COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES NEW HDR STUDENT INDUCTION2011

Sir Roland Wilson Building,

Monday 11 April 20109.30 – 11.30am

Welcome to student life & what to expect

Dr Kylie Message, Associate Dean (Research Training), College of Arts andSocial Sciences

Professor Toni Makkai, Dean and Director, ANU College of Arts and SocialSciences, College of Arts and Social Sciences

Kylie.Message@anu.edu.au

This induction aims to

• Welcome new students to the College of Arts and Social Sciences• Introduce the requirements, processes, and people involved with HDR – that is higher degree research (PhD & MPhil) – study in the College • Outline opportunities available to HDR students • Provide an opportunity for you to meet other current and recent students and researchers• Encourage you to think of HDR study as a fundamentally social activity, and to invite you to become part of a research community of independent thinkers

Outline of induction session1. Welcome & 2011 HDR student profile

2. INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE STRUCTURE, ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES:• Effectively managing your postgraduate program• Seven steps for a successful start• Milestones and opportunities • Where to get help / Other services available

3. THE ANU EXPERIENCE: WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING A CASS RESEARCH STUDENT

Who are YOU?• 110 new students commencing HDR programs in CASS this year• Most are Australian, but of the internationals, 11 countries are represented • 56% of students are female and 44% are male• The average age of new students is 37 years old, while the median is 34• Most studying full-time at this stage

Who is your cohort?• CASS has around 650 HDR students• Last year 75 students in CASS successfully completed PhDs and MPhils (mostly in Political Science & International Relations and Archaeology/Anthropology – 55% female and 45% male).

What are your motivations for undertaking higher degree research?• To get the job you want?• Because you are seeking personal affirmation and a sense of achievement?• To provide an opportunity to refocus employment possibilities?• Because your children have left home and you have more time to do what you always

wanted?

For many of us, completing the PhD is akin to gaining our ‘union ticket’, that is something that will allow us to move into the world of academia and further research. For others, it will satisfy a personal goal, or provide a professional qualification that confers credibility in sectors beyond the university.

It is useful to discuss your motivation for undertaking a research degree with your supervisor.

 

The diversity of CASS programs means that what is considered as constituting ‘evidence’, ‘research’, and a significant innovation or contribution to the field of study differs greatly different across the College.

The uniqueness of our contribution means that the College has a very important – and valuable – profile within the ANU.

Introduction to College structure, administration, and services —Understanding where you are located

HDR students are based in an academic ‘school’ unit and also aligned with a Graduate Research Field.

CASS has• 13 disciplinary ‘school’ units: The School of Archaeology & Anthropology; School of Cultural Inquiry; School of Art; School of Language Studies; School of Music; School of Sociology; CAIS; School of Politics & International Relations; School of History; School of Philosophy; CAEPR; & ADSRI. Each School sits within the Research School of Humanities and the Arts (RSHA); the Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS), or the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute (ADSRI).

• 13 Graduate Research Fields (GRFs). These correspond roughly to the schools. GRFs are designed to provide an intellectual framework for the discipline, and intellectual leadership/guidance to students in these areas.

Approaching your candidacy: Effectively managing your postgraduate program

Be aware of:• Critical dates • HDR rules and expectations, see:

Higher Degree Research Guide (online version of the ‘Blue Book’): http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/hdr/researchguide.php ANU Research Awards Rules (2010): http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs./rules/ResearchAwardsRules.pdfAll HDR ANU policies: http://policies.anu.edu.au/topics/40

Key administrative contacts:• Your School research student administrator• CASS research student officers: research.students.cass@anu.edu.au 

Approaching your candidacy: Seven Steps to a successful start

4. Meet with your supervisor/panel Chair

At this meeting you will discuss the formulation of your supervisory panel and clarify the shared expectations between student and supervisor.

3. Collect your ANU Student card

Details on where to collect your student card is available at: http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/enrolments/cards.php

2. Set up your ANU email account

All official correspondance is sent to your ANU email address. It is important that you check your emails regularly

(http://information.anu.edu.au/at_a_glance/computing_and_printing/email/index.php)

1. Check your enrolment is correct

You need to access the ANU online Student Information System (ISIS) to check your enrolment and update contact details (http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/enrolments/isis.php)

In the first four weeks:

In the first 2 weeks:

2 of the seven steps…TOAST Learning needs analysis: http://toast.anu.edu.au/index.php  

…and for further down the track see the online training site: Thesis Writing: Robust Practices: http://twrp-dev.anu.edu.au

Demystifying the panel process: Approach building your panel like a toolkit, every supervisor or advisor should have a particular role… You can have between 3 and 5 supervisors/advisors on your panel and its up to you and the Chair of the Panel (who is also your primary supervisor) to project manage the team.

