HDR Update

APRIL 2018

In this issue

• New format of monthly information from the Dean, Higher Degree Research
• Campus wide HDR training and development calendar
• May Thesis Boot Camp Application
• Roll of Honour

Welcome note

If I had to date the start of autumn in Canberra it would be 21 March precisely: this was the day I wished I’d brought an extra layer as the evening temperature plummeted. But this is a lovely time of the year to be on campus, so do take advantage of the milder temperatures and spend time outside. As autumn is now really upon us, the change of season heralds a change of name: after discussing the matter with the Student Consultative Committee we have rebadged the Research Digest to ‘HDR Update’. I hope you agree that the change better reflects our target audience and we hope it encourages more of you to open the email as a result!  We use this monthly newsletter to inform you of upcoming events as well as communicate opportunities and student successes, but we’re always open to further suggestions - just contact my office on ODHDR@anu.edu.au.
Those of you who are contemplating the end of your HDR journey will be pleased to know that the first module of the Exams and Thesis submission project is now live. The changes to the existing HDR Milestone Reporting eform allow you to update your working thesis title as well as your abstract and intended submission date. There is more about the new functionality here. And continuing on the theme of changes, I hope that more of you have been able to get hold of the #ANUHDR Services and Programs brochure for 2018 since last month. Research Skills and Training have copies to spare and it’s a useful reminder of all the central services available to you during candidature.
Applications are now open for the Falling Walls Lab, where you will have the opportunity to present your ground-breaking research projects, initiatives, innovative ideas or business models to peers and a distinguished jury, chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel. You will have 3 minutes on stage to present your work, answering the question “Which are the next walls to fall?” The closing date is Monday 29 May 2018.
I would like to congratulate Adam Mater in the Research School of Chemistry who has been awarded one of the highly-prized 2018 Westpac Future Leader Scholarships for his work on computer-aided chemical design. There were just 17 awarded this year, so it is an achievement worthy of celebration. You can read more about Adam here.
Finally I want to recognise the tremendous achievements of any our HDR colleagues who have recently completed their degrees.

Professor Imelda Whelehan

Dean, Higher Degree Research

Upcoming programs

April

May

Showcase

Opportunities

Academic Skills and Learning Centre
Want to learn more about writing up your research for publication or thesis submission? Take a look at the Academic Skills and Learning Centre online training calendar.

Library
Are you writing your literature review? Book a one-to-one consultation with a library subject expert for a personalised and efficient approach to searching, evaluating and managing the literature.
Do you need to analyse and present your data? Join the SPSS workshops and you will learn these skills and much more.
Manage and analyse qualitative data with NVivo – upcoming workshops are available on 9 and 16 April (cost $180).
Are you using Word to write your thesis? Our workshops will show you how to format efficiently and navigate long documents, understand section breaks and numbering and use templates to maintain consistency in your thesis. Register online via the full event catalogue.

We are greatly saddened by the loss of the collection on Chifley Library level 1 due to the flood. If you are a HDR student affected by the loss of the collection we have special support to assist you. We can arrange appointments with a library specialist to assist you – particularly focused on searching skills and how we can obtain material from other collections to assist in your research. We can also talk to other institutions in Canberra about support and access to collections.  Please contact Ms Meredith Duncan, Branch Manager, Chifley Library, meredith.duncan@anu.edu.au or phone ext 57161 to arrange an appointment or special support.

Statistical Consulting Unit
The Statistical Consulting Unit (SCU) is running a free, three-day short course in statistical design for CASS and CAP HDR research students from Tuesday 10th till Thursday 12th April 2018, 8.30am to 5.30pm. 
The topics in the course will include: identifying research aims; variation, location and spread of data; what are statistical models and how do we build and check them; experiments, sample surveys and observational studies; formatting data; exploratory data analysis; linear regression; linear models and linear mixed models. The following topics will also be discussed, but only briefly given that only three days are available: logistic regression; multivariate statistical methods; predictive modelling; and Frequentist and Bayesian methods – what are they? There will be hands on activities using the statistical package R but some support will also be given to those using SPSS, Stata or SAS.
Students can sign up for the course here. Students will need to have discussed their intention to enrol in the course with their supervisor before filling in the form to enrol.

