2012 VC’s Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision

Excellent supervision an equation for success

In recognition of her outstanding efforts as a postgraduate supervisor, Professor Kate Smith-Miles, Head of Monash's School of Mathematical Sciences, has won the 2012 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision.

Professor Kate Smith-Miles

Professor Smith-Miles was presented her award at the Vice Chancellor's Education and Research Awards ceremony on 7 November, along with 14 other award recipients who were recognised for their the outstanding contribution and achievements as educators and researchers.

Professor Smith-Miles said she was a passionate believer in the importance of supervision as it could transform bright undergraduates into independent, confident and resilient researchers.

"Through quality supervision, our graduate researchers can be nurtured and encouraged to make a difference in society," Professor Smith-Miles said.

During the past five years, Professor Smith-Miles has successfully supervised 13 postgraduate students through their theses, with 25 completions in her career.

Professor Smith-Miles said she was currently working with six graduate research students on projects using mathematics to understand a wide range of topics, from epidemiological modeling to optimizing electrode arrays for bionic vision.

"It's really important that students work on a topic about which they are passionate," Professor Smith-Miles said.

"The range of topics I have been exposed to through my students means I am always learning new and interesting applications of mathematics.

"Ancora Imparo (I am still learning) applies to me as much as my students.

"Seeing how I approach a new topic, and learning together, provides a more authentic research training experience than if they assisted me with my own research projects," she said.

Being nominated for the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision is no simple task.

The supervisor must be nominated by four different people and a dossier of up to 12 pages submitted that provides documentary evidence of the supervisor's outstanding contributions to supervision. References are also required from the nominated supervisor's Head of Academic Unit and three of the higher degree by research graduates he/she has supervised.

As a recipient of the Award, Professor Smith-Miles will participate in a workshop for Monash academic staff. Her dossier will also be developed into a web-based presentation of her work, which will soon be available on the Monash Institute of Graduate Research website.