A monthly newsletter keeping our HDR community informed and connected.
H D R I N F O C U S
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the HDR End-of-Year Celebration on 3 December! It was wonderful to see so many HDR students connecting and raising a glass to celebrate the year. We were thrilled to have all six College HDR Coordinators in attendance, along with OGR and support staff. A fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of 2025!
Congratulations to Kirrily MacRaild, Susie Grigson, Jayme Wearn, Diana Eyers-White, Bridget Mooney, Isaac Williams and Nour Alanizi who all received outstanding results from examiners on their thesis. We asked them to share what their research was about, the highlights, the hardest and most enjoyable parts, what they are up to now and advice to new students. Click their names below to read more about their experience.
Kirrily MacRaild
“Ordinary Trauma and Everyday Empowerment: The Life-writing of Defence Children in Australia”
Susie Grigson
“Advancing Microbial Protein Function Prediction”
Jayme Wearn
“In the wilderness and the lab, one learns to be a woman: the gendered constitution of experience in male-dominated school subjects”
Diana Eyers-White
“How can Food Assistance Models Operate More Effectively to Facilitate Clients’ Pathways Towards Food Security?”
Bridget Mooney
“Environment-dependent regulation of mitosis and cytokinesis by AMP-Activated Protein Kinase”
Isaac Williams
“The Interaction between Mood, Dietary Restraint, and Emotion Regulation on Eating Behaviour”
Nour Alanizi
"Constrained by Circumstance: The Influence of Poverty on Female Protagonists in J. M. Synge’s Triad The Shadow of the Glen, Riders to the Sea, and The Tinker’s Wedding”
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.
Clifford Maina (CEPSW)
Mark Walker (CEPSW)
Niamh Prendergast (CHASS)
Sreyasree Dhar (CMPH)
Natalie Knight (CNHS)
Ali Kaissi (CNHS)
Sophia Olijnyk (CSE)
Yi Wu (CSE)
William Souter (CSE)
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!
Ahmed Alhammad (BGL)
Diana Eyers-White (CBGL)
Christopher Bailey (CEPSW)
Nouf Saud S Barasayn (CEPSW)
Priyadharshany Sandanapitchai (CEPSW)
Kirrily MacRaild (CHASS)
Siobhan Fitzpatrick (CMPH)
Vassilios (Billy) Karnaros (CMPH)
Jing Quah (CMPH)
Ellen Wynn (CMPH)
Monica Lawrence (CNHS)
Ashenafi Woyessa (CNHS)
Batool Aljubran (CSE)
Salindi Herath (CSE)
Emma Kerr (CSE)
Braden Page (CSE)
W H A T ' S N E W
2025 Annual HDR Student Satisfaction Survey
Each year, we invite HDR students to share anonymous feedback through our satisfaction survey. Your input is invaluable—it helps shape your HDR experience and gives the Office of Graduate Research the evidence to advocate for more services and resources for our HDR community. Tell us what’s working and what could be improved, and you’ll go in the draw to win a $100 Visa voucher!
Thesis Write Up Stipend 2026 Semester 1
The Thesis Write Up Stipend 2026 Semester 1 is now open for applications. The purpose of the Thesis Write-Up Stipend is to assist non-scholarship holder research higher degree students to write-up and submit their theses.
New PhD Top-Up Scholarship Opportunity
Kathleen Lumley Foundation will open its inaugural round of top-up scholarships for PhD students in December 2025, offering $18,000 per year up to 3.5 years. Applicants from any discipline who are commencing their PhD in 2026 and are in receipt of a primary scholarship at Flinders University are invited to apply, providing their proposed research addresses the current Area of Focus. Applications open 8 December 2025 and close on 31 January 2026
DATA Scheme Opens New Research Opportunities at Flinders
Flinders is now accredited under the Australian Government’s DATA Scheme, allowing researchers to request access to Commonwealth government data. Learn what this means for you as an HDR student or supervisor—including how to apply, what data is available, and how the Library’s workshops can support you through the process.
M I N D Y O U R S E L F
When ‘Good Advice’ Feels Bad: Why Generic Self-Care Doesn’t Always Work (And What to Do About It)
When generic wellbeing advice doesn’t fit your life, remember, it’s not you, it’s the advice. Sometimes, what you really need is a personalised plan and a good conversation with an expert.
Finish the year with some memory tips?
Find the content from your study year already receding? Learn a few memory tools from neuroscientist Lisa Genova.
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
Final HDR Development Drop-in Session for 2025!
Join Dr Amy Butler for the last HDR Development Drop-in Session of the year! This session will focus on how to develop a strong research proposal. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice as you begin your HDR journey.
Library Induction for HDR Students and Researchers
New to Flinders? Join this information session to discover key library resources and tools to support your research journey. Learn how to enhance your ORCID and ResearchNow profile, and access expert help with publishing, data management, bibliometrics, and more. Ideal for new HDR students and researchers.
More Opportunities
Mon 08 Dec - Library Induction for HDR Students and Researchers
Tue 09 Dec - HDR Development Drop-in - Developing a Research Proposal
Wed 17 Dec - EndNote Essentials
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
