Beyond 1000 RHD Alumni

CQUniversity Vice‑Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, celebrates Rockhampton graduation day with eight doctoral graduands.

INSIDE

Foreword 2

Welcome 3

RHD Success – by the numbers 4

Alumni Feature Story 6

RHD History in Pictures 7 Research higher degrees through the years 10

Alumni Feature Story 12 Alumni Feature Story 13 Alumni in brief – updates from the community 15

From the Archives 18

CQU Research – Excellence and Impact 21

Find out more! 25 The last word 25

FOREWORD

Dr Robyn Minchinton Deputy Chancellor.

Research is crucial because it pulls us into the future. Research asks the important questions – the ‘why?’ and the ‘how’?

CQUniversity’s engagement and can‑do values challenge us to seek practical answers to those vital questions, on behalf of the communities which support us.

Truly engaged research also brings benefits and value to future students because we translate the hands‑on, real knowledge gained from our research into what we teach. In this book, we celebrate the first 1000 Research Higher Degree candidates and we look beyond – to the next 1000 RHDs – and our exciting future.

CQUniversity’s dedicated research supervisors and expert support team in the Research Division know that the ultimate measure of success for our RHD candidates is not just about getting them to where they want to be in their research program. It is equally about how they get there and who they become in the process. Mid to later career research candidates also seek to give back to their industry, capturing a career’s worth of knowledge, understanding and valuable perspectives. Supervisors matched closely with the candidates by topic and by research strategy also bring their own personal, professional and global experiences to their key role. Supervisors are essential in guiding the candidate and in so doing, sharing their knowledge, perceptions and skills across the research generations.

CQUniversity RHD candidates emerge from their research program with sought‑after workplace and career skills. These include being able to:

» find, absorb, process and organise new information in a meaningful way

» connect, collaborate and communicate clearly with experts from other fields

» ask good questions

» prioritize competing goals and limited resources

» deal with complexity and rapid change » explain their work and its impact in plain language » be accountable and tenacious » undertake critical self‑reflection

Our RHD graduates emerge as experts, and they are practical.

We know that research supervisors and support teams are vital to the success of every RHD candidate. The other key contributors to our inclusive research culture are our external research partners. We simply could not deliver research programs and graduates without the input of research partners, ‘on the ground’, in our local communities. Our partners stretch us to understand their real‑world problems, push us to find practical solutions that make a difference, and so pull us into the future with them.

This celebration of 1000 Research Higher Degrees is an opportunity to connect us with past, present and future research candidates in Australia’s near and farther away, globally connected communities. CQUniversity’s research partners in Indigenous communities, government, agriculture, engineering, healthcare, education, manufacturing, transport, ecology, entertainment, and tourism celebrate with us because we all succeed through this research. Our 1000 RHDs have already made a positive contribution to so many of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including those in good health and wellbeing, quality education, affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and life below water and on land.

We look forward to the discoveries and contributions of the next 1000 RHD candidates in our future journey with great hope.

Professor Grant Stanley Vice‑President (Research)

CQUniversity Australia is one of Australia’s most engaged universities, with an emphasis on globally relevant operations that particularly benefit regional Australia.

Research is core business for CQUniversity and our focus is to develop research strengths that support our stakeholders in the regions. The CQUniversity mission is to provide high quality applied research that engages with, and is informed by, its external stakeholders. The research profile of CQUniversity has grown considerably in recent years with an impressive portfolio of world class research institutes and centres, such as the Coastal and Marine Research Centre that was ranked 10th worldwide in the United Nations Sustainable Goal, ‘Life Under Water’ by the Time Higher Education 2022 World Impact Rankings. In recent years, the growth rate of external research income and research higher degree enrolments at CQUniversity have been amongst the highest in Australia. This growth has not been at the expense of quality, with the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia audit recognising 22 fields of research at CQUniversity as being of world standard or above world standard.

Absolutely critical to the research success of CQUniversity Australia is our community of RHD candidates. RHD candidates conduct most of the research activities occurring at the university, under the supervision of our talented academic and research staff. All our RHD

candidates undertake fascinating and impactful projects – I know this, because one of the most rewarding duties of my role is to cheer on research graduates and read the citations of PhD students at graduation ceremonies. It is such a pleasure to see these talented people receive their awards, and to know that their research makes such extraordinary contributions to our global society.

