1. science
2. medicine
3. medical research

2014
RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE
PROSPECTUS
WELCOME
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 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment is conducted by the
Australian Government to measure the research performance of Australia’s higher
education institutions. In ERA 2012 UoN achieved a 5 rating of “well above world
standard” for 18 areas of research. Newcastle is the only university in Australia to achieve
a 5 rating for social work research and one of two universities in the country to achieve
a 5 rating in applied mathematics, biochemistry and cell biology, civil engineering and
mechanical engineering.
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.
Pictured on cover: Vincent Candrawinata,
PhD (Food Science) candidate, who took
out the 2012 University of Newcastle
Three Minute Thesis competition title from
an impressive field with his presentation
“The Extraction and Utilisation of the
Polyphenolics from Apple Juice Pomace ”.
The Office of Graduate Studies
Room CH234,
Ground Floor, East Wing, The Chancellery
Callaghan , NSW, 2308
T +61 2 4921 6537
F +61 2 4921 6908
E research@newcastle.edu.au
www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/office-of-graduate-studies
TO CHOOSE THE
UNIVERSITY OF
NEWCASTLE
AUSTRALIA
01 World-class research
CONTENTS
We are ranked in the world’s top three per cent of universities*.
Our students are taught by some of the world’s leading
researchers and enjoy 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.
04 Why do a research higher degree
02 A great environment for study
08 Costs and Research scholarships
05 Why UoN? - World-class research
06 A great environment for study
07 Expectations and Eligibility in relation to research
higher degrees
Shaping your future at the university is as much about your
environment and connections as it is education. Our three
campuses at Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Macquarie offer
a unique lifestyle of beaches, cafes and music, as well as a costeffective, friendly place to live.
09 Resources for candidates
03 People who study here do well
17 Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
As 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 responsive
We 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 opportunity
A 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.
10 A guide to application and enrolment
12 Priority Research Centres
19 Faculty of Business and Law
25 Faculty of Education and Arts
31 Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
37 Faculty of Health and Medicine
41 Faculty of Science and Information Technology
47 The Wollotuka Institute
48 Completing your application form
50 Proposal template
51 Application form
55 RHD programs and codes
* Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2012, OS World
Universities Rankings 2012
www.newcastle.edu.au | 3
WHY DO A
RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE?
A RHD is the recognised
qualification for a career
in academia as well
as other diverse and
rewarding opportunities
in the public and private
sectors, domestically and
internationally.
Develop your passion for research
Obtaining a research higher degree is the pinnacle of formal education achievement. As a
high-achieving student with an analytical mind and an intrinsic desire for problem solving,
you will have the opportunity to master new skills, overcome obstacles and make a
contribution of new knowledge to your chosen discipline. The chance to immerse yourself
in your topic and persevere with your research over a number of years will give you an
overwhelming feeling of great personal achievement.
Broaden your career options
National prosperity depends on having people with the skills, knowledge and expertise
necessary to drive innovation and respond to global challenges.
Research is a growth industry, and gaining a research higher degree will give you an
advantage for future employment. 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).
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.
Challenge yourself
Graduates regularly report that their research journey was extremely challenging and
because of that, highly rewarding. 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.
A research higher degree can be likened to a full-time job. Candidates generally work on
their research 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday from January to December with four weeks
off for recreational leave usually over the summer period.
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.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/graduate-research
www.newcastle.edu.au | 4
WHY CHOOSE
THE UNIVERSITY
OF NEWCASTLE?
WORLD-CLASS 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.
Find out more about our research strengths
www.newcastle.edu.au/researchand-innovation
Our track record
The University of Newcastle:
• is ranked equal seventh in Australia for
research that is ‘above world standard’
(Excellence in Research Australia 2012)
• Our 18 fields of research that achieved
the top rating in ERA are: applied
mathematics; macromolecular and
materials chemistry; geology; physical
geography and environmental
geoscience; biochemistry and
cell biology; plant biology; civil
engineering; electronic and electronic
engineering; mechanical engineering;
resources engineering and extractive
metallurgy; cardiovascular medicine
and haematology; human movement
and sports science; immunology;
neurosciences; nutrition and dietetics;
oncology and carcinogenesis; social
work and psychology (Excellence in
Research Australia 2012).
• is ranked in the top three per cent of
universities in the world (Times Higher
Education World University Rankings
2012, QS World University Rankings
2012)
• is ranked in Australia’s top 10 universities
for research funding.
• has an annual external research income
of $86.14 million as reported under our
2012 Higher Education Research Data
Collection (HERDC) Note: based on the
collection of 2011 data
• is ranked ninth in Australia according to
the 2012 HERDC
• has $12 million National Health and
Medical Research Council funding
commencing in 2013
• had an annual turnover of $15.5 million
as part of Newcastle Innovation in 2011
• 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)
www.hmri.com.au
• the Newcastle Institute for Energy and
Resources (NIER)
www.newcastle.edu.au/researchand-innovation/centre/nier/about-us
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
• has $9.5 million new Australian
Research Council funding commencing
in 2013
www.newcastle.edu.au | 05
A GREAT
ENVIRONMENT
FOR STUDY
The University of Newcastle
is a modern, flexible and
comprehensive university
established in 1965.
