Research Higher Degree Prospectus 2013

RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE

PROSPECTUS

2013

The University of Newcastle is a research intensive university with a reputation for excellence and a strong and vibrant research culture. Our research work is recognised for its impact and relevance to the region, the nation and the international community.

Our proud history is reflected in our consistent ranking in the top ten Australian universities for research effort and outcomes. There are areas of research excellence across the breadth of the University’s disciplines and we are best known for our research strengths in science and technology, engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, and medicine and health sciences.

The single most important factor in the success of the University’s research is our people. We value our research candidates as important contributors to our research standing and provide a supportive environment to achieve excellent outcomes. Upon enrolment you will be provided with a laptop and you will also be able to apply for the Annual RHD Candidate Allocation for reimbursement of costs associated with research activities.

The high standards set by the University ensure that our research higher degrees are respected and valued throughout the world. Establishing and strengthening partnerships with local and global industries is a key driver in our research success.

As a research higher degree candidate, the University will support you to the utmost of its ability. When you accept an offer of a place at Newcastle, you can be sure that you will be accepted into our research community and you will be given quality supervision consistent at all times with the various stages of your development towards being an independent researcher.

Please take the time to read through this prospectus and to understand the advantage you will have, should you choose Newcastle as your university. We are confident that you will find much to encourage your application for admission.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Professor Scott HolmesDean of Graduate StudiesPro Vice-Chancellor (Research)

WELCOME

Pictured on cover: Jamie Flynn, PhD (Anatomy) candidate, who took out the 2011 University of Newcastle Three Minute Thesis competition title from an impressive field with his presentation “Propriospinal Neurons and Their Role in Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury”.

www.newcastle.edu.au | 1

02World-classresearch

03NewcastleInstituteforEnergyandResources(NIER)

04Agreatenvironmentforstudy

05Whydoaresearchhigherdegree

06Aguidetoapplicationandenrolment

08Researchscholarships

09Resourcesforcandidates

10PriorityResearchCentres

15FacultyofBusinessandLaw

21FacultyofEducationandArts

27FacultyofEngineeringandBuiltEnvironment

33FacultyofHealth

39FacultyofScienceandInformationTechnology

44TheWollotukaInstitute

45Expectationsinrelationtoresearchhigherdegrees

46Completingyourapplicationform

48Proposaltemplate

49Applicationform

53RHDprogramsandcodes

01 WORLD-CLASS RESEARCHWe are ranked in the world’s top four per cent and in Australia’s top 10 universities for research. We have on staff some of the world’s leading researchers and invest in world-class research facilities. We have 15 Priority Research Centres, we lead an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence and host large national and international research projects. The high standards set by the University ensure that our research higher degrees are respected and valued throughout the world.

02 A GREAT EnvIROnMEnT fOR STUDyWe have a student population of more than 35,000 including more than 7,800 international students from more than 100 countries. Our campuses at Newcastle and the Central Coast offer a unique lifestyle of beaches, cafes and music, as well as a cost-effective, friendly place to live.

03 PEOPLE WHO STUDy HERE DO WELLAs one of Australia’s leading research-intensive institutions, we have a reputation for excellence and a strong and vibrant research culture. Completing a research higher degree develops specialist knowledge in your field and professional skills for a range of business settings. Whether you’re interested in a career in academia or in the private or government spheres, you will be equipped with valuable skills that will make you competitive, no matter what your chosen career path.

04 WE ARE HAnDS-On AnD RESPOnSIvEWe value our research higher degree candidates as important contributors to our research standing and provide a supportive environment. You will be accepted into our research community and given quality supervision.

05 THIS IS A PLACE Of OPPORTUnITyA research higher degree is a unique opportunity to develop new skills, develop problem-solving abilities and make a valuable contribution to new knowledge. Whether you want to broaden your mind, advance your career, increase your knowledge, travel the globe or change the world, the University of Newcastle can provide you with the opportunity.

TO CHOOSE THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLEAUSTRALIA

COnTEnTS

02 | RHD PROSPECTUS

Research and study opportunities are available for all stages of your career. To find out more about the University of Newcastle’s world-class team visit www.newcastle.edu.au/research

The University of Newcastle has a vibrant research culture and has enjoyed strong and increasing success in research performance. We hold a unique place in the higher education sector as the most research-intensive university outside of an Australian capital city. Ranked in the top 10 universities in Australia for research, a proven track record of innovation continues to drive our reputation as a place of research excellence and groundbreaking discovery. Our strengths are concentrated in the areas of health, biomedical science, energy and the environment, engineering and science.

The University is home to many of the world’s leading researchers including:

• Professor John Forbes (breast cancer)

• Professor Jim Denham (prostate cancer)

• Laureate Professor John Aitken (reproductive biology)

• Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson (chemical engineering)

• Laureate Professor Graham Goodwin (electrical engineering)

• Laureate Professor Scott Sloan (civil engineering)

• Laureate Professor Jonathan Borwein (mathematics)

• Laureate Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher (public health)

OUR TRACk RECORDThe University of Newcastle:

• is in Australia’s top 10 for externally funded research

• has an annual external research income of $84.96 million as reported under our 2010 Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC)

• is ranked ninth in Australia according to the 2010 HERDC

• has $13.6 million new Australian Research Council funding commencing in 2012

• has $12.7 million National Health and Medical Research Council funding commencing in 2012

• has an annual turnover $12.6 million as part of Newcastle Innovation in 2010

• is an associate member of the Group of Eight (Go8) Deans of Engineering and Associates*

*Associate members were invited to join the Go8 Deans of Engineering in recognition of the outstanding quality of their engineering research, teaching and scholarship.

We lead an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical Science and Engineering.

With partner organisations we host:

• the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

• the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)

We host large national and international research projects including:

• the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

• the Australia New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group

• the WorkCover NSW Research Centre of Excellence

WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH


The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) is a world-class research facility established with the explicit role of facilitating research within the minerals, energy and resources fields.

Funded through the Education Investment Fund, NIER is part of the Government’s Education Revolution aimed at supporting world-leading, strategically focused infrastructure investments that will transform Australian tertiary education and research.

NIER brings the University’s leading energy and resources researchers together under an umbrella institute and addresses national priorities in sustainability within the energy and resources sector.

nIERDELIvERInG DISCOvERIES AnD SOLUTIOnS THAT MAkE A DIffEREnCE

Priority research areas include:

• reduction of energy and water consumption in industries of national significance

• reduction of carbon emission through next generation clean coal, carbon capture and storage technologies

• development of alternative energy sources including geothermal, biomass, wind and polymer solar cells

• improved efficiencies in energy generation and conversion

• smarter and more efficient networks for the distribution and utilisation of electricity and water

• social change and the sustainability of resources and the environment.

NIER will be the preeminent and most comprehensive energy and resources research institute of its kind in Australia, focused on achieving best practice industry and academia collaboration, and providing both practical and viable benefits to industry, the community and the economy.

On a scale unrivalled at any other education and research centre in Australia, NIER is housed in a world-class research facility comprising extensive mineral, chemical and technical laboratories, industrial-scale pilot plant workshops and offices, with a state-of-the-art research building to be completed in 2013. Building capacity provides for significant research training activities, and access to industrial scale facilities ensures students graduate with industry-relevant experience.

The collaborations between energy and resources researchers from the University with industry partners allows cross-fertilisation of ideas and approaches aligned to government and industry research agendas, and has the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainable energy research nationally and internationally. Partnerships exist with Ausgrid, CSIRO, Ampcontrol, TUNRA Bulk Solids, BHP Billiton, Xstrata, NuCoal and Hunter Water with many others in development. Key international partnerships have been established with the University of Witswatersrand, North China Electric Power University and the State Grid Power Research Institute of China with additional collaborations planned in Africa and China.

The Priority Research Centres within NIER include:

• Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport (page 10)

• Centre for Energy (page 13)

• Centre for Organic Electronics (page 14)

www.newcastle.edu.au/research/nier

Pictured left: Professor Kevin Galvin

Pictured on opposite page: Laureate Professor John Aitken (left) and Laureate Professor Scott Sloan

Research centres and partnerships

We are host to a range of research centres funded either by the Australian Government and industry or from our own resources. Our 15 Priority Research Centres bring together our top researchers and promote cross-faculty and cross-disciplinary research. Full details of all our research centres are available at www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centres-institutes

We enjoy significant research and teaching partnerships with universities throughout Asia and the Pacific and in Europe, North America and Africa. We are recognised nationally and internationally for the leadership we have provided in establishing problem-based learning.

The University is strongly committed to increasing the participation of Indigenous students in higher education and our Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre provides support to our Indigenous research higher degree candidates.

Campuses

We have two main campuses. The largest, set on a 140 hectare natural bushland site, is at Callaghan, 12 kilometres from the centre of Newcastle, and is well serviced by both bus and train. The other main campus is located on a picturesque 85 hectare site at Ourimbah on the Central Coast, halfway between Newcastle and Sydney. Our City precinct comprises the Newcastle Business School, the Newcastle Legal Centre and the Conservatorium of Music.

Libraries

The University offers specialised services and resources for research higher degree candidates over six libraries, including dedicated postgraduate study facilities at three locations. The library invests over $8 million per annum in scholarly information resources including subscriptions to over 80,000 online and print journals, 200,000 e-books and also acquires over 20,000 print books per annum. Resources in other libraries within Australia and overseas are available free of charge through the inter-library loan and BONUS+ requesting system. This, combined with 24x7 physical access over three locations, ensures that the library is always available to assist and support research activity. The Faculty Librarian Service provides advanced information research support to researchers and postgraduate students. Subject information specialists can advise on the best strategies for effective information access including advice on literature searches, research techniques, advanced use of Endnote and training in online resources.

Sports facilities

The sports facilities on the Callaghan campus are amongst the finest of any university in the country and include The Forum sports complex, which houses a 50-metre indoor heated pool, an 18-metre climbing wall, a fully equipped gymnasium, two martial arts/aerobics studios and two competition indoor courts for sports such as basketball and volleyball. There are also six sporting ovals, a squash centre and tennis courts. There are many social and support services for students from career guidance and health care to banks and sporting clubs.

Accommodation

The University operates the largest single site accommodation complex of any university in Australia with the capacity to accommodate around 1,000 students. There are four Halls of Residence – Edwards Hall, International House, Barahinebahn and Evatt House.

A GREAT EnvIROnMEnTfOR STUDy

THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLE IS A MODERn, fLExIbLE AnD COMPREHEnSIvE UnIvERSITy ESTAbLISHED In 1965.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//research/centres-institutes/


Broaden your career options

Research is a growth industry, and gaining a research higher degree will give you an advantage in the job market. Workforce projections indicate that demand for research qualified people is set to grow at a faster rate than overall employment demand in our economy over the decade to 2020, with the number of employed individuals with a doctorate by research qualification alone expected to rise by 3.2 per cent per annum over this period (Access Economics 2010).

In addition, a recent report into research training commissioned by the Australian Government confirmed that the academic population is ageing and that the number of young academics coming through will be insufficient to meet the future needs of research in Australia (Bradley, Noonan, Nugent and Scales 2008). The option of a career in academia is likely always to remain open for you if you complete a PhD, both immediately after graduation and as you continue to build knowledge and gain experience in your discipline.

Start your career as a researcher

Research and scholarship underpin our teaching and creative activity. Candidates who are working towards a higher degree by research are important to us and our aim is to attract and support talented, keen researchers.

Stretch yourself

As a successful Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy graduate, you will have overcome the obstacles, persevered with the research, mastered new skills and convinced a group of your peers that the contribution to knowledge submitted as your thesis is worthy of the award of a higher degree. The end result is an overwhelming feeling of great accomplishment.

Challenge yourself

Graduates regularly report that their research journey was extremely challenging and because of that, highly rewarding. The day that a candidate submits their thesis is truly a day for celebration. A research higher degree can be likened to a full-time job. Candidates generally work on their research Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm from January to December with four weeks off for recreational leave usually over the summer period. The research program normally involves several milestones starting with the research proposal, literature review, data collection, confirmation, regular progress reporting, analysis, and several thesis drafts before the final version is ready for examination.

Develop your passion for research

A research higher degree provides an exciting career path for high-achieving students who have an analytical mind and an intrinsic desire for problem solving.

Contribute to critical knowledge

Research involves defining and solving problems and constantly striving for improvement in your chosen discipline. We regularly receive feedback from graduates that doing a PhD has given them a real sense of achievement and the feeling of having contributed to something positive for the future.

WHy DO ARESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE?

An RHD IS THE RECOGnISED qUALIfICATIOn fOR A CAREER In ACADEMIA AnD WILL OPEn DOORS TO CAREERS In THE PUbLIC AnD PRIvATE SECTORS.

Pictured top: Dr Christopher McNeill

Pictured bottom: Dr Nikola Bowden

06 | RHD PROSPECTUS

A GUIDE TOAPPLICATIOn EnROLMEnTResearch your options

The Faculty sections of this prospectus detail areas in which MPhil and PhD candidates can be accepted. The qualifications required for admission are set out on page 45 of this prospectus and in the degree schedules available at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/policy-and-guidelines.html

Apply

To apply for candidature please complete the application form found on page 49 of this prospectus. Instructions on completing the form are available on page 46. Ensure that you attach all required documentation and lodge your application with the Office of Graduate Studies. If you don’t provide original or certified documents related to your admission you may only be made a conditional offer and will be unable to enrol until these documents have been received.

