15 April 2025

AGRS e-News

Message from the Director

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who completed the 2025 HDR Experience Survey that closed last week. We will now fully analyse the data, create reports and will communicate the results widely. However, we are very excited as some early glimpses revealed that the response rate has increased significantly compared to 2024, and the overall scores look very positive. Congratulations also to the lucky winner of the iPad draw, Mohammad Altaf Hossain.

Even though it might still feel like summer, the influenza season has started. Hence, I am very pleased that HDR students have again been included in the

free University of Adelaide Flu Vaccination Program. You can either receive your vaccination on campus or in participating pharmacies. Available dates and booking information can be found here.

Best Wishes,

Dr Doreen Krumbiegel, PhD MBA

Director | Adelaide Graduate Research School

Division of Research and Innovation

Tip of the Month

We’re thrilled to welcome Natalia Ciecierska-Holmes as the new HDR Liaison Officer at the AGRS! As part of enhancing your HDR student experience, Natalia is here to provide guidance on administrative procedures, academic resources, and available support services. A former ABLE HDR student herself, Natalia truly understands the journey you're on and is passionate about helping you succeed. She’s

approachable, knowledgeable, and eager to hear your suggestions on how AGRS can better support your academic and personal growth. Don’t hesitate to reach out—whether you have a question, need advice, or just want to connect. Natalia is here to help make your HDR experience a positive and successful one!

Transition to Adelaide University

Significant work is in progress to ensure the transition to Adelaide University is smooth for all Graduate Researchers. We are happy to confirm that:

Graduate Researchers who are currently receiving a living stipend scholarship will continue to receive a tax-exempt stipend for the remainder of their current scholarship length. RTP and UARS scholarships will increase to $36,500 in 2025 and will continue to be indexed annually. Other scholarships will be indexed as per the conditions of award.

Leave provisions will remain the same as per your scholarship conditions of award. Additionally, Graduate researchers who have formally identified with the University as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples may apply for up to 10 paid days of cultural leave per year, in addition to recreation leave entitlements, for the purpose of fulfilling cultural requirements and obligations that are recognised as part of their culture.

The graduate researcher development program for Adelaide University is in development. For Graduate Researchers commencing their candidature at Adelaide University, the program will include a mandatory period of engagement for both compulsory and flexible components. Activities completed for CaRST will be transferred into the new program, and the total hour requirement won't increase for any students. Detailed information on transition arrangements will be shared later in 2025.

Whilst we try to minimise changes, the large and complex nature of establishing Adelaide University and planning the transition of our students does mean that from time to time we need to appropriately evolve or amend prior details. We will always strive to balance keeping these amendments to a minimum with moving at the speed required to open Adelaide University well.

Celebrating Students' Success

Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Research Excellence - March 2025

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 March 2025. 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.

Terence Ang - Adelaide Medical School
Brigette Clarke – Adelaide Medical School
Mia Majstorovic – School of Psychology
George Sanamyan – School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Nhu Khoa Tran – School of Chemical Engineering
Huiting Wang – Adelaide Business School
Xiaohang Yao – Adelaide Business School

HDR International Student Welcome Session

Date: Tuesday the 29^th of April, 2025

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ACST

Location: Hughes 113

Students are invited to join Adelaide Graduate Research School (AGRS) and International Student Support (ISS) to:

Find out important information on managing your candidature, leave conditions, support services, scholarships and more
Hear from current HDR students about their experiences
Network and make connections with other new HDR students

Register here

Statistical Research Methods Program by CaRST

This recently updated self-paced course provides comprehensive, cross-disciplinary support for researchers who require a foundation or refresher in statistical methods. With a pre-program diagnostic tool, signposted material and a modular format, the program improves researcher confidence and motivation in contemporary statistical methods, contributing to effective research projects.

HDR students can earn 12 CaRST credits in Domain A for successfully completing this course. Enrol here.

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.

Hans-Jürgen and Marianne Ohff Research Grants 2025

These Research Grants were established by Hans-Jürgen & Marianne Ohff to support postgraduate research students enrolled in postgraduate research programs at the University of Adelaide to undertake study and/or fieldwork in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, or The Netherlands at a research institute or university. Activities funded by the Grant include research field work or a short study program, or conference presentations and attendance.

Applications close 27 April 2025. See here for further information.