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, 370,000
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
systems. This, combined with 24x7 physical
access over three locations, ensures
that the library is always available to
assist and support research activity. The
Faculty Liaison 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 and a squash centre.
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.
EXPECTATIONS AND
ELIGIBILITY FOR RESEARCH
HIGHER DEGREES
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 advice of your supervisor,
to distil these into a well-structured and
clearly written research thesis.
Master of Philosophy
The 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 on page 53.
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).
Higher doctorates
The University offers higher doctoral
degrees. Admission to and the award
of these degrees is based on the
research output of the applicant over
a substantial number of years. The
requirements for higher doctoral
degrees are available from the Office
of Graduate Studies and are not
referred to further in this prospectus.
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.
Doctor of Philosophy
The 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.
For further information on eligibility
requirements please visit the relevant
schedule at www.newcastle.edu.au/
students/research-higher-degree/
current-students/policy-andguidelines.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 rules
The rules governing research higher
degrees are available at:
www.newcastle.edu.au/
policy/000830.html
The associated MPhil and PhD schedules
are also available at:
www.newcastle.edu.au/students/
research-higher-degree/currentstudents/policy-and-guidelines.
html
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 on page 53.
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).
www.newcastle.edu.au | 07
COSTS AND
RESEARCH
SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2013 the University
offered approximately
100 scholarships to
domestic candidates.
Study costs – Research Training Scheme
The base rate living allowance in 2013 was $24,653 per annum.
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:
Applications close 31 October each year.
• 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
All students are required to complete their degree within the RTS
entitlement period.
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
From semester 2, 2012 a Student Services and Amenities fee was
introduced to improve the services offered to all students. For full
details, please refer to:
www.newcastle.edu.au/students/services-andamenities-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.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The University of Newcastle offers a number of
postgraduate research scholarships to support research
candidates in their endeavours.
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.
Please note that PHD candidature is generally four years, however,
PhD scholarship tenure is a maximum of three and half years
including extension.
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.
08 | RHD PROSPECTUS
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
SCHOLARSHIP (UNRSC)
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 2013 was
$24,653 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-higherdegree/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.
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
Current candidates must be no more than two full time equivalent
years into their PhD (or one year for Masters) at the end of the
year to be eligble for scholarship.
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) second.
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:
RESOURCES FOR CANDIDATES
address. Any second round offers will be made from January
2014. 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.
Upon enrolment all commencing RHD candidates are
provided with a Dell laptop that includes a standard suite
of University software such as Microsoft Office, multimedia, academic and anti-virus software.
All candidates are also able to apply for the Annual
RHD Candidate Allocation for reimbursement of costs
associated with research activities while they are within
their allowed/funded candidature period. All uses of
these funds must be approved by the supervisor and
Head of School.
The amount available per candidate is at least $1,500
per annum (pro rata for part-time candidates) and can be
claimed for items such as:
• project costs (for example costs associated with
surveys, interviews, statistical advice, training courses,
data entry and processing)
• the direct cost of consumables required for the
candidate’s research project
• travel and fieldwork related to the research project
• conference attendance and participation (including
registration, travel and accommodation)
• purchase of software (or software licences), books,
journals, media resources etc. that are related to the
research project
• purchase or lease of equipment required for the
research project
• publication costs for research papers arising from the
candidate’s research.
The Code of Practise for Research Higher Degree
Candidature outlines a minimum level of resources that
are provided to candidates. For further information go to
www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000061.html
www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higherdegree/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
researchscholarships@newcastle.edu.au if you have any questions
concerning potential top ups you may be eligible to receive.
www.newcastle.edu.au | 9
AND
A GUIDE TO
APPLICATION
ENROLMENT
Find a supervisor
Applicants are encouraged to
consult with academics in the
chosen research field at the
University prior to submitting
an application for admission.
This may assist in guiding
the direction of your research
proposal.
The Register of Supervisors
allows you to search for a
potential supervisor.
You can search by school or
researcher name, or by keyword,
and you will be provided with
the names of supervisors, a
summary of their research areas,
and a link to their research profile
and their email address.
www.newcastle.edu.au/
research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/meetour-supervisors
Research 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 5 of this prospectus and in the degree schedules available at:
www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/currentstudents/policy-and-guidelines.html
Apply
To apply for candidature please complete the application form found on page 49 of
this prospectus or log on to online direct admissions
www.newcastle.edu.au/future-students/research-higher-degrees/7apply-now.html
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 or online. 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
10 | RHD PROSPECTUS
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.
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.
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 research@newcastle.edu.au
www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/office-of-graduate-studies
International applicants should contact International Admissions and obtain an
international application form: IA@newcastle.edu.au
T +61 2 4921 6236
F +61 2 4960 1766
E international_admissions@newcastle.edu.au
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/
international/why-uon
www.newcastle.edu.au | 11
PRIORITY
RESEARCH
CENTRES
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-and-innovation/centre
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
worldwide 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
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 nanoparticles, 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-and-innovation/
centre/cappt/about-us
12 | RHD PROSPECTUS
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-and-innovation/
centre/card/about-us
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 Medicine
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-and-innovation/
centre/cibm/about-us
Centre for Cancer
The 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.
www.hmricancerresearch.com
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-and-innovation/
centre/ccb/about-us
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
Pictured above (left to right): Professor Kevin Galvin, PRC for
Advanced Particle Processing and Transport; Professor Natashia
Boland, PRC for Computer-Assisted Mathematics and its Applications;
and Professor Ron Plotnikoff, PRC for Physical Activity and Nutrition.
