Recruitment

Overview and research

Australian students are generally far less mobile than students in other western countries when they are seeking a university and supervisor for a research award (Kiley & Austin 2000, 2004).

What is particularly important in terms of recruitment of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students is the data that suggests that most Australian students (73%) made their decision as to where to undertake their research degree based on information provided by their Honours supervisor or other 'potential' supervisors in the Department. forty-two percent of all respondents not exploring postgraduate opportunities in universities other than the one in which they had completed their last degree. Of the respondents, 59% planned to enrol in the same university as their previous degree. These findings suggest that much of the onus for recruiting candidates relies on current supervisors and the 'personal' touch (Kiley, 2000, 2008).

For example:

'Bob' was approached by a potential supervisor after the supervisor had seen Bob present at a professional conference. Until that stage Bob had not thought of doing a doctorate, he was happy being a practitioner. However, after several emails and meetings, Bob became excited by the idea of postgraduate research informing his practice and enrolled in a doctorate. He has become one of the School's outstanding candidates.

'Helen' had completed Honours and then told her supervisor "She'd had enough of study" and headed off overseas. However, toward the end of the first 12 months the supervisor contacted Helen "To see how she was going". After several email discussions and then a face-to-face meeting when Helen returned home, she enrolled in a doctorate with her Honours supervisor and is progressing very well.

The recruitment of international students has increased dramatically over the past few decades in Australia. Of particular interest are developments in New Zealand where international students are seen as a significant aspect of the country's capacity building. Hence, international HDR candidates pay the same fees as domestic candidates, spouses are permitted to work full time and medical and schooling provisions are free of charge. The New Zealand authorities are hoping that talented doctoral graduates will choose to stay in New Zealand on successful completion of their award.

The above text was based on the following research:

Kiley, M., & Austin, A. (2000). Australian postgraduate students' perceptions, preferences and mobility. Higher Education Research and Development, 19 (1), 75-88.

Kiley, M., & Austin, A. (2008). Australian postgraduate research students still prefer to ‘stay at home’: Reasons and implications Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 30(4), 363-374.

Ideas and tools

Questions to ask in your School/Centre:

What is the procedure for recruiting potential students?
What criteria are used for selecting students? How have these been determined? Who is responsible for making the final decision?
Who is responsible for introducing and inducting new candidates? Is this done? Are there other procedures that need to be put in place?
What is your school's/centre's 'target' for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and what is your School/Centre doing to reach that target?

Given the different roles of supervisors, consider how you might:

coach a potential recruit e.g. assist with the proposal outline in the application
facilitate the research project of a potential or new candidate e.g. ensure that the applicant and the department has a clear idea of the resources required for the project

Practitioner Tips

Robyn Lucas (NCEPH) and Haley Jones (Engineering) as part of their work for the award course EDUC8004 Research Supervision

Robyn works in Epidemiology and suggests that there are a number of factors to consider with a potential candidate (Download her list). Haley, who works in the area of sustainability states ‘I would argue that, for someone to work successfully in sustainability they would need to show both technical skills (objective) and some social conscience (subjective). I would certainly feel more comfortable working with a student who has an understanding of the social and environmental implications associated with sustainable living. That is, someone who firmly believes in the principle of sustainability, rather than just seeing it as a technical problem to be solved.' (See Haley's list)

ANU information

'ANU is in a unique position in Australia in that most prospective postgraduate students are already very well aware of our excellent reputation. But the competition for good postgraduate students is now fierce and so ANU cannot rely only on its reputation for recruitment.' (Associate Professor Scott Keogh from the School of Botany & Zoology).

Associate Professor Keogh has provided an example of how his school recruits research candidates.

ANU information regarding domestic and international candidates can be found as follows:

Application for Postgraduate Research Program Admission and/or Scholarship (Note that different forms are used by domestic (Australian citizens and permanent residents or New Zealand citizens) and international students.

Advice for International Students applying for admission to a PhD.

ANU Fees Information Centre: Domestic Tuition Fees and International Student Fees for graduate study.

College specific information:

College of Engineering & Computer Science: General Recruitment Info

College of Law: Info Days | International Recruitment

College of Arts and Social Sciences: General Recruitment Info

College of Asia & the Pacific: General Recruitment Info

College of Business & Economics: General Recruitment Info

College of Medicine and Health Sciences: Events, Outreach and Recruitment

Alternatively, contact the College Associate Dean (HDR) for more general college information.