D R Stranks Travelling Fellowship 2025

The purpose of the fellowships is to provide assistance for travel to enable postgraduate scholars to pursue some aspects of their research and investigations outside the State of South Australia for travel in 2025. Retrospective applications will not be considered.

Students must:

be enrolled full-time in a higher degree by research at the University of Adelaide
have been enrolled for more than 12 months at time of travel
provide reasons why research cannot be undertaken at the University of Adelaide

Applications close 27 April 2025. See here for further information.

2025 Google PhD Fellowship Program – Expression of Interest

Google PhD Fellowships support promising PhD candidates who seek to influence the future of technology and those doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields.

What does the Fellowship include?

1 year Fellowship
AUD $20K stipend, travel expenses
Google Research Mentor

Eligibility

Be enrolled in the first or second year of your PhD
Remain enrolled full-time for the duration of the Fellowship
Not be supported by a comparable industry award

Please see the FAQ’s for the full eligibility requirements.

How to apply

An application must be submitted to Google directly by an official representative of the University. Please submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) via email to be considered for nomination and include the following:

A CV
Research Abstract (up to 1000 characters)
Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
Current and previous academic transcripts
Letter of Recommendation from your Principal Supervisor

Email to rosie.wilkes@adelaide.edu.au by Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 4:59:59pm (ACST).

NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarships scheme funds successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Research Masters Degree.

It aims to support these outstanding health and medical graduates early in their career so they can be trained to conduct research that is internationally competitive and develop a capacity for original independent research within Australia. The intended outcome of the Postgraduate Scholarships scheme is increased research capacity within Australia.

Click here for more information

Exciting Opportunity for PhD Students: Research on Hydrogen Economy and Market Impact

The Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center, funded by CSIRO, is offering an incredible opportunity for two full-time PhD students to contribute to cutting-edge research in the rapidly growing field of hydrogen energy.

As part of the research, you will explore critical areas such as:

The preconditions influencing the formation of national hydrogen strategies.
The mechanisms that drive market adoption of hydrogen technologies as part of Net-Zero Initiatives.
The macroeconomic implications of green hydrogen policies.

Click here for more information.

University Library

Visualise Your Thesis 2025

The Library is excited to announce that the Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) program for 2025 has officially launched. Present your research in a 60-second video or audio-visual display for a chance to win $1000. The competition is open to currently enrolled higher degree research students at any stage of their candidature who are active and attending. It’s a great way to develop digital and information literacy skills that will benefit and broaden your own researcher development.

Prizes:

First place – $1000
Second place – $500
Third place – $250
People’s choice award – $250

Submission deadline is Sunday 20 July 2025.

Visit the VYT website to find out all about this year's programe. Expression of interest should be directed to visualthesis@adelaide.edu.au

LabArchives: Record your work and collaborate using an electronic research notebook

The Library provides access to LabArchives, a secure cloud tool for capturing your research and collaborating with others inside and outside the University. Inspired by physical lab notebooks, the tool integrates data management, image sharing and annotation, embedded Microsoft Office tools, widgets such as scientific calculators, and a secure, timestamped and unalterable record of your research.

It can be used to document and share protocols and experimental designs, organise your work, record experiments, share data with collaborators, and record meetings or discussions with your supervisor.

LabArchives provides a range of user resources, including articles showing how an experiment can be recorded. Find online support materials here, or register for LabArchives’ Introduction to ELN for Researchers training, every Wednesday at 1.30pm.

Effective AI Prompting webinar

The University Library is offering a webinar that is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to craft effective AI prompts. By understanding and applying best practices in AI prompting, participants will be able to enhance the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated responses, ultimately improving their interactions with AI models. The webinar is being held Thursday 8 May 2025 10.00-10.45am. Please visit Effective AI Prompting for more information and to register.

Library workshops

17 April, 11am: Understanding predatory publishing: Learn to assess journals or conferences to identify whether they are legitimate or predatory. Register.
29 April, 11am: Introduction to systematic searching for SET: Learn to search systematically & discover SET discipline-specific approaches. Register.
5 May, 11am: Open access publishing: Covers the UoA Open Access (OA) Policy, OA types, publishing options, licencing & copyright. Register.
13 May, 11am: Publishing open access via Read & Publish: Discover OA agreements to publish without paying article processing charges. Register.
19 May, 11am: Introduction to research metrics: Learn common research metrics, key resources/databases, and their purposes. Register.

All workshops are via Zoom. HDR students can claim CaRST points for attendance. For any queries contact the Liaison Librarians.

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.