Higher Degree by Research Committee

General information

• Committee name: Higher Degree by Research Committee
• Reporting to: Academic Board
• Contact: Ms Belinda Bern — Director, UQ Graduate School
• Version (effective date): version 18 (29 July 2021)
• Sub-committees: nil
• Quorum: 50% of voting membership plus one
• Notes: abbreviated as HDRC

Terms of Reference

The Higher Degree by Research Committee (HDRC) is responsible for the provision of advice to the Academic Board and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) (DVCRI) on policies and practices for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs (PhD and MPhil) and professional research doctorates (including but not limited to those programs eligible to be supported via the Research Training Program (RTP)). The Committee consults other senior officers of the University as required.

Specifically, the role of the Committee is:

• advise the Academic Board and DVCRI on HDR programs;
• formulate recommendations on policy for the strategic development of higher degrees by research in the context of the University’s strategic plan;
• promote a standard of excellence in higher degrees by research;
• recommend to the Academic Board policies and procedures governing HDR programs; and
• advise the Academic Board on matters relating to admission, monitoring and support of HDR candidates.

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

Higher Degrees by Research Committee contributes to the University of Queensland meeting the requirements of the following Domains and Standards within the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HESF 2021):

• Domain 1 Student Participation and Attainment
  • Standard 1.1 – Admission
  • Standard 1.3 – Orientation and Progression
  • Standard 1.4 – Learning Outcomes and Assessment
  • Standard 1.5 – Qualification and Certification
• Domain 3 Teaching
  • Standard 3.2 – Staffing
• Domain 4 Research and Research Training
  • Standard 4.1 – Research
  • Standard 4.2 – Research Training
• Domain 5 Institutional Quality Assurance
  • Standard 5.1 – Course Approval and Accreditation 
  • Standard 5.2 – Academic and Research Integrity
  • Standard 5.3 – Monitoring, Review and Improvement
• Domain 6 Governance and Accountability
  • Standard 6.1 – Corporate Governance
• Domain 7 Representation, Information and Information Management
  • Standard 7.2 – Information for Prospective and Current Students

Composition

Ex-Officio           

• Dean,  UQ Graduate School (Chair)
• President, Academic Board (or nominee)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (or nominee)
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) (or nominee)
• Deputy Dean, UQ Graduate School
• University Librarian (or nominee)

Appointed  

• One representative from each Faculty, appointed annually by the Executive Dean
• One representative from each Institute that reports to a member of the UQ Senior Executive and directly enrols HDR candidates, appointed annually by the Director of the Institute
• One representative of HDR candidates, appointed by the UQ Association of Postgraduate Students
• Two elected members of the Academic Board, appointed by the Academic Board Standing Committee

Administrative Arrangements

Secretariat support provided by UQ Graduate School.

* As of 4 March 2022