Thesis Examining Panel

The Supervisor or the Thesis chair will start the thesis submission process by completing the Nomination of Examiners Form.

The online nomination form should be completed at least three months before the expected thesis submission date (refer guide to filling Nomination of Examiners).

In recommending a Thesis Examining Panel, the Chair CMGSC shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that Examiners are free from bias with respect to the candidate, the Supervisor or the University, and shall preserve the integrity and independence of the examination process.

Examiners are requested to examine a thesis within six weeks of receipt. If any of the Examiners are unable to complete the examination within three months, the Faculty’s Associate Dean or Chair R&D in consultation with the Thesis Committee may recommend a replacement Examiner to the Chair CMGSC and GRS. Should any of the Examiners be uncontactable, GRS will normally recommend for the Thesis Chair to nominate a replacement.

The Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, upon recommendation from CMGSC, may appoint a replacement Examiner, or Adjudicator as appropriate, in the following circumstances:

  1. where an examiner or adjudicator is unable to continue their involvement in an examination or re-examination for any reason;
  2. where an examiner or adjudicator has actual or perceived bias with respect to the student, the supervisor or the University in their report(s) or otherwise; and;
  3. where the examiner or adjudicator has not engaged in the examination or reexamination with diligence or appropriate expertise. .

The name of an examiner is not to be released to the student until after the examination process is completed and then only if the examiner specifically approves the release of their identity or where the University is required to by law. Only the Graduate Research School (GRS Perth) and Thesis Chair may communicate with the Examiners regarding the examination process while the thesis is under examination.

Conflict of Interest between Nominated Examiners, Supervisors and Students

The Examiners should not have perceived or actual conflict of interest with the candidate, supervisory team and university. Please refer to the details in this link.

Examiners shall possess a Doctoral qualification with recognised standing in the field of study or be deemed by the Chair CMGSC to be of equivalent status. The Examiners should not have perceived or actual conflict of interest with the HDR student, Thesis Committee, and University. It is the main responsibility of the Principal Supervisor or the Thesis Chair to ensure that the nominated examiners have officially confirmed their availability and ability to carry out the thesis examination duties. The composition of the examiners panel is:

  • For a MPhil thesis: One examiner will be external to Curtin and the other may be internal or external. Internal examiners will be from a different enrolling school to that of the student and the Main Supervisor. At no time will an examiner have been part of the HDR student’s Thesis
  • For a PhD thesis: Both examiners must be external to the At no time will an examiner have been part of the HDR student’s Thesis Committee.

Reasons on why nominations of examiners are disapproved:

  • CVs of the nominated examiners: outdated with no detailed track records on the HDR student supervisions and thesis examinations
  • Track records of the nominated examiners are scientifically and ethically questionable due publications in predatory publishers/journals – Beall’s list.
  • Identified perceived or actual conflict of interest between the nominated examiners and the candidate/supervisors/university.