Composition and Terms of Reference

Reporting

This Committee reports to Academic Board.

Composition

Members ex officio (full rights)

 Chairperson as nominated by the Chairperson of the Academic Board

• Deputy Chairperson as nominated by the Chairperson of the Academic Board
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching Futures)
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy) or nominee
• Dean, Graduate Research

Appointed members (full rights)

• Five Higher Degree by Research Coordinators from each of the Schools, appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• Two Directors or nominees of University Research Centres or Institutes, identified by an expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• One early career researcher, identified by expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• Two higher degree by research candidates, who are not members of staff of the University with a staff appointment of 0.5 FTE or more, identified by expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee

Elected Members

One academic staff member active in higher degrees by research from the northern region elected by the staff (Gympie and Fraser Coast)

One academic staff member active in higher degrees by research from the southern region elected by the staff (Moreton Bay and Caboolture)

One academic staff member active in higher degrees by research from the central region, elected by the staff (Sunshine Coast and Thompson Institute)

Invited to attend as appropriate (having participatory, but not voting, rights)

• Pro Vice-Chancellors and Directors as required
• Chairperson, Research Committee
• Any visitors with the approval of the Chairperson

In attendance (having participatory, but not voting, rights)

• Manager, Graduate Research Development and Engagement
• Secretary

Observers (no rights)

• Any person with the approval of the Chairperson
  

Terms of Reference

1. Research Degrees Committee provides advice and recommendations to Academic Board on all matters related to higher degrees by research (HDR) and research training of HDR students at the University.
2. To monitor compliance with the Higher Education Standards and to develop and implement mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance.
3. To develop, monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, process and practices related to candidature admissions, progression, examinations and outcomes for higher degrees by research.
4. To make recommendations on proposals for accreditation of all higher degree by research programs, major changes to, and discontinuation of programs in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures.
5. To liaise with and provide advice to the Research Committee on matters pertaining to research training relevant to higher degrees by research.
6. To monitor and benchmark higher degrees by research performance across the University.

Tenure and frequency of meetings

There will be at least four meetings of the Committee each year.

Elected academic staff members will serve for a period of two years.

Appointed staff members will serve for a period of two years.

The student member will serve for a period of one year, with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office.

Last approved by Chairperson of Academic Board on 18 December 2023.