Assessment

Upon receipt of your application form and accompanying documentation, we will register your application and conduct an eligibility assessment.

You will receive an acknowledgement email including an applicant login and application tracking information to the email address provided on your application form. Your application will then be sent to the relevant faculty and school for an academic assessment and determination. Once a determination has been made the application will be returned to the Office of Graduate Studies where outcome correspondence will be prepared and despatched to you.

Academic review

Assessment times can vary. Please allow at least six weeks. During the scholarship assessment period (Oct-Dec) scholarship applications are prioritised.

The recommendation to admit an applicant is the responsibility of the Head of School in which the research program is to be pursued, and must also be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Faculty.

Approval requires that:

• an applicant is appropriately qualified

• there are projects available within the applicant’s areas of research interest

• the school can provide supervision and resources

Outcome

You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email and hard copy letter. If you are made an offer you can accept it online at http://myhub.newcastle.edu.au. If deferral is possible this will be indicated in your offer letter.

The letter will outline your program, supervisory arrangements and other details relevant to your initial enrolment. Conditions may be placed on an offer of admission such as enrolment in prescribed courses. The offer may also be conditional upon receipt of further evidence from you. It is important that you attend to any conditions promptly to avoid delays in commencement.

If a scholarship application has also been submitted separate advice will be provided regarding its outcome. First round scholarship offers will be made in mid to late December and must be accepted within 28 days.

Contact

The Office of Graduate Studies is the first point of contact for domestic research higher degree applicants. We will respond to your queries by email, phone or in person. Our office is located in Room CH234 on the Ground Floor, East Wing, The Chancellery, Callaghan campus.

T +61 2 4921 6537

F +61 2 4921 6908

E [email protected]

www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/office-of-graduate-studies

International applicants should contact International Admissions and obtain an international application form: [email protected]

AnD

ApplicantsareencouragedtoconsultwithacademicsinthechosenresearchfieldattheUniversitypriortosubmittinganapplicationforadmission.Thismayassistinguidingthedirectionofyourresearchproposal.

TheRegisterofSupervisorsallowsyoutosearchforapotentialsupervisor.

Youcansearchbyschoolorresearchername,orbykeyword,andyouwillbeprovidedwiththenamesofsupervisors,asummaryoftheirresearchareas,andalinktotheirresearchprofileandtheiremailaddress.

www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

fInD A SUPERvISOR

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html


Study costs – Research Training Scheme

Under the Research Training Scheme (RTS) the University receives funding from the Australian Government to meet its operational costs for the candidature of domestic students. This support is in the form of an exemption from the contributions normally payable by Australian students under the Higher Education Loan Program. RTS funding is limited to:

• four years full-time (or part-time equivalent) if a PhD candidate

• two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) if a research masters candidate

Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

From semester 2, 2012 a Student Services and Amenities fee will be introduced to improve the services offered to all students. For full details, please refer to www.newcastle.edu.au//students/services-and-amenities-fee/. Please note that this fee is not covered by any research higher degree scholarship. Off-campus, online and distance students are also required to pay a service and amenities fee.

Privacy and confidentiality

The information gathered by the University from your completed application form and during the period of your enrolment will only be used in accordance with privacy legislation to assist the University to enable you to complete your program of study. It will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent unless the University is under a legal obligation to do so. Government departments such as Centrelink, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship are authorised to request specific types of information for their purposes. The University may also be required to provide information to law enforcement agencies if a subpoena or warrant is served on it, or if an application is made under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

Thesis by Publication

Thesis by Publication is a thesis submitted in the form of a series of published papers. The application process is the same as any research higher degree and scholarships are equally available. The difference only occurs in the format of the thesis you submit. It is recommended that you discuss the option of thesis by publication with your supervisor upon enrolment.

Scholarship duration

Scholarship duration is three years for a PhD and two years for a Master degree. Candidates who have commenced a research higher degree prior to being awarded a scholarship will have the duration of the scholarship reduced by the amount of time completed prior to the scholarship starting.

Scholarship types

AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE AWARD (APA)

Australian Postgraduate Awards are funded by the Australian Government and are offered on a competitive basis to candidates undertaking a fulltime MPhil or PhD degree. Applicants must have Honours Class I and be Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents. These awards currently provide a living allowance, a relocation allowance and a thesis allowance. The base rate living allowance in 2012 was $23,728 per annum.

Applications close 31 October each year.

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP (UNRS)

University of Newcastle Postgraduate Research Scholarships are funded by the University of Newcastle and are offered on a competitive basis to applicants of any citizenship status undertaking a full-time MPhil or PhD degree. These scholarships provide a living allowance, and may also provide a relocation allowance and thesis allowance for the candidate (depending on the funding source). The base rate living allowance in 2012 was $23,728 per annum. Candidates should normally have Honours Class I.

Applications close 31 October each year.

Additional University of Newcastle Postgraduate Research Scholarships funded from external sources (eg. research grants) are available throughout the year. These scholarships are advertised on the following website www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/scholarships/available-scholarships.html

If you are applying for a specific scholarship funded from an external source please write the name of the scholarship on the application form.

RESEARCHSCHOLARSHIPS

08 | RHD PROSPECTUS

Scholarship procedures

Scholarships are awarded to eligible applicants on the basis of academic merit and through a highly competitive process. The award of research scholarships may also take into account areas of research strength or areas of research in line with the strategic directions of the University.

The research scholarship criteria for all faculties will have the common components of academic achievement as well as research and scholarly attainments assessed relative to opportunity. For assessment purposes, current honours students who have not received their final results will be ranked on the assumption of achieving Honours Class I (H1). Any subsequent scholarship offer would be conditional upon H1.

Applicants may elect to be considered in more than one discipline area. A complete separate application must be lodged for each discipline, and each will be considered separately within the relevant faculty. An offer of admission to candidature and/or offer of scholarship in one discipline may not be transferable to another.

First round scholarship offers will be sent to the applicant’s correspondence address in mid to late December. Offers must be accepted within 28 days. It is important that applicants ensure they check their email and collect mail from their correspondence address. Any second round offers will be made from January 2013. Scholarships should normally commence and enrolment should be finalised by 31 August in the year for which the offer of candidature was made. Scholarship recipients must normally be enrolled full-time in their research higher degree.

Applicants who have completed more than two full-time equivalent semesters towards a MPhil or more than four full-time equivalent semesters towards a PhD at the commencement of the following academic year will not be considered for the award of a scholarship.

THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLE OffERS A nUMbER Of POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH CAnDIDATES In THEIR EnDEAvOURS.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/scholarships/available-scholarships.html

UponenrolmentallcommencingRHDcandidatesareprovidedwithaDellorMaclaptopthatincludesastandardsuiteofUniversitysoftwaresuchasMicrosoftOffice,multi-media,academicandanti-virussoftware.

AllcandidatesarealsoabletoapplyfortheAnnualRHDCandidateAllocationforreimbursementofcostsassociatedwithresearchactivitieswhiletheyarewithintheirallowed/fundedcandidatureperiod.Allusesofthesefundsmustbeapprovedbythesupervisorandheadofschool.

Theamountavailablepercandidateisatleast$1,500perannum(prorataforpart-timecandidates)andcanbeclaimedforitemssuchas:

• projectcosts(forexamplecostsassociatedwithsurveys,interviews,statisticaladvice,trainingcourses,dataentryandprocessing)

• thedirectcostofconsumablesrequiredforthecandidate’sresearchproject

• travelandfieldworkrelatedtotheresearchproject

• conferenceattendanceandparticipation(includingregistration,travelandaccommodation)

• purchaseofsoftware(orsoftwarelicences),books,journals,mediaresourcesetc.thatarerelatedtotheresearchproject

• purchaseorleaseofequipmentrequiredfortheresearchproject

• publicationcostsforresearchpapersarisingfromthecandidate’sresearch.

TheCodeofPractiseforResearchHigherDegreeCandidatureoutlinesaminimumlevelofresourcesthatareprovidedtocandidates.Forfurtherinformationgotowww.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000061.html

RESOURCES fOR CAnDIDATES


Scholarship eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and must have an offer of admission to a research higher degree. Applicants for all schemes must have completed at least four years of undergraduate study and have attained Honours Class I or equivalent. Applicants will be considered for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) in the first instance and then for a University of Newcastle Research Scholarship (UNRS).

Note that applicants are not eligible for:

• support for a MPhil degree if they already hold a MPhil degree or equivalent

• any RHD scholarship if they already hold a research doctoral degree or equivalent

• an APA if they have previously held any Australian Government funded award for six months or more

• a UNRS if they have previously held an equivalent scholarship for 12 months or more, for the same award

An applicant who does not speak English as a first language must satisfy one of the English language requirements as listed in the English Proficiency Policy found at www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000104.html by the scholarship closing date.

Scholarship guidelines and procedures

The guidelines and procedures for the ranking and award of research scholarships are available at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/policy-and-guidelines.html

Scholarship top ups

Scholarship top ups are frequently offered to strong students eg.. University Medallists, students studying in areas of research strength or where a supervisor has been awarded an external grant. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies on [email protected] if you have any questions concerning potential top ups you may be eligible to receive.

In 2012 THE UnIvERSITy OffERED APPROxIMATELy 95 SCHOLARSHIPS TO DOMESTIC CAnDIDATES.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000104.html

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/policy-and-guidelines.html

10 | RHD PROSPECTUS

PRIORITy RESEARCH CEnTRES

CEnTRE fOR ADvAnCED PARTICLE PROCESSInG AnD TRAnSPORT The Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport’s purpose is to establish the technologies needed for energy efficient transport of raw materials and efficient recovery of fine particles. This efficiency lowers the carbon footprint, water consumption, and cost of mining on a per tonne of product basis. Major advances are being made in novel belt conveying and establishing new separation technologies to achieve fine particle beneficiation in coal and mineral processing, including the world-wide application of the Jameson Cell in froth flotation and the Reflux Classifier in gravity separation.

Research Programs

Energy efficient transport of raw materials:

• steep conveying, pneumatic conveying

• energy efficient belt conveying over long distances

Fine particle beneficiation and characterisation:

• dry separation, novel flotation technology, novel and enhanced gravity separation and desliming of fine particles

• application of electrostatic, magnetic and high G forces

• selective flocculation and agglomeration

Experimental work is supported by facilities in bulk solids handling, belt conveying, mineral processing, fundamental physical chemistry instrumentation, high-speed video, and laser flow diagnostics, while our modelling capability includes computational fluid dynamics and discrete element modelling.

Research opportunities exist in fundamentals of bulk solids handling, pneumatic conveying, belt conveying, dust suppression, physical chemistry and control of surfactant adsorption, particle-particle aggregation, and interactions between particles and interfaces. Research is also focused on the hydrodynamics of foam drainage, the application of fluidisation to support the flotation of coarse particles and the aggregation of nano-particles, and in promoting the gravity separation of coal and minerals in the Reflux Classifier. A new shock-wave technology is being developed to enhance ultrafine flotation, while in gravity separation centrifugal forces are being exploited to target finer particles.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/capp

CEnTRE fOR ASTHMA AnD RESPIRATORy DISEASE The Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular processes that are associated with the development and progression of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These are the two major chronic respiratory diseases in Australia, with the incidence of asthma among the highest in the world, and COPD a major cause of death. These disorders are a significant health and economic burden to the community. They are designated National Research Priority Areas by the Australian Government and are diseases of global significance.

The major aim of the Centre is to advance the national research effort on the understanding and treatment of respiratory disease. The Centre also acts as a national centre for the training of research higher degree students, postdoctoral fellows and clinician scientists and for basic and clinical research. The Centre has formally brought together the leading asthma and respiratory disease researchers in Newcastle to develop an internationally recognised program focusing on respiratory disease. As a result, it has a much more focused research strategy that has resulted in linking both the clinical and basic arms of our research programs.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/card

CEnTRE fOR PHySICAL ACTIvITy AnD nUTRITIOn The Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition takes a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding physical activity and nutrition for population health with particular emphasis on education and health promotion strategies for chronic disease prevention, treatment and wellbeing.

The PRC aims to examine these interrelationships across the lifespan by targeting ‘at risk’ populations at multiple levels (individual, social, organisational, population) within various settings (schools, clinics, workplaces, communities).

Research and training activities cover the spectrum of theory development and measurement, intervention building and testing and knowledge transfer. The PRC aims to achieve high quality research, training and knowledge translation in the development and testing of effective, theory-driven, multi-level, population-based physical activity and nutrition-related interventions (and natural experiments) that can ultimately be used and sustained in practice.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/pan


ARC CEnTRE Of ExCELLEnCE In GEOTECHnICAL SCIEnCE AnD EnGInEERInG (CGSE) TheAustralianResearchCouncil(ARC)provided$14.4milliontotheUniversitytoestablishtheCGSE.TheCGSEwillpioneernewscientificapproachestogeotechnicalengineeringdesigntounderpinAustralia’senergyandtransportinfrastructure,resultinginincreasedproductivityandsustainabilityofthenation’sexportindustries.

