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Responsibilities of Postgraduate Research Student Supervisors

The responsibilities of the principal supervisor include:

Responsibilities of Postgraduate Research Student Supervisors

“Supervisor” means “principal supervisor” if there is more than one supervisor.

The responsibilities of the supervisor include:

Ethics and Close Personal Relationships

Murdoch University has published a public statement of the ethical principles, values and behaviour expected of all members of the Murdoch community (http://www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/admin/codes/ethics.html#conduct). This Code of Ethics and Conduct provides guidance on the standards of conduct and integrity expected of all members of the Murdoch community. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is based on the principles of justice, respect for others and responsible care. It provides guidance on academic freedom, acceptance of gifts or benefits, close personal relationships, confidentiality, conflict of interest and other matters.

For a supervisor to have a sexual relationship with a postgraduate research student to whom he or she has a duty of care is likely to involve serious difficulties arising from the power disparity in the supervisor-student relationship. Where a sexual relationship exists or has recently existed between a postgraduate research student and his or her supervisor, the supervisor must immediately remove himself or herself from any position as a supervisor of this student. Failure to do so will normally initiate disciplinary action against the supervisor.

Regulations and Policies

Becoming familiar with the regulations for the research degree in which the student is enrolled, the Code of Conduct for Research, the Code of Practice for Supervision, the Guidelines on Joint Authorship, the Protocols for Research Relationships with External Agencies, and the other policies of the Board , available on the Graduate Centre website

Admission of a New Candidate

Before the candidate is accepted into the research programme, informing the Faculty Dean of the suitability of the proposed topic for the research degree, the likely total cost of the programme and of the candidate’s annual maintenance needs and other resource needs if these are likely to exceed the normal resource requirements of postgraduate students in the Faculty.

Beginning the Research Project

Advising on and discussing with the candidate at the commencement of candidature the suitability of the proposed research programme for the proposed degree, and advising of amendments where necessary to ensure that it can reasonably be expected to be meet the required standards and be achievable within the normal time for that degree.

Advising on and discussing with the candidate at the commencement of candidature the aims, scope and presentation of the thesis, and arranging any orientation or supplementary training necessary for the research project, including the GREAT programme and Facultyl training programmes.

Advising on and negotiating with the candidate at the commencement of candidature, a suitable agreement on any publication or joint publication likely to arise during or after the research project, to ensure appropriate and adequate recognition of the candidate’s and the supervisor’s contribution to the publication, and advising of the requirement to complete a statement of authorship and location of data form.

Advising the candidate on safe working practices relevant to the field of research, the ethical practices appropriate to the discipline, (including Human Research/Animal Ethics Committee application(s), requirements regarding the retention of data, and discussing the University’s Policy relating to Intellectual Property in relation to the research, and the rights and responsibilities of the supervisor and student including equity issues.

If the research is funded by a contractual arrangement, discussing with the candidate any particular contracts or conditions which could either restrict disclosure or affect the extent to which communication with colleagues is possible during the research and on its completion. When restrictions upon disclosure exist, the discussion should culminate with a written agreement on the conditions of disclosure, prepared in conjunction with the Industry Liaison Officer in the Division of R&D.

The Programme of Study

Assisting the candidate to prepare a research plan, research timetable and milestones as the basis for a programme of study for submission to the Board for approval within the appropriate timeframe for the candidate’s enrolment.

Identifying any candidate needing English language assistance in the first semester of enrolment, advising the candidate of the need for this assistance, and referring the candidate for appropriate assistance.

Discussions with the Candidate

Initiating and holding frequent and adequate discussions with the candidate on the candidate’s research programme. The Postgraduate Research Degree regulations state that supervisor and candidate are jointly responsible for initiating such discussion.
The Board has directed that there should be contact between the supervisor and the candidate at least once each month even if a formal meeting is not always possible.

Discussion at commencement of candidature and at suitable occasions during candidature should clarify the candidate’s and the supervisor’s expectations of the process of supervision.

On the basis of this discussion the supervisor and candidate should establish, preferably in writing, guidelines and expectations pertaining to:

• frequency and initiation of contact (not less than once a month)
  
• monitoring, evaluation and reporting of progress
  
• provision of necessary material resources
  
• orientation, learning support, and training courses/programmes, as required
  
• strategies for contact with other researchers in related areas
  
• authorship, should publications arise from the candidate’s work
  
• reasonable expectations of time required to provide written feedback on work,
  
• exchange of ideas and constructive criticism
  

In the case of shared supervisory arrangements, this discussion should involve all supervisors and the candidate.

Ensuring that any significant decisions about the candidate’s research programme made in conversation between the supervisor and the candidate, or any significant variations to agreed expectations and guidelines, are confirmed in writing and a copy given to the candidate, and to any other supervisor, and noted in the annual progress report.

Progress of the Research

• Ensuring that the candidate is actively engaged in the research programme in a manner likely to produce significant results by the time the thesis is due to be submitted, and that the candidate participates in the intellectual activity of the department/programme through activities such as presentations at departmental seminars.

• Requiring written work from the student on a pre-arranged and agreed schedule, reviewing drafts of the thesis and providing written comments within a mutually agreed period (not exceeding one month from time of submission), and commenting critically to the candidate on the draft of the completed thesis before it is submitted for examination.

• Submitting to the Graduate Centre each year an Annual Report on the progress of the candidate, noting any significant achievements, difficulties and problems discussed with the student, including inadequate progress, achievement of milestones and the action taken or advice given.

• Where significant differences develop between the student and supervisors that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, bringing this to the attention of the Senior Academic in the discipline, Faculty Postgraduate Director, the Manager of the Graduate Centre, the Dean of Graduate Studies, or another suitable person in a position to assist with resolving the issue.

• Advising the student about any planned extended leave (e.g. study leave, long service leave, etc) during the candidature and consulting with the student about proposed arrangements for supervision during this leave, with a least six month’s notice.

The Final Stage

In consultation with the Senior Academic in the discipline, nominating examiners for approval by the Board at least two months before the thesis is due to be submitted.

Fulfilling other University obligations in the supervision and examinations process as identified by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research).

Supporting the career aspirations of the student after completion of the thesis, through, for example, provision of references, assistance with publications, facilitation with post-doctoral employment applications.

This page was last updated on Friday, October 23, 2009 10:30