A monthly newsletter keeping our HDR community informed and connected.

H D R   I N   F O C U S 

Celebrating our 2025 3MT Competition Winners! 

Congratulations to Cate Sexton (CSE) who has taken out the top prize in the 2025 3MTCompetition! Cate’s captivating presentation, “Meet me here: stories, fossils and deep time”, impressed the judges with its clarity, creativity, and impact. We also extend our congratulations to Cassandra Quarisa (CEPSW) who was awarded Runner-Up, and Stefano Zaccagnini (MPH) who won the People’s Choice Award and to all of our amazing finalists, who put a lot of effort and practice into their presentations, showcasing the incredible breadth and depth of research being undertaken by our HDR students.

2025 University Finalists: (from left to right)
Cassandra Quarisa (University Runner-Up), Cate Sexton (University Winner), Gary Andrews (industry judge), Scott Grist (industry judge),
Dr Ellen Schuller (industry judge), Stefano Zaccagnini (University People’s Choice Winner), Marissa Bertram (Finalist), Rebekah O’Loughlin (Finalist), Tim Cavagnaro (MC, PVC Research Training and Capabilities and Dean of Graduate Research), Ruth Canty (Finalist) online.

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 

All Students - Consent and Respectful Relationships Online course

As part of our ongoing commitment, we require all students to complete “Consent and Respectful Relationships” training. This course is designed to educate and empower you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to build healthy, respectful, and consensual relationships. You are automatically enrolled in this course on FLO (Canvas) and are required to complete the course by the end of your first semester. Please allow up to 45 minutes to complete.  If you believe that completing this course will cause you distress, you may request an exemption by emailing consent.training@flinders.edu.au. For further support, please contact Flinders Counselling Service (8201 2118) or email 

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Research Week 

Research Week at SALHN is an exciting week that provides an opportunity to showcase precinct excellence and in innovation and research, celebrate our achievements, and connect with key national and international experts through keynote sessions. The 2025 Research Week will be held from 15 September to 19 September at Flinders Medical Centre in Southern Adelaide

R U OK Day?

R U OK? Day is Thursday 11 September 2025. Flinders will be marking this day with events happening across multiple campuses from the 10th to 26th September. This year, the initiative is encouraging everyone to create space for meaningful conversations, not just on R U OK? Day but any day of the year. A conversation could change a life. Click the link below to find out more about the events that are on at the Port Pirie Campus Hub, City Campus, Bedford Park, FMC Library, Alice Springs and Casuarina Campus. 

Best HDR Student Publication Award 

The Best HDR Student Publication Award is an initiative of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) that celebrates the best student publications for each College. Students are invited to submit one first authored publication that makes significant original contribution to your field of study. Please look out for correspondence form your college regarding the call for applications To view the eligibility requirements and guidelines find out more via the link below

Flinders University’s Neurodiversity Community Program

Flinders University’s Neurodiversity Community Program (NCP) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for neurodivergent individuals. The program promotes understanding of neurodiversity across the university through training, events, and resources, and listens to students’ personal experiences to improve access and support. It also provides opportunities for connection, advocacy, and co-design to help students thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Check out the link below to see what events are coming up. 

Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector’s PhD Program

This program presents students with a unique opportunity to undertake a PhD in partnership with government. It is open to students from the following disciplines - social science, psychology, law and business who's work is focused on workplace gender equality with clear links or applicability to the Victorian context, and aligned with the goals and values of the Gender Equality Act 2020. Applications for Semester 1, 2026 intake close on 31 October 2025.  See link below for further information. 

Support Your Study Journey with Read&Write — Free software

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that helps students improve reading, writing, and comprehension. It features text-to-speech, speech to text, screen masking—ideal for students with learning differences like dyslexia or those who speak English as an additional language. The software promotes independent learning and boosts confidence across all academic levels. Students can access Read&Write on all student computers within Learning and Teaching areas or on personal devices.
 

Soil Yourself September - 

A free online speaker series, 'Soil Yourself September' has started. It’s part of a Flinders and Deakin University collaboration – The Grounded Minds Consortium – where we explore the connections between soil health, gut health and mental health. There are some wonderful speakers, including Drs Craig Liddicoat, Alyce Martin and Feargal Ryan from Flinders, along with Prof. Felice Jacka, Bruce Pascoe and more. The events run every Wednesday and Thursday at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm (Adelaide time) throughout September. 

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

Getting Started with your HDR: REST and Inspire - Tue 9 Sep

Are you new to your HDR? Need help navigating the systems? Come along the the Getting Started workshop, aimed at commencing HDR students. The workshop will provide a general overview the Research and Employability Skills Training (REST) Program and Inspire, the online candidature management system and address any questions or concerns you might have. 

Preparing for a career outside academia: A workshop for HDR students and supervisors - Thu 12 Sep

Many PhD supervisors will have limited experience of careers beyond academia, and some may not not how to support their graduate researchers in 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. 

Online Learning Programs

Need more flexible access to learning? Check out our range of online programs:

• REST - HDR research training program, open to all who need a refresher on all things research - from research methods, project management to research impact. 
• HDR Supervisor Development Program - Online program including a range of development activities and resources to support HDR supervisors. 
• Research Integrity - Online program providing guidance and training for all researchers on the responsible conduct of research. 
• Udemy Business - Still can't find what you are looking for? Check out a range of short online courses via Udemy Business. Email hdr.development@flinders.edu.au to activate your license.

More Opportunities 

• Mon 8 Sep   - Using Adobe Illustrator to Create Graphics for Your Research
• Mon 8 Sep   - Library Induction for HDR Students and Researchers
• Tue 9 Sep     - Getting started with your HDR: REST and Inspire
• Tue 9 Sep     - HDR Development Drop-in - Entrepreneurship
• Wed 10 Sep - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Categorical Data Analysis
• Wed 10 Sep - EndNote Essentials
• Fri 12 Sep    - Preparing for a career outside academia: A workshop for students and supervisors 
• Tue 16 Sep  - How to create a Data Management Plan (DMP) for your research project
• Tue 16 Sep   - HDR Development Drop-in - Time Management
• Wed 17 Sep - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Missing Data Analysis
• Fri 19 Sep    - Intellectual Property for Research for CSE/CMPH/CNHS)
• Tue 23 Sep  - HDR Development Drop-in - Academic Careers
• Tue 23 Sep  - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Correlation
• Thu 25 Sep  - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Multiple Regression
• Thu 25 Sep  - HDR Thesis Writing Discussion Group
• Tue 30 Sep   - HDR Development Drop-in - Examination 
• Tue 30 Sep   - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: T-tests and non-parametric equivalents
• Fri 2 Oct        - IBM SPSS - Intermediate: ANOVAs and non-parametric equivalents
• Fri 3 Oct        - Library Induction for HDR Students and Researchers

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