Our research spans fundamental engineering work through to a
range of practical applications.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
centre/cdsc/about-us
www.newcastle.edu.au | 13
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-to-day life. CARMA actively engages in developing stateof–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 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-and-innovation/centre/cdsc/about-us
14 | RHD PROSPECTUS
ARC Centre of Excellence
in Geotechnical Science
and Engineering (CGSE)
The Australian Research Council
(ARC) 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.
Physical infrastructure, such as
offshore platforms and pipelines,
and national road and rail systems,
rely on geotechnical engineering
design, and this is increasingly
associated with building on
extremely soft sediments
(geomaterials). Offshore these are
encountered in almost all modern
developments, where water depths
now mostly exceed 500 metres;
onshore, transport corridors must
increasingly make use of poor
ground that has proved problematic
for other developments. In all
such cases the response of the
geomaterials is complex and highly
variable and presents major design
challenges.
The core goals of the CGSE are
therefore to:
• provide a national focus for
geotechnical research
• optimise the design of critical
infrastructure
• collaborate with offshore and
onshore industry
• educate and train the next
generation
of geotechnical engineers and
researchers.
www.newcastle.edu.au/
research-and-innovation/
centre
Centre for
Gender, Health and Ageing
Centre for
Health Behaviour
The Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing is a dynamic, crossdisciplinary 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 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:
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.
• Hunter New England Population Health
(HNEPH)
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/gha/about-us
Centre for
Geotechnical and Materials Modelling
The 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-and-innovation/centre/cgmm/about-us
• 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/researchand-innovation/centre/chb/
about-us
www.newcastle.edu.au | 15
Centre for
Organic Electronics
Centre for
Reproductive Science
The 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:
The Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science brings
together researchers from the Mothers and Babies Research
Centre (headed by Professor Roger Smith) 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.
• 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-and-innovation/
centre/coe/about-us
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-and-innovation/
centre/cpan/about-us
16 | RHD PROSPECTUS
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
centre/crs/about-us
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 multidisciplinary 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-and-innovation/
centre/ctnmh/about-us
WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH
INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
Through the Newcastle Institute
for Energy and Resources
(NIER) the University provides a
multidisciplinary model for critical
research in energy and resources
with facilities on a scale unrivalled
at any other education and research
centre in Australia.
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. Collaborating with
national and international partners, NIER
provides practical and viable benefits to
industry, the community and the economy
by advancing research in clean energy
production, energy efficiency and the
minimisation of carbon emissions. Priority
research areas include:
• reduction of energy and water
consumption in industries of national
significance
• reduction of carbon emissions through
next generation clean coal, carbon
capture and storage technologies
• development of alternative energy
sources including geothermal and
polymer solar cells
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, with access to industrial scale facilities
fostering industry ready graduates.
The collaborations between NIER researchers and industry partners allows crossfertilisation of ideas and approaches aligned to the energy reform agenda of government
and industry, and have the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainable
energy research nationally and internationally. Partnerships exist with Ausgrid, BHP
Billiton, CSIRO, TUNRA Bulk Solids, Xstrata, Hunter Water and Hunter TAFE with
many others in development. Key international partnerships have been established
with the University of Witswatersrand, North China Electric Power University, the State
Grid Electric Power Research Institute of China, the South African National Energy
Development Institute and the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan, with
additional collaborations planned.
With world-class researchers and the collective capacity to contribute to regional and
national priorities, NIER is well positioned to establish a global leadership position and
deliver solutions that make a significant difference in the energy and resources sector.
NIER Centres include:
• Priority Research Centre for Energy (pg 12)
• Priority Research Centre for Organic Electronics (pg 14)
• Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport (pg 10)
• NSW Institute for Frontier Geoscience
• Centre for Intelligent Electricity Networks
• Centre for Ironmaking Materials Research
• Centre for Multiphase Processes
• Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies
• Centre for Social Research in Energy and Resources
• Centre for Optimal Planning and Operations
For more information, visit:
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/nier/about-us
• improved efficiencies in energy
generation and conversion
• smarter, more efficient networks for the
distribution and utilisation of electricity
and water
• social change and the sustainability of
resources and the environment.
www.newcastle.edu.au | 17
18 | RHD PROSPECTUS
FACULTY OF
BUSINESS AND LAW
The 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/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/
meet-our-supervisors
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
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND LAW
OUR RESEARCH
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 Studies
This 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.
20 | RHD PROSPECTUS
SNAPSHOT
THE CAPITAL MARKETS RESEARCH GROUP
The Capital Markets Research Group undertakes industry-relevant research into funds
management and share market behaviour. It is a collaboration of researchers from the
University of Newcastle and researchers from leading Australian and international
universities. It is funded from both industry and university sources.
Capital Markets Research Group pictured
above from left to right:
Back row: Professor Steve Easton, Dr Paul
Docherty, Neil Hartnett, Adrian Melia, Lain
Tze Tee, Mostafa Seif
Middle row: Dr Michael Seamer, Gareth
Hurst, Md Akhtaruzzaman, Aaron Ong
Front row: Dr Katherine Uylangco,
Bronwyn McCredie, Dr Van Le, Si Roei
Kew, Yukun Yao, Afsaneh Bahrami
www.newcastle.edu.au | 21
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND LAW
OUR SCHOOLS
Newcastle Business School
Newcastle Law School
Newcastle 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.
