Current supervisors

Supporting the research professionals of tomorrow

Being a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) supervisor at the University of Sydney is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in forming the research professionals of tomorrow.

While you’re here to support them - we’re here to support you.

The University provides support for HDR supervisors via training and best-practice resources. We recognise great work that fosters excellence via awards, and we share exemplary practices for the benefit of our whole academic community.

Become a supervisor

HDR policies and procedures

HDR student cohort

4,500 students

From over 80 countries

Speaking over 80 languages

Resources

We have curated a repository of key information to assist our current HDR supervisors and staff with supporting their HDR students.

Recruitment and admissions
Onboarding
Managing candidature and progression
Opportunities for students
Thesis submission and examination
Supporting students
Other resources for HDR supervisors

Ben Eggleton and PhD student Ziqian Zhang

Accelerated Lead Supervisor Program

This intensive program is intended to support those committed to becoming better supervisors and developing lead supervisor capabilities.

Completing this program provides an alternative pathway to lead supervision for supervisors who may not yet have the two HDR completions required by the Higher Degree by Research Supervision Policy to qualify for the role.

Learn more about the program

Maintaining registration

Subsequent re-registration is required after a maximum of five years to remain active as an HDR supervisor. The purpose of re-registration is to ensure HDR supervisors remain current with any changes in policy or practice expectations.

Supervisors will be informed of re-registration training requirements ahead of their re-registration dates. The University also has temporary suspension and deregistration processes in place to safeguard students' interests in the case of extenuating circumstances.

For more information about maintaining registration and suspension and deregistration processes, view the Higher Degree by Research Supervision Policy.

Updating your registration to lead supervisor

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the lead supervision role outlined in the policy, you can apply to upgrade your registration level on RECS. Visit the staff intranet for instructions.

Supervisor awards

We strive to create an excellent HDR student experience at the University and recognise excellence in HDR supervision.

The Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence recognise excellence in a variety of fields including workplace practices, teaching and research. University of Sydney staff members can be nominated for 11 categories of award - including HDR Supervisor of the Year. University staff can nominate a colleague for an award, and HDR students can nominate a HDR supervisor.

Visit the awards website for further information.

These awards are run by the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) and are exclusively driven by students as both nominators and judges.

SUPRA Supervisor of the Year Awards recognises and rewards excellence among HDR supervisors of all postgraduate research students—this includes master’s by research, Master of Philosophy, PhDs, and other doctoral candidates.

Visit the SUPRA website for more information.

2024 VC Award for HDR Supervisor of the Year

HDR Supervisor of the Year awarded to Jim Tognolini - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Sydney School of Education and Social Work).

2024 SUPRA Supervisor of the Year announced

The Brain and Mind Centre celebrates three consecutive years of members receiving Supervisor of the Year awards.

Get support

For further assistance, please visit the supervisor support page on the staff intranet.