Initial Steps in your Candidature
The aim of this section is to provide you with a step-by-step guide to getting started in your HDR candidature. You may have already taken some of the steps and, if so, you can skip those and move on to the subsequent steps.
Step 1. Confirm your Study Commencement:
(a) To ensure your transition into study at CSU we ask that you please complete the Confirmation of Commencement of Study Details form which provides us with your anticipated commencement of study and/or arrival on campus date allowing the Research Office to best prepare for your arrival.
Step 2. Contact your HDR supervisor(s):
(a) to inform them that you have commenced your HDR candidature
(b) to schedule an initial meeting with them (Step 4), either face-to-face or remotely. If you propose to meet remotely, you and your supervisor(s) might like to consider using some of the following types of available remote communication tools:
(i) a telephone meeting or teleconference
(ii) a videoconference between CSU campuses, with possible phone links
(iii) Skype
(iv) Adobe Connect - Online meeting tool
(v) Bridgit, with simultaneous telephone call or teleconference to provide an audio link
(vi) the CSU Large File Sending Service - useful when trying to share larger files which cannot be readily emailed as attachments
Step 3. Review the HDR Information Guide
The HDR Information Guide provides a primary 'portal' through which you can access or be guided to all important information pertaining to the University's structure and processes as they relate to HDR candidates. This guide is structured according to the path you will take as a HDR candidate and covers the major issues of responsibilities, funding, candidature, probation, progress, thesis preparation, examination, graduation and publication.
Step 4. Attend the next HDR Student Induction Workshop
A critical step you need to make and to fulfil part of your probation requirements, is to complete an Online Orientation - this is a self-paced presentation and contains much of the key information you will need to know, including requirements of you as a candidate, tips for creating good supervisor relationships, and information on the range of supportive services available to you as a HDR candidate. Following the completion of this you are also required to register to attend the HDR Candidate Welcome & Induction. These are live, interactive workshops conducted every six weeks. A variety of speakers will engage you in some practical knowledge and tips of how to best commence your HDR journey. Your supervisor(s) are also welcome to attend this workshop with you.
If you are unable to attend one of the offered induction workshops due to difficulties with internet access or for other reasons, please contact the CSU Research Office to discuss alternatives for meeting this compulsory requirement.
Step 5. Meet with your supervisor(s) to:
(a) discuss supervisor expectations of you during your candidature
(b) discuss your expectations of your supervisor(s) during your candidature
(c) consider how you will work together to ensure you progress through your candidature in a timely fashion
(d) ask any questions you might have about your candidature
(e) plan how often and by what mode(s) (eg face-to-face, by telephone) you will
(i) meet and (ii) communicate between meetings
(f) discuss and confirm or refine your research question(s) and aim(s)
(g) discuss and confirm the requirements of the probationary period of your candidature
(h) discuss and document your next steps, key milestones and work plan/schedule
(i) discuss and plan the research professional development activities you will undertake and the approximate stages of your candidature at which each of these will be undertaken
(j) schedule your next meeting together.
Step 6. Join the online CSU Research Student Interact Site and Forum:
A recommendation is to join our Interact Site, this will keep you up to date with any additional workshops and resources as they become available. You can also use the site to interact with other researchers, share tips, and offer suggestions for further resources to be added to our website.
To join:
- In your web browser, go to: http://interact.csu.edu.au
- In 'my workspace' click on 'membership' and then click on the link to 'joinable sites' (tip: it may take several minutes for the 'joinable sites' link to appear on the 'membership' screen) and from there search for the joinable site named 'Research Students'
To join the Forum for Post Grad Research Students:
- First join the Interact site listed above, and then follow the Forum link to join the Forum
Step 7. Schedule and register for other key initial research professional development activities:
(a) further online training sessions designed primarily for Research Students, again, if you are unable to attend one of the offered sessions due to difficulties with internet access or for other reasons, please contact the CSU Research Office to discuss alternatives for accessing the session content.
(b) other research professional development activities listed in the calendar which you agree with your HDR supervisor(s) are important for you to complete in the early stages of your HDR candidature.
Step 8. Implement
Begin to implement the work plan, meeting schedule, communication plan and professional development plan which you have agreed with your supervisor(s)