COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - HDR - Current HDR candidates - Progression/Research activity
How should I maintain and manage my research?
You should maintain regular contact with your advisors and develop a plan to maintain progress over the next six months in particular, including a plan to work off campus if required. This may involve you discussing how to rescope or reorder your work if needed.
You should also discuss if your research activity is deemed to be critical and how any adjustments to field work and data collection might be accommodated. Plan with your advisors how you will maintain contact and feedback from your advisors. Zoom might be a helpful tool to use.
We hope you will be able to maintain some progress toward your thesis. To help keep track of your progress and any difficulties your encounter, all HDR candidates are asked to complete fortnightly Research Progress Reports. These are 1-2 pages and the template can be found online. These reports are designed to help you and your advisors review progress and any impacts and disadvantage you experience. You should upload these to your project record in the Research Data Management (RDM) and share it with your advisors. Instructions on how to set up and use the RDM can be accessed here.
It is also important that you keep these records of your progress, and any challenges you face, to help us assist you later if other options or an extension need to be explored.
What do I do if I’m unable to access campus or there is a campus closure?
You should discuss your research project with your advisors and plan upcoming research activity to enable you to work from home if necessary, including not starting any new research activity that you will have difficulty maintaining from home.
Check your computer to ensure you have the software you need. These guides to working from home, and remotely accessing UQ IT systems, may prove useful.
Seek approval from your enrolling unit (School or Institute) to relocate any IT equipment you will need at home (a monitor or desk top computer etc).
If the campus is closed, all HDR candidates will be expected to work from home during that period, unless otherwise on approved leave or interruption. If you are unable to continue with your current research plan from home, speak with your advisors to make adjustments to enable you to continue to make some research progress. If you are sick, you may be eligible to apply for leave.
Whilst working at home remember to maintain regular contact with your advisory team and lodge fortnightly Research Progress Reports in your Research Data Management (RDM) record.
My milestone is coming up, what do I do?
If possible, you should proceed to undertake your milestone as this will help document your research progress to date. The format of this may need to be adjusted and your PGC can advise you on this matter. Many HDR candidates have found Zoom is effective to host a milestone meeting.
Your milestone is about your progress in candidature and should take into account any adjustments made or impacts due to COVID-19. You do not need to submit an extension request now as the milestone process will take into account any adjustments you have had to make and provide you with guidance on how you can adjust your research activity going forward. Use the milestone as a tool to assist you with planning the remainder of your research project.
I think I need a milestone extension, what do I do?
You should discuss your situation with your advisors and update your research plans and timelines to accommodate the current situation. This includes making adjustments to work from home and postponing any travel. In most cases adjustments will be able to be accommodated within candidature. For more information on research continuity see website on preparing for disruption to research activities.
Plan or reorder your activities if you can to enable you to maintain some progress. It is optimal for you to continue to proceed where you can, noting limitations you encounter and any disadvantage you experience in the Research Progress Reports. This also helps ensure you can continue to receive your scholarship. If it becomes apparent later that there has been an impact on your progression due to COVID-19, this will be assessed at that time and your research progress reports will help support any request for extension that you make.
What if I can't do my fieldwork, can I get an extension to my candidature and scholarship?
You should discuss the impact of the inability to undertake fieldwork with your advisor and develop a plan with alternatives, if possible. Restrictions on travel are not predictable at this time and we recommend you have a strong contingency in place should travel not be possible for an extended period of time.
If you believe that your progress has been affected, document this in your fortnightly Research Progress Reports with a description of the impact on your candidature. This information may support a request for an extension of candidature or scholarship if required. It is very important to continue to try to maintain research activity, making progress where you can in the meantime.
You should undertake your milestone if you can to help you obtain advice and plan the remainder of your candidature.
I can make no progress on my project and would like to interrupt my candidature. What do I do?
If, after discussion with your advisors, you conclude that it isn’t possible to continue your candidature at present you may be considering an interruption to your studies.
Please be aware that an interruption will suspend your scholarship payment and, for international candidates, may impact your visa status. The Graduate School can discuss this option with you but please note the University is unable to provide advice on visas. We recommend you contact the Department of Home Affairs.
I want to return to my home country, or my home country has advised me to return home. What do I do?
Please contact the the Graduate School to discuss options.
I am a health professional and have been asked to return to work to assist with the COVID-19 crisis. What should I do?
Depending on how much time you need to dedicate to work you may wish to record the effect of this work in your Research Progress Report. If the impact on your time is significant you should consider moving to a part-time enrolment or take an interruption.
I have an industry-aligned/sponsored project. What should I do?
We recommend advisors communicate with research partners regularly to highlight current circumstances and any impact occurring to the timing of the delivery of project key deliverables due to COVID-19 working arrangements.
Advisors should discuss with partners any revised research plans and to keep email records on agreements to vary these plans. If they have concerns about delivery against contractual deliverables or believe that you may not be able to continue with a project, it is advisable to work with your advisor and discuss with your research partnership manager (RPM) in the first instance.
I am an international HDR candidate. What happens if I interrupt and return to my home country, will I be able to return?
This would depend on the Australian Government protocols in place at the time. If you interrupt your study ensure you check the Department of Home Affairs website for updates. Before interrupting we recommend you also review the protocols of your home country to ensure you are able to enter when you plan to travel.
I am worried and need some support. Who can I talk to?
If you have concerns or need support, contact: Student Services: + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free (within Australia): 1800 512 391. Email: student.services@uq.edu.au or make an appointment online.
If you are well enough to continue to set goals and make some progress, please continue to document this in your Research Progress Reports, noting a health-related impact if applicable.
Please consider taking leave if you are severely impacted and require a break and support from mental health services.
I am experiencing financial hardship. Is there assistance available?
UQ provides financial assistance grants to support students short-term. Please visit the Student Services page for more information.
What do I do about the equipment I need to effectively work from home?
Contact your enrolling unit (School or Institute) about relocating any equipment you need such as a monitor, or desk top. Each unit is keeping a log of equipment during this time. If you are having difficulties then ask your HLO to assist.
I need access to print collections to continue my research. How do I do this?
Print collections at the following St Lucia libraries will reopen on Monday 15 June:
- Central Library
- Dorothy Hill Engineering and Sciences Library
- Law Library
The collections will open for self-service from 8am and will be available to UQ staff and students 24/7, with physical distancing measures in place. Our face-to-face service points remain closed for now so please contact us online if you need assistance. You will need your card to borrow material. Study spaces, including the Postgraduate study space, and lockers on levels 3 and 4 of Central Library will also reopen.
More collections will reopen progressively as local conditions allow. Until then, the Library will continue to provide a priority retrieval service for researchers, higher degree by research (HDR) students, and honours students who require access to print collections at the Architecture and Music Library and Library Warehouse. See the Library COVID-19 updates page for details.
The Fryer Reading Room remains closed until further notice but we can assist you online and help you obtain the information you need from Fryer collections. Contact Fryer staff via email between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. We offer consultations for researchers, academics, and students via phone and Zoom calls.
What options do I have to change my enrolment at this time?
Try to maintain some progress where you can to keep your project going and also ensure you retain your scholarship if you have one. For some, reducing to part-time or taking an interruption at this time might be a better option, depending on circumstance. These options are not usually available to international candidates but there is some temporary flexibility for international candidates to be able to enrol part-time and also to remain on shore whilst on interruption.
If you need to change your candidature status, please discuss with your Advisors and contact the Graduate School for advice on these options.