One of the key objectives in the Operating Plan’s Focused Investment in Research area of focus is a renewal of the University’s HDR offerings and processes.

The University reached a milestone in this objective last month, with the establishment of the Graduate Research Academy (GRA), replacing the Office of HDR Training and Partnerships within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) portfolio. Professor Simon Handley’s title has been amended from Pro Vice-Chancellor Higher Degree Research to Pro Vice-Chancellor Graduate Research.

The vision for the Graduate Research Academy is to deliver an exceptional research training experience, building from the training delivered in the University’s unique MRes program to more advanced PhD research training. A key objective of the GRA is to develop distinctive, connected and career-focused graduate research programs, which meet individual researcher needs and support employability. There will be enhanced opportunities for internships and industry-linked graduate research programs.

As a central office serving all graduate research candidates at Macquarie, the Graduate Research Academy will support academic and professional skills development in line with models from leading universities around the world. Staff within the GRA will work in partnership with faculties to support graduate researchers through their candidature.

GRA processes and offerings will be progressively rolled out over the coming months, with plans to launch the Academy to external audiences at the end of 2021 or early 2022. The team continue to consult widely with staff on the future design of the University’s research training programs.

Impacted staff and students are receiving regular communication about any changes that may affect them and contact guides have been created to assist staff and candidates whilst the Academy’s webpages are being developed:

Contacts for Candidate Service and Support
 Contacts for Staff Service and Support

The majority of the GRA team is now in place, with faculty staff having transitioned into the new centralised team and remaining positions expected to be appointed by the end of September.

Please email the team if you have any questions about the changes, or would like to know more about the Academy: pvc.graduateresearch@mq.edu.au