Chapter 3: Conditions of candidature

3.11 Mid-candidature review

All doctoral candidates enrolled after 1 January 2010 (or before if enrolled in the Faculty of Arts) are required to undergo the mid-candidature review between 21 and 27 months of equivalent full-time candidature. Candidates are required to give an oral presentation and written submission, including their project timeline, to the review panel. 

Candidates enrolled in the following programs are exempt from this requirement:

3.11.1 Generic mid-candidature requirements

The candidate is required to make a minimum 20-minute oral presentation at either a departmental seminar and/or a viva voce at which the members of the review panel must be in attendance. Many departments and schools run regular research seminar programs or presentation opportunities for their students and/or staff, and these events are considered an appropriate forum for the mid-candidature presentations. The oral presentation must explore at least one aspect of research undertaken to date and note anticipated future directions of the research program. The presentation will normally be followed by time for questions and feedback from the members of the audience. Time should also be allowed for feedback from the panel in a closed session together with a review of the Graduate Research Individual Skills Training Plan. The candidate is required to submit the following to the review panel one week prior to the oral presentation:

  • an accompanying written paper which demonstrates progress by the candidate since confirmation of candidature. This may be a published journal or conference paper, a draft thesis chapter or a prepared paper of a length appropriate to the discipline. This paper should be of a standard that would be expected for submission at a conference or other public academic event;
  • a progress report (minimum of 1000 words) that includes:
    • a summary of the research project, the proposed thesis structure (chapter by chapter outline) and the position of the presented element of the research within the project;
    • the timetable for completing the research report/thesis developed at confirmation and a detailed statement of progress towards this work plan and any actual or proposed variations; and
    • identification of any perceived difficulties that currently or could impede the completion of the project according to the work plan and suggestions to overcome these difficulties.
  • an updated version of the candidate’s Graduate l Research Individual Skills Training Plan.
  • Some faculties have additional specific requirements, which are outlined in Appendix J. 

3.11.2 The review panel

3.11.2.1 Composition of the review panel

The review panel must comprise at least three members and include the main supervisor and another staff member with experience in research training. The convenor of the panel should be a senior member of Monash University’s academic staff (but not a supervisor of the candidate) who has extensive experience in supervising doctoral candidates.

Whilst it is preferable that the same review panel oversees the three milestone events for each candidature, i.e. confirmation of candidature, the mid-candidature review and the pre-submission seminar, it is acknowledged that this may be difficult to achieve. It is recommended that one member from a previous panel, other than the supervisor, should be involved with subsequent events.

3.11.2.2 Role of the review panel

The review panel must discuss the written submissions and oral presentation with the candidate, providing feedback to the candidate on the content and delivery of the presentation and the research work plan. This may include advice regarding the candidate’s application to the project, the level of initiative shown, the progress made to date and the attainment of the goals set in the original work plan, including completion of any coursework units, progress against the training plan and participation in seminars, conference and other programs.

The panel should also make any appropriate recommendations to assist the progress of the candidate and, if any specific problems are identified, determine appropriate actions to address these. The panel should also allocate responsibilities to implement these actions.

3.11.2.3 Review report

The convenor of the panel is required to complete a short mid-candidature review report using the template which must be provided to the candidate as soon as possible following the review. The candidate must be given the opportunity to discuss this report with the convenor if they so wish. The report, along with a copy of the Graduate Research Individual Skills Training Plan. must be kept on record within the academic unit and a copy should also be submitted to MIGR in order for it to be placed on the candidate's file.

If required, a Mid-Candidature Review Template is available for use by the review panel.

print version