I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our RHD candidates, as well as our RHD supervisors and support staff. For these reasons, I want to congratulate RHD candidates, graduates and CQUniversity Australia for achieving 1000 RHD graduations.

Together, we have given the world one thousand reasons to be hopeful about the future of our planet and those that live on it.

Showing off the CQU doctoral gown (Dr Kevin Strychar and Dr Steven Dunbar)

University Chancellor, Mr Rennie Fritschy, presents Dr Julie Fleming with her Doctor of Education in 2011

Discover how Australian researchers are creating solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges in IMPACT podcast series from CQUniversity. Join our experts to unpack their research in easy‑to‑understand language and discover how they are making a difference within communities and industry.

Search ‘CQUniversity Podcasts’ to subscribe on your podcast app.

Research Division staff, 2017

Members of the School of Graduate Research administrative team, 2018

RHD Alum Dr Qing Wu was awarded the 2017 Fund for Accessing Potential Expertise (FaPEX) prize for academic excellence in his thesis, modelling draft great designs in railway engineering.

ALUMNI FEATURE STORY

Dr Gregory Dicinoski

Fast facts

Graduated: 1995

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis: Gold and silver selective ion exchange resins

Current Position: Head Scientist at the Reserve Bank of Australia

Dr Dicinoski has enjoyed a rich and fascinating career progression after completing his PhD at CQU. Beginning as a post‑doctoral researcher and then Senior Research Scientist at the Council for Mineral Technology, in South Africa, Dr Dicinoski also worked as an academic at the University of South Africa before becoming Head of the Department of Chemistry as well as Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science at the University of Tasmania. Currently, Dr Dicinoski is Head Scientist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and holds adjunct professorial positions with the University of Tasmania and the University of Melbourne. Dr Dicinoski has over 50 peer‑reviewed publications and 120 conference presentations; has supervised almost 30 of his own honours, masters and doctoral students, and has been awarded national teaching citations. He is also a Fellow of the RACI and a Member of the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and the American Chemical Society (ACS).

RHD HISTORY IN PICTURES

The Research Candidature Toolkit, distributed on CD to all enrolled RHDs in 2004. This contained information, policies, procedures and forms that a candidate needed to complete their program of study.

Centre for Environmental Management researchers head out on the water in Gladstone Harbour, 2010.

Dr Kerry Walsh (now Professor) from CQU, Dr John Guthrie from the Department of Primary Industries and Mr Charles Esson from industry partner, Colour Visions Systems inspect research equipment for high‑tech fruit sorting.

Dr Sheeana Gangadoo completed her PhD in 2019, exploring selenium nanoparticle supplements used in chicken production facilities.

IN THEIR WORDS…

BEST MEMORIES OF STUDYING RESEARCH AT CQU

‘Support from colleagues ranging from resources, articles and advice to wine, tea and tissues’.

Karena Menzie DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (2018)

‘Being able to throw ideas in the air, juggling them until a concrete plan of action becomes apparent, and separating the outlandish from the practical’.

Gabrielle Bryden DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2021)

‘The lab work and getting excited when something works’.

Sabine Flenady DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2021)

‘The homeliness and cooperative staff at Rockhampton’

Umesh Acharya DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2015):

Moving day for the Office of Research in 2012 as it takes up new space in the Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP) on Ibis Avenue. This building was formerly the JM Rendell Laboratories owned by CSIRO.

Prizewinners at the 3rd Postgraduate Conference for IRIS Students, 2011. Left: Ali Baniyounes Middle: Elise Crawford, Right: Sadia Khan

The glasshouse in the Plant Sciences Compound, North Rockhampton campus in the early‑mid 2000s – a site of plenty of RHD activity over the years.

The Centre for Railway Engineering was established in 1994 as a research centre of CQUniversity and has graduated many PhDs and masters candidates since inception.

This image is from the mid 1990s, with the two Centre buildings being complete by mid 1998.

What is the most important thing your supervisor taught you?

‘My supervisor taught me so many aspects to life and study. He remains a true friend’.

Dr Clinton Cain

DOCTOR OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (2017)

‘A few zip ties, some parafilm and a bit of luck can get you through just about any lab equipment malfunction’

Jordon Irwin

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2019)

‘Patience and perseverance and resilience. The importance of keeping on going. Using all comments, especially negative comments to improve.’