Focusing 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.
Academic staff in the School have diverse backgrounds, wideranging 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:
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
• business policy and strategy
• human rights law and international human rights law
• international business
• labour relations law and international labour relations law
• innovation and entrepreneurship
• legal profession
• organisational behaviour, performance and sustainability
• occupational health and safety law
• general management
• tort law
• supply chain management
• accounting
• finance
• economics
• politics
• employment relations
• human resource management
• marketing
• leisure
• tourism
Interdisciplinary programs are also available.
22 | RHD PROSPECTUS
www.newcastle.edu.au | 23
24 | RHD PROSPECTUS
FACULTY OF
EDUCATION AND ARTS
The 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 Creative Arts
• 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.
Pictured top: Dr Tim Stanley
Pictured middle (L-R): PhD candidate Rueben
Ramsey, Associate Professor Victoria Haskins
Pictured bottom: Associate Professor Michael
Arthur-Kellly
Prospective candidates can begin this search at:
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/meetour-supervisors
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
(Pamela.Nilan@newcastle.edu.au).
www.newcastle.edu.au | 25
FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND ARTS
OUR RESEARCH
Faculty Research is concentrated into the three main clusters of Humanities,
Social Sciences and Education. While RHD study in any field of Education
and Arts is encouraged, research by RHD students that aligns with any of the
following clusters will provide a rich intellectual environment for candidate.
HUMANITIES
SOCIAL SCIENCES
EDUCATION
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.
Social science is, in its broadest sense,
the study of society and the manner
in which people behave and influence
the world around them. Social sciences
evolve through the interplay of academic
theories and the evidence that supports
or refutes them. Social Sciences in the
Faculty include Social Work, Sociology and
Anthropology, and Speech Pathology.
Educational research focuses on the 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 current
research strength as is Special Education
and School Reform.
The high quality research being carried out
in Social Work has been has recently been
identified nationally through the awarding
of a score of 5 (the highest possible score,
indicating research performance well
above world standard) in the latest round
of the Excellence in Research in Australia
(ERA) evaluation exercise.
Research into the links between physical
activity, health and education is carried
out through the Faculty’s joint Priority
Research Centre with the Faculty of
Health and Medicine (see below).
The Faculty’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 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
examines religion’s dynamic interactions
with democratic authority, radicalism,
gender and the legacies of colonial nation
building.
Research in Speech Pathology is currently
directed toward an understanding of
human communication and swallowing
disorders, and is motivated by the aim to
develop and implement interventions which
will improve the lives of people affected by
these disorders.
The research cluster in Social Thought
and Analysis includes both sociology and
anthropology, with special emphasis on
youth, post-industrial economies, health
and development studies.
Priority Research Centre
for Physical Activity and
Nutrition
There are six inter-related themes:
The PRC in Physical Activity and
Nutrition takes a comprehensive
and interdisciplinary approach to
understanding population health with
emphasis on education and health
promotion strategies for chronic disease
prevention, treatment, and wellbeing.
• obesity
26 | RHD PROSPECTUS
• physical activity and nutrition for
population health
• therapeutic nutrition
• clinical and experimental nutrition
• exercise sciences
• physical activity and nutrition in schools
The Centre for the Study of Research
Training and Impact (SORTI) is nationally
and internationally recognised for research
on doctoral studies and higher order
thinking and innovation in the professions.
The research cluster in Comparative and
International Education examines the
global flow of best practice educational
policies using critical analyses and
comparisons.
Equity in Education is an emerging
research area. Cutting edge research
seeks to identify evidence based
programs to enable students from low
socio-economic areas to access higher
education.
SNAPSHOT
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
www.newcastle.edu.au | 27
FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND ARTS
The Faculty of
Education and Arts
encompasses a broad
range of disciplines
represented in three
Schools.
OUR SCHOOLS
School of Creative Arts
School of Education
The School of Creative Arts offers a strong research culture
based on the nexus between theory and creative practice. While
research higher degree students in the School of Creative Arts
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:
Research 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.
• 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/creative-arts
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
28 | RHD PROSPECTUS
School of Humanities and Social Science
The 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 (including Creative Writing)
• 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
www.newcastle.edu.au | 29
30 | RHD PROSPECTUS
FACULTY OF
ENGINEERING AND
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The 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.
In 2012 the Faculty received the highest possible Excellence in Research for
Australia (ERA) ranking of 5, ‘well above world standard’, for Engineering, Civil
Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
and Resources and Extractive Metallurgy Engineering. In Civil and Mechanical
Engineering, we are one of only two institutions in Australia ranked at this level.
We received rankings of 3, ‘at world standard’, in Architecture, Building, Built
Environment and Design, and Interdisciplinary Engineering. 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/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/
meet-our-supervisors
Pictured opposite page, top: Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Elham Doroodchi
The University of Newcastle is one of just
five Universities in Australia to receive an
Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
ranking of 5 for Engineering.
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/global-leadership/
excellence-in-research-for-australia-era
www.newcastle.edu.au | 31
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
OUR RESEARCH
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.