News & links

Academic Skills & Learning Centre

ASLC exists to assist you with your writing and other fundamental academic skills. We assist PhD students through workshops and one-to-one appointments. We also have a number of useful web resources on our Research Writing website.

HDR candidates in Engineering and Computer Science, Law, Earth Sciences, Population Health, China in the World, Business and Economics are invited to participate in the Academic Skills and Learning Centre tailored writing programs. Links are provided in the events list above and personal invitations have been sent to candidates with registration passwords included. For more information, contact academicskills@anu.edu.au. If your College or School does not currently have a program – contact us and we can tailor a program for you.
General workshops for all candidates can be found on their Eventbrite page.

ANU Online Wattle, Turnitin & Echo360 training

ANU Online offers training on Wattle (Moodle), Turnitin, Echo360 ALP, and using technology for teaching and learning.
They offer:
- face-to-face training, 
- learn at your own pace with Wattle Basics online training, Turnitin online training or ePortfolio online training,
- monthly online coffee courses – where we discuss topical educational technologies in 15 minutes
or join the conversation about education technology with our ANU Online Community.
We also have a monthly newsletter – with news, upcoming events and tips – see the latest version here.

ANU Qualitative Research Network

The QRN aims to promote excellence in of qualitative research at ANU, expand methodological expertise, encourage collaboration and networking between disciplines and colleges across the university.

Centre for Higher Education, Learning &Teaching

Are you a PhD student who has tutored at ANU? Learn about new teaching ideas and practices with CHELT. CHELT supports the mission of the University, by providing ANU staff professional development opportunities aimed at facilitating, promoting and recognising excellence in University teaching and learning.

Climate Change Institute

Membership to the ANU Climate Change Institute is available for PhD students involved in research on climate and/or energy at ANU that are looking to join networks. Memberships offer students a broad range of benefits, including wider research collaboration opportunities both within and outside ANU, involvement in major public events and more.

Counselling Centre

The ANU Counselling Centre is committed to ongoing development of resources to support candidates in engagement with their studies and general wellbeing. Over the coming months we will be developing our PDF resources into short audio clips - Talking Tips.  More information can be found here.

Energy Change Institute

Membership to the ANU Energy Change Institute is available for PhD students involved in research on climate and/or energy at ANU that are looking to join networks. Memberships offer students a broad range of benefits, including access to additional research funding opportunities, enhanced networks with academia, industry and government and more.

Ethics training

Twice monthly Human Ethics Training sessions

HDR Administration Support Project

The HDR Administration Support Project is currently focusing on:
- Examinations & Thesis Submission: An efficient and effective process for managing thesis submission and examination reducing examination times and improved tracking and reporting
- Admissions: Transparent, standardised and simplified process across ANU consistent with revised policy.

Read further details on the updates to existing HDR ‘Milestones’ and ‘Manage My Degree’ eForms,  the changes underway or visit the Project web page for regular updates.

Library

New ANU Press titles:
East Asia Forum Quarterly: Volume 10, Number 1, 2018 – special focus Why ASEAN matters, featuring Gary Clyde Hufbauer on Success ensures long-term importance to the US, Jayant Menon on Trade: regional means, global objectives, Tan See Seng on A defence of ADMM Plusk, Amy E. Searight on How ASEAN matters in the age of Trump ... and more

Between the Plough and the Pick: Informal, artisanal and small-scale mining in the contemporary world. Edited by:Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt

Library news:
Chifley Library is now open and will resume normal opening hours, with levels 2 & 3 open 24 hours. Level 1 will remain closed until further notice.

All Library branches will be operating amended opening hours over Easter holiday break.

The Conversation has published an article on Elizabeth Durack’s Papua and New Guinea drawings.

The latest exhibition Service, stacks and scholars: The story of Chifley Library 1968–2018 is on display in the Menzies Library foyer until end of April. Visit the online exhibition.

Statistical Consulting Centre

Appointments for statistical consulting are free and available to you at all stages of your candidature.

Postgraduate & Research Students' Association (PARSA)

Shut Up and Write sessions can be found here.

From the Thesis Whisperer

Roll of Honour

Warm congratulations to these following students who have been recently approved to graduate from their PhD or MPhil. Well done all!

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