HDR Student Benchmarking Project 2011: Final Report and Proposed Action Plan

The HDR Student Benchmarking project provided a rare opportunity to review and compare support processes for higher degrees by research (HDR) candidates in depth at different Australian universities. The benchmarking between Deakin University, the University of Tasmania and the University of Wollongong has produced a timely report card on the health of the support for HDR candidates at UTAS. The self-review process identified a number of areas of good practice and areas for improvement. There are a number of initiatives already underway to rectify shortcomings. The peer review process affirmed the self-review assessment that UTAS has implemented a number of changes which have benefitted HDR candidates and supervisors, but more work needs to be done to improve other aspects of support mechanisms.