Corporate Sponsorship of Postgraduate Research Scholarships

General Principles

These principles outline the general conditions pertaining to the sponsorship of postgraduate students. They are intended as an introductory guide only. A formal agreement is always reached by negotiation.

Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Monash signifies that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision, has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the candidate's capacity to carry out independent research.

PhD program at MUARC

The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) is a multi-disciplinary research group at the leading edge of research into accident and injury causes and prevention. The Centre is a world leader in its field, and is the largest accident and injury prevention research facility in Australia and the region. A particular strength is addressing research questions of direct relevance to prevention, and the translation of the research outcomes into prevention policy and programs.

MUARC is an independent centre located on the Monash University Clayton Campus. It has well established links with the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, with a number of staff holding joint appointments.

The Centre's PhD program encourages multi-disciplinary research which will make a major contribution to the Australian and international knowledge base and research capability, and provide social benefits in the form of injury reduction measures for Australians. The postgraduate research should lead to conceptual advances or discoveries and/or to novel practical outcomes or applications.

Monash University Accident Research Centre:

• The Centre provides supervision and expert advice in a stimulating academic /research environment.
• The Centre provides facilities such as accommodation; computing equipment; library services; photocopiers, phones, fax, internet services, etc.
• The Centre ensures that the sponsor remains informed and involved throughout, within the constraint that the student's work must be independent in its design and execution.

Corporate Sponsor:

• The Sponsor may be involved in the determination of the general area of the research.
• The Sponsor may assist in the selection process of the student, according to University regulations, and may sit in on the assessments.
• The Sponsor may also wish to nominate an 'associate supervisor', to provide an effective link between the company and MUARC.
• The Sponsor provides an annual stipend for the student (typically for a period of 3.5 years), and an amount for related project costs. This totals approximately $100,000 + GST over 3.5 years. This amount can be paid at the start of the contract or according to an arranged schedule on invoice.
• Depending on the research topic, it may be appropriate for the student to spend time using corporate resources.

Reporting:

• The student will provide a brief monthly oral report to their supervisor.
• Every quarter a written report will be provided to the sponsor through the supervisor.

Intellectual Property:

Project intellectual property is usually held by the University. Background intellectual property is retained by the University or Sponsor as originally owned. Commercial exploitation of Intellectual Property can be negotiated.
Copyright of the thesis is held by the student and publications relating to the work are expected.

Variations based on commercial confidentiality considerations can be negotiated.

PhD program information

MUARC provides facilities for postgraduate research work leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by thesis. The aim of the PhD program is to provide advanced multi-disciplinary training in the research and prevention of accidents and injuries. Candidates may also pursue their studies through relevant University departments with MUARC co-supervision, and be located at the Centre.

The PhD program has two components.

1. The major component consists of research work presented in the form of a thesis, in accordance with Monash University guidelines.
2. The minor component is a study program, which is designed to provide incoming students with the necessary skills to complete a PhD at MUARC. The program will:
   • provide a basic understanding of the field of accident and injury prevention, which prospective students would not have obtained in undergraduate studies
   • provide exposure to issues beyond the thesis topic
   • foster an environment of inquiry
   • support the development of critical analysis skills.
   Your research topic will be developed in consultation with your supervisor. Students are especially encouraged to apply the philosophies and approaches of more than one discipline to their PhD research. The study program is planned on an individual basis and is tailored to the interests and needs of the student. The total amount of time devoted to the minor component should not exceed 10% of the candidature, equivalent to approximately 16 weeks. Topics which may be covered in the study program include:
   • multidisciplinary perspectives on accident and injury research
   • evaluation of accident and injury programs
   • systems safety and safety management
   • theory of accident and injury prevention
   • analysis and prediction of the distribution of injuries and accidents
   • economics and safety
   • history and philosophy of safety and injury prevention
   • statistics/bio-statistics
   • human-in-the-loop simulation
   • research methods (1): observational epidemiological methods
   • research methods(2): survey research and questionnaire design
   • in depth investigations in injury research and prevention
   • the application of physics and engineering principles in injury research
   • injury prevention and social inequality
   • the role of human factors in road safety

Students are also expected to attend the Centre's regular lunch time seminar series and journal club meetings.