Information for current doctoral students
Much of the information you need throughout your candidature, can be found on the University Research Office web site and you are encouraged to visit that site often to keep up to date.
The rest of the information on this page relates to Faculty of Education specific processes.
- Endorsement of Candidature
- Support Funds
Endorsement of Candidature
Within the first year (for full time students) or two years (part time) you will be required to present an "Endorsement of Candidature" seminar. This involves giving a presentation on your proposed research to a panel which is made up of at least two independent readers and your supervisors and is also open to all interested staff and students. The Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies) usually chairs these presentations.
The presentation has a number of purposes.
- It is intended to be an opportunity to give constructive advice to you on how the proposed study might be improved and whether there are possible problems as yet unnoticed.
- It is for those present to assure themselves that you should proceed with the study proposed, subject to concerns that may be raised in the session subsequently being addressed to the satisfaction of the Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies), in consultation with the independent readers if necessary, and your supervisors.
- The purpose of the presentation is to add value to the written report that has been read by the panel prior to the presentation.
Your supervisor will talk to you about the right time to do your "Endorsement of Candidature" presentation. At least one month prior to the session your supervisor should identify possible dates for session and confer with the Research and Graduate Studies Office (RGSO) regarding availability of the Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies).
Your supervisor will form a panel in consultation with you and the Sub-Dean. Your supervisor should approach possible panel members to get their informal agreement to be a member of the panel.
The panel usually consists of 5-6 members including:
- Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies) (or nominee) - Chair.
- At least two independent readers (with a doctoral degree). These should include, if possible, independent readers from outside the School but within Faculty with complementary expertise.
- Your principal supervisor and co-supervisor.
Once you have agreement from the proposed panel members you or your supervisor should inform the RGSO who will send out formal invitations and make the room and equipment bookings. The session will also advertise the date within the Faculty via the Graduate Studies Bulletin.
At least one week prior to seminar you should send your proposal to the RGSO for distribution to the panel attending the session.
The structure of the session may vary slightly from School to School. In general, however, you introduce the research proposal, and the discussion is then led by a Panel of Respondents. Interested staff are also encouraged to offer comments. The discussion and comments from the floor should focus on substantive issues and identify whether the issues raised are best addressed in the revised proposal or in the thesis itself. You can also draw on further material (not originally presented in your presentation) in response to critical questions from the panel.
At the end of the session, the chair will offer a summary of advice to you. Immediately after the presentation, an optional closed session may be held, to provide additional advice to the you and your supervisors, or to extend on points raised during the presentation. You will be then asked to leave the room for the closed session but will be invited back for a brief discussion of any additional points raised. A written report is also sent to you.
Within one month of the presentation, you should submit to the Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies), via your supervisors, a revised version of the proposal that addresses the key points raised at the session. The revised proposal should be accompanied by a list of the changes made to the original proposal and the Research Proposal Approval form [pdf].
The Sub-Dean (Graduate Studies) has the discretion to either approve the revised proposal or may circulate the revised proposal to the panel for their approval. Once this has been approved the Sub-Dean will send the revised proposal, the Research Office approval form and the Faculty approval form to the University Research Office confirming that the proposal has been accepted.
Shortly after this, you will receive a letter from the Research Office that your candidature has been confirmed and you can begin collecting data.
| Time (e.g.) | Agenda (e.g) |
|---|---|
| 12.00-12.10 | Welcome, introductions, explanation of purpose and format of session, clarification of any questions, candidate invited to nominate any particular aspects on which he / she would like feedback |
| 12.10-12.35 |
Presentation:
|
| 12.35-12.55 | Questions and comments from Panel of Respondents (20 minutes) |
| 12.55-1.15 | Questions and comments from the floor and Panel of Respondents (20 minutes) |
| 1.15-1.25 | Questions and comments from Supervisors (10 minutes) |
| 1.25-1.35 | Chair's summary of issues raised - draft advice to the candidate |
| 1.35-1.50 |
Closed session:
|
| 1.50-2.00 | Candidate returns for final summing up |
Support funds
Resource funding for Government support students
Information on Maintenance Allocation for Government supported students can be found in this document.
Resource Funding for staff undertaking their doctorate
Most staff employed at CSU on a continuing basis and who are enrolled in a doctorate at CSU are successful in obtaining a staff scholarship from University under the Academic Staff RHD Workload Support Scheme. This scheme covers fees but not operating costs and the purpose of the Faculty of Education Resource Funding is to provide these staff with operating or 'resource' funds to contribute to the costs involved in undertaking their doctoral project.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for funding, applicants must:
- be employed within the Faculty of Education on either a continuing basis, or at least a one-year contract
- be enrolled in the research component of a doctoral program at CSU (resource funding can not be claimed once you have been approved for graduation)
- not be in receipt of Resource Funding from the University
- making satisfactory progress with their doctorate
CSU staff enrolled in the doctoral program through the Faculty of Education but employed in another Faculty should approach their employing Faculty for information on the availability of resource support.
