A monthly newsletter keeping our HDR community informed and connected.

H D R   I N   F O C U S 

Celebrating our Higher Degree by Research Student Success

This month we are highlighting the recipients of the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence, HDR Impact Prize and the Best HDR Student Publication. These awards acknowledge and celebrate some of our brightest, most talented and diligent Higher Degree by Research students, and their dedicated supervisors. The Office of Graduate Research held a special 'Celebrating HDR Success' ceremony on Monday 2 June 2025 to celebrate their achievements. To learn more about a students research and their PhD experience, click their name below

Vice-Chancellor's Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence
Daniel Bonnar (EPSW), Jin Chen (EPSW), Peter Mader (EPSW), Lucy Matson (EPSW),
Erin Simister (EPSW), Lisette Yip (EPSW), Adrian Mollenmans (HASS), Minglei Wang (HASS), Manam De Silva (MPH), Lauren Newman (MPH), Mitali Mukherjee (NHS), Jasmine Pople (SE)

HDR Impact Prize
Lauren Newman (MPH), Rupert Mathwin (SE)

Best HDR Student Publication
Hamid Azizi (BGL), Sarah Crossman (EPSW), Paul Clark (HASS), Bradley Menz (MPH), Sophie Miller (MPH), Alexandra Manson (NHS), Elise Tuuri (SE), Wenjie Liu (SE), 

W E L C O M E 

Introducing our new higher degree by research students who started this semester. We welcome you into the Flinders HDR community and look forward to following your journey.

R E C E N T L Y   C O M P L E T E D   S T U D E N T S  

Congratulations to the students who completed in the last month. The University recognises that a higher degree by research represents a considerable achievement, reflecting hard work and a high level of commitment and dedication. Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment! 

W H A T ' S   N E W 

New FAQ's for GenAI in HDR Studies 

The University recognises that Generative AI tools are being integrated into various stages of research, offering both valuable opportunities and posing challenges to maintaining research integrity. In response to the ACGR Generative AI Use in Graduate Research Training guidelines published earlier this year, the Office of Graduate Research developed new FAQs for GenAI in HDR studies for students, supervisors and external examiners. These respond to many of the questions and considerations we anticipate from the Flinders HDR community.

Nominate an Outstanding Supervisor 

Do you have a HDR supervisor who has made a lasting impact on your research journey? Someone who goes above and beyond to guide, support, and inspire? The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision is your chance to recognise their dedication and leadership. Nominations are now open!

M I N D   Y O U R S E L F

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - Free 8 Week Program

U P C O M I N G    D E V E L O P M E N T   W O R K S H O P S

How to prepare your materials and apply for non-academic jobs - Today

Don’t miss our exclusive workshop happening TODAY all online via Microsoft Teams! Whether you're exploring careers in industry, government, or the non-profit sector, this session is designed to equip you with the tools, insights, and confidence to make the leap. Delivered online by Sequitur Consulting, the session will help you tailor your CV to your target industry. 

3MT Information Session - 11 June 

This information session will provide you with an overview of the 3MT competition, including the rules, judging criteria, tips and dates, as well as how to prepare and perfect your presentation. The 2024 university winner, Thomas Beltrame will be there to answer any questions and talk about his 3MT experience. So come along and find out all you need to know before signing up to this year’s competition!

Inclusive approaches to designing, conducting and supervising HDR research - 12 June 

Interest continues to grow in methods which incorporate principles of co-design and co-production in research which seeks to understand people’s experience. These approaches have great potential for policy, practice and advancing knowledge – but there are also risks in drawing deeply from people’s lived experience which are less often discussed. In this seminar, we will discuss directions in inclusive research approaches, using disability research as an example. Focusing on ethics in practice, benefits and risks, together we will discuss implications for designing, conducting and supervising Higher Degree Research projects.

Preparing for a career outside academia: A workshop for HDR students and supervisors - 27 June 

Many PhD supervisors will have limited experience of careers beyond academia, and some may even have reservations about their graduate researchers pursuing non-academic careers. In this workshop run by Sequitur Consulting, we offer a framework for how graduate researchers and supervisors can approach this conversation, and co-design candidature to support a move beyond academia. This workshop is relevant for both students and supervisors, and will bring 10 HDR Supervisor Development Program points for supervisors. 

More Opportunities 

• 6 June   -  How to prepare your materials and apply for non-academic jobs 
• 10 June  - HDR Development Drop-in - Examination 
• 10 June  - How to create a Data Management Plan (DMP) for your research project
• 11 June  - 3MT Information Session
• 11 June  - Thought Exchange
• 12 June  - Inclusive approaches to designing, conducting and supervising HDR research 
• 12 June  - Unlocking Innovation: Think, Play, Make, Risk + Explore
• 17 June  - 3MT Practice Session
• 17 June  - HDR Development Drop-in - Teamwork 
• 17 June  - Introduction to Intellectual Property for Research
• 18 June  - Human Research Ethics Information Session
• 23 June  - Library Induction for HDR Students and Researchers
• 24 June  - 3MT Practice Session
• 24 June  - EndNote Essentials
• 24 June  - HDR Completions Workshop
• 24 June  - HDR Development Drop-in - Research Project Management
• 24 June  - How to Bring Your Research to Life using Animation Tools
• 24 June  - IBM SPSS - Introduction
• 27 June  - Preparing for a career outside academia: A workshop for students and supervisors 
• 30 June  - 3MT Practice Session
• 1 July   - HDR Development Drop-in - Research Strategy & Funding
• 1 July   - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
• 3 July   - HDR Thesis Writing Discussion Group

N E E D   H E L P ?

Any questions about your HDR studies? Please reach out!

Dean of Graduate Research - Leadership, Policy, Strategy
HDR Admissions - Admissions, Enrolments, Change of Supervisor
HDR Progression - Milestones, Intermissions, Candidature Management
HDR Exams - Turnitin, Thesis Submission, Examinations
Researcher Development - HDR student and supervisor development, REST, Induction
HDR Engagement - All Engagement, Industry and Cotutelle related inquiries

You can also contact HDR Student Representatives with any HDR candidature matters.

Do you have any suggestions, feedback or concerns about your HDR services? Let us know via the Student Experience Idea Gateway Form