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 Centres
Other Research Centres
The 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 and Medicine. These are:
The Faculty is also home to a number of
other important university research centres.
• Centre for Advanced Particle Processing
• Signal Processing Microelectronics
• Centre for Energy
• Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate
Technologies
• Centre for Geotechnical and Materials
Modelling
• Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomarker
Discovery and Information-Based
Medicine (with the Faculty of Health and
Medicine)
• 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.
32 | RHD PROSPECTUS
The University formed
part of the winning
consortium for the
Australian Government’s
$100 million Smart
Grid, Smart City
demonstration project
for Newcastle.
These include:
• Special Research Centre for Multiphase
Processes
• 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.
SNAPSHOT
Professor MARK JONES
Professor 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.
In his limited spare time, Professor Jones can be found flying his 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.
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
OUR SCHOOLS
Research conducted within each of
the three schools of our Faculty is
often directly linked to business
and industry.
School of Architecture and Built Environment
Academic staff in the School of Architecture and Built
Environment have been awarded national and international prizes
for research and design. They have held research fellow and
visiting scholar positions at the world’s foremost institutions and
are on the editorial boards and scientific committees of leading
journals. They have been awarded prestigious research grants
from the Australian Research Council (ARC), the European Union
and a range of North American institutions. Several academics
have been independently rated in the top 100 researchers in their
field internationally.
The School of Architecture and Built Environment is home to
CIBER (Centre for Interdisciplinary Built Environment Research); a
research group that seeks to address issues of social, cultural and
historic importance in the fields of architecture and building. Over
the last decade, members of CIBER have been awarded more
than $7,000,000 in research income and have published more
than 400 research books, chapters and papers.
Our research strengths in creative endeavour (research by design)
are also significant and our academics have both curated and had
their works featured in state, national and international exhibitions.
Research capabilities of the School include:
• Architecture and design – theory and history
• Architecture and design - computing and cognition
• Sustainable and resilient environments
• Building business governance
• Integrated project management
34 | RHD PROSPECTUS
School of Engineering
The 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, worldclass
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
School of Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science
The 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
• fluid mechanics and turbulence
Example industries and applications include:
• process industries
• geotechnical engineering
• electric supply and distribution
• particle technology and interface science
• optimisation applications in ambulance scheduling
• process safety and environmental protection
• high performance algorithms with GM research
• structural engineering
• high speed/high performance nano-positioning systems
• surveying and spatial sciences
• risk and reliability
• masonry
• bulk solids and particle technologies
• materials engineering
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.
www.newcastle.edu.au | 35
Pictured: Professor Brian Kelly, Professor
Clare Collins and Professor Paul Foster
The University of Newcastle ranks
ninth among Australian universities
for NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL
RESEARCH COUNCIL (NHMRC) Project
Grant funding.
36 | RHD PROSPECTUS
FACULTY OF
HEALTH AND MEDICINE
Why Faculty of Health AND MEDICINE…
The Faculty of Health and Medicine is the leading earner of
research funding in the University. 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 facilitates translation of
research findings into practical application for clinical practice or
commercial development.
National Ranking in Quality of Research Output
In the recent 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
assessment, researchers from the Faculty of Health and
Medicine at the University of Newcastle (UoN) contributed to
a number of fields of research directly relevant to health and
medicine. The significant results achieved are outlined below.
• 8 fields of research ranked well above world standard:
• Biochemistry and Cell Biology,
• Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology,
• Human Movement and Sports Science,
• Immunology,
• Neurosciences,
• Nutrition and Dietetics,
• Oncology and Carcinogenesis, and
• Psychology.
• 6 fields of research ranked above world standard:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Genetics,
Nursing,
Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine,
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Medical Physiology, and
Cognitive Sciences.
• 2 fields of research ranked at world standard:
• Clinical Sciences, and
• Public Health and Health Services.
This places the Faculty of Health and Medicine and the University
of Newcastle with its relevant health and medicine fields of
research 4th in Australia based on number of research codes
rated above and well above world standard.
The results reflect not only the remarkable achievements of our
world class researchers in the Faculty of Health and Medicine, but
also the commitment of the University to build research capacity in
these fields of importance that benefit the wider community.
Prospective Research Higher Degree (RHD) candidates should
align their research project with the research expertise of existing
academic staff. This can be done by browsing the research
interests of academic staff in the Faculty and making 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/research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/meet-our-supervisors
www.newcastle.edu.au | 37
FACULTY OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE
WHY STUDY
WITH US?
Facilities
Resources
The Faculty has medical and laboratory technology of the highest
standard to support the training of our health care professionals,
our researchers and their research projects.
Research Higher Degree students of the Faculty of Health and
Medicine are provided with a number of resources to support their
projects. These include:
The Faculty’s researchers are distributed among 3 major
locations in Newcastle: the Callaghan Campus of the University
of Newcastle, the John Hunter Hospital (the largest tertiary
referral hospital in NSW outside Sydney) and the Calvary Mater
Newcastle Hospital, plus smaller regional campuses at Ourimbah,
Tamworth and Port Macquarie.
• RHD funding – candidates receive an annual allocation up to
a maximum of $5,000 that can be used on any aspect of their
research project or research training.
