Transcript Slide 1
Services the Dean of Graduate
Studies Presents at UNE
Omdosheaa 5th Conference:
Conflict Resolution in Universities
4 December 2006
Professor Kay Harman
Dean of Graduate Studies
University of New England, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Presentation will discuss
The DoGS role
Select information shared with
newly enrolled HDR students
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Important first steps
Functions of Research Services
Relations with supervisor/s
‘Must know, must have’
The first year of candidature
What examiners are looking for
Publishing during candidature
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The DoGs’ Role
Responsible for all activities involving higher
degree research (HDR) training at masters
honours & doctoral levels especially:
HDR policy development, training courses,
recruitment, suspensions & extensions,
scholarships, supervision register, thesis
examination & completions, progress reports,
chair HDR & scholarship committees, &
guidance to research students and
supervisors when required
Summary of role: partly guiding & supporting,
partly regulatory, advocacy for HDR support
(but not advocacy for grievances)
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Important first steps
Attend induction programs & training
modules for newly enrolled HDRs
Find out what Research Services offers &
who is there to help (see handout)
Get to know your supervisor/s
Plan stages/milestones of your study up to
submission
Develop strategies for managing time and
stress
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Important first steps cont…
Become familiar with University
expectations, regulations & HDR policies
(e.g. new extension & CoC policies
http://www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/polACAD.html),
progress monitoring, IP & copyright issues
Get info on scholarships and other sources
of funding available (ask RS, ADRs & HoS)
Find out when & who to contact if problems
arise (e.g. supervisor, HoS, DoGS, ASO,
counselling services). My office - Research
Services, upper floor Lamble building
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Relations with supervisor/s
Don’t be shy but don’t hassle
Talk with supervisor/s early about scope
of project to fit timeline, joint
expectations, publishing, IP sharing
(where appropriate) & copyright issues
Establish regular & suitable meeting
and/or communication times & modes
Discuss how to address any problems
that might arise during candidature
Don’t wait for problems to worsen before
acting! Use support mechanisms
available if necessary.
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‘Must know, must have’
The ‘Gold Book’ - Quality Supervision…
Information on induction courses (pg portal,
schools & faculties)
Faculty postgraduate guides/documents
Rules for the appropriate award, forms for
extensions, suspensions, thesis submission
(www.une.edu.au/research-services/phd/html)
Other useful websites, eg. the Academic Skills
Office (www.une.edu.au/aso)
Support available for HDRs (p.69 in Gold Book
as well as IT and library support)
What the Dixson Library offers (e.g. free interlibrary loans for postgraduates)
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‘Must know, must have’ cont…
Ethics clearance where appropriate
Correct procedures for insurance & travel
arrangements when going on fieldwork (need A8
form – school will help here)
Progress reports (soon fully electronic
submission) – take seriously
Rules on ownership of intellectual property &
copyright & expectations about ownership
(student owns copyright if turning a thesis into
publication but need to be aware of
confidentiality restrictions on publishing)
Proper scientific writing & citation practices –
see the Postgraduate Support, UNE Referencing
Guide on the web & ASO Fact Sheets
(www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/referencing_style_guide.htm)
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The First Year Normally involves
Choosing a ‘do-able’ topic & refining this
Liaising closely with supervisors
Planning the study, preparing a detailed
research proposal (typically basis for Ch1)
Getting to know & review literature (start
writing this up asap)
Presenting a seminar based on the proposal
Applying for ethics approval (if relevant)
Settling into a regular work routine
Finding out what examiners are looking for
Confirmation of Candidature (new – see
www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/polACAD.html)
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What examiners are looking for
UNE Information for PhD examiners:
Does the candidate show sufficient
familiarity with, and understanding of, the
relevant literature?
Does the thesis provide a sufficiently
comprehensive investigation of the topic?
Are the methods and techniques adopted
appropriate to the subject matter & are
they applied suitably?
Are the results set out clearly & logically &
accompanied by adequate exposition &
interpretation?
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What examiners are looking for cont…
Are conclusions & implications developed
appropriately & linked clearly with the
nature & content of the research
framework & findings?
Is the literary quality & general
presentation of the thesis of a suitably
high standard?
Does the thesis as a whole constitute a
substantive original contribution to
knowledge in the subject area with which it
deals?
University of Melbourne…
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Publishing during candidature
Output is important, not just research activity
Good idea to plan for publication while still a
student (supervisor may suggest joint
publication)
Make contact with noted scholars in your field
(you and/or supervisor) seeking critical
feedback on written or other material
produced
Attend & present at conferences, workshops,
seminars & network effectively
Target highly regarded, high impact journals &
publishers in your field & note their publishing
requirements
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Publishing during candidature cont…
Why publish? Reasons include:
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A must for an academic career – Australian
academics are required to spend 40% of their
work time on research and scholarship
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Researchers’ professional responsibility is to
disseminate knowledge and expertise
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Get known & recognised in a broader network of
scholars (including research students)
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Contribute to the UNE research quantum,
especially according to DEST criteria
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Career advancement & promotion
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Peer review by experts tests the real quality of our
research
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Finally and importantly …
Best of wishes for a hassle-free,
productive and stimulating
postgraduate journey!
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