1. Professor Garry Allison
HDR Supervisor Update
Trends and changes over the last three years
Professor Garry Allison
8 April 2019

2. HDR Update – in this session
Trends
Student load
Scholarships
Completions
Register of Supervisors
Milestones
Good Practice & Policy
Australian Code for Research
Curtin Policies, Rules, Procedures
SV Training & Resources
Australian Autonomous Sanctions
Opportunities for HDR
Curtin provided
eGrad School modules
Collaborative PhDs
IDTC
ROC & GRS
GRS services
contacts & webpages

3. HDR - Headcount
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2018 – Figure 1: Total HDR Headcount 2014 – 2018
(Source: Business Intelligence Tool, Student Load and Enrolments Dataset, generated 1619 January 2019)

4. HDR Load – Study mode & Citizenship 2013 - 2017
Domestic and international enrolment – slight decline
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2018 – Figure 4: HDR Load by Study Mode and Citizenship 2014 – 2018

5. Comparative Doctoral Load - ATN
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2018 – Figure 8: Comparative Doctoral Load 2014 – 2018
(Source: Business Intelligence Tool - Federal Government Education Department – Student Load Dataset, accessed 16 January 2019)

6. Comparative Doctoral Completions - ATN
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2017 – Figure 17: Comparative Doctoral Completions (ATN)2014 – 2018
(Source: Business Intelligence Tool – Federal Government Education Department – Completions Dataset, accessed 17 January 2019)

7. Scholarships for HDR Students
Extensions of up to six months may be available where research delays are beyond a student’s control (refer Conditions of Award)
New Australian Government RTP Scholarship Policy and Procedures
Aust. Govt. RTP Fee Offset Scholarship
Aust. Govt. RTP Stipend Scholarship
Aust. Govt. RTP Allowance Scholarship
What scholarships do HDR students receive?
How long is a PhD scholarship??

8. Scholarship Programs – Domestic & International
Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship (replaces APA and IPRS)
RTP Tuition fee offset scholarship
This includes all Domestic HDR Students
Offset NOT ‘Waiver’.
Curtin Strategic Stipend Scholarship – Curtin funded
Round open 2 July – 31 August each year.
Other scholarships - Advertised on Scholarships website
Changes in scoring last year.
Major change for you:
Curtin Supervisor reference – feasibility and skill set.

9. Scholarships – Domestic RTP/Curtin Awarded 2013-2017
2018
MRes.
Collaborative PhD

10. 2019 Scholarships
RTP:
Domestic – 81 RTP stipend scholarships taken up
International – 16 RTP stipend scholarships awarded
scholarship stipend is valued at approx $28k. p.a.
MRes – about 15 students for Next year (planned)
Joint awards currently 72 students (6 Dom, 6 Int’l p.a. with Aberdeen) & 27 Agreements with collaborative institutions. (about 24 students funded in 2019)
RTP – Base funding – 75% rule. ATO.

11. Scholarship Extensions - Reasons
Living stipend 3 years Plus 6 months extension
Equipment failure
Data analysis harder than expected
Unable to find study participants
Change of topic/supervisor
Bureaucracy – especially with ethics applications
Lack of facilities
Outsourcing or external partner issues
The laboratory did not have the equipment available.
The lab was closed for the first year of my enrolment
The supervisor went on leave / left and I did not have a supervisor for 6 months
I have a large data set and the calculations take a long time
Poor quality of data collected, had to re-do the whole experiment.
Limited access to special equipment
I want to (or my supervisor wants me to) write more papers
Milestone 1 must be a very clear assessment of the feasibility and timelines

12. HDR Completions and Thesis Classifications
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2018 – Figure 14: HDR Completions and thesis Classifications 2013 – 2016
(Source: Script Database, Thesis Examinations module, generated 30 January 2019)

13. Higher Degree by Research Completions
Result
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Pass (A) 9%
13%
12% 8%
14%
Pass (B1 & B2)
86%
79%
82%
87%
80%
Resubmit C 4% 6% F
<1% 0%
0.58%
0.32%
Totals (n)
300
293
307
345
311
95% % % 95% %
Key to Result Column:
P: Pass, no amendment
A: Pass, having been amended (includes B1 and B2 options)
R: Pass, having been resubmitted
F: Fail
Examiner Recommendations – Percentage (Source: Script Database, Thesis Examinations module, generated 30 January 2019)