Staff may apply for up to a maximum of $1100 per annum. Applications can be made at any time and funds should be expended within the calendar year of receipt. Resource funds must be spent on costs directly associated with the doctoral research project.
Without being exhaustive, such costs might include the following:
- Specific laboratory equipment
- Costs associated with analytic tests, like those conducted by the Environmental Analytic Laboratory
- Costs associated with conducting experiments
- Travel costs, such as hiring a University car or reimbursement of private car expenses when on fieldwork or interviewing participants
- Employing staff to enter survey/interview/quantitative data
- An upgrade of computer software required for the project
- Costs associated with attending research methodology courses
- Special photographs
- Printing survey forms/questionnaires and postage costs
- Photocopying and stationery
- Telephone calls and fax costs
- Printing and binding of theses.
Staff are also able to claim food costs upon presentation of receipts, when returning from travel involved with the collection of their data or attendance at Doctoral Student workshops.
Application for Faculty of Education Resource Funding for Staff Enrolled in Doctorates at CSU
Strategic Funding
The purpose of Faculty of Education Strategic Funding is to provide Faculty of Education staff enrolled in a doctoral program either at CSU or another university with funds to assist them to make additional progress in their doctoral studies.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for funding, applicants must:
- be employed within the Faculty of Education on either a continuing basis or at least a three-year contract;
- be enrolled in the research component of a doctoral program at CSU or another university;
- have completed their "Endorsement of Candidature" milestone;
- be able to demonstrate that they have made satisfactory progress with their doctorate, for at least the previous 12 months immediately prior to submitting the application;
- not currently be on SSP leave or have been on SSP leave in the year in which they apply for funding;
- not be in receipt of, or have previously received, a University funded completion award;
- not have previously received more than two strategic funding awards during their doctoral candidature;
- not be on leave of absence from their candidature.
CSU staff enrolled in the doctoral program through the Faculty of Education but employed in another Faculty should approach their employing Faculty for information on the availability of further funding.
Guidelines
Applications will be called for TWICE a year, generally at the beginning of each semester. In 2011, up to 8 awards will be available. It is anticipated that up to four applications will be funded in each round. Staff may apply for up to a maximum of $1500, with a maximum of THREE strategic funding awards over the course of their candidature.
Staff who have previously received strategic funding are required to provide a detailed report outlining their progress and how strategic funding enabled them to make greater progress than would normally be expected. Funds should be expended within twelve months of receipt.
Applications will be judged on merit and demonstrated progress relative to opportunity. However, preference will be given to applicants:
- whose research is linked to one of the Faculty's four Research Priority Areas
- Teacher Education
- Early Childhood Studies
- Information Studies
- Fatigue and Physical Activity.
- who have not received strategic funding in the previous year.
Application Form for Faculty of Education Strategic Funding
Resource funding for Faculty funded fee-waiver students
Students who are enrolled in a doctorate on Faculty of Education funded fee waiver scholarship do not receive University funded Resource Allocation. The purpose of Faculty of Education Resource Funding is to provide these students with operating or 'resource' funds to contribute to the costs involved in undertaking their doctoral project.
Applications can be made at any time for up to $1100 per year.
Resource Funding for fee-paying students
Full fee paying students who are enrolled in a doctorate in Faculty of Education do not receive University funded Resource Allocation. The purpose of Faculty of Education Resource Funding is to provide these students with operating or 'resource' funds to contribute to the costs involved in undertaking their doctoral project.
Applications can be made at any time for up to $1100 per year.
Application Form for Faculty of Education Resource Funding for Fee-paying Students
Travel Grants
The Travel Grant is paid by either the University Research Office OR the Faculty, depending on how your studies are funded.
The University Research Office Travel Assistance Grant is available to domestic, distance education, Commonwealth Supported Research Higher Degree students.
Full fee paying or fee-waiver students who are not eligible for the University Travel Grant may be entitled to a Faculty funded Travel Grant.
| Amount | Kilometres |
|---|---|
| $150 | 100 - 299kms |
| $250 | 300 - 499kms |
| $400 | 500 - 799kms |
| $600 | 800+ kms |
To claim the University Travel Assistance Grant please complete the Travel Assistance Grant Form
To claim the Faculty funded Travel Grant please complete the Travel Assistance Form
If you are unsure WHICH funding you should apply for, please contact the Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Office via email:
Mrs Dale Smith
Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Office
Email: facedrgso@csu.edu.au
Please be aware that while the University Research Office funded Travel Grant can be claimed once a SEMESTER, the Faculty funded travel grant can only be claimed once a YEAR.