Joanne Burrows

MASTER OF ARTS (2020)

‘Be diligent with your data. If there is any chance of it not being right do it again to make sure. Scientific integrity is everything.’

Sabine Flenady

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2021)

‘IN THEIR WORDS’… THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH SUPERVISORS.

Researchers including supervisor Associate Professor Surya Bhattarai oversee plant pot trials

RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREES THROUGH THE YEARS

1967 Queensland Institute of Technology (Capricornia) (QITC) founded in Rockhampton

June 1990

First research graduate, Mr Nelio Altoveros (Master of Applied Science)

2000 Research is identified as a priority area in the University’s Statement of Strategic Intent. Research partnerships forged with Stanwell Corporation, Gladstone Area Water board, Gladstone Port Authority and Queensland Rail.

1993

First International research graduate, Mr Suvakumar Krithivasan (Master of Engineering)

Research grows through the Koala Research Centre, Tropical Beef Centre, Mariculture Research and Training Centre, and the Centre for Land and Water Resource Development.

1992 University College of Central Queensland achieves full university status

Research office established under the Registrar’s office.

First female research graduate Ms Shirley Gregor (Master of Applied Science)

2003

First Indigenous research graduate, Dr Maria Raciti (PhD).

2007 A record‑breaking graduation with 18 researchers crossing the stage

2015

CQUniversity achieves its best‑ever ratings in the Commonwealth Government’s research assessment exercise, and is placed amongst the top three percent of universities globally by the prestigious Times Higher Education World Rankings

2017 Research higher degrees courses become available in fully offshore mode

Formation of the current‑day ‘School of Graduate Research’

The first ‘RHD Training Intensive’ is staged over one week at the CQ Innovation and Research Precinct

2019

CARTA Creative Arts Research Training Academy established

1994

The University College of Central Queensland undergoes a name change to Central Queensland University

The first doctoral graduates occur, (Dr Kenneth Appleton PhD and Dr Leonie Rowan PhD).

1996

1997

The community grows to 200 research masters and doctoral candidates and six research centres (Centre for Molecular Architecture, Centre for Railway Engineering, Land and Water Resource management Centre, Primary industries Research Centre, Research Centre for Open and Distance Learning and the Rural Social and Economic Research Centre).

as research activity grows, the University is awarded $2.7 million in external research income with 28% represented by National Competitive grants. 2010 The 500th research graduation (Dr. Abdulla Rashed Al Nuaimi, Doctor of Professional Studies)

1998

The 100th research graduation occurs (Mrs Robin Ray, Master of Health Science)

2008 The university rebrands as CQUniversity Australia 2011 PhD alum Dr Theerarat Samrejvanich elected to the Thai parliament 2012

The Office of Research moves into the Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct (CQIRP). It later relocates to the present‑day position on the top floor of Building 32, North Rockhampton campus.

The research higher degree community surpasses 650 candidates from across Australia and the world.

ALUMNI FEATURE STORY

Mr Brett Lambert

Fast facts

Graduated: 1997

Qualification: Master of Applied Science

Thesis: Methods For Reducing Pimelea sp. Poisoning of Cattle

Current Position: Owner of Applied Analytical Laboratories

Brett’s best memory of studying at CQU was ‘the rewarding fieldwork!’. At the time of pursuing his masters degree, there was virtually unlimited access to the university’s chromatographic and spectroscopic equipment – this experience enabled Brett to have the competence as a graduate, to walk into any laboratory knowing precisely what he was doing. His experience with NMR spectroscopy also equipped him to further his expertise, as it was a skill not possessed by many. Brett reflects on learning from his supervisor to ‘focus, use a multidisciplinary approach to problem‑solving, think before speaking, and enjoy what you do with confidence’. It was great advice and Brett followed it, with his company, Applied Analytical Laboratories, now flourishing and having links to research collaborations with a number of Australian universities. Brett’s best tip for the next generation of RHD graduates? ‘Don’t be frightened to get your hands dirty’.

RHD: THE WAY WE WERE

Jen Webb, Doctor of Philosophy (1998) reminisces about her CQU research days compared with the life of a researcher in the 2020s:

‘the way research studies are now conducted includes far more checks and balances ‑‑ more attention to progress, and a lot more training in areas such as research ethics, data management, public engagement and how to disseminate findings. Back in the 1990s, the focus was far more on doing the research and presenting at conferences/publishing in academic journals; there was much less focus on engagement, impact, transferability and knowledge exchange.’