Physicalinfrastructure,suchasoffshoreplatformsandpipelines,andnationalroadandrailsystems,relyongeotechnicalengineeringdesign,andthisisincreasinglyassociatedwithbuildingonextremelysoftsediments(geomaterials).Offshoretheseareencounteredinalmostallmoderndevelopments,wherewaterdepthsnowmostlyexceed500metres;onshore,transportcorridorsmustincreasinglymakeuseofpoorgroundthathasprovedproblematicforotherdevelopments.Inallsuchcasestheresponseofthegeomaterialsiscomplexandhighlyvariableandpresentsmajordesignchallenges.

ThecoregoalsoftheCGSEarethereforeto:

• provideanationalfocusforgeotechnicalresearch

• optimisethedesignofcriticalinfrastructure

• collaboratewithoffshoreandonshoreindustry

• educateandtrainthenextgenerationofgeotechnicalengineersandresearchers.

Pictured above (left to right): Professor Ron Plotnikoff, PRC for Physical Activity and Nutrition; Professor Natashia Boland, PRC for Computer-Assisted Mathematics and its Applications; and Laureate Professor Paul Foster and Conjoint Professor Peter Gibson, PRC for Asthma and Respiratory Disease.

CEnTRE fOR bIOInfORMATICS, bIOMARkER DISCOvERy AnD InfORMATIOn-bASED MEDICInE The Priority Research Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine (CIBM) brings together academics from the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment and works in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Information-Based Medicine Program. The Centre draws together the disciplines of bioinformatics and molecular and genetic analysis with clinical information and population data analysis.

Researchers in the Centre capture information from patient populations using a variety of high-throughput devices so that each and every individual has a unique signature of their genome. Diseases that have been studied to date include multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, age related macular degeneration, stroke and endometrial cancer to name but a few. Once the data have been collected, usually on over 1,000 individuals and 1,000 control subjects, it then requires analysis to identify salient associations. This requires the utilisation of computer technology and mathematical methods to extract meaningful information from vast amounts of data to identify disease-related genetic associations. The ultimate aim is to inform the development of patient-tailored treatment to a host of diseases thereby bringing about better outcomes for patients and their families.

The Centre aims to find methodologies that will shorten the process of obtaining novel discoveries and to use them to obtain distinctively better outcomes in clinical practice and translational individualised medicine.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cibm

CEnTRE fOR TRAnSLATIOnAL nEUROSCIEnCE AnD MEnTAL HEALTH The Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health focuses on the leading cause of disease burden globally – the common disorders of the brain. Recent advances in neuroscience have put discovery of the causes, means for prevention and better treatments of these conditions within reach. The Centre focuses on understanding the basis of individual differences in vulnerability and resilience to brain disorders and on applying these understandings to the development and implementation of new treatment strategies.

The Centre is comprised of six disease specific research programs. These are: schizophrenia; stroke; affective and addictive disorders; chronic pain and sensory syndromes; brain development, ageing and cognition; and innovative models of care for implementation of new discoveries. The broad aim of each program is to achieve better early detection, prevention and treatment of these common diseases/entities, with both the Centre and the individual Program leadership focusing on developing and promoting research ideas that have clear and direct relevance to improve health care outcomes. To achieve this outcome, the Programs promote multi-disciplinary collaboration and support and reward communication and linkage across the basic neuroscience, clinical neuroscience and population research domains, capitalising on expertise across our regional University and Hospital sectors. This strong integration of high-quality neuroscience across University and Hospital sectors at multiple levels of enquiry makes this Centre a unique research entity in the Australian neuroscience landscape.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/ctnmh

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CEnTRE fOR CHEMICAL bIOLOGy The Centre for Chemical Biology (CCB) is committed to providing innovative therapeutics for the treatment of human disease. By bringing together research teams of international excellence from chemistry, biology and medicine we will unravel the causes of disease, identify crucial biological targets and pioneer the rapid development of novel drugs for the fight against disease. The CCB will be the central facilitator of drug development at the University of Newcastle and with our collaborators, displaying leadership and research excellence.

The CCB will provide a supportive forum for career development and enhancement of junior staff across chemistry, biology and biomedical sciences. The Centre will also provide biomedical researchers with a molecular ‘toolkit’ to unravel the intricacies of biological processes and a ‘lab to clinic’ drug development pipeline to a clinical setting.

By bringing together research teams of international excellence from chemistry, biology and medicine the Centre will focus on unravelling the causes of disease, identifying crucial biological targets and will pioneer the rapid development of novel drugs for the fight against disease.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/ccb

CEnTRE fOR COMPLEx DynAMIC SySTEMS AnD COnTROL (CDSC) Modern society, whether in industry, biomedicine, ecology, economics, or energy systems involves complexity, with dynamics and interactions playing an increasing role. Critical questions of measurement, understanding and the regulation of such processes are crucial to our society’s future. At CDSC we take an approach largely based around mathematical modelling and applied control and estimation to tackle these problems. We have a team of experts working on a range of application areas for these fundamental technologies. Example projects include:

• dynamics and control in electric energy systems

• applications to telecommunication systems

• high fidelity nano-positioning systems for MEMS systems

• environmental monitoring and sensing

• control and transportation systems (marine, aerospace, intelligent vehicle systems)

• genetics and biomedical analysis

Our research spans fundamental engineering work through to a range of practical applications.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cdsc

CEnTRE fOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED RESEARCH MATHEMATICS AnD ITS APPLICATIOnS The Centre for Computer-Assisted Research Mathematics and its Applications (CARMA) forms the base for a vibrant cross-university and intra-university Priority Research Centre. There is no corresponding group in Australia and there are very few internationally.

Mathematics as “the language of high technology” underpins all facets of modern life and current Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Yet no other research centre exists focussing on the implications of developments in ICT, present and future, for the practice of research mathematics. CARMA partly fills this gap through the exploitation and development of techniques and tools for computer-assisted discovery and disciplined data-mining including mathematical visualisation.

Advanced mathematical computation is essential to the solution of many real-world problems: sophisticated mathematics is core to software used by scientists, engineers, policy makers and corporate managers, who design, plan and control the systems and products that are key to our day-today life. CARMA actively engages in developing state-of –the-art mathematical algorithms. CARMA research spans Computational Analysis, Modelling and Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Linear and Nonlinear Analysis, Optimization and Operations Research, Topological Groups, Harmonic Analysis, Number Theory and Functional Analysis.

www.carma.newcastle.edu.au

CEnTRE fOR CAnCERThe Priority Research Centre for Cancer delivers advanced approaches to assess patient risk and disease progression using cutting edge techniques in the fields of molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and magnetic resonance spectroscopy that can be incorporated into clinical trials and public health research. This research capacity is supported by close collaboration with the clinical facilities of the Hunter New England Local Health District and the complementary research expertise in the Priority Research Centres for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information Based Medicine, Chemical Biology and Health Behaviour.

Using the biobanking experience developed for breast cancer, the Centre extends the collection to other tumours, such as colon, melanoma and lung cancer. The aim is to collect well-annotated tissue from every patient entered in a clinical trial or undergoing cancer treatment. Biological endpoints will be incorporated into the clinical trials by integrating new approaches and capabilities such as proteomics and magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to diagnose and monitor treatment and NextGen sequencing to define genetic risk factors. These data will also be used by scientists to define new drug targets, develop lead compounds for cancer treatment and validate prognostic and predictive biomarkers to personalise therapy.


CEnTRE fOR EnERGy The Centre for Energy operates four research programs. The Research Program on Low Emission Coal has an emphasis on abatement of greenhouse gases, with scientific research underpinning technologies for carbon capture and storage, such as oxyfuel, post-combustion capture, gasification, chemical looping and minerals sequestration. The research includes coal reactions, combustion and gasification, emissions, and impact of carbon capture for retrofitted units as well as new plant. Emissions from current pf plant are also included. The Program involves interaction with technology demonstrations within Australia and international developments.

The goal of the Research Program on Renewable Energy Systems is to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and hence minimise greenhouse gas emissions, by increasing the share of renewables in our energy mix. The Program focuses on development of novel systems/processes for more efficient and viable utilisation of renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind and geothermal. The research underpinning the Program covers fundamental and applied aspects of renewable energy systems. including biomass combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis, design of novel wind turbines, as well as geothermal power cycles and hot dry rock technology for geothermal power generation.

The Research Program on Transportation Fuels and Energy Conversion concentrates on converting hydrogen to chemicals such as methanol (from CO2) and ammonia (from N2). These products can serve as fuels or chemical feedstocks. The Program examines new and novel developments in electrochemical energy generation, as well as optimisation of energy usage on electrical power grids. The Program also investigates the synthesis of hydrogen from fossil fuels such as coal, biomass and natural gas.

The Research Program on Energy and the Environment focuses on sustainable and integrated waste processing/utilisation with energy recovery and generation. Other areas of interest in this Program include energy efficient housing, industrial ecology, knowledge systems, sustainability principles and measurement, energy minimisation and recovery, environmental repair and pollution abatement.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/energy

CEnTRE fOR GEnDER, HEALTH AnD AGEInGThe Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing is a dynamic, cross-disciplinary research group that researches individual, health care and societal factors that affect men and women’s health and wellbeing throughout life and as they age. The Centre also examines the ways in which communities respond to an ageing population. The Centre utilises the University’s acclaimed research capacities across public health/policy, clinical and basic science disciplines. Its core focii are to maximise analyses of longitudinal and linked data; undertake observational, experimental and translational studies in relation to gender, health and ageing; research appropriate use of medications and other health care resources; and evaluate innovative approaches to caring for older people.

The broad research capacity of the Centre supports partnerships with industry, government and other institutions, as well as collaboration with other Universities both in Australia and internationally. The Centre membership includes academics with expertise in health and clinical sciences, psychology, sociology, health economics, epidemiology, statistics and architecture, all of which contribute to understanding biological, social and environmental factors that affect the health of men and women as they age. The Centre also includes two World Health Organisation Collaborating Centres.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/gha

CEnTRE fOR HEALTH bEHAvIOURThe Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour strives to improve community health through service delivery interventions promoting healthy behaviours and quality healthcare. Led by its highly experienced Director, Laureate Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher, the PRCHB brings together a number of separate research groups to harness their combined wealth of research expertise. These groups include:

• Hunter New England Population Health (HNEPH)

• Health Behaviour Research Group (HBRG)

• Discipline of Health Behaviour Sciences

• Behavioural Science Strategic Research Partnership (STREP)

• The School of Psychology

• Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB)

• Maddison Collaboration.

The Centres’ research focuses on social and individual factors that affect the health of populations, developing measures and interventions for reducing prevalence of preventable disease risks while increasing equitable and evidence-based health care delivery. The Centre works to assess and reduce the psychosocial impacts of chronic disease and is involved in improving responses to emerging infectious disease threats.

The Centre combines researchers from a variety of fields including psychology, public health, medicine, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing to carry out high quality, intervention-focused health behaviour research targeting key public health issues.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/health-behaviour

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CEnTRE fOR GEOTECHnICAL AnD MATERIALS MODELLInGThe Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling focuses on the development of new models and innovative computational methods for predicting the behaviour of geomaterials, metals, and composites. Advanced computational methods, coupled with laboratory and field testing, are key tools in this pursuit.

The Centre combines two of Australia’s leading research teams in their own areas: the Geotechnical Research Group and the Diffusion in Solids Group. Although these groups study problems at different length scales, they are united in their aim to develop material models that accurately describe the macroscopic behaviour of a wide range of materials. They are also united by their common interest in the use of advanced computational methods, such as nonlinear finite element analysis, to solve multiphase problems involving deformation, diffusion and transport.

By combining the numerical modelling expertise of the Geotechnical Research Group with the nano- and microscale modelling expertise of the Diffusion in Solids Group, a wide range of practical problems are being studied including contaminant migration and remediation in soils, the constitutive behaviour of geomaterials (soils and rocks), rock fall analysis, failure mechanisms and heat transport in electronic devices, and the mechanical behaviour of tunnels, building foundations, road embankments, harbour facilities, and mine sites.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cgmm

CEnTRE fOR ORGAnIC ELECTROnICSThe Centre for Organic Electronics is the first of its kind in Australia. It is an exciting new initiative focusing on the development of new electronic devices at the intersection between semiconductors and plastics. Key research areas include:

• organic solar cells (new materials, devices, models, large scale fabrication)

• organic electronic based sensors (biosensors, printable electronic arrays, explosives sensors)

• organic based photonics (detectors)

• new fundamental imaging systems (atom-based microscopy).

More specifically, the Centre is currently undertaking the following projects:

• large area printing of organic solar cells

• computational modelling of organic solar cells

• economic modelling of organic solar cells

• structure and morphology of conducting polymer blends

• extending the spectral response of organic solar cells

• photocurrent mapping of organic solar cells

• ultra-fast laser spectroscopy of organic electronic materials

• sensors and biosensors from plastic electronics

• printing of electronic arrays using state-of-the-art ink jet printing

• phase contrast mechanisms in scanning helium microscopy

• field ionisation helium detection using carbon nanotubes

• developing a helium beam microscope.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/coe

CEnTRE fOR REPRODUCTIvE SCIEnCEThe Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science brings together researchers from the Mothers and Babies Research Centre, (headed by Professor Roger Smith), the Egg-to-Embryo Group (headed by Professor Keith Jones) and the Reproductive Biology Group (headed by Laureate Professor John Aitken). The Centre for Reproductive Science addresses one of the Australian Government’s most important national research priorities – ‘A Healthy Start to Life’. Recent research demonstrates that the long term health and welfare of individuals is critically affected by the quality of the gametes that form the embryo and the nature of the intrauterine environment provided by the mother during foetal development.