• Discuss and establish expectations about learning styles, meeting times, etc with your primary supervisor

• Panels need to be formalised 3 months after initial enrolment

Also see: ANU Research Awards Rules (2010): http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/rules/ResearchAwardsRules.pdf

Guideline on Supervision and Candidature of Doctoral Research Students: http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate/current/phd_supervision

 Code of practice for supervision of higher degree by research students:http://policies.anu.edu.au/policies/code_of_practice_supervision_in_higher_degrees_by_research/policy

 

Milestones and opportunitiesYEAR 1

0-6 Months 6-12 MonthsYEAR 2

12-18 Months 18-24 MonthsYEAR 3

24-30 Mths 30-36 Mths

Courses 1, 2 3, 4Milestones 5, 6, 7 8, 9 8, 9 8, 9 10 , 11Writing 12 12 12 12 12Fieldwork 13 13Teaching 14

Conferences/Publications 15 15

MUST DO’S1-4: Coursework

Milestones:5. Learning Needs Analysis (TOAST)6. Confirmation of supervisory panel7. Research Integrity Training completed8. Annual Report (and Plan) completed9. TPR10. Oral Presentation of thesis11. Submission of thesis for examination

Writing:12. Thesis chapter/s

GOOD TO DO’SFieldwork: 13. 6-12 months of Fieldwork (if required) would normally be undertaken in the second year of candidature.

Teaching: 14. Teaching portfolio (Pinnacle program)

Conferences/Poster presentations/publications:15. Conference/poster presentations, submission of article/exhibition/performance.

Research Integrity Training and fieldwork

Research Integrity covers issues of academic conduct, privacy, and public perception of ANU’s research integrity, as well as Human Ethics.

Research Integrity Training is mandatory for all HDR students in the university, and forms a key component of ARTS8103 (Research Design and Ethics), and equivalent courses

Human ethics office: http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/ORI/Human/human_index.php

All HDR students in the College are able to apply for different kinds of support to assist with their research and fieldwork. Contact your school administrator for School-specific information and guidelines, but for general information see:http://cass.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/ppes-office/CASS%20RESEARCH%20SUPPORT%20SUMMARY.pdf

HDR Research Training program (Coursework) aims:

1. Develop breadth and depth of knowledge about the discipline within which students are working to establish the best possible conditions for the generation of PhDs and MPhils that make an original contribution to knowledge and a serious contribution to intellectual debates.

2. Prepare CASS graduates for future careers in a range of professions by enhancing their capacity to operate ethically, function as analytical and creative problem-solvers, communicate confidently across diverse audiences, and effectively manage complex projects to completion.

3. Build a socially active community of scholars in which students engage with debate and discussion, that may also lead to collaborative and interdisciplinary projects and partnerships with researchers at different career levels.

4. Provide the support and structure that is required to complete high quality PhDs within a reasonable time frame

   Coursework is expected to help students meet major milestones, and assessment is

designed to contribute directly to the research degree or related activities. It should not add extra time to your period of candidature.

Typical coursework program

Each research area has developed specific programs but a typical program looks like this:• Course 1: ARTS8101 (Research methods and techniques) (6u)• Course 2: ARTS8102 (Situating the Thesis (TPR)) (6u)• Course 3: ARTS8103 (Research Design and Ethics) (6u)• Course 4: CASS Elective Course (6u) You will be advised by your supervisor and graduate convenor on the specific program that will suit you. General information about the coursework program is available in the CASS HDR Handbook, and at: http://studyat.anu.edu.au/programs/9552XPHD;overview.html

Where to get help & advice / Other services availableYour supervisor → Head of School → Associate Dean (Research Training), Kylie.Message@anu.edu.au

ANU Dean of Students, Dr Penny Oakes: http:www.anu.edu.au/dos

Also—Research Student Development Centre (RSDC):http://researchstudents.anu.edu.au/

… CEDAM; Graduate Research Centre; Graduate Lounge; PARSA; Careers Centre; Inter-University Research Workshop program; Academic and Professional Skills Program; Statistical Consulting Unit; Graduate Teaching Program; Information Literacy Program; Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. All link from RSDC site.

The ANU Experience: What it’s like being a research student in CASS

What do you now know that you wish someone had told you when you were just starting your research degree?• Adam Masters, School of Politics and International Relations (2nd yr)• Raihan Ismail, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (2nd yr)• Julie Rickwood, Interdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Research Program (RSHA) (3rd yr)• Ingereth MacFarlane, School of History (completed PhD 2010)• Donna Seto, School of Politics and International Relations (completed PhD 2010)• Nick Guoth, School of History (completed MPhil 2010)

Getting your research off to a good start & getting to know your peers: Upcoming ANU opportunities

ANU Induction for newly enrolled HDR studentsWednesday 13 April 2011, 9.00am - 1.30pm, Manning Clark Centre, Theatre 3, registration@anu.edu.auTopics:- How do supervisors view research supervision? - Managing the research project -Networking for an Academic Career

ANU Orientation & Welcomefor new research studentsMonday 11 April 2011 5.30pm - 6:30pm Common Room, University House

In closing…. Further queries or ideas? Contact me at: Kylie.Message@anu.edu.au