Thesis Committee

  • The Thesis Committee will be formed when an applicant is accepted into the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programme.
  • A Thesis Committee comprises of a Thesis Chair, a Principal Supervisor, and one or more Co-Supervisors and/or Associate Supervisor(s).
  • The minimum number of members in a Thesis Committee including the Thesis Chair is three (3) with a maximum of six (6).
  • The supervisory team should consist discipline experts who will technically benefit the project supervision.
  • The Principal Supervisor will have prime responsibilities for the design and progress of HDR project and providing academic advice to the supervised HDR student.
  • Co- and Associate Supervisors are appointed to provide additional expertise and guidance.
Thesis Chair
  • The Thesis Chair will be a member of the academic staff of the University and an experienced registered Level 1 HDR supervisor.
  • The Thesis Chair mainly has administrative and mentoring roles to a less experienced supervisory team.
  • The Thesis Chair is the only member of the Thesis Committee who is not assigned a contribution percentage.
  • The Thesis Chair reviews and approves any documentation/report/thesis at the committee level before they are submitted to the enrolling faculty’s Associate Dean R&D (AD R&D; also known as the Director of Graduate Research or DGR) and/or to the Curtin Malaysia Graduate School (CMGS).
  • Before the finalised HDR application form is sent to the Curtin Malaysia Graduate Studies Committee (CMGSC) to be processed, the enrolling faculty’s AD R&D must propose a Thesis Chair.
  • The Thesis Chair should not have a perceived or actual conflict of interest with the HDR student and any member of the supervisory team.
  • The Thesis Chair should not be appointed to any supervisory panel where his/her spouse is the Principal Supervisor or Co-/Associate Supervisor.
  • Under the circumstances where the number of academic staff who can fill the Thesis Chair role is limited and where the potential conflict of interest is noted and approved by the AD R&D and Chair, CMGSC; an academic staff member can be appointed as a Thesis Chair provided that his/her spouse is limited to the role of an Associate Supervisor in the Thesis Committee.
  • One must not play roles as a Thesis Chair for more than 8 HDR students, unless approved by the Chair, CMGSC and/or Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research (ADVCR).
  • Provide necessary inputs to the proposed research project to ensure that all are satisfied with the plan of study.
  • Monitor student’s progress and provide recommendations related to student’s status.
  • Ensure all supervisory team members and student are in compliance with all HDR policies and procedures.
  • Oversee and approve HDR administrative processes as relevant.
  • Assist with conflict resolution and mediate disagreements between the student and any supervisory team member and/or among the supervisor team members. The Thesis Chair should discuss these issues with the AD R&D to find solutions and to report the problem to the Chair, CMGSC if it cannot be solved at the faculty level.
  • Ensure that the examination process is carried out according to relevant policies and procedures.
  • In the event that an appointed Thesis Chair is unable to perform the assigned duties, the AD R&D shall nominate a replacement Thesis Chair for the relevant period of study. This will be effected with the approval of the Chair, CMGSC.
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Supervisors
  • Each HDR student will be assigned a Principal Supervisor and one or more Co-Supervisor(s) and/or Associate Supervisor(s).
  • To be appointed as a Principal Supervisor or Co-Supervisor, it is mandatory that the Curtin academic staff member be registered on the Register of Supervisors.
  • The minimum supervisor contribution percentage allocation is 10% and all allocations will be in 5% increments.
  • With the exception of mentoring supervision arrangements, the main supervisor will always have the highest contribution percentage as they are administratively responsible for the student. A 50-50% split between the Principal and Co-Supervisor is not permissible.
  • For an academic staff member with teaching and administrative duties, a supervisory load of no more than 5 equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) is recommended. Depending on the discipline area and mode of supervision, a higher load can be assigned to an academic staff member who has a strong record of successful supervisions and timely completions.
  • Supervisory team members should not have any perceived or actual conflict of interest with the HDR student and the Thesis Chair, and among themselves.
  • Supervisors are to ensure they have appropriate workload available prior to agreeing to supervise a student.

The three (3) major supervisory levels are:

  • Principal Supervisor (must be a Registered Level 1 Supervisor);
  • Co-Supervisor (either a Registered Level 1 or Level 2 Supervisor); and
  • Associate Supervisor (where applicable).

The Principal Supervisor has the primary responsibility for the HDR student’s supervision and progression. The Principal Supervisor is to:

  • Ensure that supervisors (including themselves) remain actively engaged in supervision and facilitate opportunities for the supervisors to constructively discuss the student’s progress/progression.
  • Ensure that the HDR student has been provided with reasonable support to gain an appropriate understanding of their responsibilities and the expectations of the supervisors.
  • Provide guidance and advice, including in relation to ethics requirements, and ensure that the research is undertaken in accordance with the University’s policies, procedures, guidelines and processes, including applying for ethics clearance as required and annual reporting of research progress.
  • Discuss with the student the scope of the research topic, planning of the research program and ensuring required resources and funding is available.
  • Provide academic support, including constructive and timely feedback, guidance and evaluate progress.
  • Maintain regular contact with the HDR student as dictated by the research program.
  • Monitor performance of the HDR student and address potential issues or problems as early as possible within the University framework.
  • Oversee all necessary administration with regard to milestones.
  • Ensure that the enrolling faculty’s AD R&D is informed of progress and any issues with regard to supervision.
  • Provide support and constructive advice, including on funding, publishing and networking, and in pursuing additional opportunities related to the HDR training experience.
  • Where practical, facilitate opportunities to interact with the wider academic community nationally or internationally.
  • Provide constructive and timely advice about the design and preparation of thesis material and submission of final thesis.
  • Provide career advice as appropriate.

