Information about the register of research degree supervisors

Nomination to the Register of Research Degree Supervisors

All Masters and PhD by Research candidates at the University of South Australia are to be supervised by both a Principal and an Associate Supervisor. (In some cases, co- principal supervision arrangements have been negotiated; and in others, two Associate Supervisors have been appointed. The individual arrangements will depend on the specific research project requirements and the candidate and academics involved).

In order to act as a Principal Supervisor for a research degree candidate, a staff member must be on the Register of Research Degree Supervisors.

To be registered, a staff member must:

satisfy the requirements for eligibility,
complete a nomination form; and
have this nomination approved (see below).

Eligibility for Registration

Eligibility criteria for registration are outlined in the following policy http://www.unisa.edu.au/policies/policies/resrch/res08.asp

It is expected that Supervisors from the Division will be active researchers, with current experience in their area of research interest, supported by evidence of research activities.

Nomination process

Individuals seeking admission to the Register must submit an application to the Dean of Research.

The application includes:

a completed Nomination form (signed by the 'nominee'), which can be downloaded from the Research Services web site: http://www.unisa.edu.au/resdegrees/forms/Register.rtf and;
supporting information (e.g. curriculum vitae) detailing recent research activities such as research projects, grants, publications, research degree supervision etc

To be considered by the Dean, the nomination must also be supported by the School Research Degrees Coordinator.

Once the nomination form has been signed by the School Research Degrees Coordinator, the complete application must be forwarded to:

Administrative Officer: Research
David Pank Building
City West Campus
Telephone: +61 8 830 20417
Facsimile: +61 8 830 20904

The application will then be considered by the Dean of Research and the decision ratified by the Division Research Management Committee (DRMC) at its next meeting.

If the application is supported by DRMC, a copy of the nomination will be forwarded to the Executive Officer, Research Degrees Committee, together with the committee's rationale and recommendation for admittance. (In exceptional circumstances the Chair, DRMC may executively approve nominations.)

University level

Applications will be considered by the Chair, Research Degrees Committee who has delegated authority to admit staff to the Register. Disputes on a determination by the Chair shall be referred to the Executive Officer, Research Degrees Committee for a decision by the Committee as a whole.

Once nominations are approved by the Chair, Research Degrees Committee, applicants are added to the Register and the Chair writes to them, advising of their registration. This letter is copied to their Head of School and Chair, DRMC.

Structured development programme for Early Career Researchers

As an alternative to being an Associate Supervisor for 2 years, Early Career Researcher nominees have the option of becoming a Principal Supervisor sooner by applying to participate in a structured development program. The structured development programme includes:

Attendance at two or more workshops, scheduled as part of the Supervisor Development Program.
Participation in the Divisions Research Proposals Review Process. You will be scheduled to attend two panel sessions, the first as an Observer and the second as a Panel Member.
Being an Associate Supervisor supervising a research candidate with an experienced Supervisor as the Principal Supervisor.
Being a Principal Supervisor of a research candidate conditional on an experienced supervisor being the Associate Supervisor.
Attendance at the Division Ethics Committee.

A meeting between the Dean of Research and Nominee will take place before the application is approved. The meeting will be scheduled when the application is received.