17 December 2019

AGC e-News

Message from the Dean

It has been a little over 12 months since I was fortunate enough to take over the role of Dean of Graduate Studies from Professor John Williams. It has been a very enjoyable and rewarding year for me working alongside the team in the Adelaide Graduate Centre, supervisors, research students, faculty HDR Convenors and school Postgraduate Coordinators. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your assistance and support and I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2020.

Again this year the University will see over 400 research degree completions, which is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of the graduates as well as to the commitment and dedication of a very large number of supervisors and support staff. In particular I would like to thank those colleagues who support HDR students in the schools in their roles as Convenors and Coordinators. Their dedication and commitment in dealing with the multitude of issues that can arise in HDR candidature is critical to the success of many students.

It has been a busy year for the Adelaide Graduate Centre, with a relocation from level 2 to level 10 of the Schulz building in September, and the development and introduction of several critical online systems to support HDR candidature throughout the year. The process of improving our online systems and elimination of paper-based forms will continue next year and will progressively deliver an improved and more streamlined system for students and supervisors.

Early next year we will welcome Dr Doreen Krumbiegel as the new Director of the Adelaide Graduate Centre. Doreen has a research doctorate in cellular biology and extensive experience in research management. She most recently worked at the University in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. We are fortunate that she has chosen to leave her current role as a research manager in Germany to lead the AGC team.

I would like to thank Donna Gould, who has been Interim Director of AGC for the past year. A great deal has been achieved under Donna’s guidance during a period of significant change and we are very grateful for her wise and dedicated leadership during this period.

I wish you the very best with your ongoing research studies. Please be assured that the Adelaide Graduate Centre is here to help should you experience difficulties of any kind. It is important, if you do experience any difficulties with your candidature, to seek advice sooner rather than later. It’s best to deal with problems as soon as they arise, rather than allowing them to escalate and become major issues at the end of candidature. The AGC team is very experienced and will be able to provide help and advice.

On behalf of the AGC team I wish you all a safe and happy break over the holiday period and great success with your studies in the New Year.

Adelaide Graduate Centre Christmas and New Year opening times

The Graduate Centre will be closed from 11:50am – 3:00pm on Tuesday 17 December for a private function and will break for Christmas on Tuesday 24 December at 12:00pm, reopening at 9:00am on Thursday 2 January 2020.

We encourage students planning on submitting their thesis before the end of the year to submit as soon as possible, noting that we will be unable to accept submissions on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 December, or on the morning of 24 December. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities

The Adelaide Graduate Centre maintains a searchable database of available scholarship opportunities (both full scholarships and supplementary scholarships), funded by both the University of Adelaide and external funding bodies. While the majority of available scholarships are awarded as part of the standard admission and scholarship rounds for domestic and international students, some are awarded at different times throughout the year, and may have a separate application process. Visit the Postgraduate Scholarships Website regularly for up to date information on current scholarship opportunities.

SmartSat CRC Scholarship (applications now open)

The SmartSat CRC is the largest space industry-research collaboration in Australia’s history. The SmartSat CRC invites expressions of interest for higher degrees by research (Masters and PhD) scholarships commencing in 2020. Scholarships are available for Australian residents. Non-residents will be considered, subject to project-specific requirements. Applicants will need to have a First-Class Honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. More information is available on the scholarships website.

Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship (expressions of interest open until filled)

The Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship at The University of Adelaide is funded by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) to support a full time PhD student who is undertaking research in a topic that will aid or improve primary industry production or profitability through the application of technology. Full details available on the scholarships website.

Playford Trust PhD Scholarships (applications close 17 January 2020)

Each year the Playford Trust offers two PhD scholarships for students planning to carry out research in its priority areas. The scholarships are intended to supplement an existing Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPS) or similar institutional PhD stipend scholarship. Full details, including the priority areas, eligibility criteria, and the application process, are available on the scholarships website.

School of Humanities PhD Scholarship in Philosophy (Open until filled - successful candidate must commence by 1 May 2020)

The scholarship is supported by the Faculty of Arts (Divisional Scholarship) and is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project, DP200100190: Everything in its Place: Location, Persistence, and Change (Chief Investigator: Dr Antony Eagle; Partner Investigators: Prof Cody Gilmore, and A/Prof Shieva Kleinschmidt).

