
  • flinders.edu.au
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
Flinders University Logo Flinders University Logo
  • Employee resources

    Benefits and pay

    • Benefits and pay overview
    • Getting paid
    • Leave
    • Superannuation
    • Employee health plan
    • Employee assistance program
    • Staff discounts and offers
    • P&C forms, documents and guides

    Working at Flinders

    • Working at Flinders overview
    • Information for new staff
    • All job vacancies
    • Internal job vacancies
    • Enterprise agreement
    • Equal opportunity and diversity
    • Racial discrimination
    • Performance reviews

    Professional Development

    • Professional development overview
    • Academic promotion

    Manager & supervisor resources

    • Manager & Supervisor resources overview
    • Supervisor reference manual
    • Induction checklist
    • Inducting new staff
    Workday
    iEnrol login
  • Workplace support

    Doing your job

    • Digital services
    • Travel
    • Work health and safety
    • Finance and Procurement Services
    • Handling student complaints
    • Policy library
    • Risk management
    • Foreign Interactions

    Everyday needs

    • Searchable list of everyday topics
    • Room bookings
    • Flinders Press (Printing and copying services)
    • Flinders Print (staff printing)
    • Corporate Word and Powerpoint templates
    • Guide to updating your staff profile

    Your campus

    • Parking on campus (Bedford Park)
    • Parking and transport (Tonsley)
    • Building work - current projects and campus works
    • Virtual Business Blue and Guest parking permits
    • Campuses and floor plans

    Contractors

    • Contractors at Flinders
    • Information for contractors and subcontractors
    • Contractor safety
    • Permits and permission to proceed
    • Engaging a contractor
    Service One
    Okta
    vPermit
    FlinSafe
  • Teaching and research resources

    Teaching resources

    • Learning and teaching
    • Timetables
    • Academic integrity

    Research resources

    • Research support
    • Research contracts
    • Research integrity, ethics and compliance
    • Researcher training, development and communications
    • Research analytics and reporting
    • Research partnerships and commercialisation

    Funding opportunities

    • Funding opportunities overview
    • Philanthropic funding
    • Research grants and tenders
    • Teaching and learning awards
    Student Two Web
    Research Now login
  • Colleges and services

    Colleges

    • College of Business, Government and Law
    • College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
    • College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
    • College of Medicine and Public Health
    • College of Nursing and Health Sciences
    • College of Science and Engineering

    Professional Services

    • Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching
    • Finance and Procurement Services
    • Flinders International Services
    • Governance, Legal and Risk
    • Information and Digital Services
    • Office of Communication, Marketing and Engagement
    • Office of Graduate Research
    • Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement
    • People and Culture
    • Property, Facilities and Development
    • Research Development and Support
    • Student Administration Services
    • Student Experience
    • Student Recruitment
    Service One
    Staff directory
  • flinders.edu.au
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Library
  • You have no saved courses.

    Continue to explore your course options.

     
    Explore our courses

    Your saved courses

    {{{courseName}}}
    mail_outline
    delete
    View all saved courses
  • Quick links 
    • Staff directory
    • Workday
    • Service One
    • Flinders dashboard (Okta)
    • Calendar
    • Semester dates
    • Bedford Park campus map
    • Parking
    • Policy library
    • Shop Flinders merchandise

 

Register of HDR Supervisors

Research support Information for HDR supervisors Register of HDR Supervisors

The Office of Graduate Research maintains a Register of HDR Supervisors to ensure compliance with national standards and to provide students with the best supervisor matches possible.

Please review the HDR Supervisor Policy and HDR Supervisor Procedures for the requirements for the Register and composition of supervisory teams.

The Register of HDR Supervisors is available via Inspire for individual HDR Supervisors and researchers to view their own record. Approved staff members in the Office of Graduate Research and Colleges can view via FAN and password for administrative purposes. If you require assistance in using the Register please refer to the Quick Reference Guides on the Inspire web page. If you are aware of any changes that may alter the status of a supervisor or if you can provide information that will enhance the effectiveness of the Register, please contact the HDR Development Team in the Office of Graduate Research.

