Graduate Research Services

ECU’s Graduate Research Services (GRS) supports higher degree researchers by providing training, resources, peer-to-peer support, networking opportunities and social events to honours, masters and doctoral candidates and their supervisors.

Graduate Research Services provides support through three key areas:

• Research candidate support co-ordinators and research advisers;
• Research training and resources, including the Graduate Research Induction Program (GRIP) and
• The SOAR Centre

GRS promotes high quality in research programs and outcomes through the development of sound policies and procedures and information. The GRS also fosters good practice in supervision through the provision of training and compliance procedures for supervisory staff.

Admissions, Scholarships, Research Assessments and other administrative matters are dealt with in Student Administration. While Student Administration update your records for your candidature, the Coordinator(s) Research Student Support (CRSS) in Graduate Research Services monitors your supervision and progress.

Student Life also provides assistance with housing, financial aid, language and learning skills, counselling, careers and employment, disability liaison and health services. A catalogue of services available to all candidates can be accessed through the student portal. Access to the student/staff portal is on the ECU homepage.

It is important to find supervisors whose research aligns with your area of interest, and who also inspire you. Check their research history, including journal and book publications, keynotes, collaborations, grants, and other research they have been involved in. Find out if they have a public research profile, social media presence, or if they have been interviewed in the media.

Some areas encourage candidates to contact any prospective supervisors, to discuss the potential research. This is a good chance to ascertain their supervisory style, and if it will align with your own learning style and personality.

For a list of available Supervisors please contact the relevant School, or visit their staff page.

ECU offers PhD, Master by Research and Honours candidates opportunities to undertake research projects aligned with school research priorities and attached to grants and larger research programs,

These may be individual projects, or collaborations with institutions or industry partners. In some cases, the projects may also include funding opportunities such as scholarships.

To find out about the research project opportunities in a given school, visit the school project page listed below.

A research doctoral degree involves making an original contribution to knowledge through the successful completion of a research project. The project will involve identifying a topic, conducting research and presenting the outcomes as a thesis, or a creative project with an exegesis. Edith Cowan University offers 4-year doctoral degrees, with flexible study options to support the development of active, engaged researchers. This includes the Integrated PhD, which offers a structured foundation year of research preparation for candidates who do not have prior research experience.

Applying for a Research Degree

The purpose of the research proposal is to guide the Schools in determining whether:

• the proposed project aligns to the research areas of the School;
• the project can be matched with expertise within the School;
• the project is an appropriate scope and level for the degree being applied for, and is likely to contribute to new knowledge and have impact; and
• the resources, infrastructure, and support required to complete the project are available.

You may consult with a member of academic staff on developing the proposal, however the proposal must be written and referenced by you.

A proposal should be a maximum of two pages in length. There is no set template for writing a proposal, but it should include, as a guide:

1. Project Title
2. Project Summary and alignment to the research areas of the School
   1. What is it you intend to investigate?
   2. Describe how the proposed research project links to research in the School. <insert link to each School’s research activity pages>
3. Project Aims, Significance and Impact
   1. Provide context/background to the project via a short review of existing literature.
   2. Outline the research problem/research questions/hypotheses.
   3. What do you think will be the main contribution to new knowledge?
   4. Why is this important? Are there possible societal, economic or other beneficiaries to the proposed research?
4. Broad/brief outline of methodology
   1. General research approach (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, creative practice)
   2. Data collection and analysis
   3. Theoretical frameworks (if applicable)
5. Other factors for consideration (if applicable)
   1. Special resources (e.g. specialist software, equipment)
   2. Ethical considerations
   3. Field work

ECU has signed a number of agreements with foreign governments to offer jointly funded doctoral scholarships. These countries include China, Pakistan, Oman, Zambia and Columbia.

• China Partnerships (Link)China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarship
• Pakistan Pakistan Partnerships (Link)HEC PhD Scholarship
• HEC PhD Scholarship

For more information contact Graduate Research Services: grs@ecu.edu.au

ECU Industry PhD Scholarship

The Industry PhD scholarship provides a pathway for PhD candidates to link with an industry partner, community organisation or government agency. Candidates collaborate with a partner organisation for the duration of their degree, allowing them to be immersed in an authentic industry experience, developing creative solutions for real-world problems while still receiving guidance on their research from their supervisors at ECU.

We are calling for Expressions of Interest from supervisors and from potential partner organisations. To apply please download, read and complete the Industry PhD Scholarship Guidelines for Supervisors and Expression of Interest: Industry PhD scholarship.

For more information and to submit your Expression of Interest, email the Graduate Research Services.

Research Internships