise indicated, with registration through the Inkpath app for enrolled students.

HDR Orientation is aimed at new research students in their first semester. If you are past your first semester but missed a session or would like to revisit a session, you are welcome to register and attend.

REGISTER HERE FOR HDR ORIENTATION DAY 1 THURSDAY 27 JULY 2023

HDR Orientation program

Orientation Day 1 – Thursday 27 July

In person in 7B10 (Building 7, Level B, Room 10 see campus map) and online through MS Teams

9:30am - 10:00am

In person only

Arrive at 9:30am for refreshments and introduce yourself to new HDR colleagues and university staff.

10:00am -12:00pm

Official Welcome

  • Official Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
  • Introductions and overview of UC supports for HDR Candidates: Faculty Staff, Careers UC, Medical and Counselling, Ngunnawal Centre, Research and Innovation Services, UC Library and Study Skills, International Student Support Section, UCX Gym and HDR Representatives

Graduate Research

  • Graduate Research overview
  • Milestones and Candidature management
  • HDR Development Program overview
12:00pm - 1:30pm

Lunch Break - Catering provided for in person attendees

1:30pm - 3:00pm

UC Library

  • Library services for HDR candidates
  • Copyright
  • Study Skills and Studiosity
3:00pm - 3:30pmBreak
3:30pm - 4:30pm

PhD Plus coursework overview

  • Plus elements and opportunities – Adrienne Walls-Nichols
  • Principles of Research - Professor Jen Webb
  • Practice of Research - Dr Fern Hyde

Supervisors are welcome to attend – please contact HDRdevelopment@canberra.edu.au

Weekly HDR Orientation series

Wednesday 2 August

4:00pm – 6:00pm

Online

Click here to register

Planning your PhD with Hugh Kearns (ThinkWell)

This workshop will introduce you to the PhD Planning Toolkit. You will learn how to use these tools to:

  • create your big picture thesis plan
  • unpack your thesis down into logical parts
  • create tasks lists for each stage of your thesis
  • estimate times and schedule tasks
  • create a Gantt chart for your thesis
  • keep on track as you implement your plan
  • plan your writing
  • manage the finances
  • identify risks and deal with setbacks

Wednesday 9 August

4:00pm – 6:00pm

Online

International HDR candidates only

Click here to register

Information and Support for International Students

International HDR Candidates are invited to attend this session and will cover essential information. Wellbeing & International Student Advisors support students with:

  • Settling into life at UC & Canberra
  • Programs that aim to enhance their study experience, health & wellbeing
  • Understanding their student visa requirements & what is expected of them
  • Tailored support for Australia Awards students
  • Connections to other key services at UC and within the community

Wednesday 16 August

4:00pm – 6:00pm

Online

Click here to register

Research and Innovation Services with Dr Anesh Nair and Dr Kyle Hemming

  • eResearch and Data Management
  • Ethics and Research Integrity overview

Wednesday 23 August

4:00pm – 6:00pm

Online

Click here to register

Planning your academic writing with Dr Katherine Firth

This workshop will introduce you to the skills and processes to take control of your academic writing, including the writing cycle, generative writing, note taking, literature review matrices, writing plans, tiny texts, dialogical, mind maps, and time and task management.

Wednesday 30 August

4:00pm – 6:00pm

In person

Click here to register

You and your supervisor: Building effective supervisory relationships through communication with Professor Elke Stracke

Professional and effective relationships are essential for a candidate’s successful completion of their research degree. This session is designed for HDR candidates and their supervisors. In this interactive workshop, Dr Stracke will explore the importance of supervisory relationship for successful supervision and candidature. It will cover key content such as:

  • Why expectations matter
  • Clarifying expectations and the expectations scale
  • Cross-cultural exploration
  • Feedback and feedback expectations

Facilitator

Associate Professor Elke Stracke

Faculty of Education

University of Canberra, Australia

Elke is an experienced educator, supervisor, and researcher with international work and research experience in Applied Linguistics/TESOL and postgraduate supervision, feedback and assessment practice. Elke has successfully supervised more than ten (domestic and international) doctoral students. She was awarded the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Supervision of Higher Degree by Research Candidates in recognition of her experience in best practice in research supervision.

Invite your supervisor to attend and ask them to register here.

Wednesday 11 October

4:00pm – 5:30pm

Online

Click here to register

Candidates Talk: Things they didn’t tell you at Orientation

Join current HDR candidates as they share insights into candidature and navigating their way through a research degree. Aimed at HDR candidates who have recently started their research journey, this session is designed to help unlock the hidden curriculum of graduate research, shared from the perspective of candidates.

Other sessions of interest

Weekly on Thursdays

9:25am – 11:45am

On campus

Shut Up and Write

Join HDR candidates and research staff for focussed writing time. Writing is in 25 minute blocks (also called pomodoros) followed by breaks for taking about your progress and building your network. UC ReD buy the beverages and you do the writing!

Second Thursday of the month

12:00pm-1:00pm

Lunch on the Lawn (Pizzas provided!)

HDR Development coordinate a monthly networking lunch after Shut Up and Write. This is an opportunity to meet other researchers, talk about your research, celebrate your progress and ask advice from others.

Date Wed 2 Aug

12:30pm – 1:00pm

Online

HDR Wellbeing Program information session

The HDR Candidate Wellbeing Program aims to provide proactive measures for HDR candidates to support them in prioritising their mental and physical health and wellbeing. The HDR Wellbeing Program is structured around a core of wellbeing components that we recognize as a dynamic and flexible foundation for the wellbeing of our Higher Degree Researchers. The program includes the following components: physical, emotional, social/community, mental/cognitive, career, financial, environmental, and meaning/purpose.

Participants in this program will participate in a fortnightly wellbeing masterclass series aligned to the wellbeing components and choose one physical exercise/fitness membership option (online or in person) and can select from a range of additional personalised inclusions such as mindfulness practices, journals, or self-paced learning activities. Participants must commit to completing at least 80% of the program.

The fortnightly masterclass series will be held on Wednesday lunch times, delivered online, and sessions will be open to all HDR candidates.

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