Login to Inspire

Note: Inspire is best used with Chrome or Firefox browsers. Internet Explorer or other browsers may not work correctly.

Application for Register of HDR Supervisors

The Register of HDR Supervisors available via Inspire allows potential or current HDR Supervisors to:

  • register for the Register of HDR Supervisors or apply for an exemption online
  • manage their compliance with the Register of HDR Supervisors
  • track completion of the HDR Supervisor Development Program

Research active supervisors

HDR supervision is a highly regulated area and there are numerous requirements for HDR supervisor by the following national bodies: 

  • The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 and Supervision Guide.
  • Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Graduate Research Good Practice Principles
  • ACGR Good Practice Guidelines for Quality Graduate Research
  • Department of Education and Training Research Training Implementation Plan, August 2017
  • The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018.

All of these have informed the requirements of the HDR Policy, HDR Supervisor Policy with respect to the HDR supervision at Flinders University. 

Rationale for research active supervisors

 

Frequently asked questions

What is the reason for the Register of HDR Supervisors?

The Flinders University HDR Policy, HDR Supervisor Policy and higher education sector requirements set out conditions for HDR supervisors. These include the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018, Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) Graduate Research Good Practice Principles and ACGR Good Practice Guidelines for Quality Graduate Research. Department of Education and Training Research Training Implementation Plan, August 2017.

What is a principal supervisor?

Principal supervisors have primary supervisory responsibility for the candidature and for maintaining effective communication with the student and with other supervisors in the supervisory team. Refer also to section 3 of the HDR Supervisor Policy.

What is an associate supervisor?

Associate supervisors provide additional supervisory support for the student and additional expertise to the supervisory team. Refer also to section 3 of the HDR Supervisor Policy.

Associate supervisors may be required to temporarily assume primary supervisory responsibility when the principal supervisor is unavailable. Refer to section 4.1 of the HDR Supervisor Procedures for more information.

What is an adjunct supervisor?

Adjunct supervisors may be appointed to provide additional expertise to the supervisory team. The adjunct role is appropriate where extra expertise would be beneficial, but where the supervisor is not eligible to assume a principal or associate supervisor role, for example, a supervisor external to the university without Flinders full academic status. 

What are the requirements for being a principal or associate supervisor?

The HDR Supervisor Framework consists of:

  • Higher Degrees by Research Policy
  • HDR Supervisor Policy, section 4
  • HDR Supervisor Procedures
  • Charter for HDR Student and Supervisor Responsibilities

How is 'research active' defined in the Register of HDR Supervisors?  

Refer to section 6 of the  HDR Supervisor Procedures. For further information refer to the HDR Supervisor Policy.  

Can a staff member who has recently been awarded a masters by research or a PhD (an Early Career Researcher) supervise a HDR student?

For the purposes of the register, a recent masters by research or PhD graduate will be considered ‘research active’ as an early career researcher for a period of 5 years following award of the degree. Therefore, these staff members will be able to supervise the degree that equates to their own qualification level at either Principal or Associate level, as long as a qualified mentor is appointed. Refer to section 3.c.iv of the HDR Supervisor Procedures. The additional supervisor needs to have a record of completion as per section 4.d of the HDR Supervisor Policy.

For example, a masters by research graduate can supervise masters by research students, and PhD graduates can supervise both masters by research and doctoral students. In each case a qualified mentor must be appointed. After 5 years, they will be expected to meet the criteria as currently stated in the policy in order to remain eligible to supervise HDR students. 

How long do I stay on the register?

Once academic staff members are placed on the register, whether from the transition period 2011-2012 or through application, they remain there. The only exceptions are for those who resign, retire or do not have their Full Academic Status (FAS) renewed. However, if a staff member becomes research inactive (refer to section 6 of the HDR Supervisor Procedures), they will not be eligible to take on new HDR supervisions until they become research active. Please note that staff who become research inactive may continue supervising their current students.