The University of Newcastle is internationally recognised for its contribution to studies of human reproductive health and pregnancy. The Centre for Reproductive Science targets the future health of all Australians by improving the health of pregnant women and providing key information on the determinants of a healthy start to life. The Centre for Reproductive Science also supports the work of the highly successful Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development administered by the University of Newcastle.

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/crs


fACULTy Of bUSInESS AnD LAWThe Faculty of Business and Law is an innovative and dynamic learning community that offers distinctive degrees and, in collaboration with our external partners and stakeholders, strives to make a difference by creating new knowledge, preparing our students for global citizenship, and contributing to the economic, social and political progress of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Through partnerships with leading international universities, through leading roles in international professional and academic societies, and through work with industry, our research has global reach and impact. A candidate for a research higher degree in this faculty is welcomed into our research teams and is trained by experienced academics.

It is important that RHD candidates align their research project with the research expertise of existing academic staff. Prospective RHD candidates are advised to browse the research interests of academic staff in the School and make contact with a prospective supervisor who has appropriate research experience in the discipline of choice. Prospective RHD candidates can begin this search at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

SUCCESSfUL LEADERS DOn’T START OUT ASkInG, ‘WHAT DO I WAnT TO DO?’THEy ASk, ‘WHAT nEEDS TO bE DOnE?’THEn THEy ASk, ‘Of THOSE THInGS THAT WOULD MAkE A DIffEREnCE, WHICH ARE RIGHT fOR ME?’Peter Drucker, founding father of management


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OURRESEARCH

The Faculty’s research-intensive schools contribute to the University of Newcastle’s ranking as one of Australia’s top 10 research universities.

Our academic staff are active researchers, with many leaders in their disciplines, who publish consistently in the top international and national journals. Researchers within the Faculty have been awarded substantial research funding through the Australian Research Council and from industry, and they are grant assessors for esteemed bodies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Australian Research Council.

OUR ACADEMIC STAff ARE ACTIvE RESEARCHERS, WITH MAny LEADERS In THEIR DISCIPLInES.

THE CEnTRE fOR InSTITUTIOnAL AnD ORGAnISATIOnAL STUDIESThis Faculty-wide centre supports many of the research efforts across our two schools. It studies the differential growth and development of societies and enterprise across time and place. The aim is to understand how socially beneficial exchange is organised through legal, political, economic and social institutions and organisations. Organisations comprise business and legal firms, unions, the judiciary, political parties, pressure groups, families, non-governmental and not-for-profit bodies, religious groups, educational bodies and international bodies (UN, World Bank and IMF). Institutions include the formal (legal) and informal (social norms and values) environments within which organisations operate.

The Centre has research partnerships with leading universities including Aachen University of Technology; Nanjing University; Beijing Normal University; South China University of Technology; Shandong University; Jilan University; IMT Ghaziabad; Indian Institute of Management, Indore; Chulalongkorn University; University of Malaya; University of Kebangsaan Malaysia; University of Limerick; and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The Centre also partners with industry and a variety of professional associations.

The Centre aims to make a difference in society. It provides a home for our researchers and research higher degree candidates to advance current academic knowledge and professional practices in the various business and law disciplines.


SNAPSHOTRESTRUCTURInG fOREIGn AnD DOMESTIC fIRMS In CHInALed by Dr Brendan Boyle, Dr Rebecca Mitchell and Emeritus Professor Stephen Nicholas (pictured above), in cooperation with Dean Xiao Shuming, Nanjing University Business School and Vice President Peng Long, Beijing Foreign Studies University, the research project investigates the evolution and change in the location, operation and growth of business enterprises in the world’s fastest growing economy. Dr Boyle says “Business firms change their structure as part of their maturation and development, and our research assesses the importance of internal factors and external factors, such as the recent global economic crises, in driving firm restructuring”.

SnAPSHOT

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nEWCASTLE bUSInESS SCHOOLNewcastle Business School, within the Faculty of Business and Law, provides a multi-disciplinary environment, with opportunities for research in all major areas of business. We engage in research that makes a difference by expanding knowledge and by having an impact on the professions, business and government in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. In doing so, our goal is to improve business practices, foster equity, and contribute to human social and economic progress.

Academic staff in the School have diverse backgrounds, wide-ranging professional experience, strong research records, and excellent experience in supervising research students. They are committed to creating, ensuring and promoting an unmatched research environment, which is reflected in an impressive output of research books, journal articles and professional publications. Over the years, Newcastle Business School and our individual staff members have built research links with prestigious universities in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Research higher degree studies are supported in the following discipline areas:

• business policy and strategy

• international business

• innovation and entrepreneurship

• organisational behaviour, performance and sustainability

• general management

• supply chain management

• accounting

• finance

• economics

• politics

• employment relations

• human resource management

• marketing

• leisure

• tourism

Interdisciplinary programs are also available.

nEWCASTLE LAW SCHOOLFocusing on ‘lawyering skills’, the Newcastle Law School is an internationally recognised law school, combining academic excellence and practical, hands-on training. Our Professional Program pioneered the integration of experiential learning and skills training within the conventional Bachelor of Laws curriculum.

As a result, graduates of the Diploma of Legal Practice are immediately eligible to apply for admission as legal practitioners in Australia, without further training.

Research higher degree studies within the Newcastle Law School are available in the following discipline areas:

• child law

• contract law

• criminal law and sentencing

• environmental law and international environmental law

• equal opportunity law

• family law

• human rights law and international human rights law

• labour relations law and international labour relations law

• legal profession

• occupational health and safety law

• tort law

OURSCHOOLS

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fACULTy Of EDUCATIOn AnD ARTSThe Faculty of Education and Arts has internationally recognised research strengths in social work, religion and religious studies, literature, education, linguistics, history and film and media studies. The Faculty also conducts high quality research led by respected scholars in the classics, language studies, anthropology, speech pathology and the performing and fine arts.

This broad and exciting range of academic disciplines is represented in three schools:

• School of Drama, Fine Art and Music

• School of Education

• School of Humanities and Social Science

A candidate for a research higher degree in this Faculty is attached to one of these Schools. Each school offers support for research higher degree students and their projects. Existing RHD candidates in the Faculty come from many walks of life, and represent a truly cosmopolitan student body.

It is important that RHD candidates develop a research project that aligns with the research expertise of existing academic staff in the School. Prospective RHD candidates are advised to browse the research interests of academic staff in the School and make contact with a prospective supervisor for their project.

Prospective candidates can begin this search at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

Each school has a Deputy Head of School (Research and Research Training). Prospective candidates are advised to consult the Deputy Head of School before submitting an application for enrolment.

If you are unsure of the appropriate School for your interests, please contact the Faculty’s Assistant Dean for Research and Research Training, Associate Professor Pam Nilan ([email protected]).

Pictured top: Dr Tim Stanley

Pictured middle (L-R): PhD candidate Rueben Ramsey, Associate Professor Victoria Haskins

Pictured bottom: Associate Professor Michael Arthur-Kellly


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EDUCATIOnAL RESEARCH InSTITUTE nEWCASTLE (ERIn)ERIN focuses on key challenges facing contemporary education through interdisciplinary research into theoretical, methodological, and evidence-based understandings of education and education policy. Teacher Learning and Professional Development is a research strength in ERIN, as well as Special Education and School Reform.

ERIN is currently developing Comparative and International Education as one of its strengths with an exciting new research program. The program will examine the global flow of best practice educational policies using critical analyses and comparisons. Case-studies in five countries will build innovative theoretical and methodological frameworks for this field.

ERIN also has a major focus on Equity and Education and is undertaking cutting edge research to identify evidence-based programs to enable students from low socioeconomic areas to access higher education.

HUMAnITIES RESEARCH InSTITUTE (HRI)Humanities research – including history, languages, philosophy, theology, and literature – has an important role to play by fostering the creation of knowledge that enriches our lives, making us more complete human beings and more capable of sustaining ourselves and our communities. Research areas fostered by the Institute include Endangered Languages and a number of clusters in History including Race, Colonisation and Gender.

The Institute’s Centre for the History of Violence is developing new frameworks for understanding violence and social order in historical, political and sociological contexts and is leading a fundamental rethinking of the place of violence in the modern world.

Endangered Language Documentation Theory and Application is an internationally recognised program driven by a dynamic hub of linguistics researchers and students who work together to document and describe diverse endangered languages and pursue flow-on theoretical and practical applications.

The new interdisciplinary research program is Religion in Political Life. This program will examine religion’s dynamic interactions with democratic authority, radicalism, gender, and the legacies of colonial nation building. This program builds on religious studies, one of the major research strengths of the Faculty, and will propel significant global debates about religion and politics in vital new directions.

OURRESEARCHFaculty research strengths are concentrated in three research institutes and one Priority Research Centre (PRC). Bringing together a critical mass of researchers, the institutes and the PRC provide ideal environments for RHD study.

PRIORITy RESEARCH CEnTRE fOR PHySICAL ACTIvITy AnD nUTRITIOnThePRCinPhysicalActivityandNutritiontakesacomprehensiveandinterdisciplinaryapproachtounderstandingpopulationhealthwithemphasisoneducationandhealthpromotionstrategiesforchronicdiseaseprevention,treatment,andwellbeing.Therearesixinter-relatedthemes:

• physicalactivityandnutritionforpopulationhealth

• obesity

• therapeuticnutrition

• clinicalandexperimentalnutrition

• exercisesciences

• physicalactivityandnutritioninschools

RESEARCH InSTITUTE fOR SOCIAL InCLUSIOn AnD WELLbEInG (RISIW) RISIW is an interdisciplinary research body that promotes the cross-fertilisation of ideas to advance our understanding of social inclusion and wellbeing. RISIW seeks to ignite innovative and profound research in the social sciences by applying new knowledge and methods to develop solutions to some of society’s most intractable problems around areas of exclusion and disadvantage. Social Work and Evidence Based Practice is a current research theme, as well as Critical, Social and Political Thought. There is an emerging focus on Post Industrial Cities (Technology, Time and Labour).

RISIW’s research program in Public Governance analyses the ways in which changing political-economic life relates to new regimes of welfare governance, and investigates the impact of these regimes on human service workers.

Another important focus is Social Research in Energy and Resources, which is pursued in partnership with the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER). Together they have created the first centre in Australia dedicated solely to researching social dimensions of energy and resources.


GROUnDbREAkInG RESEARCH In PHySICAL ACTIvITy AnD nUTRITIOn David Lubans and colleagues are developing an international reputation for their innovative research focused on improving student outcomes and teacher practice in the field of physical activity and nutrition. The research team is currently evaluating a number of school-based interventions, working closely with the NSW Department of Education and Catholic and Independent School associations. We know that physical activity dramatically declines during adolescence and dietary behaviours deteriorate as adolescents consume more food away from the influence of the family. Approximately 40 per cent of Australian youth are not sufficiently active and spend a large proportion of their day engaged in screen-based recreation. One of the many negative consequences of inactivity and high screen time has been the increase in paediatric obesity. The research of David Lubans and his team directly addresses these problems.

Participation in physical activity is associated with positive social, emotional and physical health and improved academic performance. Schools are a crucial setting for health promotion as they contain the facilities, curricula and personnel necessary for the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating in young people. Although the health and physical education teaching areas are the primary targets for health promotion in schools, break periods, the physical environment of schools, active transportation, canteens and extra-curricular school sport have been identified as additional opportunities for intervention.

Researchers in the group are interested in the development and testing of health behaviour theory and improving the accuracy of physical activity measurement in youth. A key objective of the research team is knowledge translation into school-based practice and policy.

There are currently eight research higher degree students working in the Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition on school-based research projects. A number of these students have secured prestigious APA scholarships while others are funded through existing research grants. Notable projects include:

• The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT Girls) study, an ARC funded intervention focused on reducing unhealthy weight gain in adolescent girls

• The Supporting Children’s Outcomes using Rewards, Exercise and Skills (SCORES) study, a primary school based physical activity and movement skills intervention focusing on student leadership and teacher professional development.

Pictured above: Associate Professor David Lubans

SnAPSHOT

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OURSCHOOLS

THE fACULTy Of EDUCATIOn AnD ARTS EnCOMPASSES A bROAD RAnGE Of DISCIPLInES REPRESEnTED In THREE SCHOOLS.

SCHOOL Of DRAMA, fInE ART AnD MUSICThe School of Drama, Fine Art and Music (DFAM) offers a strong research culture based on the nexus between theory and creative practice. While research higher degree students in DFAM can focus exclusively on theory, the School also provides an environment in which dramatic performance, visual art practice, or musical performance and composition can result in the creation of new practice-based knowledge, and/or innovative uses and interpretations of existing knowledge. Interdisciplinary approaches draw on a broad range of influences and ideas, as well as the traditional skills of the creative arts. Research capacities and strengths include:

• world music, its analysis and performance and cross-cultural composition

• 17th and 18th century music, especially Italian and French

• interdisciplinary performance, film music, music theatre, composition

• circus and physical theatre, popular entertainments in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, performance analysis and historiography

• photomedia, including digital and multi-media practice, as well as early photography technologies

• art history, particularly focusing on affect, emotion and war

• museum studies and museology, from the practice of museums to the rhetorical aspirations of the new museology, historical and contemporary Australian art

• gender studies, textiles and mixed media installation

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/drama-fine-art-music-conservatorium/research

SCHOOL Of EDUCATIOnResearch is fundamental to the activities of the School of Education. Research informs our teaching, underscores our commitment to high quality education at all levels and in all contexts, and connects us with the community and its aspirations. A group of dynamic and high performing scholars drive Newcastle’s nationally and internationally acclaimed research programs in curriculum, pedagogy and specialist studies in education. We aim for theory building, with strong influence on educational policy and practice.

