HDR Update

October 2019

In this issue

• Thesis Boot Camp EOIs open
• Development opportunities for HDR candidates
• Scholarships and Programs
• Roll of Honour
• News from around ANU

Welcome note

Welcome again to your HDR Update. I hope as I am that you are enjoying our milder weather, although it does mean we are getting that much closer to the end of the year. We have been continuing to develop the Redefining the ANU PhD White Paper to enhance our support for HDR candidates and their supervisors. Other ongoing work that will contribute to the overall HDR experience includes the HDR Supervisor Development project, where an online module for supervisors is being finalised, and the HDR Admissions project, which is now in the design and build phase.

On another front we recently hosted a very successful workshop for Graduate Research leaders from the Go8 universities, where a range of common HDR issues were discussed. My own experience of attending one of these events previously as a new convener for an HDR program was a very positive one for me. I have also attended an ACGR workshop on mental health and wellbeing to hear about the work being done in this area across Australia and New Zealand.

Once more the #ANU3MT final earlier in September was a huge success, and as always a great opportunity to showcase our HDR research to the world. This year’s Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition at UQ is to be held on 4 October. I’m sure that you will join me in wishing Lithin Louis good luck in the final. Well done again to all our 3MT participants.

Associate Professor Ann Evans

Interim Dean HDR

Thesis Boot Camp

Expressions of Interest are open for the last 2 Thesis Boot Camps of 2019! Late-stage PhD or MPhil students are encouraged to register their interest.

To attend the November 8-10 boot camp, apply here by Friday 11 October

To attend the December 13-15 boot camp, apply here by Friday 7 November

Thesis Boot Camp is held on ANU campus from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, and are free to attend. More information on the Thesis Boot Camp can be found here and if you have any questions please email researchtraining@anu.edu.au

From Research Skills and Training

October

Need to get some writing done before the end of the year? November is academic writing month! Join the RST community in person and online for a festival of writing, set your writing goals and have some company along the way. 

Why do it? 
Writing always seems to take longer than we expect, and for lots of us it’s really very hard work – so we procrastinate and procrastinate… Breaking through your usual barriers and establishing the habit of writing is very motivating. AcWriMo will kickstart your writing and provide a community to help you succeed. 

How does it work?   
Sign up via this Google Form. There you’ll find a link to the register to add your details (name and writing goals). You decide how many words you are going to write each day, or how many hours you will devote to writing each day. Aim high, but within reach. At the end of each day enter your output for the day; at the end of each week, tally the results and brag about your total.  We’ve also scheduled a series of writing events during November – more on that later.

Other Development Opportunities

October

Scholarships and Programs

The Royal Commonwealth Society invites applications for its annual research award. The Phyllis Montgomerie Commonwealth Award is open until 18 October 2019. Please visit the website for eligibility and further details.

From the Thesis Whisperer

Roll of Honour

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

News

Graduate Research Office

The HDR end-user engagement form round 2/2019 has been completed with a response rate of 64%.  The results show that 7.8% of ANU HDR students are engaged in one or more research end-user activities. The ANU collects information on HDR student engagement with industry through internships, Joint supervision and funding. The University reports on this data twice a year to the Department of Education and Training (DET).
A reminder that with December Graduations approaching, you should contact your local HDR Administrator for any cut-off dates that apply. Final approvals will need to be received by the Graduate Research Office by 6 November. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your eligibility to graduate in December, please contact your local HDR Administrator as soon as possible.
Contact GRO by email gro@anu.edu.au or telephone +61 2 6125 5777 if you have any questions. More information can be found here.

Library

Postgraduate & Research Students' Association (PARSA)

Want to avoid the distractions and get more effective writing done? Look no further! PARSA Shut Up and Write sessions is for you to get together on a regular basis and focus on short, intense bursts of productive writing in a supportive environment, using the Pomodoro technique. Sessions run across 5-days a week with healthy meals and trained facilitators. For the schedule and registrations visit this link.

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