The new, state-of-the-art Hunter Medical Research Institute
(HMRI) Building, located on the John Hunter Hospital campus,
is a $90 million investment in the future of medical research
and national and international health care. As the hub for
approximately 450 researchers, the HMRI Building houses openplan laboratory and office space along with a Clinical Trials Centre
for seamless interaction with patients and study participants.
It allows co-location of biomedical, clinical and public health
researchers in close proximity to the region’s largest teaching
hospital, facilitating effective translation of research into improved
health outcomes.
The Hunter Medical Research Institute is a partnership between
the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the
community.
38 | RHD PROSPECTUS
• Scholarships - the Faculty of Health and Medicine provides
a variety of scholarships ranging from co-funded scholarships,
top-up scholarships and donor funded scholarships.
• Laptops - all commencing students are provided with a laptop
computer to assist with their research.
• World class researchers as supervisors – When selecting
a Faculty of Health and Medicine supervisor to mentor and train
you through your RHD program, you are selecting a researcher
that has wide recognition in their field of research expertise and
a well established reputation.
• Training – ongoing training support is not only provided by our
world-class supervisors, but also by support services available
on campus or online.
CAREER
PATHWAYS
A Research Higher Degree will prepare you for a number of
career pathways. It is the recognised qualification for a career
in academia and will also open doors to new career paths in the
public and private sectors.
Graduates from RHD programs are highly employable across
all fields of study. As at 2011, 83% of PhD/Masters graduates
are in full time employment with 77% of those in permanent or
long term employment positions. Of those that were educated
in a ‘health’ field, 90.8% are engaged in full time employment
(Postgraduate Destinations, 2011).
RHD graduates experience a high rate of success in employment
as the generic or transferable skills required for success in a
research degree are the same skills that are in high demand by
employers. In particular, successful completion of a research
degree indicates to an employer that you have excellent
project and personal management skills, and that you can think
independently and critically, solve problems and communicate
effectively.
Apart from enhanced employment prospects, students also
benefit from having meaningfully advanced the research and
knowledge in their chosen field, and have proof they are capable
of completing a complex project at a world-class standard. The
practical experience gained through a research degree will help
you achieve more in all aspects of your life.
Start your research higher degree journey now with the Faculty of
Health and Medicine by searching for a prospective supervisor at:
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/meet-our-supervisors
For further information or general enquiries contact
rto-rhd-foh@newcastle.edu.au.
Pictured far left: Dr Gabrielle Briggs completed
her PhD (Medical Biochemistry) in 2013. During
her candidature Dr Briggs came second place
in the National Three Minute Thesis Competition
in 2011.
GRADUATE PROFILE
“I had an opportunity to look at the Faculty
of Health, profile their research calibre and
also read about my new supervisor. It was
a big decision for me to move to Australia
as most of my colleagues elected to pursue
research in the USA. As a PhD candidate
I believe that University of Newcastle’s
biomedical research is definitely of world class
standard. It is completely student oriented
and nurtures research skills with full provision
of infrastructure, training, conference travel
support and funding. I couldn’t have asked for a
better University to see my dream take wings.”
Divya, PhD (Human Physiology)
www.newcastle.edu.au | 39
40 | RHD PROSPECTUS
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
The 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/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/
meet-our-supervisors
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.
www.newcastle.edu.au | 41
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
OUR RESEARCH
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 Centres
The 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 Advanced Particle Processing and Transport (with the
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment)
• Centre for Chemical Biology
• Centre for Computer Assisted Research Mathematics and its
Applications (CARMA)
• Centre for Energy (with the Faculty of Engineering and Built
Environment)
• Centre for Health Behaviour (with the Faculty of Health and
Medicine).
• Centre for Organic Electronics
• Centre for Reproductive Science
• Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health (with
the Faculty of Health and Medicine)
Our PRCs focus resources into areas of existing and potential
research strength, and promote cross-faculty and crossdisciplinary research.
42 | RHD PROSPECTUS
OUR RESEARCHERS
ARE INTERNATIONALLY
RECOGNISED EXPERTS IN
THEIR FIELD.
Other research centres and institutes
The Faculty of Science and Information Technology is also a major
contributor to the Australian Research Council (ARC) and is also
home to a number of other important University research centres
and institutes. These include:
• ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research
www.cilr.uq.edu.au
• Centre for Optimal Planning and Operations
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/
copt/about-us
• Centre for Space Physics
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/space-physics
• Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/cser
• Centre for Urban and Regional Studies
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/
curs/about-us
• NSW Institute for Frontier Geoscience
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/centre/
frontier-geoscience/about-us
• Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/tfi
www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it
SNAPSHOT
FINDING THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY
Associate Professor Rob Atkin is making an important contribution to the development of
better and potentially greener industrial liquids.
As a former basketball player, Associate Professor Rob Atkin knows that executing an
‘assist’ can sometimes be as valuable to a team as scoring a basket. It is an important
lesson for a researcher in a vast and rapidly expanding scientific field where every new
discovery is a step towards a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly future.
Atkin, a physical chemist, conducts research that contributes to the development of
novel room-temperature ionic liquids, or molten salts. These are vastly under-exploited
substances that can be used more effectively than existing liquids in a range of industrial
applications, including lubrication, catalysis, heat transfer and electrodeposition.
