Key contact
The Higher Degree Research team coordinates and governs CDU Higher Degree Research students' scholarships, enrolments, and progressions while supporting our Higher Degree by Research student cohorts to connect and succeed.
For any questions regarding CDU Higher Degrees by Research scholarships, admissions, progression, forms for HDR candidates and supervisors, and research skill development, please contact research.degrees@cdu.edu.au.
For correspondence about HDR thesis examinations, please get in touch with HDRExams@cdu.edu.au
Office of Research and Innovation HDR Support Contacts
| POSITION | CONTACTS | ROLE | |
| Dean of Graduate Studies | dgs@cdu.edu.au | → Chair of the Research Committee (oversight of HDR administrations and programs across CDU) → Approvals for candidature progression and milestones | |
| Manager - Higher Degree by Research | Fiona Steele | → HDR Policy and Processes | |
| HDR Admissions and Scholarships Coordinator | Michele Zaronias | → Initial enquiries → Applications for Admission → Scholarship Applications → Scholarship Administration | |
| HDR Support Officer | Maha Dbouk | → Student Progression, including;
→ Changes to candidature, including;
→ Applications, renewal, and upgrades to the Register of Supervisors | |
| Enrolment and Examination Coordinator | Lee-Ann Cole | → Enrolment → Higher Degree by Research Examinations | |
| Research Skills and Communications Officer | Nirmala Sunil | → Research Enhancement Program(REP) workshops → 3MT (ThreeMinute Thesis) → Visualise yourThesis → ORI Website → HDR Newsletter | |
| HDR Internship Coordinator | Dr Mohammad Sabuj | → HDR Internship → Industry PhD → National Industry PhD Program Applications |
Faculty HDR Coordinator & Administrative Roles
Each Faculty may have slightly different arrangements regarding HDR Coordinator or Administrator roles and responsibilities. But the Faculty contacts are the people who can advise on all matters pertaining to your postgraduate research experience at CDU.
Please contact Faculty HDR Administration Officer if you have queries relating to:
- Student funding allocation
- Faculty HDR grants
- Claims for reimbursement or any other queries.
Your supervisor can also advise you on HDR matters. Please see below for HDR contacts in your respective Faculty / School:
| FACULTY/ SCHOOL | HDR POSITION | NAME | |
Faculty of Science and Technology Faculty of Science and Technology | Charles Darwin University | Associate Dean of Research | Dr Vinuthaa Murthy | Vinuthaa.Murthy@cdu.edu.au |
| HDR Administration | Danielle Choveaux | FST-HDR-Coordinator@cdu.edu.au | |
Faculty of Arts and Society | Associate Dean of Research | Professor Adelle Sefton-Rowston | adelle.sefton-rowston@cdu.edu.au |
| HDR Administration | Shayon Saha | FAShdr@cdu.edu.au | |
Faculty of Health | Associate Dean of Research | Dr Karen Hazell Raine | karen.hazell-raine@cdu.edu.au |
| HDR Administration | Sarah Irvine | foh_researchhdradmin@cdu.edu.au | |
Menzies Schoolof Health Research | Associate Director Research- HDR & Ethics | Professor Heidi Smith-Vaughan | heidi.smith-vaughan@menzies.edu.au |
| HDR Administration | Jane Mellett Amanda Sandery | researchdegrees@menzies.edu.au |
Human Research Ethics and/or Animal Ethics
Library Support
Academic Librarians
CDU Research Library assistance information can be found at askthelibrary@cdu.edu.au, your query will be forwarded to a specialist staff member.
The Library’s Research Services Coordinator provides targeted services and resources for HDR students. This includes workshops such as Advanced Information Skills, Managing Information with EndNote, Publishing for Impact, and Social Media for Research Communication. One-on-one consultations focussing on the specific needs of the student are also available.
Access to a wide range of journal databases area is also available. For more details, please see: Library | Charles Darwin University (cdu.edu.au). The HDR candidates are also eligible to request items on interlibrary loan via the CDU Library homepage.
IT Support
Activating your account, accessing the portal, password resets, connecting to wireless.
International Student Support
CDU provides support services for international students. The international support team aims to offer the highest level of support to the international students at Charles Darwin University, to help make your experience in Australia the best it can be. There is a dedicated member of the support team on every CDU campus.
Free call 1800 061 963
International student information
First Nations Student Services
Counselling
The CDU Counselling Service aims to assist students who maybe be experiencing personal difficulties that are distressing and having a negative impact on their studies.
Study usually involves a significant commitment of time and effort. It requiresa disciplined routine in order to achieve academic success. Unfortunately, sometimes you may also confront other issues over the course of your study, and, in such circumstances, it can be helpful to talk with a counsellor.
The counselling provided by CDU is undertaken by social workers or psychologists with counselling and mental health sub-specialty who are members of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) or are registered through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority (AHPRA).
After hours: 1300 933 393
Resources online that can help with:
- getting things done
- staying calm
- staying connected
- feeling positive
The Desk - aims to support Australian tertiary students to achieve mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Beyond Blue - Beyond Blue resources aim to help improve mental health across various stages of life and areas of the community. Check out the latest information and opportunities for support.
Access and Inclusion
Support to participate equitably with disability and/or health condition.
Language and Learning Support
Help with academic skills, assessments and study skills.
Careers and Employability
Security
24/7 access to Security professional on CDU campuses and centres Australia wide.
Complaints
For any official complaints that your supervisors or administrators cannot resolve.
08 8946 7738
Complaints | Charles Darwin University (cdu.edu.au)