The ARC project focuses on the metaphysics of persisting objects and related issues in the philosophy of physics. CI Eagle, who will be the primary supervisor of the successful candidate’s research, is interested in metaphysics, philosophy of physics, philosophy of logic and language, and epistemology/philosophy of science. The PIs will be involved as co-supervisors of the successful candidate’s project.

More information is available on the scholarships website.

School of Social Sciences PhD Scholarship in Politics and International Relations (Open until filled - successful candidate must commence by 1 June 2020)

The scholarship is supported by the Faculty of Arts (Divisional Scholarship), and is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project: The Proscription of Terrorist Organisations in Illiberal States. The appointee will also be affiliated with Professor Lee Jarvis at the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia. The HDR candidate’s project is expected to be in the field of Politics and International Relations (though students with a cognate background in Law, Sociology or similar are encouraged to apply).

For further information, please visit the scholarships website.

Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship to Harvard 2020- 2021

Knox Fellowships include:

Tuition fees
Health insurance fees
Stipend (cover living expenses of a single fellow for a ten-month academic year)

Applicants must also apply for and gain admission to one of the graduate or professional schools at Harvard University as full-time degree students. Admission applications must be submitted to the appropriate school according to the school’s deadlines. The awarding of a fellowship is contingent upon the applicant gaining admission to the school of choice, but does not guarantee a fellowship award. Further information, application forms, eligibility criteria, available at Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship webpage.

Lodging applications: Applications (preferably typewritten or neatly hand-written) must be submitted to the Adelaide Graduate Centre on the prescribed form with all requested attachments, two confidential letters of recommendation by the internal closing date of Friday 10 January 2020.

JBI 2020 Short Course Education Program

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), an independent, international, not-for-profit research and development organisation is concerned with improving health outcomes in communities globally by promoting and supporting the use of the best available evidence to inform decisions made at the point of care. This work begins and ends with the needs of those working in and using healthcare services.

We offer a range of systematic review and clinical audit tools, evidence-based point of care resources and varied educational programs to further support those who seek to access, appraise or use research evidence. For more information regarding JBI’s education programs and tailored training opportunities please visit the JBI website or contact JBI at jbieducation@adelaide.edu.au.

iCaRST (International Careers and Research Skills Training) December 2019

A cohort of 48 students have been attending Program 3 since 12 November 2019 and it has been good to see the development of strong collegiate links take place over the past month. Levels of increased confidence and research communication skills have also been developing well as the weeks have passed by. All in all, Program 3 is tracking well and the students are exhibiting high levels of engagement.

In addition, there are still a few Program 2 students attending consultations prior to their CCSP date. Meanwhile, the Additional Support Program, which is being run on a trial basis this year, has just completed 2 students from Program 1. They undertook a 6 month series of one to one sessions. A further 4 students, from Program 2, have now commenced this program.

Adelaide Graduate Centre Website Links

Respect. Now. Always.

The University seeks to promote an inclusive, respectful and fair environment for all people whilst engaged in University-related activities. A range of services are available to assist students who have safety concerns or have experienced bullying, sexual harassment or assault. For further information, help, or to report an incident, please visit the Safer Campus Community website.

As a student of the University, you can help to keep your campus safe by looking out for your own safety, and the safety of others and by conducting yourself in a manner consistent with the Student Charter. Remember that unacceptable behaviours such as Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Victimisation are not tolerated at the University.

Free, independent and confidential Counselling Service

Did you know that as a Postgraduate Student you are entitled to access counselling services provided to students at The University of Adelaide. To find out more information visit the Counselling Centre website.

Free and confidential Disability Service

As a Postgraduate Student you are also eligible for assistance from the Disability Service if you have a disability or ongoing medical condition. Information about the nature of your disability is not disclosed – information obtained from you about the functional impact of the disability is shared with academic staff solely for the purpose of assisting you with your studies. Details relating to the Disability Service and the on line registration process can be found on the Disability website.

Useful resources for staff can be found at the staff section of the Disability website.