17 December 2024

AGRS e-News

Message from the Dean

Dear HDR Students,

With the end of the year approaching, let’s celebrate what we have achieved together in 2024. This year we saw a lot of firsts: Our new HDR Mentoring Program commenced with much stronger numbers than anticipated and the involved HDRs (mentors and mentees) are blowing us away with their enthusiasm and commitment. We introduced oral examinations for our PhD candidates, with many now opting into this wonderful opportunity to showcase and discuss their research with experts in the field. We held our first Graduate Research Information Night (GRIN) and a few weeks ago, we saw many of you come together at our first university-wide HDR Achievements Celebration, my favourite event of the year.

While I have always been in awe of the excellence and breadth of our HDR cohort and the amazing research you undertake, seeing you describe your unique and diverse achievements and reading the nominations from your peers highlighted again the importance of community and taking the time to celebrate. On reflection, this is something that I haven’t appreciated during my own academic career, as there are always more research questions to answer or more papers to write. While I can’t wait for the next big celebration with you, please make sure you stop and acknowledge small steps along the way as well as the big achievements when they come, and celebrate yourself and your peers.

As last year, we recognise the continued challenges arising from cost-of-living pressures. Hence, from 1^st of January 2025, the University will increase all Commonwealth and University of Adelaide funded scholarships to $35,300. This will apply to current and commencing candidates and will not require any action from you to take effect.

Looking forward to 2025, you can expect continued focus on a positive graduate researcher experience at the University of Adelaide alongside continued design of the future graduate researcher experience at Adelaide University. As we move closer to the opening of Adelaide University in 2026, we will continue with our significant preparations to ensure smooth transition. You have received an email this week outlining recent development and next steps, and we look forward to engaging closely over the next 12 months as we move closer to the exceptional opportunities the creation of this future-focused university offers. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to connect with the team at the AGRS, and of course with your local support system.

This brings me to extending a huge thank you to the supervisors, postgraduate coordinators, and Associate Deans of Graduate Studies for their tireless efforts to enriching the HDR experience and learning, and to all professional, academic and industry colleagues who so kindly support our wonderful HDR community.

Importantly, I would like to express my deep thanks to the AGRS team. Having now had the privilege of working with the team for three years, I appreciate more than ever their dedication, empathy, professionalism and desire to deliver the best possible support and experience for our HDR community. Thank you also to Doreen Krumbiegel and the broader AGRS management team for their exceptional leadership.

On behalf of the AGRS team, I wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable festive and holiday period and a great start into a happy, healthy, exciting and successful 2025.

Best Wishes,

Professor Carolin Plewa

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

Division of Research and Innovation

Tip of the Month

Backup Your Work: Ensure all your research data and documents are backed up regularly. Consider using Uofa s/drive and Uofa Box storage solutions for added security.

Celebrating Students' Success

Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Research Excellence - November 2024

We are delighted to announce the exceptional achievements of the students who have been honoured with the Dean's Commendation for Research Excellence for the month of November 2024. These individuals have demonstrated exemplary dedication, innovation, and scholarly excellence in their respective fields of study.

Congratulations to these exceptional students, whose achievements not only reflect their dedication to academic excellence but also their remarkable contributions to research. We look forward to witnessing the continued success and impact of these scholars in their respective fields.

Gianluca Domenico Censo – School of Psychology
Ziheng Zhang – Adelaide Business School
Shuang Zhong – School of Chemical Engineering

Correction to the November news letter: Isabella Bilecki is from the School of Biomedicine.

HDR Achievements Awardees!

Huge thank you to everyone who joined the HDR Achievements Celebration on 20 November! It was incredible to see so many HDR students connecting, sharing & celebrating their successes across the university. A big congratulations to the following 12 students who won an award, nominated by their peers

Research Rockstar - Katie Skeen (HMS) Bio Medicine
Creative Genius - Mitchell Nicmanis (HMS) Psychology
Sustainability Advocate - Nate Camatta (ABLE) Law
Industry Collaborator - Jack Hetherington (ABLE) Economics & Public Policy
Collaboration Champion - Svenja Schmidt (SET) Chemical Engineering
MVP – Most Valuable Peer - Lauren McCormick (ABLE) Eldercon
Networking Enthusiast - Saadia Adnan (ABLE) Education
Most Inspiring Journey - Nasibeh Sorkhi Kojabad (HMS) Allied Health
Most Likely To Change The World - Alison Deslandes (HMS) Medicine
Outstanding Contributor To Team Morale - Charlotte Lassaline (SET) Bio Science
Conference Trailblazer - Shyam Sharma (SET) Bio Science
Outstanding International Student - Hussain Ahmad (SET) Computer and Mathematical Science

Outstanding HDR Student Representative Awards

Congratulations to our exceptional HDR student representatives for their outstanding contributions to the HDR community:

Dannie Carr Quiros

Megan Moon

Frankie Bray

Saadia Adnan

Madeleine Perrett

Vyta Hanifah

These students have gone above and beyond to promote inclusivity, support, and connection within the HDR community.

Whether through organising events,

Md Torikul Islam

Zane Marks

offering mentorship, or fostering a welcoming environment, their dedication has significantly enhanced the HDR experience. Their enthusiasm, leadership, and genuine care for their peers have made a lasting impact on us all.We are proud to celebrate their achievements, and thank them for inspiring and empowering fellow HDR students, making the HDR journey better for everyone!

Congratulations to Micaela Quinn!