14. Higher Degree by Research Attrition
2012
2013
2014
(as at )
2015 )
2016 )
WD*
119 73
128
131
122 T 25 37 31 4
AWOL 48 55 33 66
Totals (n)
172
139
192
201
151
Key:
WD*: Withdrawn (includes students converting to another HDR course)
T: Enrolment terminated
AWOL: Absent without leave

15. Register of Supervisors
1500 FTE Load
About 1200 Staff
<1.5 students per registered supervisor
Register of Supervisors
Registered Supervisors by Faculty 2017
Faculty
Doctoral and Masters
Masters Only
Grand Total
Level 1
Level 2
Total
CBS
106 54
160 1
161 HS
209
118
327 7
334
HUM
133 85
218
225
SAR 45 50 95 11
S&E
299
137
436 VC 8 12 20 21
800
456
1256 27
1273
* Vice Chancellory includes the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, the Office of Research and Development, Curtin Teaching and Learning and Student Services.
Trends in Graduate Studies Report – 2017 – Table 8: Registered Supervisors by Faculty 2017
Source Data – J:\ORD\GRS\Graduate Research School\Academic\Filemaker Databases\2017 Trends Supervisor Stats.xlsx

16. Overview of the Research Degree Path
Application for admission
Application form
Written research proposal
Oral presentation
Research Integrity
ORCID
HIT
Milestone 1
(Candidacy)
Sample of written work
Oral presentation on progress and completion/dissemination plan (conference planning, authorship agreement)
Milestone 2
(Mid-term)
Milestone 3
(Pre-submission)
Oral presentation – celebratory; supervisors nominate examiners
Submission of Thesis & Examination
Graduation

17. Current Students as at Dec 2018 ‘What milestones do I need to do?’
Milestone optional
Completed > 3.5 years
Completed > 1.5 years
Candidacy approved?
Enrolled?
YES NO
Milestones
1- Candidacy ✔
2 - Midterm
3 – Pre-submission

18. Milestone #1
Completion of the Research Integrity training (on Blackboard)
Masters - 5 page proposal
Doctoral - 10 page proposal
Presentation of research plan (*)
Budget
Timelines
Risks/HIT
Turnitin report (via Research Integrity)
Data management plan
See Milestones webpage for more
Confirmation Tasks
List tasks that will be achieved in the next 12 months.
Must have a substantial written body of work.

19. Who will be involved in your candidature?
What are students told….
Who will be involved in your candidature?
You must have 2 committed people
peers, fellow HDR students
Supervisor
Co-supervisor
Associate Supervisor
Chair of Thesis Committee
Director of Graduate Research
Head of School
Graduate Research School GSOs

20. Milestone #2 - Confirmation
Milestones cont’d
Milestone #2 - Confirmation
Authorship agreement
Pilot work
Review, Methods paper?
Conference /mobility plan
Oral presentation
Confirmation of Confirmation Tasks
Plan for the next half of the doctoral thesis
(*) Must include Travel / Mobility plan
Milestone #3 - Pre-submission Oral presentation
Oral presentation
A pre-submission approval / acknowledgement
not an oral defence/ examination of the thesis like most other Institutions .. But could mean that the thesis can not be submitted until the candidate demonstrates a understanding of the doctoral award.

21. How things are progressing?
Thesis Chair…..
The new role of the thesis Chair is to talk to the student and the supervisors at each milestone time period (….and maybe more often).
How things are progressing?
What are the barriers and drivers for the student to reach the milestones in a timely manner?
RU-OK - PhD?

22. Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA)
Review of Australia’s Research Training System
Key findings in relation to
Communicating HDR outcomes to future students
Offset Scholarships – flexibility for institutions to extend to 4 EFTSL, flexible entry pathways
Imbed broader transferable skills,
Increase student engagement with industry – national industry placements,
Assessment beyond thesis
“ able to communicate their research outputs in more than just thesis format” = “Oral Defence”

23. Register of Supervisors
Purpose: is to identify those staff of the University eligible to be Supervisors of HDR students and assist in the promotion of good supervisory practice.
Two levels – Level 1 and Level 2
Criteria:
Be research active and published in the area; and
Have taken steps in the last three years to develop and maintain good supervisory skills and knowledge; and
Have successful research supervisory experience (L1 only).
Did you know….
An Associate Supervisor (no completions) can apply for level 1 status if they have supervised for 2 years and that the primary supervisor (with good student progress) provides a letter of support indicating that they have actively participated in the supervision (including the admin processes).

