Information for Higher Degree Research Students in the Division of SCMP

Divisional Structure and Contacts

The Division consists of the Departments of Indigenous Studies (Warawara), Anthropology, Critical & Cultural Studies, Media, Sociology, Philosophy, International Communications and Women’s Studies. The Centre for Research on Social Inclusion (CRSI) is also part of the Division. Details of all the departments may be accessed at http://www.scmp.mq.edu.au/departments.html

Dean: Professor Mitchell Dean

Associate Dean, Higher Degree Research: Professor Naren Chitty

Ethics Representatives: Dr Willa McDonald and Dr Mianna Lotz

HDR Student Coordinator: Dr Ammy Kwong

Accounting Officer: Frank Rea

The Composition of the SCMP Higher Degree Research Committee in Semester 2, 2008 is as follows:

Anthropology: Dr Greg Downey

Critical and Cultural Studies: Dr Anthony Lambert

International Communication: Professor Naren Chitty (Chair)

Indigenous Studies: Dr. Kristina Everett

Media: Dr Maree Delofski

Philosophy: Professor Peter Menzies

Sociology: Professor John Lechte

CRSI: A/Prof. Marion Maddox

PICT: Dr. Cindy Davids

HDR Student Representatives:
Michaela Baker (Philosophy and Chair)
Sumant Badami (Anthropology)
Elaine Kelly (Critical and Cultural Studies)
Helena Heizmann (International Communication)
Duane Hamacher (Indigenous Studies)
Phil Betts (Media)
Adam Stebbing (Sociology)
Kylie Sait (CRSI)
Yukata Arai (PICT)

Higher Degree Research Fund Management

Funding and services to help you during your studies are available from three primary sources:

Your Department

The Division

The Higher Degree Research Office (HDRU) and the University Higher Degree Research Committee

(1) Your Department

Departments within the Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy provide a number of services for their higher degree research students, including:

• Thesis project supervision

 

• Administrative and general support: such as office space, desks, computers, as well as services such as induction programs, coursework and conference organization (where appropriate).

• Direct Funding of research projects:

• PhD students can claim for up to $10,000 during their candidacy.
• MPhil students can claim up to $5,000 during their candidacy.

These funds are subject to the following guidelines:

Students who commenced their Higher Degree Research (HDR) studies prior to Semester 2 of 2006, will generally have access to $2,500 per annum for the remainder of their candidacies from 2007 onwards (subject to Departmental funding arrangements as allowed by the Dean within the limit of $10,000 during the period of candidacy. Claims for funds that were not used in 2006 or earlier years are not allowed).

Each full-time and part-time PhD student commencing a HDR candidacy in Semester 2 of 2006 will have an individual direct funding "account" of $10,000 established for them. These funding accounts will be managed by the Department Administrator.

MPhil students will have $5,000 in their individual direct funding “accounts”. MPhil students who convert to a PhD project will have funds already expended from their $5,000 allowance deducted from the PhD total of $10,000.

This funding will normally be apportioned on a fractional basis that reflects periods of enrolment in a year. Thus a full-time PhD student will be able to apply for $2,500 p.a. which equates to $10,000 over the life of a four-year completion term.

At the commencement of HDR studies, students (in consultation with your Principal Supervisor) are expected to develop provisional budgets to cover research-related expenses at the time of the signing of Supervisor-Candidate Agreements. Students will need to have signed SCMP Candidate-Supervisor agreements to be able to access funding.

Departmental funding will support research-related activities that arise out of the planned thesis project. Activities that may be funded include but are not limited to the following:

• accommodation and living expenses for field research,
• archival research,
• faxing,
• film copying,
• insurance for field research
• IT training (if not offered by Library),
• language training,
• photographic print costs,
• purchase of books, CDs and DVDs (subject to the MU policy on book purchasing through the Library. Books, CD / DVDs purchased are the property of the university, not the individual student. See http://www.library.mq.edu.au/services/orders.html )
• purchase of equipment (Note: the equipment will remain the property of Macquarie University and must be returned at the time of the completion of candidature),
• research assistants and interpreters/translators,
• local or international research or conference travel,
• thesis proof reading,
• thesis binding,
• transcription,
• vehicle hire for field research.

It is University policy that funds may not be used for leasing of equipment or payment of internet services.

Approved funds will normally need to be spent before the end of any year.

Departmental funds need to be applied for on the form posted by your Department on its website. The Department application form will include an Excel sheet for recording your balance after each disbursement in order for you to track your annual expenditure. Funds will normally be spent within the year of allocation.

Departments will also provide candidates with reasonable supplies of stationery, mailing, and faxing facilities as needed to complete HDR work.

Click here for more information on Top-up grant in aid for HDR candidates in SCMP.

(2) The Division

The Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy convenes meetings of the Higher Degree Research Committee once per month to manage and to seek to improve the support mechanisms provided for the Division's postgraduate students.

Support provided to research students at the Divisional level includes:

• a welcome/induction session
• workshops
• a Research Student Support Group for dealing with grievances

The following divisional funds are available on application to the SCMP Division HDR Committee:

• Financial assistance for hosting interdepartmental postgraduate conferences and workshops (A$ 1,250 per half year – funds awarded on a competitive basis)

(3) The Higher Degree Research Office (HDRU) and the University Higher Degree Research Committee

The HDRU manages research degree admissions, scholarships and thesis examinations. Its website http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/home contains important information about these matters. A number of forms can also be downloaded from the site.

The University Higher Degree Research Committee meets on the first Friday of every month. Amongst other things, it considers applications for the extension of research scholarships, the appointment of examiners, and recommendations for the award of degrees.

Additionally, a further source of funding is made available to HDR students by the University. This is known as the Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Fund (PGRF). The primary goal of the PGRF is provide the University’s postgraduate students with the means to enhance their postgraduate experience and add value to their thesis. The Scheme is run biannually (March and August) and applications are considered on a competitive basis taking into account individual merit and need. The maximum value of a PGRF award is $4,000.

For more information regarding the Postgraduate Research Fund (PGRF), please go to: http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/funding/internal

For more information about Higher Degree Research studies at Macquarie University , please see the HDRU website at: http://www.research.mq.edu.au/students/home

The following links are available at the above site:

• New students
• Current students
• Scholarships
• Thesis examination
• HDR committees
• Forms
• FAQ
• About HDR Office
• HDRU feedback

Macquarie International Travel Grants

Travel Grants (administered by the Macquarie International Office) are for Macquarie University students who are travelling abroad for study, exchange and other programs (for example internships, research, language courses and study tours). These are valued between $500 and $3500. Further information about Travel Scholarships and application documents may be accessed at:

http://www.international.mq.edu.au/goingabroad/travel_grants.aspx

 

How to Claim Expenses

The procedure for redeeming thesis-related expenses is as follows:

1. For each claim you wish to make, download and complete the Non Order Payment Request Form. Please note that all original receipts need to be attached to this form in order to process your claim.

2. Forward the completed form and receipts to your Department Administrator who will send it on to Mr Frank Rea, Accounts Officer, Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy, Room 700, Level 7, W6A, Macquarie University

3. Your claim will be processed and reimbursement forwarded to you.

You should assume your claim has been accepted unless you hear to the contrary and you will be notified if you exceed your allowance. You may submit any number of claims subject to the financial limits specified above.

 

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