Our research community

The Graduate Researcher Skills seminar series assists research students at Macquarie Law School to develop the high-level analytical and practical skills needed to complete an outstanding thesis and be(come) a well-rounded member of the academic community.

Aim of the series

Comprised of a set of quarterly seminars, the series is designed to encourage graduate researchers to think in an analytical and creative way about their research, collaboration, and their ongoing career.

Each seminar is delivered by an expert in a particular academic skill such as:

• conference and seminar presentations;
• socio-legal and other ethics-based research;
• engagement with media and other stakeholders;
• teaching and other academic roles; etc.

The series provides a supportive and welcoming environment for graduate researchers to develop skills, enhance knowledge, and ask questions freely.  In order to maximise participation, discussion, and engagement, the seminars are conducted in person, with online access for offsite and/or part time students.

HDR researchers are warmly encouraged to attend as many skills seminars as possible. We also recommend attendance at Macquarie Law School's research seminars, which showcase cutting-edge and impactful research across a range of disciplines.

As the Law School's Graduate Research Skills Coordinator, Dr Esther Erlings coordinates the skills seminars. Please contact her with any questions, concerns, or requests for seminar topics. Esther is also available for general skills questions, including in relation to ethics applications.

Law HDR Students Graduate Representative

Our Graduate Representative is Tatiana Aranovich.

As a peer contact, Tatiana's responsibilities include advocating for Law HDR students' best interests, consulting with University departments and reporting relevant information discussed with students, and being available for consultations with students whenever necessary, including confidential matters. Tatiana can be contacted at tatiana.aranovich@hdr.mq.edu.au

Law HDR communications

Our Law Graduate Researcher Communications, Events, and Social Media Officer is Amrith Sreedevi Babu.

Amrith supports our dedicated law graduate researcher Yammer page, and all the communication needs of our law graduate researcher community, including social and informal events. Amrith can be contacted at amrithnath.sreedevibabu@students.mq.edu.au

Clubs and societies

Created and run by students, clubs and societies are a great way to connect with and participate with diverse networks to enhance your research experience with others who share your passions, interests or unique hobbies.

Macquarie is home to over 90 student and sports groups. Graduate researchers are encouraged to join Macquarie student clubs and societies

Academic support and training

The Graduate Research Development team provides support and training with essential research skills and provides access to a range of face-to-face courses and online training resources covering areas such as:

• preparing a thesis
• writing for publication
• presenting at conferences
• using software to handle qualitative or quantitative data
• managing a research project.

Learn more about the full range of training to advance your writing and research skills with the Graduate Research Academy.

The law graduate researcher annual conference provides a valuable opportunity for graduate researchers to present their work to an audience of faculty members and fellow students.

The conference comprises two different kinds of presentations:

1. Work in progress presentations

   All PhD and MRes candidates are invited to make a 20-minute work-in-progress presentation with 10 minutes for questions afterwards. Students often harness this opportunity to obtain feedback on a thesis chapter or to practice for a conference presentation.

2. PhD and MRes completion presentations

   PhD and MRes candidates can present an overview of their thesis 3-6 months before submitting or up to six months after submission to disseminate their research. The presentation should include the ‘objectives, methods, findings and significance’ of the research for 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of questions.

3. HDR Annual Conference

The 2023 Law Graduate Researcher Annual Conference was held on 1 September 2023.