Jen is now a Distinguished Professor of Creative Practice and Dean of Graduate Research at the University of Canberra.

ALUMNI FEATURE STORY

Dr Sandra Arnold

Fast facts

Graduated: 2010

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis: Sing no sad songs: grieving the death of a young adult child from cancer

Current Position: Writer

Sandra’s best memory of studying at CQU was the fantastic support from her supervisors who strongly believed in what she was trying to achieve. Her supervisors turned out to be right – Sandra went on to successfully publish the creative component of her thesis with Canterbury University Press in 2011 as Sing no Sad Songs. Since graduating with her PhD, she has also published essays, short stories and two more books – a novel titled The Ash the Well and the Bluebell and a collection of short stories Soul Etchings. Sandra’s work has been published and anthologised internationally and has been nominated for The Pushcart Prize, Best Microfictions and The Best Small Fiction. With all this under her belt, what is Sandra’s best best tip for the next generation of RHD graduates? ‘Choose a topic you are deeply involved with and keep at it until it’s finished’.

DID YOU KNOW?

Some people enjoyed our research higher degree community so much, they came back a second time! The University’s reporting shows more than forty alums who have graduated from not one, but two research higher degrees. Many of these are a masters course followed by a doctorate, with an average gap of around 8.5 years between the two graduations; and some returning more than 20 years later.

There are also multiple examples of spouses and other family members studying their research together at CQUniversity.

Spouses Dr Abu Sayem and Dr Umme Mumtahina from Bangladesh graduated with their PhDs on the same day, cheered on by their daughter and brand new baby, born just a week prior to the ceremony.

RECOLLECTIONS FROM RESEARCH SUPERVISORS

Featuring Dr Bob Newby

I joined CIAE in 1981, so I was there when we started offering RHDs and generally trying to encourage a research culture. My contribution was not the number of students I supervised (which was modest) but rather that they were amongst the earliest to graduate from CQU. I even supervised a Rockhampton‑based student who we had to enrol through another institution as the University was not offering research degrees at the time. Fortunately, after graduating, he subsequently undertook a PhD through CQU, which by then offered doctoral degrees.

Because of my role as Associate Dean and Head of Department, I felt I could play a bigger role in fostering research by encouraging students to do an honours degree (something many had not considered). I was always a strong supporter of the honours program in biology, which I think was the first such degree offered.

For me, the most enjoyable part of supervision was seeing students ‘over the hump’ ‑ getting them to the point where they could see it was all going to come together. The other aspect was hearing how their career developed after graduating with a RHD.

In those early days, we were encouraged to do ‘regionally relevant’ projects so I had students working on things like pollination in pawpaws, spider mites in pineapples and spiders in organic orchards; all projects linked to local industries.

My students were typically involved in field projects and for some time there were few changes in the practice of field data collection. The biggest change was the increasing sophistication of statistical analysis. Increasingly, remote sensing and GIS techniques became an important component of field studies, and in biology, the emergence of genomics has revolutionized what we can do.

Another broad change from the 1990s was the increasing emphasis on a candidate putting together a detailed proposal for their research, so that everyone thought through all aspects of the project from the early stages. When I reflect back on my own career, we were often simply thrown in at the deep end with minimal guidance.

Another of the big changes in expectations I have witnessed is the emphasis on publications. Early on, publications were generally something you did after the thesis was accepted. I am impressed by how modern RHD students are publishing well before they graduate.

Another significant change has been the emphasis on time taken to completion. Once, people enrolled in what seemed like never‑ending projects (there was always ‘one more field trip’!). Nowadays, a positive outcome has been that projects now need to be tightly focused with clear aims, hypotheses to be tested and methodology/ techniques to be used.

My tip for future RHD students would be simple: ‘Give it your best shot (and enjoy it)’. It is a unique opportunity to learn and grow. You may end up in a career that is only tangentially related to your project but the broader experience gained during your RHD will stand you in good stead.

ALUMNI IN BRIEF – UPDATES FROM THE COMMUNITY

HIGHLY CITED ALUMS

TWENTY RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE ALUMNI WHO ARE DOING WELL IN PUBLISHING, ACCORDING TO THEIR H‑INDEX.

