13 December 2023

AGRS e-News

Dean's Message

What a year this has been. 2023 saw the historic decision to create a new university by merging the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. With a clear vision for Adelaide University, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on what the graduate researcher experience should look like, and work with you on the transition to the new university.

This year we also introduced the HDR Strategy, providing important direction for the next couple of years. With a key aim of delivering an outstanding

experience for our HDR cohort, we have already begun to implement some of the planned activities, with more to come over the next two years. Highlights for me include the graduate researcher survey on your experience, which has informed initiatives at University, Faculty and School levels, the initial hosting of HDR cohort building activities including 16 HDR social networking events with great response from you, significant scaling of PhD internship opportunities and support mechanisms, and initial work into the broadening of career development, peer support and mentoring opportunities for introduction in 2024. I am also very excited about offering anyone submitting a PhD thesis from semester 1, 2024, the option to complete an oral examination.

Recognising the continued challenges arising from cost-of-living pressures, from 1^st of January 2024, the University will increase all Commonwealth and University of Adelaide funded scholarships to $34,210. This will apply to current and commencing candidates and will not require any action from you to take effect. The adjustment of scholarship payments takes time. Hence, you may see the increase (and a backpay if necessary) only a few weeks into the New Year.

Importantly, I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all of your for being such a wonderful and important part of our research community. I am always amazed by the uniqueness, breadth, and excellence of the research you conduct, and the impact your research has or will have in the future. Thank you also for looking out for each other. I have no doubt that the friendships you make during this time will last a lifetime.

Thank you also to supervisors, postgraduate coordinators, and Associate Deans of Graduate Studies for providing a safe, supportive and inspiring environment; and to all professional, academic and industry colleagues who enrich the HDR experience. And, importantly, thanks to the incredibly dedicated, caring, and professional AGRS team, under the wonderful leadership of Dr Doreen Krumbiegel.

On behalf of the Adelaide Graduate Research School team, I wish you all a safe and wonderful break over the festive and holiday period. Going into 2024, I hope you have an inspiring, happy, and healthy new year and a research journey that exceeds your expectations, along with many opportunities to share and celebrate your learning and achievements. We are here to support you in any way we can.

Best Wishes

Professor Carolin Plewa

Pro Vice Chancellor (Researcher Education and Development) and Dean of Graduate Studies

Professor of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement

Tip of the Month

You can now follow us not only on X (Twitter) but also on Instagram.

See you there!

Congratulations to our HDR supervisor Learning and Teaching Award winners for 2023!

The following awards were presented at the 2023 ceremony Learning and Teaching awards ceremony, held on 30 November 2023:

Associate Professor David Jeffery from the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine is the 2023 Stephen Cole the Elder award for excellence recipient in the category: Excellence in HDR supervisory practice.

As a HDR supervisor, A/Prof Jeffery’s has supported outstanding student outcomes through developing students as individuals and fostering their growth as excellent independent researchers. He has been Principal Supervisor for ten students who have achieved timely completions and a total of over 50 publications in quality journals as first author in their theses, received various accolades, and gained pertinent employment.

Dr Susan Hemer from the School of Social Sciences and A/Prof Wendy Ingman from the Adelaide Medical School are the winners of the 2023 Commendations for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning recipient in the category: Implementing effective HDR Supervisory Practices.

Dr Susan Hemer approaches supervision through the philosophy of compassionate rigour. Recent years have proven challenging for many research students with a global pandemic. Dr Hemer has reviewed her supervisory practices to provide greater structure, scaffolding, and intensified support for students who face difficult times. These practices have supported Indigenous students, students with physical or mental health challenges and ‘rescue’ students to successfully complete their doctoral studies

A/Prof Wendy Ingman takes a student-centred approach to HDR supervision, tailoring her teaching style to the individual student and their individual learning needs. She helps each student identify and build on their strengths and address their unique challenges. Wendy creates a supportive environment that surrounds each student that will enable them to do their best work and reach their potential. Her students are supported to become self-directed learners and confident independent researchers, ready for postdoctoral careers.

For information on other award categories and winners: Awards for Learning and Teaching | Learning and Teaching | University of Adelaide

Thesis submissions in December 2023

The Adelaide Graduate Research School encourages all students intending on submitting their thesis before the end of the year to submit as early as possible and preferably prior to Friday, 15 December. This should enable our team to send theses out for examination prior to the Christmas closedown (assuming examiners have been nominated and all documentation is in order).

Changes to the Human Research Ethics Review Structure

The University has recently introduced three lower risk human research ethics committees (HREC) in addition to the existing main university HREC. The lower risk committees are faculty based and meet monthly, to provide greater capacity to review applications more efficiently and robustly, and to provide university researchers greater transparency regarding timelines for review.

Which committee an application will be allocated to, will depend on your faculty and the risk level of the research. For assistance in determining the risk level of an application, researchers are able to contact the human research ethics office for assistance by emailing hrec@adelaide.edu.au or phoning 8313 6028.

For a list of submission deadlines please visit: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/staff/research/ethics-compliance-integrity/human-research-ethics/human-research-ethics-applications#deadlines

Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities

The Adelaide Graduate Research School 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.

Playford Trust PhD Scholarships – Now open, closing 19 January 2024

The Playford Memorial Trust supports high-achieving South Australian students working in areas of strategic importance to the State.

Playford Trust PhD Scholarships – 3 scholarships for those commencing a PhD in 2024 in any of the Trust’s priority areas. Valued at $7,500 a year for 3.5 years

Playford Trust DSTG PhD Scholarships – In partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), there are 3 scholarships valued at $10,000 a year for 3.5 years for those commencing a PhD in 2024 in the following priority areas for Defence:

o Space and defence technology

o Health sciences and enabling technologies

These scholarships are intended to supplement an existing Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPS) or similar institutional PhD stipend scholarship.

Applicants can apply online directly via the Playford Trust website.

University Library

Managing your Research Data – MyUni course

The Library is very pleased to let you know that this revamped course is live!

Good research data management can save you time before, during and after your research project, and can help you deliver on your responsibilities to the University, your funders or collaborators, and the subjects of your research.

This self-paced, flexible online resource provides a comprehensive guide to best practice in research data management, including how to organise your data, keep it safe, make it FAIR, publish, share and archive it. It will help you prepare your data management plan, and build your essential research skills.

https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/enroll/DJMTNX

Save the Date! ABLE HDR Conference 10 April 2024

We are excited to announce the upcoming 2024 ABLE faculty's HDR Conference, a much-anticipated event that brings together our brilliant community of researchers.

Date: 10^th April 2024

Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm

Location: National Wine Centre

Applications for abstract submissions will open in January and close in late February – so now it’s a good time to start thinking about the content of your abstract.

Further information about the event, including the registration process and the call for presentation abstracts will be provided in due course.

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.