Micaela Quinn recently won the "Christopher and Margie Nordin Young Investigator Poster Award” at the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS) Conference. This was held in Adelaide on 11-13^th November at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The nominees gave an oral presentation and presented a poster

Shut up & Write!

Attention HDR students! Looking for a focused, supportive environment to work on your thesis? Our ‘Shut Up & Write!’ sessions are designed to help you stay on track and make meaningful progress. These fortnightly sessions alternate between in-person meetings and online via Zoom, providing both flexibility and convenience.

What can you expect?

Dedicated, focused writing time
Morning tea at in-person sessions
An opportunity to set personal goals and track your progress alongside peers

Whether you attend in person or join us online, these sessions offer a valuable space to concentrate on your writing and share your journey with fellow students. Take this opportunity to move closer to completing your thesis.

Scheduled sessions can be found here.

Industry

Codan Founders' PhD Scholarship

Codan, a global leader in electronics solutions, is supporting exceptional PhD candidates in the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering to undertake applied research programs at the University of Adelaide, through the Codan Founders’ Scholarship program. The AGRS welcomes applications for an open opportunity under this program, for an industry PhD with Minelab, a leading manufacturer of hand-held metal detection technologies. The successful candidate will work with specialists at the University and Minelab to explore the use of semi-autonomous robots in metal detection. The successful candidate will receive a Codan Founders' Scholarship of $42,500 p.a., for 3.75 years, and undertake an internship at Minelab.

For more information including eligibility criteria please visit - https://bit.ly/3M200Nj

PhD Internship Scholarship - Supashock

Are you a student from SET considering an internship? An opportunity, supported through an internship scholarship at a rate of $1,200 per week is available with Supashock.

An Australian advanced technology business, specialising in engineering design, validation, testing and manufacture of products for Defence, autonomous, mining and automotive markets, you will join Supashock’s Engineering team to design, test and develop products for Supashock’s advanced defence products. Students will become integral to the engineering team, contributing directly to deliverable products.

During the internship, you will undergo extensive mentoring in product development exposing you to design, product testing and manufacturing processes. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and experience while working on Supashock’s active suspension system for military vehicles. https://bit.ly/3C6cYYB

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 Scholarships – Close 17 January 2025

The Playford Memorial Trust supports high-achieving South Australian students working in areas of strategic importance to the State. Four (4) PhD scholarships for students planning to carry out research in its priority areas are available.

Playford Trust PhD Scholarships – 4 scholarships for those commencing a PhD in 2025 (or for those that commenced their PhD no earlier than August 2024) in any of the Trust’s priority areas. Valued at $7,500 a year for 3.5 years.

An important clarification: Playford Trust Honours scholarships are also open to students ready to commence Higher Degree by Research programs at the Masters level.

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

Applicants can apply online directly via the Playford Trust website.

Guidelines for Generative AI use

Generative AI is a rapidly evolving technology, with new capabilities and applications being introduced regularly. Are you curious about using Generative AI, but not sure what the requirements are for your HDR? The Guidelines for use of generative AI tools in the preparation of Research Outputs by Higher Degree by Research Students will assist you in understanding the University’s expectations for the use of these tools in the preparation of research outputs related to your HDR program, including your thesis. We’ve also developed a new MyUni course on Integrity in Research Writing, which will help you understand and navigate common issues that arise with research writing, including authorship, avoiding plagiarism, and using AI tools responsibly.

Library

Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass (State Library of Queensland)

3rd February 2025, free, travel support available.

Register for the Australian Research Data Commons' free Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass. This event will equip participants with knowledge and tools to ethically manage Indigenous data, respecting cultural protocols and Indigenous communities’ sovereignty. Researchers will build capability to engage with Indigenous data, aiding culturally sensitive and informed approaches to data-driven projects.

Agenda includes introduction to IDG principles, guidance on curating and caring for collections, applying the Indigenous Data Matrix, and tours of Indigenous materials at SLQ. It precedes the HASS and Indigenous RDC Summer School, bursaries up to $500 available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working with community data to attend.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ardc-indigenous-data-governance-masterclass-at-summer-school-2025-tickets-1027820327267

HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School 2025, University of Queensland.

4-6 February, free, travel support available

Register for ARDC Summer School, which empowers participants with practical knowledge, digital skills, and inspires new research outcomes in humanities, arts, social sciences, and Indigenous fields. Participants will collaborate in groups, connecting with like-minded researchers and subject matter experts.

Workshops, discussions, mentoring, networking and formal presentations will help participants:

· learn skills to use digital research tools

· discover frameworks and workflows for impactful digital research

· understand Indigenous Data Governance and data management

· network for future collaborative projects using HASS and Indigenous RDC infrastructure.

Limited $1,000 travel bursaries available for people based in Australia, with participation of Indigenous, HDR students and EMCRs prioritised.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/hass-and-indigenous-research-data-commons-summer-school-2025-tickets-1027654802177

Wellbeing

Introducing the Upcycle Adelaide Closet – Opening February 4^th.

Are you prepping for a job interview, internship or professional event but need something new to wear?
The Adelaide Upcycle Closet provides free business and professional clothing to help you look and feel your best. We know that feeling confident in your appearance can make a difference, and we are here to ensure you are set for success.

Visit us in Napier Room 416 during semester from 12-3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

**starting February 4^th, 2025

Browse our collection and take what you need – completely free of charge!

Further details available at the website: Upcycle Adelaide Closet | Student Health and Wellbeing | University of Adelaide

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.