Compliance with the Register can be viewed in your individual record on the Register of HDR Supervisors via Inspire.

What are some examples of applicable exemptions against the eligibility criteria of the Register of HDR Supervisors?

ECR status gives a researcher a five year exemption from the PhD award date to override the research activity requirement, noting that if a researcher is research active according to the HDR Supervisor Procedures, section 6, that will prevail. If a researcher falls below the research active threshold within the five-year exemption, the exemption will be activated until the end-date.

Employment status exemptions can be requested by individual staff members for short contracts.

Research Active status exemptions can be requested by individual staff members who provide information/evidence about the plans to become research active.

What is the  HDR Supervisor Development Program? 

Refer to the HDR Supervisor Development Program.

Keeping up to date with research supervision

To remain compliant with the register of HDR supervisors, experienced supervisors need to update their supervisor training every 2 years from 28 March 2018, in accordance with section 5.b.iv of the HDR Supervisor Policy. You can view your individual compliance record via Inspire on the HDR Supervisor Development Summary. For more information refer to the HDR Supervisor Development Program.

Exemptions from the HDR Supervisor Development Program

Reasons for exemptions to CILT supervisor training can be found in the Academic Supervisor Induction Guidelines for academic staff and supervisors. Evidence of previous training consists of a program that covers the complex environment in which supervision occurs, Flinders University policy and practice regarding HDR supervision and good practice when supervising students.

What are some examples of equivalent contributions to the HDR Supervisor Development Program?

If you have provided a training course on any aspect of supervision, given a paper at a conference on supervisory practice, provided an information session at college level about supervision practice, or attended a college-run information session on HDR policies and procedures, you will be given credit towards updating your skills and knowledge. 

If any of the above applies to you, please advise the Office of Graduate Research via email (hdr.development@flinders.edu.au) with a subject heading of “Equivalent Supervisor Training”. Please provide as many details as possible, and you will be advised by return email whether it has been approved and recorded on the register.

Are staff members with professional doctorates eligible to supervise PhD students?

A qualified principal and associate supervisor needs to be appointed for every student in accordance with the HDR Supervisor Policy. Vice-Presidents and Executive Deans or nominee can approve special cases for supervision and may take into account factors such as the percentage of the research component of the professional doctorate, relevant publications and relevant academic and professional experience in the student's proposed field of study.  
 
At Flinders University as of 2015, all professional doctorates must comprise two-thirds research, the same proportion stipulated by the new Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) for a PhD.

Can staff members who are teaching specialists supervise HDR students?

No. The HDR Supervisor Policy sets out the requirements for supervisory teams and inclusion on the register of HDR supervisors. This advises that for new supervisions, a teaching specialist can only hold an adjunct position.

However, in November 2018, during the academic restructure negotiations it was determined that teaching specialist staff could continue their supervision of current HDR students if they have completed their confirmation of candidature at the time of the teaching specialist appointment. 

Need help?

If have any questions regarding HDR supervision please don't hesistate to contact us. 

hdr.development@flinders.edu.au

(08) 8201 5893

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

  • Glossary of terms and abbreviations
  • Current students
  • Staff directory
  • Flinders website

Follow Flinders

Facebook - Flinders University Twitter - Flinders University YouTube - Flinders University Instagram - Flinders University LinkedIn - Flinders University

Feedback and requests

Disclaimer

Accessibility

Privacy

CRICOS Provider: 00114A      TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097      TEQSA category: Australian University

Last Updated: 30 Mar 2021
Fearless Logo

This website uses cookies

Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation, and for a variety of purposes described in the website privacy statement. For details about these cookies and how to set your cookie preferences, refer to our website privacy statement.

You consent to the use of our cookies if you proceed.

Accept and continue