Xiaohua Ge

Gang Liu

Aaron Scanlan

Erik Hohmann

Qing Wu

Stephanie Alley

Louise Byrne

Patrick Tucker

Shams Forruque Ahmed

Marc Broadbent

Susan Williams

Nur Md Sayeed Hassan

Sheeana Gangadoo

Jordan Fox

Nicholas Corbet

Alison Jones

Melanie Hayman

Mohammad Anwar

Joshua Trigg

Nirmal Mandal

Gabrielle Bryden

Gabrielle Bryden’s studies taught her to approach problems in more than one way and look at the broader picture – what initially seemed like a more complex approach would often result in a more elegant solution overall. She is currently a member of the Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, led by one of her former PhD supervisors.

Lorna Moxham

Lorna Moxham learned during her research studies that a good thesis is a finished thesis. She is now a Professor at the University of Wollongong (UOW) and the Interim Dean of Graduate Research. In her role, she tries to emulate the positives of her PhD journey with CQUniversity to ensure that UOW students also have an enjoyable research degree experience.

CQUniversity signed an agreement with the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2018, to welcome Indonesian research candidates to study in Australia under the Special Pathways to PhD program.

The Coastal and Marine Ecology Research Centre has grown strongly in recent years and is now home to many RHD candidates enjoying field research on Queensland's coast.

Raghavendra Vasudeva Upadhyaya

Raghavendra Vasudeva Upadhyaya’s best tip for the next generation of graduates is ‘Don’t work hard, work smarter and take life as it comes!’. After completing his PhD, Raghavendra progressed from an academic position to a full‑time industry career. He currently works for the Mornington Peninsula Council as a Traffic and Transport Team Leader.

Adam Rose

During his research studies, Adam Rose represented CQUniversity at the state and national water research awards, which he regards as one of his best memories of studying at CQU. He is now a research lecturer at the University himself, encouraging his students to get back up and continue moving forward, regardless of the setbacks.

Danya Hodgetts

Danya Hodgetts learned during her research to surround herself with a great entourage. She still remembers collecting data on the beaches in Perth and sharing coffee, beers and ideas with her supervisors – sometimes not only limited to PhD studies – all while having ‘three thesis babies’. Danya is now an Industry Consultant and a Researcher at CQUniversity.

Joanne Burrows

Joanne Burrows understood during her studies that there is always more to learn, and immediately started her PhD after completing her masters degree. She commends the Dean of School of Graduate Research for remembering everyone’s names and what they are researching: ‘This provides strong support for the days when I wonder why I am doing all this study.’

Leigh Stitz

Leigh Stitz enjoyed working with her supervisors, presenting her work at conferences, and meeting professors and researchers from all over the world: ‘It is the skills I learned above and beyond my PhD research topic that have ended up being the most useful in my career’. She currently works as the Executive Officer at Fitzroy Partnership for River Health.

Kartik Venkatraman

Kartik Venkatraman believes that completing a PhD is not the end of a journey but the start. He has been a conduit for taking research findings to the real world: ‘I think researchers are connecting more with industry and being a catalyst to transform their research into industry can lead some of the most innovative and progressive waste practises in Australia’.

Subhash Hathurusingha

Subhash Hathurusingha finds it important to identify knowledge gaps and apply them to local and global issues. His research involved producing biodiesel from Beauty Leaf tree. While undertaking collaborative research in Sri Lanka, a patented protocol was developed, which allowed him to test the biodiesel in a dynamometer, and trial it by running a trishaw.

Julie Hollitt

Julie Hollitt learned during her research studies to take herself seriously as an academic, writer and thinker.

Shakir Karim

One of the most important skills that Shakir Karim learned during his research studies was to believe in himself. Furthermore, thanks to the support from his supervisor, he was able to develop his skills in being empathetic, study‑focused, trustworthy, confident, and selfless, all of which have been valuable traits in his career journey.

Peter Ryan

Peter Ryan’s best tip for conducting research is to ‘clearly define your research problem and believe in your ability to solve that problem’. Since completing his degree, Peter continued his involvement and research in the Australian higher education sector, eventually setting up his own higher education provider to advance the cause of professionalisation of teaching staff in the non‑university higher education sector.

Amy Wallis

Amy Wallis is an academic at Edith Cowan University. Her research studies at CQUniversity taught her how to supervise her research students with kindness, guidance and collegial qualities. She encourages the next generation of research graduates to be open to feedback and be adaptable for when the project takes unexpected twists and turns.

