Departmental Higher Degrees by Research Coordinators

Each Department/Centre has appointed a member of academic staff to take special responsibility for the affairs of its postgraduate research students (the HDR Coordinator).

The coordinator has responsibility for assuring that:

• students and their supervisors are aware of the University Statutes and Regulations and their interpretation relating to their research degree, the Code of Practice for the supervision of research students, and other matters such as the ownership of Intellectual Property, as set out in the Doctoral Information Handbook.

• students are aware of the Departmental rules relating to Occupational Health and Safety Matters, and other procedures that may be specific to different Departments.

• students are aware of the University Guidelines for the conduct of research, including the location and storage of original data and the necessary certifications now required to accompany publications arising from their research.

• students are aware of the Faculty procedures for dealing with grievances.

Other duties of the coordinator may include:

• organising an appropriate induction program.

• resolving any problems that may arise during candidature through both joint and/or separate meetings with student and supervisors.

• provision of assistance to the Head in relation to the preparation of the student's annual review by meeting with the student, reviewing progress, examining work books and discussing any difficulties that may have arisen during the past twelve months.

• arranging for all students to give a departmental seminar.

• collaborating with the student and supervisor to set up a small supervisory committee, if a student's supervisor has heavy supervisory responsibilities (or in other cases where this may be appropriate).

• promoting participation of postgraduate research students in the full life of the Department.

• monitoring progress, especially in late stages of candidature and writing-up, particularly where protracted candidature is evident or imminent.

• taking responsibility for the monitoring of supervisory practice throughout the Department.

• assisting in other duties, as directed by the Head, including for example, the ranking of applications for APA/MGS scholarships.