“Table salt melts at about 800 degrees Celsius, so if you heat it up enough it turns into
a liquid,” Atkin outlines. “What we do is take similar salts, change the molecular structure
and manipulate them so they have melting points below room temperature. Once you have
something that is pure salt but is a liquid, it can do all sorts of interesting things.”
As well as offering greater efficiency, these so-called ‘designer salts’ hold the promise
of being cheaper and greener alternatives to conventional solvents – and as pure
electrolytes have useful conductive properties. Atkin’s focus is on gaining a better
understanding of the basic science of this growing field, and identifying the fundamental
relationships between properties and the molecular structure of ionic liquids.
“The Holy Grail is being able to match the properties of an ionic liquid to a particular
application,” Atkin says. “That might sound simple, but the catch is that there are
theoretically billions of different ionic liquids – only about 3,000 of which have been
described in literature.
“Because there are so many, our challenge is to work out what part of a molecule is
important for a particular application then apply that information to designing the liquid to
fit the purpose.”
Atkin has completed several pioneering studies in his field, and is highly regarded for his
work in atomic force microscopy (the measurement of matter in nanoscale) and neutron
scattering, for which he has access to the ANSTO research reactor at Lucas Heights and
the ISIS facility in the UK.
Atkin this year received a prestigious
Future Fellowship from the Australian
Research Council (ARC) and also leads
a three-year $380,000 ARC Discovery
Project investigating molecular scale
engineering of solid/liquid interfaces.
He heads the University’s Ionic Liquids
Research Group and is a principal
researcher in the Priority Research Centres
for Organic Electronics and Advanced
Particle Processing and Transport. His
work is also aligned with the NIER (the
Newcastle Institute for Energy Resources),
a key partnership between the University,
government and industry for developing
sustainable energy technologies.
Atkin, who was awarded his PhD at the
University of Newcastle in 2003, has
received consistent ARC support since
2005 and was appointed to the University
of Newcastle in 2007 on a research
fellowship as part of a recruitment strategy
to foster a new generation of outstanding
young researchers.
“Gaining a fellowship was a huge boost
for me because it allowed me to establish
myself in the field and build a research
team,” he says. “We are well equipped here
and I think the main reason our research
group has been successful and has
continued to attract government support is
that our projects are done well and produce
good outcomes and quality papers.”
www.newcastle.edu.au | 43
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
OUR SCHOOLS
School of Design, Communication
and Information Technology
Research 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.
The School’s research strengths are:
• communication
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
The 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 stateof-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.
The School’s research strengths are:
• biological sciences
• chemistry
• earth sciences
• environmental science and management
• exercise and sports science
• food and human nutrition
• geography and environmental studies
• design
• marine science
• natural history illustration
• sustainable resource management
• health informatics
• information technology
www.newcastle.edu.au/school/designcommunication-it
www.newcastle.edu.au/school/
environmental-and-life-sciences
School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
School of Psychology
The 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. As well as involvement in 3 of the Faculty’s Priority
Research Centres, the School is home to The Centre for Optimal
Planning and Operations (C-OPT) which provides a scientific and
mathematical basis for the decisions that are made in many areas
of business, industry, and government.
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.
The School’s research strengths are:
• applied mathematics, including operations research
The 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.
The School’s research strengths are:
• clinical psychology
• bayesian statistics
• categorical data analysis
• health psychology
• cognition
• neuroscience
• social and developmental psychology
www.newcastle.edu.au/school/psychology
• 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/mathematicalphysical-sciences
www.newcastle.edu.au | 45
46 | RHD PROSPECTUS
THE WOLLOTUKA
INSTITUTE
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, Aboriginal and Torres Straight people take a holistic view
of their lives and histories. A deeper level of framework is seen, in which the past,
the present and the future are combined to form a more complete understanding.
Umulliko takes on the challenges of increasing Indigenous control of research practice
and outcome through the development of high quality Indigenous focused 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 particularly 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.
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.
Umulliko Research Centre
Associate Professor Maree Gruppetta – Research Coordinator
T +61 2 4921 6863
F +61 2 4921 6985
E Wollotuka@newcastle.edu.au
www.newcastle.edu.au/school/wollotuka/research
www.newcastle.edu.au | 47
COMPLETING YOUR
APPLICATION FORM
Closing dates
Closing dates are not applicable for general RHD candidature
applications with the exception of PhD Clinical Psychology.
Candidates may commence on almost any week-day of the year.
3. anyone who is currently employed as:
• an accountant
• a bank manager
• a credit union branch manager
• a barrister, solicitor or attorney
The closing date for PhD Clinical Psychology is 1
October each year. There are additional criteria that must
be addressed by applicants for this. For details, please go to
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/domestic/apply-now
Applications for 2014 scholarships close 31 October
2013. Scholarship applications received after this date will
not be considered. If you miss the closing date in 2013 and
wish to apply for a scholarship in the following year you will
need to submit an application between 1 January and 31
October 2014.
• 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.
Apply online or Complete the form
Apply online:
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/domestic/apply-now
OR
• Applicants will be assessed on the information provided.
Apply with form. Our hardcopy application form is found at the
back of this prospectus. The numbers below correspond with the
question numbers on the application form. Read these instructions
carefully and ensure that all questions are completed.
• The application form must be signed and dated.
Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
• Applications will only be considered if all relevant supporting
documents are provided.
Step 1 – Student number
If you have previously been enrolled at the University of Newcastle
print your previous student number in the area provided.
Conditions of application
• 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:
Step 2 – Personal details
Provide 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 details
Include 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 – Citizenship
All 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.
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)
Step 5 – English proficiency
An 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
2. a Justice of the Peace, identified by name, JP number, address
and phone number
Step 6 – Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander origin
All applicants are invited to complete this section.
48 | RHD PROSPECTUS
Step 7 – Current enrolment
Provide 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.
Step 8 – Scholarship details
Provide all details of scholarships you are receiving or have
previously received.
Step 9 – Tertiary studies
Supply 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 employment
Provide details in the space provided or attach a Curriculum Vitae
detailing relevant experience and employment.
Step 11 – Research experience/publications
Provide 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 – Referees
List 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 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
at the back of this prospectus. Indicate at which campus you
propose to undertake the program: Callaghan or Ourimbah.
Off-campus enrolment
Normal 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 commencement
Provide 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 load
Indicate 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 proposal
A 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 Approval
It 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 – Impairments
The 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 Services
The 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 form
Please 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 checklist
Use the application checklist to confirm your application
is complete.
www.newcastle.edu.au | 49
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/research-and-innovation/graduate-research/meet-our-supervisors
General
Length: 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
Background
What 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 proposal
b) 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 rationale
Why 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.
50 | RHD PROSPECTUS
the university of newcastle
2014 application form for
research higher degrees
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 weekday of the year.
Closing date for PhD Clinical Psychology: 1 October
each year. There is additional criteria that must be met for this
programs. For further details please go to:
www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/
graduate-research/domestic/apply-now
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 7 of this Prospectus.
1. University of Newcastle student number (if applicable)
2. Personal details
TitleDr
Mr
Mrs
Ms
Miss
Other
Family name
Other name(s)
Gender
Male
Previous family name Date of birth
(Evidence of name change is required if qualifications are under a different name)
Female
DD MMYY
3. Contact details
Mailing address
Home address (if different to mailing address)
City/Suburb
Country State
Phone: Home
Mobile
Postcode
City/Suburb
Country State
Postcode
Business
Email
www.newcastle.edu.au | 51
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?
YesNo
Are you a New Zealand citizen?
YesNo
Are you an Australian Permanent Resident* (Permanent Visa)?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Date permanent residency granted
DD
MM
YY
Are you the holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa* (within Australia)? *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 IA@newcastle.edu.au
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?
Are you of Torres Strait Islander descent?
Yes
Yes
No
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 titleDiscipline
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:
ScholarshipInstitution Value
Duration
Will you be receiving a scholarship to support your research higher degree studies?
No
Yes
If ‘yes’, please complete the following:
Sponsor
Amount per annum
Have you ever received a postgraduate scholarship before?
Yes
Duration
No
If ‘yes’, please complete the following:
ScholarshipInstitution 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.
Completion and duration
Institution name
52 | RHD PROSPECTUS
Qualification title
Date commenced
Date completed
Duration
(full-time equivalent)
10. Relevant experience and employment
Provide details in the space provided or attach a Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant experience and employment.
Date: eg. 6/04 to 10/06
Employer
Position held
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.
1.
2.
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.
Program Code ( see list page 53-56)
Program Level and Name (eg. PhD Education)
Campus*
* Off campus enrolment requires additional approval. Please complete the Candidature Variation form (www.newcastle.edu.au/students/researchhigher-degree/forms.html) and submit with this application.
14. Proposed commencement
Please provide your anticipated start date:
15. Proposed study load
DD
MM
YY
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
www.newcastle.edu.au | 53
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
19. Declaration
I hereby apply for enrolment in accordance with the Act, By-law, and Rules of The University of Newcastle and declare that:
• I understand that I must enrol in courses that comply with the
requirements of the degree program to which I have been admitted
• I agree to abide by the Code of Practice for Research Higher Degree
Candidature
• I authorise the University to release information regarding my
enrolment to Government agencies in accordance with legal
requirements
• I understand that agreement to all of these terms is a condition of my
enrolment at the University of Newcastle.
• 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 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 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
Informed consent:
• 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.
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:
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
Once you have completed all of the above,
mail all forms and attachments to:
Office of Graduate Studies
The Chancellery
The University of Newcastle
Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE
PROGRAM TITLES AND CODES
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 applications
1 October for PhD Clinical Psychology
1 October for PhD Health Psychology
31 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
www.newcastle.edu.au | 55
M Phil (Human Physiology)
2
11631
M Phil (Industrial Design)
2
11739
M Phil (Immunology and Microbiology)
2
11632
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
56 | RHD PROSPECTUS
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 (History)
4
10041
PhD (Human Geography)
4
11030
PhD (Human Physiology)
4
11140
PhD (Industrial Design)
4
11466
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
www.newcastle.edu.au | 57
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
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
58 | RHD PROSPECTUS
Applicants are cautioned that all information is correct at the
time of printing but may be subject to change without notice.
The University of Newcastle reserves the right at all times to
withdraw or vary degrees listed within this publication without
notice. Applicants should make their own enquiries to validate
all information before proceeding.
2013/1046 | CRICOS Provider 00109J