24. Supervision – resources
Staff portal – Research – HDR Supervision - HDR Supervision at Curtin ) includes links to:
Supervision of HDR Students Policy and Procedures
Guidelines for Establishing the Higher Degree by Research Supervisory Relationship
Guidelines for the Assignment of Conditional Status
Supervisor Registration and Renewal
Academic Integrity, plagiarism and complaints
Collaborative PhD research
HDR Supervisor Training includes links to:
Supervisor Induction, and Notes & iLectures
Current Students – Managing your higher degree by research see next slide
Cont’d over…

25. Managing Your HDR by research

26. Essential Facilities for HDR Students
International Campuses – will need to be verified according to the contract and cost of research
See Essential Facilities information – for links to Guidelines for Essential Facilities; and Research Support Fund Reimbursement List
High cost courses Doctoral up to $4,000 at M1 & M2; Masters up to $2,000 at M1 & M2
Low cost courses Doctoral up to $2,800 at M1 & M2; Masters up to $1,400 at M1 & M2
Curtin Sarawak Allocations are in MYR
Students must use Concur to claim reimbursements.
Schools provide access to computer/printer/basic software; desk/chair; storage space; after hours access
Support for Conference Attendance (Doctoral students only), $2,500 – usually after Milestone 2
See also Travel & Insurance for HDR’s
One off $750 for MRes conversion students who have a Living stipend.
Mobility awards – applied for at M#2. Must be taken before M#3.
Open to Masters students

27. Students and workload
Students should not be pressured into working more than a standard 37.5 hour week
Students in receipt of a scholarship administered by Curtin can work no more than 8 hours of the normal working week
Students undertaking work for their supervisor or other person in the department must be paid accordingly
Example: research assistant must be paid at research assistant rates and be provided with a contract of employment
Students can refuse to carry out work for a member of staff if the work is not directly related to or part of their research program

28. Good Practice & Policy

29. Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Part A: Principles and Practices to Encourage Responsible Research Conduct;
Management of research data and materials
Supervision of research trainees
Publications and dissemination of research findings
Authorship and peer review
Conflict of interest
Collaborative research across institutions
Part B: related to Research Misconduct
Breach of the code
Complaints procedure
Investigation and resolution of allegations

30. Other Australian Guidelines to note…
Higher Education Standards Framework by TEQSA see chapter 4 ‘Research and Research Training’
Australian Qualifications Framework see levels 9 (Masters by Research) and 10 (Doctoral)
ACOLA (Aust. Council of Learned Academies) – Review of Australia’s Research Training System
International Education Association of Australia
Exploring reciprocal intercultural supervision in HDR - 3 separate guidelines (2017) – HDR students; managers; supervisors
Footer text - slideshow title

31. Curtin Policies, Rules and Procedures
Supervisors must be aware of, and adhere to, the following:
Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research and Rule 11: Degree of Master by Research
Supervision of HDR Students Policy and Procedures
Essential Facilities for Higher Degree by Research Students
Code of Conduct and Values and Signature Behaviours
Research Management Policy
Responsible Conduct of Research Policy
Authorship, Peer Review and Publication of Research Findings Policy and Procedure

32. Curtin Policy cont’d
Research Data and Primary Materials Policy (includes data storage/ Research Data Management Plan; R drive)
Ownership of Intellectual Property Policy & Procedures (generally Curtin does not claim ownership of IP created by Students)
Conflict of Interest: Declare your interests. Declare early.
Confidentiality: During/after your association with Curtin take all reasonable steps to keep confidential all information that is disclosed to or obtained by you as a result of or during the course of your association with Curtin.
Academic Integrity website includes
Staff Guidelines for Dealing with Student Plagiarism;
Student Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism;
Academic Misconduct Rules

33. Curtin Policy cont’d
Collaborative Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Policy & Procedures
Register of Supervisors (Staff Portal > research > HDR supervision > Application for Entry and Renewal to the Register of Supervisors (schedule A and B). Contact
Research Integrity Professional Development on iPerform (see also Staff Portal > research > training > Research Integrity training > Research Integrity Manual)