Researchers in the School of Education strive to:

• have high impact by addressing key educational problems and issues in contemporary contexts

• pursue ‘cutting-edge’ projects of national and international significance

• share their knowledge, skills, ideas and experience

• develop collaborative networks with colleagues throughout Australia and internationally

• produce research and research training of the highest quality

The RHD opportunities in Education span from early childhood through school education and into higher education and education in the professions. Recent outstanding research higher degree completions in the School of Education range from investigations of emancipatory pedagogy to school principal leadership. Strong research programs in the School of Education include:

• teaching and learning

• schooling and school reform

• research methods, training and impact

• professional education, professional development and career trajectories

• special education

• physical activity, health and education

• curriculum development

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/education/research

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/drama-fine-art-music-conservatorium/research.html


SCHOOL Of HUMAnITIES AnD SOCIAL SCIEnCEThe School of Humanities and Social Science offers a wide range of possibilities for RHD study, from classics to speech pathology, from social work to American history, and from French to sociology. The following list gives a further sense of the variety of disciplines:

• classics

• community welfare and social policy

• English

• film, media and cultural studies

• French studies

• history

• Japanese studies

• linguistics

• philosophy

• religious studies

• sociology and anthropology

• social work

• speech pathology

• theology

The research section of the School website highlights research strengths, current grants and publications, and active research groups within the School. Discipline pages detail the research activities and expertise of staff and current RHD students. There is a large group of RHD students who come together at regular symposia and workshops. There are strong research programs in a compelling range of theoretical and practical domains pertaining to the humanities and social sciences, for example:

• literary and linguistic computing

• early modern women’s writing

• violence and social order

• transcolonial history

• religion and society

• endangered languages

• evidence-based practice in social work

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/research

Pictured right (from top): PhD candidates Guowu Jiang, Nathan Scott, Tara Dickinson

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fACULTy Of EnGInEERInG AnD bUILT EnvIROnMEnTThe Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment is one of the leading faculties of its kind in Australia, with a reputation for the highest quality teaching and research.

This quality was recognised when the renowned Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking system placed our Faculty in the top 100 universities in the world for engineering, technology and computer sciences. This strong international reputation, along with our comprehensive study options, helps us to attract a diverse range of high quality staff and students from many regions of the world.

The Faculty brings together the professions of engineering, architecture, building, industrial design, computer science and surveying. Prospective RHD candidates can begin the search for a potential supervisor at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

Pictured opposite page, top: Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Elham Doroodchi

THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLE HAS bEEn RAnkED AS OnE Of THE WORLD’S TOP 100 UnIvERSITIES fOR EnGInEERInG TECHnOLOGy AnD COMPUTER SCIEnCES.Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking


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OURRESEARCH

The Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment is internationally recognised for its outstanding research record, which places our schools among the very best in Australia.

Our research-intensive environment has helped to attract the highest calibre academic and research staff from throughout Australia and around the world. Indeed, many of our staff are leaders in their fields, carrying out internationally recognised work in pure and applied research that invariably attracts high levels of competitive research funding and highly talented research students.

Our interactions with industry also bring real-world technology issues into our research laboratories as well as our teaching programs. Working with industry is central to maintaining a ‘forward looking’ approach in our education of students. We are committed to building long-term relationships that provide benefits to all parties, and we are focused on expanding these relationships into the future. Together with our industry colleagues, we research and develop new technologies and discover innovative solutions to many of the significant problems that face society today.

THE UnIvERSITy fORMED PART Of THE WInnInG COnSORTIUM fOR THE AUSTRALIAn GOvERnMEnT’S $100 MILLIOn Smart Grid, Smart City DEMOnSTRATIOn PROjECT fOR nEWCASTLE.

ARC CEnTRE Of ExCELLEnCE fOR GEOTECHnICAL SCIEnCE AnD EnGInEERInG (CGSE)The Australian Research Council provided $14.4 million to the University to establish the CGSE. The CGSE will pioneer new scientific approaches to geotechnical engineering design to underpin Australia’s energy and transport infrastructure, resulting in increased productivity and sustainability of the nation’s export industries.

PRIORITy RESEARCH CEnTRESThe University of Newcastle has 15 Priority Research Centres, four of which are based within the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment and another operates jointly with the Faculty of Health. These are:

• Centre for Advanced Particle Processing

• Centre for Energy

• Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling

• Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine (with the Faculty of Health)

• Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control.

Our Priority Research Centres focus resources into areas of existing and potential research strength, and importantly they promote cross-faculty and cross-disciplinary research.

OTHER RESEARCH CEnTRESThe Faculty is also home to a number of other important university research centres.

These include:

• Special Research Centre for Multiphase Processes

• Signal Processing Microelectronics

• Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies

• Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development

• Advanced Composite Structures

• Australian Centre for Renewable Energy

• Centre for Intelligent Electricity Networks

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Built Environment Research

• Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability

• Centre for Climate Impact Management.


PROfESSOR MARk jOnESProfessor Mark Jones is Director of the Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies, Director of TUNRA Bulk Solids and is also the Head of the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle. He has been an active researcher and international consultant in the field of bulk solids handling for over 25 years. His principal contributions are in the areas of bulk materials handling and pneumatic conveying. He is currently the Australian Delegate and Vice-President of the International Federation of Measurement and Control of Granular Materials and Editor in Chief of the Vogel Journal Bulk Solids and Powder; Science and Technology, Germany.

Professor Jones was recently awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry Aldermaston Prize for best paper at the Particulate Systems Analysis International Conference in Edinburgh in 2011.

In his limited spare time, Professor Jones can be found flying his Jabiru light aircraft or soaring high above Lake Keepit in a sailplane. Viewing the world from above puts things into perspective and often provides the stimulus for new ideas.

SnAPSHOT

30 | RHD PROSPECTUS

SCHOOL Of ARCHITECTURE AnD bUILT EnvIROnMEnTThe School of Architecture and Built Environment has an international reputation for pioneering problem-based learning, research-led learning and online learning in its undergraduate built environment programs. The School has more than 900 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying architecture, design, construction management, property economics and quantity surveying.

Academic staff in the School have been awarded national and international prizes for research and design and they have held research fellow and visiting scholar positions at the world’s foremost institutions. Since 2003, academics in the School have been awarded more than $4 million in research income and have published more than 200 research books, chapters and papers. The School’s research strengths in ‘creative endeavour’ (research by design) are also significant and academics have curated, and have had their works featured in, state, national and international exhibitions. The School of Architecture and Built Environment is home to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Built Environment Research (CIBER), and academics in the school are members of the Priority Research Centres for Energy, and Gender, Health and Ageing. For a school of its size and type its research performance is excellent.

The School’s primary research strengths are architecture, construction management, construction economics, design and urban design. Secondary research strengths are social and behavioural studies, health (youth, ageing, disability), infrastructure planning, urban geography, business and management.

RESEARCH COnDUCTED WITHIn EACH Of THE THREE SCHOOLS Of OUR fACULTy IS OfTEn DIRECTLy LInkED TO bUSInESS AnD InDUSTRy.

OURSCHOOLS


SCHOOL Of EnGInEERInGThe School of Engineering is a strong research-intensive school with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. Our research focus ensures that students are exposed to cutting-edge, world-class thinking and are taught by staff that are at the forefront of developments in their chosen field. Many of our staff are internationally recognised for their contributions to science and engineering, and play an active role in the development of their research areas by taking on leadership roles in the promotion of information exchange as editors of some of the most prestigious academic journals, organisers of conferences and membership of international standards organisations.

The School is closely linked with industry through scholarships, collaborative research, professional consulting and involvement with national and international professional bodies. A number of truly pioneering inventions have been developed within the School that have been patented and commercialised.

The School of Engineering is proud to be recognised as one of the top engineering schools in Australia and is keen to continue and enhance its enviable research track record for the benefit of all of its stakeholders including our students, industry and the community.

Research capabilities of the School of Engineering include:

• energy technology

• environmental engineering and water resources

• fluid mechanics and turbulence

• geotechnical engineering

• particle technology and interface science

• process safety and environmental protection

• structural engineering

• surveying and spatial sciences

• risk and reliability

• masonry

• bulk solids and particle technologies

• materials engineering

SCHOOL Of ELECTRICAL EnGInEERInG AnD COMPUTER SCIEnCEThe School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers an exceptionally strong research profile in the areas of electrical engineering, computer science and software engineering. Within electrical engineering, our research excels particularly in the areas of systems and control theory and the related areas of signal processing and system identification. Within computer science and software engineering our research is integrated and, together with our world-leading and specialised academics, combines theoretical and practical methodologies to reach viable solutions to challenging computational problems.

The School’s research strengths are:

• control systems and automation

• signal processing

• data mining, computer science and bioinformatics

• machine learning and robotics

• smart structures

• telecommunications

• power systems and smart grids

• power electronics and drives

Example industries and applications include:

• process industries

• electric supply and distribution

• optimisation applications in ambulance scheduling

• high performance algorithms with GM research

• high speed/high performance nano-positioning systems

RESEARCH IS An ExCITInG PROfESSIOn THAT LETS yOU USE yOUR vISIOn AnD CREATIvITy TO IMPROvE THE WORLD AnD bECOME PART Of THE GLObAL EffORT WORkInG On SOLUTIOnS TO THE CHALLEnGES WE fACE In THE nEW CEnTURy.

32 | RHD PROSPECTUS


fACULTy Of HEALTHThe Faculty of Health is the University’s leading research faculty in terms of total research funding.

Its research is characterised by multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches that complement the Faculty’s integrated undergraduate and postgraduate programs in medicine, health sciences, biomedical sciences and nursing, and its commitment to excellence in professional education.

This allows a comprehensive approach to solving research problems and enables efficient analysis of multi-faceted issues. The Faculty of Health has multiple campuses located in the greater Newcastle area, Central Coast, Orange, Tamworth and Port Macquarie.

It is important that RHD candidates align their research project with the research expertise of existing academic staff. Prospective RHD candidates are advised to browse the research interests of academic staff in the School and make contact with a prospective supervisor who has appropriate research experience in the discipline of choice. Prospective RHD candidates can begin this search at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

Pictured opposite, top to bottom: Professor Brian Kelly, Professor Clare Collins, Professor Keith Jones

THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLE RAnkS nInTH AMOnG AUSTRALIAn UnIvERSITIES fOR nATIOnAL HEALTH AnD MEDICAL RESEARCH COUnCIL (nHMRC) PROjECT GRAnT fUnDInG.


34 | RHD PROSPECTUS

OURRESEARCH

PRIORITy RESEARCH CEnTRES AnD InSTITUTESThe Faculty is the major contributor to eight of the University’s 14 Priority Research Centres (PRCs) which are a strategic initiative to focus the University’s resources into areas of existing and potential research strength and promote cross-Faculty and cross disciplinary research. The eight health-related Priority Research Centres are:

• The Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/card

• The Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information Based Medicine www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cibm

• The Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/ctnmh

• The Centre for Cancer Research www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centres-institutes

• The Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/gha

• The Centre for Health Behaviour www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/health-behaviour

• The Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centres-institutes

• The Centre for Reproductive Science www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/crs

Newcastle is also home to the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI; www.hmri.net.au), which was formed in 1998 as a strategic partnership between the University of Newcastle, the NSW Health Department and the Hunter community. HMRI provides an umbrella organisation for medical research in the Hunter. It is now a multi-campus network of over 500 researchers based at either the University or the Area Health Service and is recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative health and medical research institutes. It is the third largest health and medical research institute in NSW by peer reviewed grant income. HMRI has pioneered the integration of multi-campus university and hospital based research. HMRI has seven key programs which encompass health and medical research in the Hunter:

• Brain and Mental Health

• Cancer

• Cardiovascular Health

• Information Based Medicine

• Public Health

• Pregnancy and Reproduction

• Viruses, Infections/Immunity, Vaccines and Asthma (VIVA)

The University Priority Research Centres complement the HMRI Research Programs.

fAMILy ACTIOn CEnTREThe Family Action Centre (FAC), as an independent centre of the University of Newcastle, is a centre of excellence in engaged scholarship, engaged research and dissemination activities. FAC’s programs integrate research, service delivery, teaching and dissemination with the aim of significantly influencing policy and practice.

FAC enjoys a well-established reputation as a leader in the fields of engaging fathers, boys’ education, and strength-based community programs and evaluation. The Centre has a major focus in three areas of research that link strongly to family and community service delivery programs. They are:

• families, including fathers

• school and community engagement

• strength-based practice (such as the Caravan Project and Home-Start)

www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/fac

www.hmri.net.au

www.hmri.net.au


Hunter researchers have a proven track record of ground-breaking discoveries that have dramatically reduced Federal and State healthcare budgets.

