Faculty of Arts

Postgraduate Research Support Scheme

Please note the Postgraduate Research Support Scheme will not be run in 2008. Research students may wish to attend the Postgraduate Essentials - Completion and Beyond. Further information can be found at www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au/pge

The Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Research Support Scheme offers a structured weekly programme in Semester 1 and 2, providing practical information and advice on all aspects of your candidature.

Some of the areas covered include:

Convenor

Associate Professor David Bennett
Chair of Research, School of Culture and Communication

Eligibility

The scheme is open to all research postgraduate students in the Faculty of Arts. You may attend selectively according to your interests but new postgraduates are especially advised to attend all the sessions. There are no costs and no quotas.

Venues

Semester 1

Sessions 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 will be held in Old Arts, Theatre E.
Session 3 will be held in the Percy Baxter Room, 1st Floor, Baillieu Library.

Semester 2

Sessions 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 will be held in Alan Gilbert Building, Theatre 2.
Session 3 will be held in the Percy Baxter Room, 1st Floor, Baillieu Library.

Structure

Six 1.5 hour sessions held on Thursdays at 4.30pm-6.00pm. Library session may run to 2 hours if needed.

Programme 2007

Session Dates Topic
1 Semester 1 - 15 March
Semester 2 - 16 August

Introduction to the Support Scheme

  • Distribution of general information sheet for the scheme
  • Overview of Faculty, SGS, and school resources and facilities for research postgraduates
  • Your candidature requirements and hurdles during your first twelve months, including MA Thesis Progress Report, Confirmation of PhD Candidature Report, Conversion from MA to PhD Candidature Report
2 Semester 1 - 22 March
Semester 2 - 23 August

Planning and Writing a Research Thesis

  • Distribution of advice sheet on thesis-writing
  • Examiner's expectations of MA and PhD theses
  • Defining/refining your topic
  • What is a 'literature review?'
  • Planning the chapter-structure of your thesis
  • Stages of research: data-gathering, drafting, revising, editing
  • Bibliographies, appendices, presentation
  • Developing good research/writing habits, using your time productively
  • Where to turn for one-on-one assistance
3 Semester 1 - 29 March
Semester 2 - 30 August

The Library as a Research Resource

  • Introduction to the Library's new SuperSearch portal, including instruction on accessing electronic databases; conducting on-line searches; which indexes to search for journal articles on your topic; InterLibrary Loan procedures

Endnote bibliographical software

  • Using Endnote (available free of charge to all students) to manage your bibliographies, research notes, referencing, and re-formatting of mss for publication.
4 Semester 1 - 5 April
Semester 2 - 6 September

Research Ethics

  • Requirements and procedures for gaining Ethics Committee approval for your research

Supervision

  • Student-Supervisor relationships and expectations; how to get the most out of supervision meetings; procedures for resolving any problems that may arise
  • Distribution of information sheets
5 Semester 1 - 12 April
Semester 2 - 13 September

Publicising your Research

  • Adapting your research for conference papers; submitting paper proposals for conferences; submitting articles for journal publication; participating in postgraduate journal editing and publishing

Applying for Research and Travel Grants

  • Available sources of research funding for MA and PhD students
  • How to write a strong application
  • Distribution of information sheet

Thesis Submission and Examination

  • Submission procedures; appointment of examiners; examiners' expectations and reports; possible outcomes of examination; importance of 'completion'
  • Distribution of sample examiner's report form and guidelines for examiners
6 Semester 1 - 19 April
Semester 2 - 4 October

Teaching Experience

  • Opportunities for sessional tutoring, what it involves (pros and cons), why and how to apply for it

Career Planning

  • Writing a CV and letters for academic job applications; translating your CV into a resumé for non-academic job applications; soliciting referees; career opportunities and employer-liaison; networking
  • Distribution of sample CV and letter of application

General Discussion

  • An opportunity to raise and discuss any other issues.

 

Bookings

To register your interest in the programme for either Semester 1 or 2 please email arts-research@unimelb.edu.au.

(Please include your full name, student number, course name and school name)

Objectives

The Postgraduate Research Support Scheme has three main objectives:

Key Contacts

Arts Research Office

General enquiries regarding the Master of Arts, eligibility, applications, course fees and RTS:

Arts Research, Room 210, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia
Web: www.arts.unimelb.edu.au

Enquiries regarding the Student Support Scheme:
Email: arts-research@unimelb.edu.au

International Office

Tel: +61 3 8344 5247
Fax: +61 3 9347 0424
Email: arts-international@unimelb.edu.au
Web: www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/international/

Schools and Centres


Specific enquiries regarding content of coursework programmes, thesis topics and supervision should be directed to the relevant teaching school:
www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/about/schools.html

School of Graduate Studies

The PhD programme is administered by The School of Graduate Studies. PhD enquiries should be directed to the school you wish to study with or the School of Graduate Studies. Application forms and handbooks are available from the School or from the SGS website.

Graduate Centre

1888 Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia
Tel: +61 3 8344 8599
Fax: +61 3 9349 2103
Email: grad-info@unimelb.edu.au
Web: www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au

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