Roles and Responsibilities

Your Responsibilities

  • Be self-directed in your learning and research.
  • Make good progress. Agree on a work plan with your supervisors and stick to it. Complete the Supervision Agreement Between Students and Supervisors with your supervisors as part of your plan towards completion to formalise the expectations they have and those that you have throughout your candidature. You should meet deadlines and keep to your time commitments. Remember, if you are full time you should spend on average 40 hours per week on your studies, and 20 hours per week if you are part-time.
  • Be proactive and discuss any issues – good or bad – with your supervisors as soon as they arise.
  • Resolve issues early. Keep your supervisors informed on delays in progress.
  • If you are unable to work on your research for a period of time, you should speak to you supervisor about applying for a Leave of Absence.
  • When seeking feedback from supervisors, provide written work in sufficient time to allow detailed review before your agreed deadlines.
  • Be accessible via email or in person, should contact be needed outside of the agreed meeting schedule.
  • Conduct your research ethically and responsibly.
  • Discuss and agree with your supervisors on issues such as intellectual property and authorship for your project as set out in the Supervision Agreement Between Students and Supervisors.
  • Understand the codes of conduct expected of staff and students, and help to make the University a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
  • Look after yourself! Manage your health and wellbeing. A research degree is a big undertaking, so make sure you look after your physical and mental health. There are many student support services available.
  • Stay informed. Important information is communicated to you via your University email account and the weekly Graduate Research School Newsletter. Make sure your contact details are kept up to date and check your email regularly.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Your supervisors are responsible for academic support throughout your candidature to enable you to achieve a high standard of research. Supervisors are either academic staff or a person with excellent industry knowledge (Industry Supervisor for PhD.I).

Your supervisory team will include at least one Principal Supervisor and one Co-supervisor from the University of New England academic staff. Additional supervisors may be included if required.

  • Your supervisor will discuss the nature of your research, your choice of topic, your research program and its Milestones, and the availability of library resources in your field.
  • You will need to maintain close and regular contact with your supervisor. Frequency of meetings should be discussed with your supervisor when completing the Supervision Agreement Between Student and Supervisor.
  • Your supervisor will help you to access the resources you need for your research, and assist you with information about University requirements and procedures.
  • Your supervisor will ask you for written work (and other work as appropriate for your research), often on a  pre-arranged and agreed schedule.
  • Your supervisor will provide you with feedback and will help you to develop solutions to problems as you identify them.
  • You and your supervisor will complete the HDR Progress Report in May and October each year, this process provides an opportunity for HDR candidates and their supervisors to reflect on the progress of research, document any issues, and undertake goal setting so as to ensure a timely completion.
  • Your supervisor will give you feedback on the content and drafts of your thesis and, at the time of submission, certify that your thesis is worthy of examination.
  • Your supervisor may also provide career advice and other assistance as appropriate.