AR Davis Postgraduate Research Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. This gift fund was established by staff from East Asian Studies in 1988 as a postgraduate award. It is to honour the memory of A.R. Davis, a Professor of Oriental Studies from 1954 to 1983, to recognise his contribution to the development of East Asian studies in Australia, and to help preserve the tradition of independent study of which he was an exemplary practitioner.

b. This scholarship is to assist PhD students in Chinese and Japanese Studies to undertake fieldwork, attend conferences or with living expenses.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD in Chinese Studies or Japanese Studies within the School of Languages and Cultures, Faculty or Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney at the time of scholarship application closing date.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit, and
II. a personal statement detailing how the Scholarship will assist them in their studies.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded by the Head of School of Languages and Cultures on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of at least two academic staff members from each of:

I. Chinese Studies, and
II. Japanese Studies.

If all eligible applicants are enrolled in both Chinese Studies and Japanese studies, otherwise 3c will apply.

c. If all eligible applicants are enrolled in Chinese Studies the selection committee shall comprise of only two academic staff members from Chinese Studies. If all eligible applicants are enrolled in Japanese Studies, the selection committee shall comprise of only two academic staff members from Japanese Studies.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship value will be determined by the selection committee and will be stipulated in the Scholarship Offer Letter to the recipient(s). The maximum Scholarship value is:

I. $5,000 for full-time enrolled recipients, and
II. $2,500 for part-time enrolled recipients.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a one-off payment on receipt of Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. The Scholarship cannot be deferred without prior approval of the Head of School, School of School of Languages and Cultures.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

e. No other amount is payable.

f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
IV. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
V. if the student ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

6. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.

7. Other Requirements

a. Recipients are required to maintain receipts for up to one year for all costs incurred that are relevant to this Scholarship.

b. Recipients may be required to produce these receipts if requested by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.