Higher degree by research (HDR) students
Diligence, flexibility, respect, rigour and compassion are integral to the higher degree journey. When managing COVID-19, these attributes are empowering for higher degree students and supervisors. Flinders University is working with national bodies to ensure that responsive and responsible management of higher degrees occurs during this time.
Every student at Flinders University is unique. Our students live around the world, deploy diverse methodologies, and occupy distinct disciplines. Therefore, offering a single strategy for the continuation and completion of a higher degree is not possible. Flinders University is well placed for the maintenance of a candidature through the Inspire application and the digital doctoral project. From the online induction through to digitised examination, each milestone can be managed through Inspire and performed in an online environment.
Current information
The University provides staff and students with the latest information about its management of the COVID-19 outbreak, with attention to national policy and recommendations. Please regularly review the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information website. This information is available in addition to the emails from the University leadership, incorporating the correspondence from the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) update 19 October 2021: Vaccinations for entering health facilities
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) update 6 September 2021
- COVID-19 Update 20 July 2021
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) update - important changes to Research Training Program funding: 12 May
Milestones
All milestones remain available to complete online in Inspire. Please organise your Milestone Presentation via Teams or Zoom and confirm the date and time with your supervisory panel and ensure that an assessor (if required) is able to attend in person or online (please check College milestone guidelines for further information). The OGR is available to help guide you through this process – contact the HDR Progression Team at hdr.progression@flinders.edu.au.
During difficult times for a candidature, whatever mode or type of concern may emerge, it is important to log those challenges as early as possible, so that solutions, alternatives and resolutions can be offered by supervisors and HDR coordinators.
Travel
Interstate Travel
Students planning on travelling interstate need to be aware that some state government restrictions for travel currently remain, predominantly in at risk communities. Please discuss your interstate travel plans with your Principal Supervisor.
Field trip approval is required through FlinSafe.
If travel interstate is deemed necessary, the following conditions must be met:
- Approval is required from the College Vice-President and Executive Dean (VPED)/ Portfolio Head
- The travel must not breach any Government travel restrictions – such as to a declared exposure site, or require entry/ exit via a restricted State or Territory border crossing.
- The traveller must acknowledge they will be responsible for all costs associated with any required quarantine or self-isolation.
- The traveller must demonstrate they can manage government requirements around social distancing, hygiene and infection control for the travel, the accommodation and the activity.
It is essential that all travel is booked through our approved travel management companies, in accordance with the University’s travel policy. The Office of Graduate Research is not managing domestic travel. All questions regarding the process need to be directed to the College Operations Team.
International Travel
On 2 May 2022, the University amended the rules for international travel for staff and HDR students, reflecting DFAT’s Smartraveller destination travel advisory. As a result, approvals for DFAT Level 1 or Level 2 destinations will no longer need to go to the Vice-Chancellor and can now be considered by the relevant Senior Executive Team member for your area. For HDR students, this will be the College Vice-President and Executive Dean (VPED).
Please note: Vice-Chancellor approval is still required for requests to travel to DFAT Level 3 destinations and approval to travel to DFAT Level 4 countries is unlikely.
Process for international travel applications from HDR students
The process for HDR students who wish to undertake international travel for research purposes:
1. Assess DFAT’s Smartraveller destination travel advisory for the proposed country. Note: DFAT Level 1 or Level 2 (College VPED approval), DFAT Level 3 (VC approval) and DFAT Level 4 (VC approval - travel is unlikely)
2. Discuss the proposal with their Principal Supervisor
3. Download the HDR International Travel Application, Covid-Safe Travel Plan, Risk Assessment and Additional Flight Details (as required).
4. Register your intent to travel and seek approval with the Office of Graduate Research, HDR Progression Team by email HDR.Progression@flinders.edu.au) with the subject line: Student Name (Student ID): International Travel request. A copy of the Deed Poll - Covid Release will be prepared by the HDR Progression team and sent to the applicant on registration.
5. HDR student submit request to the relevant approver (based on DFAT level) on HDR International Travel Application & COVID Plan and Risk Assessment form including the following:
- HDR International Travel Application & COVID Plan and Risk Assessment
- Evidence of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Evidence from Principal Supervisor that the travel is essential for the success of the research and candidature.
- Evidence of completion of Confirmation of Candidature and have any required ethics approval(s).
- Confirmation from your Principal Supervisor that they understand the obligations of the role of the University’s nominated contact person
- Signed Deed Poll COVID Release (physically signed and witnessed, then scanned for submission).
6. For questions, contact the HDR Progression Team (HDR.Progression@flinders.edu.au)
Services and support
Flinders is committed to maintaining, as far as possible, normal research activities. We realise that some activities may not be able to be undertaken due to the restrictions imposed by the response to COVID-19.
Please ensure that social distancing protocols are adhere to in the labs.
From 29 January 2022, Flinders is following the advice of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) that any university students, researchers, academic groups or any other employee providing duties within a health service on behalf of SALHN are required to have received, or have evidence of a booking to receive, a third dose (booster) of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TBA) approved COVID-19 vaccine. This is in addition to having already received the first and second dose of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine and within four weeks of becoming eligible.
This group of people will be required to provide evidence to continue their duties or services to or on behalf of SALHN beyond 29 January 2022.
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) has requested that students who study at FMC enter using the level 4 Southern entrance.
Supervisors and colleges ensure that higher degree students have access to the materials, interfaces and equipment required to complete their research. The mobility of this equipment must be managed. The serial numbers of computers and other hardware owned by the University and being used by students, particularly outside of the campuses, must be recorded and logged by the higher degree supervisor.
Each college maintains distinct processes for the management of student equipment, particularly if it is removed from the campuses of Flinders University. Please confirm the precise protocols for equipment mobility with the HDR Coordinator in your college.
For those students without digital connectivity in their home, computers and the internet are available in HDR Central 24/7 or at Level 0 of the Central Library.
Locate computer and internet availability.
The Flinders Connect space has been organised to respect social distancing and act as a service point during the University’s working from home period.
Higher degree students, like all university students, are not required to fill in forms regarding working from home.
We recommend that students review the information at Safe Work Australia for information about safe work practices and COVID-19.
Training for supervisors and students remains available and bookable via Inspire and offered via Collaborate, Microsoft Teams or WebEx. These sessions are logged in Inspire as completed activities and can be presented in milestones.
Flinders University recognises the importance of international students remaining enrolled in their degree, noting the requirements of ESOS compliance. The Office of Graduate Research and Flinders International remain in contact to ensure that visa compliance is in place.
International Student Services are available.
Contact them on iss@flinders.edu.au
Health, counselling and disability services remain available at Flinders University. View the diversity of their services and contact information.
Contact the Office of Graduate Research
Flinders University is committed to supporting you to achieve success through your studies. Although the University has moved a majority of its functions online for the time being, we are still here to offer you academic, wellbeing and financial support. As the safety of our students and staff is our number one priority, some of the ways in which we deliver these services to you has temporarily changed. These changes have been made to ensure we continue to meet health and government guidelines around gatherings and social distancing. Please refer to the Flinders Support Network for a range of support services.
General enquiries
Office of Graduate Research appointments
The OGR remains open and eager to assist any students in this difficult time. All OGR team members are available to see students, while recognising social distancing protocols.
Appointments and meetings can be held online (Microsoft Teams or Skype), over the phone, or in person. Individual appointments with OGR staff members can be booked by contacting team members here.
To book an appointment with the Dean of Graduate Research please contact the Office of Graduate Research at: gradresearch@flinders.edu.au
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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