Staying in the Loop

A monthly newsletter keeping our HDR students informed and connected.

"The future is uncertain but this uncertainty is at the very heart of human creativity." 

Ilya Prigogine

Student News

HDR Student Research Impact Prize

Vice-Chancellor Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence

Vice-Chancellor Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision

Celebrating graduation in times of pandemic

HDR Student Opportunities

Online Milestone Presentations

HDR students are now able to book their milestone presentations online. If your milestone is due soon and you have not yet been assigned a presentation time, you can book one in yourself. The OGR has prepared a number of resources for students including a booking page, which can be access through the Online Milestone Presentations button in the REST FLO Site. For any queries about the online presentations please contact hdr.development@flinders.edu.au and for queries regarding your Milestone content or due dates please contact the HDR Progression Team hdr.progression@flinders.edu.au.

3MT Competition

The 2020 3MT competition is up and running, and will be held online this year. Participating in 3MT practice sessions and the competition is a fun and exciting opportunity that can develop your communication skills, count towards your Mid-Candidature Milestone, and help you illustrate your research impact to the wider community. For further information and to register, visit the 3MT website.

What's New?

OGR Appointment Scheduler - HDR students are now able to book individual appointments with OGR staff members through the OGR Appointments button in the REST FLO Site. You can book up to three appointments at one time with any of our four teams.

Upcoming Events

Mid-Candidature Intensive Workshop - 21 May  - Are you half way through your candidature and feeling a little lost? Need some guidance and practical strategies to help you get back on track and re-engage with your research? Come and joins us at the Mid-Candidature Intensive. Enrolments via Inspire.

The Loop - 22 May - Join us at our next Loop, your HDR student feedback session with the OGR. The Loop will be run online via Zoom, and all HDR students are encouraged to attend to hear from our Dean and OGR teams, and raise any questions, concerns or comments. Enrolments and details via Inspire.

HDR Calendar

Check out our HDR Calendar for all upcoming events and critical dates. 

Get to know your OGR - Natalie Hills

What do you do in the world of Higher Degrees by Research?

My role in the Office of Graduate Research is to Coordinate the thesis examination process.  The exams team works to manage thesis examinations in a caring and efficient way for our students and their supervisors.  We understand how hard students have worked to get to the point of thesis submission.  We provide support to students with preparing their thesis, the examination process and the completion of their thesis amendments and degree.  In addition, a key role for our team is to uphold the integrity of Flinders University HDR degrees by ensuring that the examination process has integrity and meets international standards. 

Currently, another role of mine is the professional staff member on the University Council, which guides the strategic direction of the university.  This role is an enormous privilege. ✨

The best part of your job?

I am very lucky to be working at Flinders and specifically in the OGR with inspirational and intelligent people.  During these difficult times, I feel so privileged to have a job and I am thinking of those who are doing it tough right now.  I must say that I really do have a wonderful team and they make my job so much easier and are the best part of the day.  The students we have at Flinders are truly inspirational.  One of the best parts of the job is knowing that we are supporting students who will go on to make such significant contributions to society.  It a role that has meaning and contributes.  In my role, I have had the humbling pleasure to write a book with The Dean of Graduate Research, Tara Brabazon and one of our Flinders graduates Tiffany Lyndall-Knight titled The Creative PhD.  An unexpected honour I am very grateful for.  (Look out for the book, which should be released in the middle of this year and has some tips about the HDR examination process 😊)

Your favourite holiday destination?

I adore travelling and have been fortunate to travel to some beautiful countries, each place is unique and special, but it is often the people who make a place.   Bungee jumping in Zimbabwe was a thrill, sliding down an ice slide at the Harbin ice festival in China was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Seeing the big 5 in Kenya and coming within metres of giraffes, lions, cheetahs and rhinos is unforgettable, having to stop the car to let elephants cross the road is an image I will never forget.  Opening the tent and waking up to the snow-capped Himalayas is breathtaking, being with family in England was comforting and relaxing and sipping a cocktail at the pool in Penang was just perfect.  Italy, New Zealand, the Maldives, Antarctica and The Galapagos Islands are also on my bucket list. 🦁   

Your favourite Cuisine?

This is a tough one…. Mum’s chicken curry, a roast but there has to be Yorkshire puddings with it, Toly’s Laksa on campus is fantastic but I really can’t go past a good wood oven pizza. 🍕

Got News?

If you have any exciting news to share with your fellow Flinders HDR community please contact us at gradresearch@flinders.edu.au. We love to feature our amazing students on our blog site HDR students in focus or we can put your good news story in our next 'Staying in the Loop' newsletter.

Need Help?

Our staff are available to answer any questions you have about your Higher Degree by Research.

• HDR Admissions  - Admissions, Enrolments, Change of Supervisor
• HDR Progression  - Milestones, Intermissions, Candidature Management 
• HDR Exams - Turnitin, Thesis Submission, Examinations
• HDR Development - Skills Development, REST, HDR Induction, Industry Engagement
• HDR Cotutelle - All Cotutelle related inquiries