Kian Chuan Chang

Since completing his degree, Kian Chuan Chang has worked for a major logistics service provider in the domain of customs brokerage. His skills in writing a professional thesis and conducting data analysis have been helpful throughout his professional career. He believes that doctorate research must always come with new insights that can contribute to the development of new knowledge.

Sam Cooms

Sam Cooms thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the First Nations Academy. Except for going away for writing retreats, she was able to complete her whole PhD online, which she found amazing. Throughout her studies, Sam kept her focus on what brought her there. She now works as a Lecturer in Management at the University of Queensland.

Umesh Acharya

Umesh Acharya chose CQUniversity based on his compatibility with the supervisor, rather than the name of the University. He returned to his career as a Researcher at Nepal Agricultural Research Council straight after finishing his PhD and is now leading the Citrus Fruit Research Program of the Government of Nepal as the National Citrus Coordinator.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

SOME RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE UNINEWS GRABS FROM YESTERYEAR

2001 RAIL CRC COMMENCED HOSTED AT CQU

The Centre for Railway Engineering, as it is now known, has been one of the mainstays of research activity at CQUniversity. Many of our research alums have served their candidature with Professor Colin Cole and his team, enjoying the diversity in a peer network drawn from around the work, and the chance to be part of a group that strives for research quality and excellence.

2005 Research Masters

Graduate Vanessa Seekee is recognised with an OAM Vanessa Seekee’s work is a living example of research that matters. Through her thesis on the history of the World War II airbase at Horn Island, Torres Strait, Vanessa persuaded the Commonwealth government to award Torres Strait veterans the Star Medal, thus giving them access to full veterans’ medical benefits.

2012 PhD student Peter Kay gains publishing deal

For Peter Kay, pursuing a PhD led to magic of the real kind – Peter’s novel Blood was signed for a publishing deal, after he tried out the ‘magical realist’ writing style in his doctoral thesis.

Research graduates receive their testamurs at ceremonies across the Australian footprint, including Dr Maneerat Rumsamrong pictured here at Gladstone in 2020.

Dr Melinda Mann, graduating on her own Darumbal Country (in Rockhampton).

The Research Higher Degree Great Debate was introduced in 2015 and has become a permanent fixture on the School of Graduate Research calendar.

Annual research communication competitions help researchers hone their skills and tell their stories, including the Three Minute Thesis and Visualise Your Thesis events.

Technology has become an essential part of research activities, including work in simulation, machine learning, drones, handheld devices and more).

RECOLLECTIONS FROM RESEARCH SUPERVISORS

Featuring Emeritus Professor David Midmore

How many CQU research graduates have you supervised?

After a bit of a recount, it’s 14 PhD as primary and 10 as secondary supervisor, plus 12 Masters as a primary and two as a secondary supervisor at CQUni. One of the key features that has underpinned all these is to give students a free hand in what they do ‑‑ motivation and ‘feel good’ are key to keeping students on track and excited about completing their higher degree. Guidance is of course essential, especially to ensure reasonable goals are set at the initiation of the study.

What is the most enjoyable part of being a research supervisor?

Achieving both personal and student satisfaction – the achievement by the student of a higher degree, as well as having an additional pair of hands and a mind to help me achieve much more that I could alone. There are many enjoyable parts of being a supervisor, including the pleasure of seeing the student develop their research skills, their ability to pose questions and secure the answers, and of course to see them graduate.

What has changed about the way that research is done, from your earliest days as a supervisor compared with now?

Nowadays there is a greater degree of administrative regulation involved in the supervision of post‑graduate students. At times, data collection can be physically demanding in the agricultural sciences and historically, no risk assessments were undertaken. I recall coming upon a RHD candidate collecting important data on photosynthesis alone in a farmer’s field in forty degree heat on black cracking clay, just as he keeled over.

More recently, in‑person conferences beat zoom virtual gatherings hands down. Conferences are much more than the oral presentations; escaping on a quick trip in the local region for wine tasting makes an enticing alternative and leads to wider ranging discussions that the lecture theatre does!

Aside from this, my expectations as a supervisor have not changed, in terms of the student’s achievement levels. I expect that the thesis represents at least 80%, preferably 90% and ideally but most unusually 100% of a student’s input. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supervision, but the thesis must contain publishable data; and the closer to publication quality the chapters are at thesis submission time, the easier it is post‑submission to achieve publication.

What is your best tip for the next generation of RHD graduates?