Research conducted by the Stroke Research Group and the New South Wales Ambulance Service has resulted in a five-fold increase in stroke patient access to clot-busting treatments through a pre-hospital acute stroke triage (PAST) protocol. In addition, the PAST protocol combined with the advanced CT brain imaging for better patient selection has reduced the hospitalisation length of stay and increased rate of functional independence resulting in cost savings of approximately $7,000 per patient over the initial year post-stroke. If implemented nationally, these procedures could save $31 million per annum while significantly improving stroke care.

Hunter asthma researchers demonstrated the high dose of corticosteroids prescribed to asthma patients could be lowered. The lower dosage reduces the health risks and morbidity associated with high dose steroids. Lowering the dose of steroids was estimated to result in savings of $6 million in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) fees annually.

An innovative collaboration between Newcastle pregnancy researchers, the University Arts-Health Program, the University Department of Rural Health in Tamworth and the local community is investigating ways to achieve healthy pregnancies for Indigenous women who are twice as likely as non-Indigenous women to give birth prematurely and 40 times more likely to have babies with renal problems.

A 10-year study by cancer researchers in the Hunter has discovered that a combination of radiotherapy and six months of hormone therapy doubles the survival chances of men with locally advanced prostate cancer.

The PRC in Gender, Health and Ageing has been designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for International Longitudinal Studies on Gender, Ageing and Health. The aim is to examine determinants of the health of men and women as they age, and particularly the impact of healthcare on the experiences of ageing, and to inform policy and practice.

The Faculty has made a strategic investment to keep the genotyping facilities in Newcastle at the cutting edge of technology. This opportunity brings together diverse research interests ranging from public health to laboratory-based medicine aimed at better understanding common diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart disease and stroke as well as the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to ageing and disease.

Pictured above: Conjoint Professor Chris Levi, director of Acute Stroke Services at John Hunter Hospital and director of the University’s Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health

RESULTS THAT MAkE A DIffEREnCE

SnAPSHOT

36 | RHD PROSPECTUS

The Faculty of Health has projects stretching across the spectrum of biomedical, medical and health specialities, from basic and clinical research through to translational research and clinical trials. Irrespective of the physical location of the research or the program with which it is associated, a candidate for a research degree in this faculty would enrol in one of the following schools:

• Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy

• Health Sciences

• Medicine and Public Health

• Nursing and Midwifery

Research areas are represented within these four Schools.

SCHOOL Of bIOMEDICAL SCIEnCES AnD PHARMACy• molecular medicine

• neuroscience

• immunity and infection

• pharmacy and applied medicines

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/biomedical-sciences/research-information

OURSCHOOLS

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/biomedical-sciences/research-information/


SCHOOL Of HEALTH SCIEnCES• diagnosis and treatment for women

with, and at risk of, breast cancer

• prevention and treatment of childhood overweight and obesity

• efficacy and safety of physical treatments for musculoskeletal disorders of the spine

• incontinence management

• occupational health and safety

• radiation therapy cancer care

• identification of victims from Thai tsunami forensic dentistry

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/health-sciences

SCHOOL Of MEDICInE AnD PUbLIC HEALTH• cancer

• general practice

• brain and mental health/psychiatry

• paediatrics

• reproductive medicine

• respiratory medicine

• clinical pharmacology

• community medicine and clinical epidemiology

• gender, health and ageing

• health behaviour and psycho-oncology

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/medicine-public-health

SCHOOL Of nURSInG AnD MIDWIfERy• midwifery

• Mental Health Nursing Research and Practice Development Unit (NRPDU)

• Centre for Education and Nursing Research in Child Health (ENRiCH)

• older person research program

• professional issues and acute care

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/nursing-midwifery

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/health-sciences/

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/medicine-public-health/

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/nursing-midwifery/

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fACULTy Of SCIEnCE AnD InfORMATIOn TECHnOLOGyThe Faculty of Science and Information Technology has a strong commitment to fundamental and applied innovative research.

Our high international standards and comprehensive study options over a wide range of research activities attract quality staff and students from around the world.

Students experience frequent contact with quality academic staff acknowledged for their strong research performance and productive research partnerships with industry and the community. The Faculty portfolio covers areas such as environmental, life and physical sciences; mathematics; psychology; communication; design; and information technology.

It is important that RHD candidates align their research project with the research expertise of existing academic staff. Prospective RHD candidates are advised to browse the research interests of academic staff in the school and make contact with a prospective supervisor who has appropriate research experience in the discipline of choice. Prospective RHD candidates can begin this search at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

Pictured on opposite page: Professor Paul Dastoor (top), Professor Chris Grof Pictured left: PhD candidate Andrew Howells

OUR STUDEnTS ARE TAUGHT by ExPERTS AnD HAvE THE OPPORTUnITy TO PARTICIPATE In OUR RESEARCH WHICH InCORPORATES nEW COnCEPTS AnD TECHnOLOGIES – THE bASIS fOR TOMORROW’S WORLD.


40 | RHD PROSPECTUS

The Faculty of Science and Information Technology has established international reputations and formed strong, viable research centres and groups within our four Schools. In addition, the Faculty continues to perform strongly in attracting significant external research funding from national competitive grant schemes and increasing our industry partnerships and links with government agencies in the Hunter region and beyond through applied research and development collaborations.

Research interests within the Faculty range from laboratory-based experimentation to fieldwork or clinical research operating within and across discipline interfaces.

PRIORITy RESEARCH CEnTRESThe University of Newcastle has 15 Priority Research Centres (PRC), four of which are based in the Faculty of Science and Information Technology and another four that operate jointly with other faculties. These are:

• Centre for Chemical Biology

• Centre for Computer Assisted Research Mathematics and its Applications (CARMA)

• Centre for Organic Electronics

• Centre for Reproductive Science

• Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport (with the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment)

• Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health (with the Faculty of Health)

• Centre for Energy (with the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment)

• Centre for Health Behaviour (with the Faculty of Health).

Our PRCs focus resources into areas of existing and potential research strength, and promote cross-faculty and cross-disciplinary research.

OTHER RESEARCH CEnTRES AnD InSTITUTESThe Faculty of Science and Information Technology is also a major contributor to two Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres and also home to a number of other important University research centres and institutes. These include:

• ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development

• ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research

• Centre for Space Physics

• Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration

• Centre for Urban and Regional Studies

• Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment

• Centre for Optimal Planning and Operations

• NSW Institute for Frontier Geoscience

www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/research

OURRESEARCHOUR RESEARCHERS ARE InTERnATIOnALLy RECOGnISED ExPERTS In THEIR fIELD.


A GOOD EGGAs a young biologist, Professor Eileen McLaughlin produced her first test tube baby in 1983, just five years after Louise Brown was heralded as the world’s first IVF birth. It was a case of ‘right time, right place’ for McLaughlin, who graduated from the University of Glasgow to research positions involving assisted reproduction at the universities of Birmingham and Bristol at a time when Britain was the international hot spot in this emerging field.

That experience was the foundation for what has become a distinguished research career in reproductive science. McLaughlin’s work has been recognised with awards from the British Fertility Society and the Society for Reproductive Biology in Australia and has been published in esteemed medical journals including Cell and The Lancet.

Since joining the University’s reproductive science group in 2001, a focus of McLaughlin’s research has been the fertility prospects of older women. She says her research has reinforced the theory that declining egg quality, rather than quantity, is the major hindrance to conception in women in their late 30s and older.

While science has not delivered a magic formula to improve the quality of mature eggs, McLaughlin is researching the way oocytes, or immature egg cells, are ‘woken’ to be released from the ovary. The aim is that better understanding this process could lead to new ways of harvesting or prolonging the life of good eggs.

“The attrition rate of eggs is very high,” she says. “A female has about 1 million eggs at birth but by the time she is in her mid 30s she is down to about 20,000. By the age of 40, she will have a few thousand,” she says. “She will only ovulate 400 eggs in her life, so the vast majority of them are wasted. The challenge is to find a way to a hold on to some of those good eggs longer.”

McLaughlin’s work has established that many chemicals used in everyday items such as glues, dyes and pesticides, are potentially toxic to eggs, which can further frustrate the efforts of older mothers to conceive. “There are increasing numbers of women in their 30s who are having difficulty producing a sufficient number of good eggs to conceive. The evidence suggests that this may be influenced by lifetime exposure, probably at very low levels, to environmental toxicants,” she says. Exposure to these chemicals is a consequence of living in the modern world and McLaughlin says little can be done to reduce women’s susceptibility. But the research underpins the importance of her work in trying to extend the life of healthy oocytes and improve outcomes for couples trying to conceive later in life.

Professor Eileen McLaughlin researches in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s (HMRI) Pregnancy and Reproduction Program. HMRI is a partnership between the University, Hunter New England Local Health District and the community.

SnAPSHOT

42 | RHD PROSPECTUS

OURSCHOOLS

SCHOOL Of DESIGn, COMMUnICATIOn AnD InfORMATIOn TECHnOLOGyResearch in the School reflects the dynamic, creative and technologically oriented nature of the areas of design, communication, IT and natural history illustration. The School benefits from working across these disciplines by being able to explore methods that enable more complex approaches to broader areas of study and practice, for example through the use of multimedia.

This approach is evident in our commitment to the study of professional practices and the creative process. In a number of projects we apply research methodologies such as ethnography, documentary, systems testing and experimental methods to rigorously investigate phenomena.

Our teaching and research emphasises the multidisciplinary nature of our professions, and through interactions with industry our staff and students focus on ‘real world’ applications to their disciplines. We are leaders in the recognition and support of practice-based research in creativity and creative endeavours. Further, our areas of research excellence are wide-ranging, and explore the important areas such as: image analysis and processing; health informatics; public relations and new media creativity; practise-based research; visual communication and digital media design; and contemporary and traditional illustration methods.


• communication

• design

• natural history illustration

• health informatics

• information technology

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/ design-communication-it

SCHOOL Of EnvIROnMEnTAL AnD LIfE SCIEnCESThe School of Environmental and Life Sciences contains over 60 academic staff nearly all involved in research training and professional research programs. The biology, biotechnology and chemistry research programs have access to a vast array of state-of- the-art technology including mass spectrometers, electron and confocal microscopes and nuclear magnetic resonance. The laboratories are well resourced and there is a vibrant research culture supporting national and international visitors and seminar presentations.

Researchers have gained well-respected reputations reflected by publications in many high impact international journals and presentations at international conferences. The researchers in the School have successfully formed nationally acclaimed research centres via extensive networking and collaborative initiatives, and have also worked collectively within the School and across Faculties to form Priority Research Centres.


• biological sciences

• chemistry

• earth sciences

• environmental science and management

• exercise and sports science

• food and human nutrition

• geography and environmental studies

• marine science

• sustainable resource management

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/ environmental-and-life-sciences

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/design-communication-it/

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//school/environmental-and-life-sciences/


SCHOOL Of MATHEMATICS AnD PHySICAL SCIEnCESThe School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is active in many areas of research. Our research groups in mathematics, physics and statistics are very successful in attracting funding from the highly competitive Australian Research Council Grant schemes, from industry and from other governmental organisations.

Our research publications have a strong impact, as indicated by high citation rates; in a recent survey we were placed in the top 10 nationally and we have a particularly strong national profile in mathematics. We have internationally recognised expertise in the areas of analysis, number theory, optimization, surface physics, plasma waves and statistics. We are strongly committed to research training with many postgraduate students from Australia and from overseas undertaking research higher degrees.


• applied mathematics, including operations research

• bayesian statistics

• categorical data analysis

• computer assisted research mathematics and its applications

• global climate change statistical methodologies

• medical physics

• number theory

• photonics

• space physics

• surface and nanoscience

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/math-physical-science

SCHOOL Of PSyCHOLOGyThe School of Psychology has a strong and continually expanding research focus, with a range of internationally recognised research projects funded by national competitive grant bodies. We have state-of-the-art electroencephalogram (EEG) facilities, access to brain imaging equipment, well-equipped wet and dry laboratories and computer facilities.

Our research students are provided with opportunities to participate in international conferences to present their research to the international community, and are often supported by research grant funding.

The School of Psychology has a strong commitment to supporting the local community through programs such as the Psychology Clinic, which also provides a training facility for the students.


• clinical psychology

• health psychology

• cognition

• neuroscience

• social and developmental psychology

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/psychology

44 | RHD PROSPECTUS

Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre is the primary focus of Indigenous research and research training for the University and The Wollotuka Institute.

The ideals of Umulliko are grounded in what is referred to as ‘an Indigenous framework of being’. That is, Indigenous people take more than just a linear view of the history of Umulliko to this point in time. A deeper level of framework is seen, in which the past, the present and the future are combined to form a holistic Indigenous understanding. Umulliko takes on the challenges of increasing Indigenous control of research practice and outcome through the development of high quality Indigenous student research education and practice.

Research options are diverse in the multi-discipline approach practised by the specialised services of Umulliko. Research in the emerging areas of Aboriginal legal, environmental and health research in a collaborative framework with specialist disciplines is encouraged.

Indigenous staff will also guide research in Aboriginal studies covering broad discipline offerings across all faculties through collaborative supervision arrangements. Your research topic options are therefore potentially unlimited within the University’s comprehensive range of disciplines.

