August 2022

HDR Update

We are well into winter. You can get a great view of the snow-capped mountains from campus on the top floor of the Marie Reay Building.

Last year we ran the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) for the first time at ANU. As the name suggests, PRES is a survey of the experience of research degree candidates and provides us with information to improve the support we provide to you. It also allows us to compare your experience with that of research degree candidates in other countries. A report on last year’s survey is being prepared and will be available once completed.

One of the findings of the last PRES was that your induction to your research degree was inadequate. We have worked hard this year to bring a whole-of-ANU approach to induction into the university and to the life of a researcher. We continue to make this a priority.

You also told us that your connection to the wider research community, particularly through engagement with researchers and research degree candidates outside your local area, could be improved. Through our inductions we will work to create connections for you across the campus.

This type of feedback is very important for us to improve our support for you. We will run the PRES again in October and would really value your participation. More details will be available as we get closer to opening the survey.

Professor Ann Evans
Dean, Higher Degree Research

Opportunities

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

The Three Minute Thesis is an international competition for higher degree research candidates to showcase their research. Candidates present their research in plain language and explain why it is important. They have only three minutes and a single PowerPoint slide. The winner of the #ANU3MT final will go on to compete in the Asia Pacific final, held at the University of Queensland each year.

1 Sep | ANU Three Minute Thesis - Final

Visualise Your Thesis (VYT)

Visualise Your Thesis is a competition created by the University of Melbourne that challenges graduate researchers to present their research in a 60 second, eye-catching digital display. Using a pre-supplied template, entrants are tasked with developing a striking looped presentation to encapsulate their research projects in short, engaging, digital narratives. Submissions close on 5 Aug 2022.

11 Aug | Visualise Your Thesis

HDR Candidate Induction to ANU

Welcome to ANU!
There are many metaphors for doing a PhD or MPhil - people often describe it as like running a marathon or climbing a mountain. The metaphor that ANU candidates share with us the most is a roller coaster. It represents the ups and the downs you might experience during your degree. Please click here to know more about it.

5-9 Sep | HDR Induction Week-ANU

How to write: using diagrams

In this workshop we will explore visual methods for organising your writing. It can be easier to build logical connections in a diagram, which can be later used as a reference to aid the writing process. We're doing this workshop at the University of Canberra campus, so this is also an opportunity to meet people from another campus and build some new connections.

11 Aug | How to write: using diagrams