Higher Degree Research Supervision
SUMMARY
The Higher Degree Research Supervision Policy and Procedure establishes the principles and key responsibilities that underpin the University’s approach to the supervision for Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates.
POLICY
1 PURPOSE
To outline the principles related to the provision of supervision for Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates.
2 BACKGROUND
The University has a responsibility to ensure that HDR candidates, departments, faculties and supervisors are aware of their respective responsibilities from the time of enrolment through to the end of a student’s candidacy. This Policy specifies those responsibilities and outlines Macquarie’s requirements for higher degree research practice.
The Higher Degree Research Rules cover the admission, program of study, period and termination of candidature, and place of research for HDR candidates. Specifically, Rule 7 (12) requires Executive Deans of Faculty to be satisfied that adequate supervision and facilities are available for a candidate prior to admission. Rule 10 (1) states that supervision and review of progress of HDR candidates are governed by this Higher Degree Research Supervision Policy.
3 SCOPE
The policy applies to all University staff, and those on adjunct appointments, who are engaged in the provision and support of HDR supervision. It also applies to HDR candidates.
4 DEFINITIONS
Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary. The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy:
Acting Supervisor: the person appointed as a short term replacement for the Principal Supervisor as the need arises (for periods up to six months only). The person must meet the conditions for appointment as a Principal Supervisor. The title is also applicable to a person who, for a strictly limited period, holds administrative supervisory responsibility during the coursework component of a professional doctoral degree (normally one year equivalent full-time).
Adjunct Supervisor: describes a supervisory appointment that does not involve a current Macquarie University academic staff member.
Associate Supervisor: a person with a lesser fractional supervisory load and responsibility compared to the Principal Supervisor.
Co-Supervisor: an academic staff member who has not supervised a HDR candidate to completion, or who is on an appointment of less than three years. Co-supervisors work under the direction of a Principal Supervisor.
Macquarie University Supervisor Register (MQSR): a listing of the persons who meet the University’s requirements for appointment as an HDR supervisor. In order to be registered on the MQSR the person must meet all of the below requirements:
- be a Macquarie University academic staff member with either a full-time appointment or a part-time appointment of not less than three years (this requirement is waived for Adjunct Supervisors)
- be research active (as defined in the Research Strategic Plan)
- have a doctoral degree, or equivalent
- be up-to-date with the Supervision Enhancement Program (ie have completed the initial workshop and an annual update workshop), and
- have the approval of the Executive Dean to be a Principal, Acting, Associate or Adjunct Supervisor.
Principal Supervisor: the person appointed to have main supervisory responsibility for a HDR candidate.
Supervisory Panel: the persons appointed to supervise an individual HDR candidate.
5 POLICY STATEMENT
Supervision will be provided to each HDR candidate to assist in the production of a thesis:
- which fulfils the degree requirements
- is presented in a form according to accepted practices of the University.
ELIGIBILITY
For a Macquarie University staff member to be eligible for consideration for an appointment minimum conditions will need to be met:
- Principal Supervisor – must be on the MQSR
- Associate Supervisor – must be on the MQSR
- Co-Supervisor – must meet all criteria for listing on the MQSR with the exception of the minimum period of appointment.
- For a non-Macquarie staff member to be appointed as an Adjunct Supervisor, the Executive Dean of the faculty must be satisfied that the educational qualifications, research track-record and/or professional experience are the equivalent of what is required for listing on the MQSR.
- The proposed appointment of a person who does not meet all the specific selection criteria for the type of appointment will be considered exceptional. This includes any proposal to allow a staff member who is currently enrolled in a research degree to be appointed as an associate or co-supervisor. All exceptions will require approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Principal Supervisor will be responsible for:
- directing the work of the candidate
- co-operatively working with the candidate to assist them to meet all administrative and academic requirements
- co-ordinating the supervisory panel
- undertaking administrative roles associated with candidate’s academic progression
- mentoring any Co-Supervisors, and
- providing direction on candidature matters to the other supervisors.
- The Principal Supervisor will be located in the Department in which the candidate is registered. Where there are sound pedagogical reasons for the Principal Supervisor to be located outside the candidate’s Department this will require the approval of the Executive Dean.
The HDR candidate will be ultimately responsible for production of a thesis, which:
- fulfils the degree requirements
- is presented in a form consistent with the accepted practices of the University.
CONDITIONS
- All supervisors, regardless of type of appointment, will be required to have read the Doctoral and Masters by Research Degree Rules and any guidelines relating to HDR candidature.
- Joint supervision is possible where it is deemed appropriate by the relevant Executive Dean. In these cases, the Executive Dean will nominate one supervisor to be responsible for the administrative management of candidature.
COMPLIANCE AND BREACHES
The University may commence applicable disciplinary procedures if a person to whom this policy applies breaches this policy (or any of its related procedures).
6 RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
7 KEY RELATED DOCUMENTS
Higher Degree Research Supervision Procedure (see tab above)
Research Activity Indicators as listed in the Research Strategic Plan
The Macquarie University Responsible Conduct of Research Code
Staff Code of Conduct
8 NOTES
8.1 | Contact Officer | Director , Higher Degree Research Office |
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8.2 | Implementation Officer | Director , Higher Degree Research Office |
8.3 | Approval Authority / Authorities | Academic Senate |
8.4 | Date Approved | 14 February 2013 |
8.5 | Date of Commencement | 14 February 2013 |
8.6 | Date for Review | February 2016 |
8.7 | Documents Superseded by this Policy | Appointment of a Replacement Supervisor Procedure approved 6 July 2007 |
8.8 | Amendment History | July 2017 – Added hyperlink for term ‘research
active’ to https://staff.mq.edu.au/research/strategy-priorities-and-initiatives/strategic-research-framework/Research-Active-Definition-revised-October-2016.pdf |
PROCEDURE
Procedure Information
Contact Officer | Dean, Higher Degree Research |
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Date Approved | 2 November 2012 |
Approval Authority | Higher Degree Research Committee |
Date of Commencement | 2 November 2012 |
Amendment History | n/a |
Date for Next Review | February 2016 |
Related Documents | Higher Degree Research Supervision Policy |
Keywords | Higher Degree Research, Candidature, Supervisor, Supervisory Panel |