Umulliko Research Centre

Maree Gruppetta – Research Coordinator

T +61 2 4921 6863

F +61 2 4921 6985

E [email protected]

www.newcastle.edu.au/school/wollotuka/research

THE WOLLOTUkA InSTITUTE


A research degree program is a demanding undertaking that will take a number of years to complete. It is likely to involve extended hours to absorb and digest vast amounts of existing information, to develop new data or ideas and, with the assistance of your supervisor, to distil these into a well-structured and clearly written research thesis.

MASTER Of PHILOSOPHyThe degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is an ungraded degree awarded for a significant contribution to any branch of learning of concern to the Faculty in which the candidate is enrolled achieved through a program of advanced study and research.

The Master of Philosophy degree is offered by all faculties in the University. Applicants may apply to undertake research in any of the research areas listed within the faculty entries. Candidates are expected to complete their degree within two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.

Entry requirements

The entry requirement is, in most cases, a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class I or 2/1 or equivalent qualification or any other degree approved for this purpose by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee).

DOCTOR Of PHILOSOPHyThe degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an ungraded degree awarded for an original and significant contribution of merit to any branch of learning of concern to the University achieved through a program of advanced study and research.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered by all faculties in the University. Applicants may apply to undertake research in any of the research areas listed within the faculty entries. Candidates are expected to complete their degree within four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.

Entry requirements

The entry requirement is, in most cases, a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class I or 2/1 or equivalent qualification, or a coursework Master degree including a minor thesis completed at an appropriate level or any other degree approved for this purpose by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee).

For further information on eligibility requirements please visit the relevant schedule at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/policy-and-guidelines.html.

It is strongly recommended that all applicants contact the faculty in which they wish to undertake research to discuss possible topics.

An applicant shall not be admitted to candidature unless adequate supervision and resources are available.

DEGREE RULESThe rules governing research higher degrees are available at:www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000830.html

The associated MPhil and PhD schedules are also available atwww.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/ policy-and-guidelines.html

ExPECTATIOnSIn RELATIOn TO RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREES

Higher doctorates

TheUniversityoffershigherdoctoraldegrees.Admissiontoandtheawardofthesedegreesisbasedontheresearchoutputoftheapplicantoverasubstantialnumberofyears.TherequirementsforhigherdoctoraldegreesareavailablefromtheOfficeofGraduateStudiesandarenotreferredtofurtherinthisprospectus.

www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/policy-and-guidelines.html

46 | RHD PROSPECTUS

Closing dates

Closing dates are not applicable for general RHD candidature applications with the exception of PhD Clinical Psychology and PhD Health Psychology. Candidates may commence on almost any week-day of the year.

The closing date for PhD Clinical Psychology and PhD Health Psychology is 1 October each year. There are additional criteria that must be addressed by applicants for these two programs. For details, please go to www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students

Applications for 2013 scholarships close 31 October 2012. Scholarship applications received after this date will not be considered. If you miss the closing date in 2012 and wish to apply for a scholarship in the following year you will need to submit an application between 1 January and 31 October 2013.

Conditions of application

• Applicants will be assessed on the information provided.

• The application form must be signed and dated.

• Applications will only be considered if all relevant supporting documents are provided.

• A valid email address should be provided.

• Applicants will be required to accept their offer and to enrol in their program via the University’s online student self service website ‘myHub’ at http://myhub.newcastle.edu.au

Documentation

Please retain a full copy of your application. Certified copies of all previous qualifications including testamurs (if applicable) and academic transcripts with grading system descriptions must be provided. If transcripts only are provided they must clearly state that the qualification was awarded, and the date of award.

If academic qualifications are in a language other than English, official English translations must be provided as well as certified copies of the original documents.

Do not send original documents as they will remain the property of the University for the purposes of this application only. The copies must be verified as true copies by either:

1. an official stamp in addition to the dated signature of an authorised person of a recognised tertiary or higher education institution (this includes staff in the Office of Graduate Studies)

2. a Justice of the Peace, identified by name, JP number, address and phone number

3. anyone who is currently employed as:

• an accountant

• a bank manager

• a credit union branch manager

• a barrister, solicitor or attorney

• a police officer of the rank of sergeant or above

• a postal manager

• a principal of an Australian secondary college, high school or primary school.

Completing the form

One application form is used for both research higher degree candidature and for scholarships. The numbers below correspond with the question numbers on the application form. Read these instructions carefully and ensure that all questions are completed. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.

Step 1 – Student numberIf you have previously been enrolled at the University of Newcastle print your previous student number in the area provided.

Step 2 – Personal detailsProvide your current personal details. If you are seeking admission on the basis of qualifications gained under another name you need to attach certified evidence of your name change before your application can be assessed.

Step 3 – Contact detailsInclude an area code with your telephone number(s). If you change address after lodging this application please advise the Office of Graduate Studies.

Step 4 – CitizenshipAll applicants, including those born in Australia, must provide certified evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident you are ineligible to apply on this form and need to contact the International Admissions Office on +61 2 4921 6595.

Step 5 – English proficiencyAn applicant who does not speak English as a first language must satisfy one of the English language requirements as outlined in the English Proficiency Policy, available at www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000104.html

Step 6 – Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander originAll applicants are invited to complete this section.

Step 7 – Current enrolmentProvide details of any current enrolment. An academic transcript should be provided evidencing your enrolment at all institutions. It is a requirement of the Research Training Scheme that all previous enrolments for an incomplete research program at another institution be disclosed to your intended institution.

COMPLETInG yOUR APPLICATIOn fORM

www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students

www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000104.html


Step 8 – Scholarship detailsProvide all details of scholarships you are receiving or have previously received.

Step 9 – Tertiary studiesSupply details of all tertiary/higher education studies undertaken including the status of the study (completed, incomplete, currently studying) and dates commenced and completed.

Step 10 – Relevant experience and employmentProvide details in the space provided or attach a Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant experience and employment.

Step 11 – Research experience/publicationsProvide details of any research or development work undertaken to date. A statement verifying your research experience from a previous supervisor should be submitted with your application. Evidence of claimed publications/exhibitions/research attainments must be provided by scholarship applicants. Include a copy of the abstract as proof of authorship of any published papers.

Step 12 – RefereesList the names and email addresses of academic/professional referees. If possible, one referee should be a senior member of academic staff of the university in which you gained your degree.

Step 13 – Proposed programPlease state the code, level and name of the program for which you wish to apply. Please refer to the table of programs and codes at the back of this prospectus. Indicate at which campus you propose to undertake the program: Callaghan or Ourimbah.

Off-campus enrolmentNormal expectation is that studies are undertaken on campus. However, it is possible to apply for off-campus candidature if you reside and work outside a 50-kilometre radius of the Callaghan or Ourimbah campuses. If you wish to be considered for off-campus candidature please complete the Variation to Candidature form at www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/forms.html and submit it with your application.

Note that if approval is granted for off-campus candidature, you will be responsible for providing your own resources and you should be aware that the University does not provide special services should you wish to undertake this mode of study.

Step 14 – Proposed commencementProvide your anticipated commencement date. Research candidates may commence at any time of year. If coursework is recommended as a component of your research higher degree the usual semester dates will apply.

Step 15 – Proposed study loadIndicate your proposed study load as either full-time or part-time. Please note that scholarship holders are normally required to be enrolled on a full-time basis.

Step 16 – Research proposalA statement outlining the proposed area of research must be attached to the application form. Please refer to the Research Proposal Template on page 48 for assistance with preparing a proposal. Sufficient detail is required to enable the Faculty to determine that it has the resources, including suitably experienced supervisors, to support your candidature.

Step 17 – Ethics and Safety ApprovalIt is a University requirement that research projects that involve the use of animals or the use of human subjects receive prior ethical clearance. Some research projects also require safety clearance. While the responsibility for this rests with your supervisor, it is expected that you will be actively involved in drafting information and preparing documents to lodge with your ethics or safety application. Detailed guidelines are included with the applications for animal or human ethics clearance and are available from the School/Faculty offices or the Research Office.

In some instances applications are also required for ethics clearance from other institutional ethics committees, such as Hunter New England Health or the Department of Education and Training.

If you know that your research will require clearance please indicate this at question 17. If you do not know, you should raise this issue with your supervisor at the beginning of your candidature.

Step 18 – ImpairmentsThe University can provide support services for people with impairments or a long term medical condition that may affect studies. Please indicate any impairment you have and visit the disability support services website.

Disability ServicesThe Disability Support Service offers practical assistance and advice to students with a permanent or temporary disability or medical condition. The support and assistance provided through the Disability Support Service aims to assist each student to meet the inherent requirements of their program whilst maintaining as much academic independence as possible. Further details are available from www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability

Step 19 – Signing your formPlease read then sign the declaration. If you choose to cross out any part of the declaration your application will not be processed.

Step 20 – Application checklistUse the application checklist to confirm your application is complete.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//students/research-higher-degree/current-students/forms.html

48 | RHD PROSPECTUS

RESEARCH PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

When preparing an application for entry into a research higher degree program it is necessary to supply a clear statement describing the proposed area of research (a research proposal). Consultation with a faculty or school academic staff member in the research area of interest is recommended prior to submission of an application. Liaising with an academic allows you to frame the proposal to align with established disciplines and areas of supervisor capacity. www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/future-students/find-a-supervisor.html

GeneralLength: From one to three pages is often suitable, depending on the area of research.

Detail: The following outline may be used as a guide. You should consider each of the areas that will be relevant to your research.

Minimum: The recommended minimum requirements are identified with an asterisk (*).

Research topic/title*An initial working title should be provided and should describe the content and direction of your project. For example: A template for assisting research students in the development of a research proposal.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BackgroundWhat is already known or unknown? Set the scene.

Aims*What do you want to know, prove, demonstrate, analyse, test, investigate or examine? List your project aims in a logical sequence. For example:The aim of this project is to:a) Provide an outline of a research proposalb) Enable a prospective student to prepare a research proposal

Methodology*How do you anticipate you will achieve these aims?*What do you need? (specify any special equipment, software or material)Can you access necessary data or expertise?Do you require particular resources?*Are there barriers or pitfalls?Does the project involve human ethics, animal ethics or safety implications?Is travel or fieldwork required? If so, where to, how long and at what intervals?

Expected outcomes, significance or rationaleWhy is it important?What do you expect it will deliver?What are the expected outcomes?Establish the importance of your project by highlighting its originality or why it is worth pursuing. Highlight the benefits, positive expected outcomes or innovative applications of knowledge.

Timetable*Indicate the timeframe for each broad stage considering literature surveys, data collection, production, modelling, review, analysis, testing, reporting, chapter and thesis writing, and thesis submission date.

Applicant name:

Academic contact/s:

Research topic title:


THE UnIvERSITy Of nEWCASTLE 2013 APPLICATIOn fORM fOR RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREES

If I am successful with my application for admission, please consider me for:

Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Closing date: 31 October each year.

Scholarship applicants only:Do you wish to request consideration for educational disadvantage? For example, carer responsibilities, medical reasons, educational disadvantage. If so, please attach a supporting statement.

Yes No

NB: If you commence, or have commenced your RHD prior to being awarded a scholarship, previous enrolment will be deducted from the tenure of the scholarship. Please also refer to eligibility criteria on page 9 of this Prospectus.

1. University of Newcastle student number (if applicable)

2. Personal details

Title Dr Mr Mrs Ms Miss Other

Family name

Other name(s) Gender Male Female

Previous family name Date of birth(Evidence of name change is required if qualifications are under a different name) DD MM YY

3. Contact details

Mailing address

City/Suburb

Country State Postcode

Phone: Home Mobile

Business

Email

Home address (if different to mailing address)

City/Suburb

Country State Postcode

You must submit a complete application containing certified documents and a research proposal. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.

This application form is used by domestic applicants for both research higher degree candidature and for research scholarships. To be eligible for consideration for a research scholarship you must first be offered candidature in a research higher degree program. Please tick the appropriate box(es).

I wish to apply for:

Research Higher Degree Candidature

Closing dates are not applicable for general RHD candidature applications. Candidates may commence on almost any week-day of the year.

Closing date for PhD Clinical Psychology and PhD Health Psychology: 1 October each year. There is additional criteria that must be met for these two programs. For further details please go to www.newcastle.edu.au/students/ research-higher-degree/future-students

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//students/research-higher-degree/future-students/

50 | RHD PROSPECTUS

4. Citizenship

What is your country of birth?

If you were not born in Australia, in which year did you first reside in Australia?

Are you an Australian citizen? Yes No

Are you a New Zealand citizen? Yes No

Are you an Australian Permanent Resident* (Permanent Visa)? Yes No

Date permanent residency granted DD MM YY

Are you the holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa* (within Australia)? Yes No

*If you are the holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa or you are an Australian Permanent Resident and have not previously provided your visa details, please attach a certified copy of your visa and arrival date stamp.

If you have answered ‘No’ to all these questions then you are ineligible to apply on this form – please contact International Admissions on +61 2 4921 6595 or email [email protected]

5. English proficiency

What is your first language?

Do you speak another language at home? If yes, please state the language:

If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your proficiency as detailed in the instructions accompanying this form.

6. Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander origin

Are you an Australian Aboriginal person, eg. Goori, Koori, Murri or Nunga? Yes No

Are you of Torres Strait Islander descent? Yes No

(If you are of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, please tick both ‘Yes’ boxes)

7. Current enrolment

Are you currently enrolled in a university/institution? Yes No

If ‘yes’, name of university/institution:

Degree title Discipline

When do you expect to complete your current enrolment?

