Principal Supervisor

Milestone Preparation

Preparing Milestone Documentation

Initially, the Principal Supervisor is to work with the HDR Candidate and Supervision team to decide on a milestone meeting date that is suitable to all, and communicate this with the Graduate Research School by emailing grs-milestones@une.edu.au.

The Supervision team is to provide sufficient and appropriate feedback on draft written documentation prior to the candidate’s document submission date (fifteen (15) business days prior to the scheduled milestone meeting) and additionally work with the candidate to prepare them for the oral presentation given during the meeting.

Prior to the candidate’s written documentation submission date, the Principal Supervisor must contact and confirm the Discipline Representative (DR) for the milestone meeting. Upon confirmation from the DR, the Principal Supervisor must inform the Graduate Research School of who will be acting in this role.

Purpose of Milestones

Confirmation of Candidature

  • Assess whether the research project is viable, achievable, and appropriate for the degree.
  • Confirm that the candidate has support, supervision, and necessary facilities to complete in time.
  • Ensure the candidate is well-equipped: methodology, writing, comprehension, and research direction are suitable.
  • Check that ethics / IP / relevant policies are in place, and that the candidate understands their responsibilities (academic integrity etc.).
  • Receive written feedback from Discipline Representative to identify any issues that need to be addressed.

Mid-Point Review

  • Confirm that since Confirmation, the candidate’s progress has been satisfactory, and they have addressed any conditions from Confirmation.
  • Verify the candidate’s knowledge of their research: both in writing and orally.
  • Ensure the project is on track to be completed by the expected thesis submission date.
  • Check that research skills are developing appropriately; training / coursework is being done as required.
  • Ensure any ethics, IP, or resources issues are still properly managed.

Thesis Review

  • Assess whether the candidate is progressing towards a timely submission in terms of scope, quality, originality, and compliance with standard expectations.
  • Check that the writing, literature engagement, research methods, and contributions are of the standard expected for external examination.
  • Ensure all administrative processes in preparation for thesis submission are being planned/actioned (Recommendation of Examiners etc.).

Annual Review

  • Collaborative review of candidature by both the HDR Candidate and Principal Supervisor.
  • Discuss the candidate's progress against established timelines.
  • Discuss any additional support which may be required prior to the next upcoming milestone.

Milestone Meeting

During the milestone meeting, the Supervision team are encouraged to provide questions and discussion points following the HDR Candidate’s oral presentation.

The Supervision team are given an opportunity to discuss the candidate’s progress and any concerns or feedback. This section of the meeting is completely confidential with only the HDR Support Officer and Milestone Chair present.

The Milestone Panel will discuss research progress and/or concerns and arrive at a milestone outcome (Passed, Passed with Conditions and Re-Do).

Post Milestone Meeting

Within 10 business days, the HDR Candidate and Supervision team will receive the completed Milestone Report Form and Discipline Representative Report from the Graduate Research School. The Supervision team is then able to review the Discipline Representative report with the candidate and determine appropriateness of feedback (what to include and what not to include).