A Co-Supervisor is to:

  • Maintain an awareness of the project scope and progression.
  • Provide academic support, including constructive and timely feedback, guidance and evaluate progress.
  • Attend supervision meetings regarding students’ progress as required.
  • Act in place of the Principal Supervisor when required.

The appointment of an External Co-Supervisor or Associate Supervisor may be for a specific period or for an HDR student’s course. A person employed at another higher education provider or a research institution affiliated with Curtin University (e.g., hospitals, medical research institutes and industry partners), who is research active, may be appointed as an External Co-Supervisor. The responsibilities of the External Co-Supervisor are equivalent to those of a Co-Supervisor.

External Associate Supervisors may be appointed to provide essential supplementary expertise to support a Principal Supervisor. This expertise is typically specialised assistance in an area or a specific aspect of the HDR student’s course.

The AD R&D and Chair, CMGSC may approve the appointment of an External Co-Supervisor or Associate Supervisor, provided the individual has:

  • obtained a research degree at the level at which they intend to supervise or above or have recognised equivalent specialist experience; and
  • a current active involvement in research and attributes that will contribute to the success of the student’s HDR course.

An External Co- or Associate Supervisor cannot at any time act as Principal Supervisor or Thesis Chair.

To be eligible for entry into Register of Supervisors as a Level 1 Supervisor, a Curtin staff member should meet all of the following criteria:

  1. has obtained a doctoral degree or have recognised equivalent experience;
  2. has been substantially involved in the supervision of a doctoral student (at any university) who has submitted their thesis for examination;
  3. has a current active involvement in research, as demonstrated by at least one relevant publication/output in the last three years;
  4. has completed Curtin University’s Research Integrity Training; and
  5. has developed and maintained good supervisory skills and knowledge of Curtin’s statutes, rules, policies, procedures and guidelines as they pertain to HDR courses through completing
    1. two HDR professional development workshops or seminars, or
    2. a formal HDR induction training program within the prior twelve-month period approved by the Research Office at Curtin.

To be eligible for entry into Register of Supervisors as a Level 2 Supervisor, a Curtin staff member should meet all of the following criteria:

  1. has obtained a research masters degree or have recognised equivalent experience;
  2. has a current active involvement in research, as demonstrated by at least one relevant publication/output in the last three years;
  3. has completed Curtin University’s Research Integrity Training; and
  4. has developed and maintained good supervisory skills and knowledge of Curtin’s statutes, rules, policies, procedures and guidelines as they pertain to HDR course through completing
    1. two HDR professional development workshops or seminars, or
    2. a formal HDR induction training program within the prior twelve-month period approved by the Research Office at Curtin.

To be eligible for renewal as a Level 1 Supervisor, supervisors must have met all following conditions during their prior period of registration:

  1. have been involved in the supervision of a HDR student who has been approved to graduate or has graduated;
  2. have acted as the Thesis Chair for a HDR student who has been approved to graduate or has graduated; and
  3. have maintained their Research Integrity training.

Supervisors who meet these conditions will have their registration automatically renewed for a five-year period. Supervisors who do not meet all conditions will be required to meet the conditions as set out in Eligibility for Level 1 Supervision above.

To be eligible for renewal as a Level 2 supervisor, supervisors will have met all following conditions during their prior period of registration:

  1. have been involved in the supervision of a HDR student who has been approved to graduate or has graduated; and
  2. have maintained their Research Integrity training.

For renewal and upgrades, visit Register of Supervisors

To apply as a new HDR Supervisor (Level 2 and 1 only), visit Register of Supervisors

To apply as an External Associate Supervisor, please complete and submit the Registration of a University Associate for the Purposes of Supervision of Higher Degree by Research Students form to CMGS.

A staff member may be removed from the Register of Supervisors by the ADVCR based on the recommendation of:

  1. their Line Manager,
  2. Head of School,
  3. AD R&D, or
  4. Chair, CMGSC.

Grounds for such a recommendation are as follows:

  1. The staff member is no longer meets the eligibility criteria.
  2. The individual has been disciplined by the University for academic or research misconduct.
  3. The individual has not carried out their supervisory duties satisfactorily.
  4. The individual has a workload or work-plan that does not permit further supervision duties.

Please refer to the following for further information:

Registered supervisors can be found at Our Researchers.