34. Curtin Policies, Rules and Procedures
Policies, and procedures will change from time to time
Reflect changes in governing arrangements
University structures, priorities and resources
Students and staff will be alerted to changes
Underway for 2019…
Update of Rules 10-13
Introduction of new HDR policies, procedures and guidelines
Remove reference to outdate processes and structures
Remove administrative hurdles for students and supervisors

35. Australian Autonomous Sanctions
In addition to UN Sanctions, implemented in Dec 2011
Sanctions on Iran for oil and gas suspended
Further sanctions against Syria, and Iran relate to specific areas
Power engineering, computing (Syria only)
Software for integrating industrial processes (Iran only)
Sanctions related to Engineering and IT against Russia
Petroleum, gas, oil, civil engineering,
Chemical engineering, information technology
Financial transactions

36. Curtin Scale Scores (% Agreement)
Student Experience - Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ)
Curtin Scale Scores (% Agreement)
Percentage Agreement (%)
2013
2014
2015
Overall Satisfaction 89 90
Clarity of Goals and Expectations 96 95 93
Infrastructure 82 80
Intellectual Climate 75 70 66
Quality of Supervision 85 84
Skills Development 92 94
Thesis Examination 83
Source: Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ) Reports (data collected from students completing in the previous year)

37. Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ)
Curtin Scale Scores (% Agreement)
Source: Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ) Reports (data collected from students completing in the previous year)

38. Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ)
Questions relating to ‘Intellectual Climate’
A good seminar program for postgraduate students was provided.
I was integrated into the departments community.
The department provided opportunities for me to become involved in the broader research culture.
The department provided opportunities for social contact with other postgraduate students.
The research ambience in the department or faculty stimulated my work.

39. Opportunities for HDR’s
See list on Resources & Development
Academic skills
Professional skills
Transferable skills
Events and opportunities
ResBas – ‘Software Carpentry’ – 3 day event, 2-4 July run by the Curtin Institute for Computation
3 Minute Thesis Competition & UQ 3MT
Visualise Your Thesis competition
Fame Lab competition
Internships - WA iPREP - Mid-term and UX PhD students, 2 rounds per year and APR Intern – national, ongoing, 20+Curtin students pa
Mentoring Next Step and Industry Mentoring Network in STEMM
Contact –

40. Thankyou

41. e-Grad School (eGSA) Offered by ATN uni’s www.egradschool.edu.au
Advance
Critical and Creative Thinking
Global Sustainability
Practice-led Research in Creative Arts, Media and Design
Research Integrity in Practice
Digital Competencies
Lead
Leadership and Communication
Project Management
Developing Your Career
Engage
Research Commercialisation
Entrepreneurship
Public Policy
Offered by ATN uni’s
11 Online modules in 3 pathways – Advance; Lead; Engage
career-enhancing skills and knowledge
5 weeks duration, 2-3 hours per week
moderated

42. Collaborative PhDs at Curtin
Student enrolled in a Collaborative PhD Program at both Curtin and partner institution .
Supervision by staff in both institutions.
Minimum ONE year (in country) at each institution
Must be enrolled at Curtin for TWO years.
Agreements signed at DVC level.

43. Graduate Research School
The GRS is responsible for:
Day to day administration
Strategy, policy, quality and reporting
Register of Supervisors
Scholarships
Examinations
The Research Excellence team is responsible for:
Innovative courses
Training & opportunities for researchers, supervisors, HDR students
Reporting and analytics
Ad hoc projects

44. And don’t forget……… At Milestone 1, students must now have:
Completed RI Training
Put together a budget
Run their proposal through Turnitin
Have submitted a Data Management Plan
To get on the Register, supervisors must:
Be research active
Undertake professional development
Have completed RI training
Complete the Application for Entry to the Register of SV’s form

45. Important Webpages Current Students pages:
Important Webpages
Current Students pages:
Students – Managing Your Higher Degree by Research
Students – Resources and Development
HDR Forms and information sheets & Milestones
Staff portal pages:
HDR Supervision
Guidelines for Thesis Committee Members
Supervisor Induction Handouts
Supervisor Training list and previous Notes and iLectures

46. Contacts for GRS
Associate DVC, Research Excellence
Dean of GRS –
GRS Team Lead –
Staff Enquiries (Register of SV’s and non-student related queries)
Application /future students -
Current Student -
Thesis examination
Research Scholarships -
Training –