Candidate support

The objective of the Progress Support Plan is to support candidates. It is not a punitive measure. When candidates are assigned a Progress Support Plan an enhanced monitoring process is put in place to benefit the candidate. Assigning a Progress Support Plan provides a mechanism:

• To identify candidates whose progress is of concern so that supervisors, HDR convenors, and Deans (Research) are able to provide additional support and guidance.
• For input to be provided by the HDR convenor in the management of the candidature.
• For enhanced support to be provided as early as possible to prevent progress issues escalating.
• For support to be provided to the supervisory team in managing difficult candidatures.
• To formally document a plan of action for the candidate and monitor achievement.
• To ensure candidates are referred to the appropriate support services available within their Element, Group or Research Centre, and more broadly across Griffith University.

A candidate may be assigned a Progress Support Plan in the following circumstances:

• The outcome of milestone completion includes the recommendation to assign a Progress Support Plan.
• The candidate does not submit their thesis by their original maximum submission date.
• The candidate does not meet the expectations of their supervisory team, Head of Element or delegate or Dean (Research) (for example, they did not submit requested work for review, attend meetings, complete milestones in a timely manner and so on).
• The candidate requests to be assigned a Progress Support Plan.

The Progress Support Plan will normally be applied for a period of three to six months.

Most requests to assign a Progress Support Plan come from an HDR candidate, principal supervisor or HDR convenor directly. The Griffith Graduate Research School may also receive a recommendation to assign a Progress Support Plan via a milestone outcome or candidature variation outcome.

Upon receiving a request or recommendation to assign a Progress Support Plan, the GGRS will initiate an Progress Support Plan Assignment service request. The Dean (Research) then reviews and approves or rejects the request (including the timeframe for the status).

Following approval by the Dean (Research), the candidate will be notified of their status in writing – and will be invited to meet with their supervisory team and HDR convenor to discuss the reasons for being placed on a Progress Support Plan, and the plan of action for continuation. At (or following) this meeting, the HDR Convenor, on behalf of those present at the meeting, will complete a Progress Support Action Plan, which will outline the following:

• the concerns with progress
• why the candidate is not progressing at the level expected for the degree
• what is needed for the candidate’s progress to get back on track including referrals to support services
• the specific actions to be completed by the candidate, and (where applicable) the supervisory team, during the Progress Support Plan period
• timelines for completion of actions and the standard of performance expected
• recommendations to vary candidature where applicable (for example, applying for a period of leave).

The Progress Support Action Plan must be agreed to by the candidate, supervisory team and the HDR convenor, and each party will be provided with a copy. The completed form must also be sent to the Griffith Graduate Research School via email to hdr-enquiry@griffith.edu.au. If a candidate does not respond to the meeting invitation or attend the scheduled meeting, the supervisory team and HDR convenor may proceed to complete the Progress Support Action Plan, and provide a copy to the candidate.

In cases where the HDR convenor is concerned that the supervision of the candidate is impacting their progression, the HDR convenor may recommend an experienced accredited supervisor be appointed to oversee the supervision of the candidate during the Progress Support Plan period, or for the remaining duration of the candidature.

Where the Progress Support Action Plan includes a recommendation to vary candidature, the candidate must seek approval for this variation through the usual process outlined on the Making changes to candidature website.

At the end of the Progress Support Plan period, completion of the actions as specified in the agreed Progress Support Action Plan will be assessed by the HDR convenor. The HDR convenor may arrange a meeting with the supervisory team and the candidate to determine if the Progress Support Action Plan has been adhered to and if the candidate is now progressing at a level expected for the degree.

If the Progress Support Action Plan has not been adhered to, the HDR convenor may recommend the Progress Support Plan be extended, or may recommend another course of action such as a change to the supervisory team. In instances where a candidate is still not progressing at the standard expected for the degree – despite every reasonable attempt being made to rectify the situation – a recommendation to terminate or downgrade candidature may be made. In such cases candidates will be provided with reasons for the recommendation.

Candidates will be formally advised of the outcome of the Progress Support Plan assessment in writing from the Griffith Graduate Research School.