8. Scholarship details

Are you currently receiving a postgraduate scholarship? Yes No

If ‘yes’, please complete the following:

Scholarship Institution Value Duration

Will you be receiving a scholarship to support your research higher degree studies? Yes No


Sponsor Amount per annum Duration

Have you ever received a postgraduate scholarship before? Yes No


Scholarship Institution Value Duration

9. Tertiary studies

Certified true copies of academic records must be attached. Official English translations are required for documents in a language other than English.

Institution name Qualification title

Completion and duration

Date commenced Date completedDuration (full-time equivalent)


10. Relevant experience and employment

Provide details in the space provided or attach a Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant experience and employment.

11. Research experience/publications (attach additional statement if necessary)

Provide details of any research or development work undertaken to date. Evidence of any claimed publications/exhibitions/research attainments must be provided. Attach the front page of publication or advertisement for exhibition. Where evidence is not provided, publications/exhibitions cannot be considered in the assessment of your application.

12. Referees

Please state referees’ name, title, institution, email address and phone number.

13. Proposed program

Please state the code, level and name of the program for which you wish to apply. Please refer to the table of programs and codes in this prospectus.

NB: Scholarship applicants wishing to be considered in more than one program in separate discipline areas must submit a separate application for each discipline area.

* Off campus enrolment requires additional approval. Please complete the Candidature Variation form (www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/forms.html) and submit with this application.

14. Proposed commencement

Please provide your anticipated start date: DD MM YY

15. Proposed study load Full-time Part-time

Please note that scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time unless part-time enrolment is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

16a. Research proposal and supervision (attach a typed research proposal)

A research proposal must be submitted with this application, indicating the nature of research you wish to undertake. You are encouraged to consult with academics at the University in your chosen discipline to discuss your proposed research prior to lodging your application. A research proposal template is available in this prospectus and can be accessed from the previous two pages.

16b. If you have discussed your proposal with a potential supervisor(s), please state their name here and include it in your research proposal:

17. Ethics and Safety Approval

Do you expect that your research will require approval from any of the following committees:

Animal Care and Ethics Committee Yes No Do not know

Human Research Ethics Committee Yes No Do not know

Occupational Health and Safety Committee Yes No Do not know

Date: eg. 6/04 to 10/06 Employer Position held

1.

2.

Program Code ( see list page 53-56) Program Level and Name (eg. PhD Education) Campus*

http://www.newcastle.edu.au//students/research-higher-degree/current-students/forms.html

Onceyouhavecompletedalloftheabove,mailallformsandattachmentsto:

Office of Graduate Studies The Chancellery The University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia

18. Impairments

a. Do you have a disability, impairment or long term medical condition that may affect your studies? Yes No

b. If you answered yes to ‘A’ please visit the following website for information and advice on support services, equipment and facilities which may assist you: www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability

In signing this form you are agreeing to all of the above conditions. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code (Commonwealth).

Signed: Date:

• I understand that I must enrol in courses that comply with the requirements of the degree program to which I have been admitted

• I authorise the University to release information regarding my enrolment to Government agencies in accordance with legal requirements

• I understand that failure to pay fees and charges owed to the University or its partner organisation by the due date may result in my access to University services being restricted, the cancellation of my enrolment and/or action to recover any remaining debt

• I certify that all information and documentation supplied by me to the University is true, accurate and complete

• I consent to the collection, storage and disclosure by the University, Universities Australia (UA) or any UA member institution of a record of any such information or any other irregular activity that may be considered to be untrue or misleading in any respect

• I agree to comply with the rules, policies and by-laws of the University of Newcastle

• I acknowledge and accept that the Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree Candidature describes the respective rights and responsibilities of both parties and forms the basis of understanding and commitment between the two parties

• I consent to the University contacting other institutions to obtain further detail concerning qualifications I have listed in my application

• I agree to abide by the Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree Candidature

• I understand that agreement to all of these terms is a condition of my enrolment at the University of Newcastle.

Informed consent:

• I understand that the University of Newcastle is collecting the information in this form for the purpose of assessing my entitlement to Commonwealth assistance under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and allocation of a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to me

• I understand that the University of Newcastle will disclose this information to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for the above purposes and that DEEWR will store the information securely in the Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) and that the information may be used in connection with the National Data Collection on University Applications and Offers and/or other collections as DEEWR may lawfully require from time to time

• I accept that DEEWR may disclose the information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and that the University of Newcastle will not otherwise disclose the information without my consent unless required or authorised by law.

20. Application checklist

Tick the boxes when you have completed the following steps:

Completed your application form

Provided a valid email address

Provided certified copies of testamurs and transcripts

Provided evidence of citizenship

Provided evidence of publications (where appropriate)

Attached supporting documentation (certified copies where appropriate)

Attached research proposal

Signed the declaration

19. DeclarationI hereby apply for enrolment in accordance with the Act, By-law, and Rules of The University of Newcastle and declare that:


Applications for Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degrees will be accepted throughout the year. The following is a list of application code numbers. The application code needs to be included in step 13 of your application form.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE APPLICATION FORM

FIXED closing dates for specific applications1 October for PhD Clinical Psychology1 October for PhD Health Psychology31 October for research higher degree scholarship

Closing dates for general research higher degree entry: Applications for candidature may be submitted at any time.

Master of Philosophy research programs Duration in years Program code (MPhil)

M Phil (Aboriginal Health Studies) 2 11644

M Phil (Aboriginal Studies) 2 11617

M Phil (Accounting and Finance) 2 11601

M Phil (Anatomical Pathology) 2 11641

M Phil (Anatomy) 2 11629

M Phil (Architecture) 2 11618

M Phil (Behavioural Sciences in Relation to Medicine) 2 11643

M Phil (Biological Sciences) 2 11661

M Phil (Building) 2 11619

M Phil (Chemical Engineering) 2 11626

M Phil (Chemistry) 2 11662

M Phil (Civil Engineering) 2 11624

M Phil (Classics) 2 11607

M Phil (Clinical Pharmacology) 2 11645

M Phil (Communication and Media Arts) 2 11657

M Phil (Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology) 2 11647

M Phil (Computer Engineering) 2 11621

M Phil (Computer Science) 2 11620

M Phil (Cultural Studies) 2 11678

M Phil (Design) 2 11658

M Phil (Drama) 2 11603

M Phil (Economics) 2 11598

M Phil (Education) 2 11606

M Phil (Electrical Engineering) 2 11622

M Phil (English) 2 11608

M Phil (Environmental and Occupational Health) 2 11637

M Phil (Environmental Engineering) 2 11625

M Phil (Environmental Science) 2 11663

M Phil (Exercise and Sport Science) 2 11720

M Phil (Experimental Pharmacology) 2 11630

M Phil (Fine Art) 2 11605

M Phil (Food Science) 2 11664

M Phil (General Practice) 2 11646

M Phil (Geology) 2 11665

M Phil (History) 2 11609

M Phil (Human Geography) 2 11666

M Phil (Human Physiology) 2 11631

M Phil (Immunology and Microbiology) 2 11632

RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE PROGRAM TITLES AnD CODES

54 | RHD PROSPECTUS

M Phil (Information Systems) 2 11659

M Phil (Information Technology) 2 11660

M Phil (Law) 2 11600

M Phil (Leisure and Tourism Studies) 2 11599

M Phil (Linguistics) 2 11611

M Phil (Management) 2 11602

M Phil (Marine Science) 2 11667

M Phil (Mathematics) 2 11671

M Phil (Mechanical Engineering) 2 11627

M Phil (Medical Biochemistry) 2 11633

M Phil (Medical Genetics) 2 11634

M Phil (Medical Physics) 2 11670

M Phil (Medical Radiation Science) 2 11638

M Phil (Medicine) 2 11648

M Phil (Modern Languages) 2 11612

M Phil (Music) 2 11604

M Phil (Natural History Illustration) 2 11734

M Phil (Nursing) 2 11653

M Phil (Nutrition and Dietetics) 2 11639

M Phil (Occupational Therapy) 2 11640

M Phil (Oral Health) 2 11635

M Phil (Paediatrics) 2 11649

M Phil (Pharmacy) 2 11642

M Phil (Philosophy) 2 11613

M Phil (Physical Geography) 2 11668

M Phil (Physics) 2 11672

M Phil (Physiotherapy) 2 11636

M Phil (Podiatry) 2 11732

M Phil (Politics) 2 11597

M Phil (Psychiatry) 2 11650

M Phil (Psychology) 2 11656

M Phil (Religious Studies) 2 11694

M Phil (Reproductive Medicine) 2 11651

M Phil (Social Inclusion) 2 11726

M Phil (Social Work) 2 11616

M Phil (Sociology and Anthropology) 2 11614

M Phil (Software Engineering) 2 11623

M Phil (Speech Pathology) 2 11615

M Phil (Statistics) 2 11673

M Phil (Surgical Sciences) 2 11652

M Phil (Surveying) 2 11628

M Phil (Sustainable Resource Management) 2 11669

M Phil (Theology) 2 11723

Doctor of Philosophy research programs Duration in years Program code (PhD)

PhD (Aboriginal Health Studies) 4 11125

PhD (Aboriginal Studies) 4 11159

PhD (Accounting and Finance) 4 11032

PhD (Anatomical Pathology) 4 11126

PhD (Anatomy) 4 11132

PhD (Architecture) 4 10184


PhD (Behavioural Sciences in Relation to Medicine) 4 11134

PhD (Biological Sciences) 4 10061

PhD (Building) 4 10853

PhD (Chemical Engineering) 4 10380

PhD (Chemistry) 4 10095

PhD (Civil Engineering) 4 11028

PhD (Classics) 4 10450

PhD (Clinical Pharmacology) 4 11139

PhD (Clinical Psychology) 4 11539

PhD (Communication and Media Arts) 4 10729

PhD (Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology) 4 11135

PhD (Computer Engineering) 4 11459

PhD (Computer Science) 4 11029

PhD (Cultural Studies) 4 11677

PhD (Design) 4 10728

PhD (Drama) 4 10050

PhD (Economics) 4 10494

PhD (Education) 4 10367

PhD (Electrical Engineering) 4 10332

PhD (Engineering) 4 11719

PhD (English) 4 10426

PhD (Environmental and Occupational Health) 4 11144

PhD (Environmental Engineering) 4 11468

PhD (Environmental Science) 4 10319

PhD (Exercise and Sport Science) 4 11721

PhD (Experimental Pharmacology) 4 11590

PhD (Fine Art) 4 10727

PhD (Food Science) 4 10955

PhD (Gender and Health) 4 11214

PhD (General Practice) 4 11136

PhD (Geology) 4 10439

PhD (Health Psychology) 4 11540

PhD (History) 4 10041

PhD (Human Geography) 4 11030

PhD (Human Physiology) 4 11140

PhD (Immunology and Microbiology) 4 11128

PhD (Information Systems) 4 11185

PhD (Information Technology) 4 11524

PhD (Law) 4 10147

PhD (Leisure and Tourism Studies) 4 10852

PhD (Linguistics) 4 10114

PhD (Management) 4 10389

PhD (Marine Science) 4 11478

PhD (Mathematics) 4 10033

PhD (Mechanical Engineering) 4 10209

PhD (Medical Biochemistry) 4 11133

PhD (Medical Genetics) 4 11129

PhD (Medical Radiation Science) 4 11130

PhD (Medicine) 4 11137

PhD (Midwifery) 4 11593

PhD (Modern Languages) 4 10333

56 | RHD PROSPECTUS

PhD (Music) 4 10938

PhD (Natural History Illustration) 4 11735

PhD (Nursing) 4 10939

PhD (Nutrition and Dietetics) 4 11131

PhD (Occupational Therapy) 4 11127

PhD (Oral Health) 4 11591

PhD (Paediatrics) 4 11138

PhD (Pharmacy) 4 11592

PhD (Philosophy) 4 10191

PhD (Physical Geography) 4 11031

PhD (Physics) 4 10299

PhD (Physiotherapy) 4 11463

PhD (Podiatry) 4 11733

PhD (Politics) 4 11482

PhD (Psychiatry) 4 11141

PhD (Psychology) 4 10216

PhD (Religious Studies) 4 11693

PhD (Reproductive Medicine) 4 11142

PhD (Social Work) 4 10738

PhD (Social Inclusion) 4 11727

PhD (Sociology and Anthropology) 4 11151

PhD (Software Engineering) 4 11474

PhD (Speech Pathology) 4 11472

PhD (Statistics) 4 10284

PhD (Surgical Sciences) 4 11143

PhD (Surveying) 4 11462

PhD (Sustainable Resource Management) 4 11480

PhD (Theology) 4 11724

Applicantsarecautionedthatallinformationiscorrectatthetimeofprintingbutmaybesubjecttochangewithoutnotice.TheUniversityofNewcastlereservestherightatalltimestowithdraworvarydegreeslistedwithinthispublicationwithoutnotice.Applicantsshouldmaketheirownenquiriestovalidateallinformationbeforeproceeding.

2011/1394|CRICOSProvider00109J

Research Higher Degree Prospectus 2013

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Transcript of Research Higher Degree Prospectus 2013