For enhanced employability, read widely and skill‑up in as many disciplines as possible.

CQU RESEARCH – EXCELLENCE AND IMPACT

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH FOR AUSTRALIA

In 2018, CQUniversity achieved its best‑ever ratings in the Commonwealth Government’s periodic assessment of Australian research, with the university’s research endeavours being ranked at, above, or well above world standard across fourteen categories. CQUniversity’s dramatic leap in research performance has been underpinned by record investment in research facilities and personnel, innovative and engaged research strategy, and tremendous success in securing highly competitive national research grants.

ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The University is also building success in undertaking research that truly changes lives. The Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Engagement and Impact assessment aims to understand how well universities are translating their research into economic, social and other benefits and to encourage greater collaboration between universities, industries and other end‑users of research. This results in one of three rankings ‑ either low, medium or high. CQUniversity is outperforming many other Australian universities by receiving a medium or high rating for 11 out of the 13 case studies submitted.

TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION (THE) IMPACT RANKINGS.

CQUniversity has cemented its place as a world‑leading university for environmental and social impact, ranking 83rd in the world for overall contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. For the first time since the Impact Rankings were launched, CQU has entered the top 100 in the overall ranking out of 1406 institutions in the world. In particular, the University ranked 10th in the world for protecting and restoring life below water, 35th for protecting and restoring life on land and in partnerships for the goals. This is great news for all our research alums, because, as mentioned by Vice‑Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, ‘It’s a great honour to be among the most impactful universities in the world.’

‘IN THEIR WORDS’… BEST TIP FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF RHD GRADUATES .

‘Write, write, write, write − even if it’s 50 words − write, write, write’.

Lorna Moxham PHD (2003)

‘It’s not the smartest person that succeeds, it’s the person that can get up when knocked down and continue forward’.

Adam Rose PHD (2019):

‘Don’t be afraid to apply for roles in a different industry or different crops, your skills are cross‑compatible’.

Karina Griffin PHD (2019)

REFLECTIONS FROM THE DEAN, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE RESEARCH

Professor Susan Kinnear (PhD, 2006)

It’s a joy to see this book come together in celebration of 1000 research higher degree graduates at our university. In marking this milestone, we proudly acknowledge not only the achievements of each graduate, but also the research supervisors, technical staff, administrative officers and industry partners – not to mention the cheerleading family and friends – who are so important to the success of every research thesis. I want to say thank you to everyone who has walked alongside our research trainees, as research really is a ‘team sport’.

As a CQU research alumni myself, and as the current Dean for the School of Graduate Research, it is amazing to see the legacy already created by our graduate research training since it began before the 1990s – and to know that this legacy continues to grow, candidate by candidate and thesis by thesis. CQUniversity is younger than many other Australian institutions, but every one of our 1000+ RHD graduates are already part of an important history in research – especially in undertaking research that matters to regional communities and that makes positive change in the world.

In the present‑day, I regularly conduct information sessions with prospective students considering their enrolment in masters or doctoral degree. As I tell them, a research degree is prestigious, globally recognised and the highest qualification that can be earned in the university setting ‑‑ however, that does not mean that you must be a ‘genius’ to successfully complete a thesis. What’s far more important is to have courage, determination and passion for your topic area – this is clearly something shown by all the people appearing in this book.

Research higher degrees are transformational – they change the lives of every research candidate who graduates, and many more lives are touched through the discoveries that reside on the pages of each thesis. As we look forward to growing even further together – to the next 1000 graduates and beyond – our goal is to create a strong generation of research leaders who can take us forward, and to ensure those discoveries leap off the page and into the communities and industries who can best use them. Happy researching!

FIND OUT MORE!

CHECK OUT MORE ALUMNI PROFILES

www.cqu.edu.au/student‑life/graduates‑and‑alumni/our‑alumni

STAY ENGAGED WITH OUR COMMUNITY

In addition to standard CQU Alumni benefits, our RHD Alums receive a twice‑yearly newsletter and are invited to join the keynote sessions at our RHD Training Intensives. Share your details with us and continue to enjoy support and peer networking in research: www.cqu.edu.au/student‑life/graduates‑and‑alumni

THE LAST WORD

‘A research degree is about exploring an area of inquiry that both drives and frustrates you either academically or professionally … and working with a supervisor that can help you get lost in it, and then find your way out again’.

Julie Hollit DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (2019)