Research Digest

July edition

Welcome note

I write this as we emerge from the Winter Solstice and the days get longer. I hope you’re finding time in your busy days to take in a bit of winter sunshine.

You might remember that in the April newsletter I invited you to consider what is, or could be, distinctive about the ANU PhD. I’m pleased to say that we will be shortly inviting all staff and students to join us at open forums to start these discussions in earnest. These forums are part of a longer process and their findings will feed in to the work of a Committee of Inquiry, charged with producing a Green Paper on ‘Redefining the ANU PhD’. We will be asking questions such as - What should a 21st century PhD look like? How can we ensure that the ANU become world leaders in graduate research education? Check your emails for the Eventbrite invitation and please come along to one of our presentations if you can.

In other news, seven of our PhD students will be attending the French Entrepreneurship Challenge which runs from 11-12 July in Adelaide. Participants are organised into teams and have 24 hours to develop their proposal, after which they pitch their ideas and the judges make their selections. I’d like to wish Tara Roberson, Bethany Ellis, Simon McKenzie, Prithvi Reddy, Jennifer Roberts, Anna Stuparay and Chad Lee-Stronach the best of luck for the Challenge.

Perhaps you have friends or colleagues who are yet to start their research degree or masters by coursework? If you do, and they are interested in making a difference to Australia's future in technology and innovation, strengthening Australia-Asia ties or enabling positive social change, please encourage them to consider the ANU Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship. The ANU Westpac Research Fellowship for Early Career Researchers is also open for applications now, and may be something to think about in your future.

Professor Imelda Whelehan

Dean, Higher Degree Research

Upcoming programs

July

August

Opportunities

Academic Skills & Learning Centre
Are you new to research and not quite sure how to manage the PhD? Do you want to make a strong start? Come to the Kick start your PhD workshop and equip yourself to survive the journey! Find out times and venues, click here.

Want to learn more about writing up your research for publication or thesis submission? Take a look at the Academic Skills and Learning Centre Research Writing website. There you will find a range of self-help resources to help you communicate your research.

Do you ever struggle to get your message across clearly in your writing? Sometimes it’s hard to work out how to improve your use of language, expression and clarity. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre can help. Book an appointment with a Learning Adviser and they will review your writing and give individualised feedback.

Thinking about running a program of writing for your students or colleagues? Did you know that the Academic Skills and Learning Centre has a comprehensive writing program for research writing that can be tailored for disciplines and cohorts? Get in touch with us to find out more and book a workshop.

Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR)

Present and discuss the policy relevance of your research at the conference: ‘Indigenous Policy Research Matters: considering audience, translation and impact’, November 14th and 15th, University House. All current and recently completed HDR scholars are invited to apply. Hosted by the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. For more information, visit the CAEPR website.

Counselling Centre

Want regular exercise and social contact? Get Up & Go is a peer-support walking program for all ANU students. Get Up & Go can help you get to know the ANU campus, meet new people and engage in regular exercise. It can also be a great opportunity to contribute to the ANU community by supporting other students. Registrations for Semester 2 are now open on the Counselling Centre website.

Library

Digital literacy training available: Register from our online training calendar.

Manage and analyse qualitative data with NVivo - upcoming workshops are available on 25 July and 1 Aug (cost $180).

Discover how SAGE Research Methods can help you at every step of your research project. Explore research design, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, literature review writing, data collection and analysis through hundreds of videos, case studies and the Methods Map bring your project together with advice and tips on sharing your research findings, completing a thesis and submitting work for publication.

The One Button Studio, an easy-to-use self-service video recording facility located on Level 4 of Chifley Library can be booked during Library opening hours.

Download the ANU Library ‘Colour a Collection’ colouring book, which features selected manga by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.

Library tours will be offered at the beginning of the semester in all branches. Check the Library website for an upcoming schedule.

News & Links

ANU Online Wattle, Turnitin & Echo360 training

HDR Administration Support Project

The University is committed to identifying improvements for administration and support functions that affect the HDR student experience. Under the direction of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) the ANU Service Improvement Group has a project in progress aiming to identify effective ways of delivering significantly improved HDR Administrative Support outcomes. 

The HDR Administration Support Project is currently focusing on:

• Admissions: Transparent, standardised and simplified process across ANU consistent with revised policy
• Examinations & Thesis Submission: An efficient and effective process for managing thesis submission and examination reducing examination times and improved tracking and reporting
• Renewed HDR Student Induction Program: Standardised, accessible and timely information available for commencing HDR students.

The Service Improvement Group has two project managers engaged in this work:

• Karen Cameron (PM for the Admissions component)
• Megan Easton (PM for the broader body of HDR work)

For more information on the HDR Administrative Support Project please visit the web site or contact the Project Managers.

Library

New ANU Press title: Navigating the Future: An Ethnography of Change in Papua New Guinea by Monica Minnegal and Peter D. Dwyer

New exhibition Vote ‘Yes’ for Equality in the ANU Archives at Menzies Library and online commemorates 50 years since the 1967 referendum when the majority of voters agreed to change two sections of the Constitution relating to Aboriginal Australians.

New exhibition First impressions: Elizabeth Durack, an artist in Papua and New Guinea, 1968  in the ANU Menzies Library and celebrates a great collection of drawings

Postgraduate & Research Students' Association (PARSA)

PARSA Survival Guide and more

From the Thesis Whisperer

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