Research Central HDR Community of Practice

Join Research Central – Your Weekly Boost for Research Progress

New sessions commencing this week!

It’s that time of year again — and we’re inviting you to be part of Research Central, our vibrant online community of practice for HDR candidates.

Now in its third year, Research Central has already helped three students submit their PhDs in 2024 — each crediting the community’s support as a key factor in their success.

If you’re looking for momentum, motivation, and meaningful connection with others on the same journey, Research Central is here to support you with the choice of four hours of interactive sessions each week, including:

  • 60-minute Masterclass – learn practical research skills
  • 60-minute Ask Me Anything – ask, explore, and clarify (yes, anything!)
  • 2-hour Shut Up and Write – focused writing time, together

Whether you’re feeling stuck or just want to stay on track, Research Central offers the structure, support, and peer connection to help you thrive.

Ready to recharge your research?  Join Research Central today.

More information  and  Expression of Interest form

Looking to improve your skills in First Nations research?

Ethical research on Country: Approaches for HDR Candidates is a self-paced workshop that informs HDR candidates of the ethical responsibilities and cultural sensitivities required for conducting research on-country and introduces the AIATSIS principles of Indigenous self-determination, leadership, impact and value, and sustainability and accountability.

The workshop seeks to develop in candidates a deeper understanding of decolonising and anti-colonial research approaches with Indigenous peoples or on issues of significance to Indigenous Australians.

Each aspect of the workshop has been carefully developed by a team of Charles Sturt researchers, including staff from SIAS and Gulaay.

The total time commitment is around 3-4 hours. The workshop culminates in a short self-marking assessment where candidates review their learning to complete the quiz. This is then recognised in your Research Master record.

Self-enrol for this training through the ‘Discover’ tab in Brightspace.

Masterclass Series: Seeing like a Researcher – Professor Anna Walduck, ‘Organoids: using complex in vitro models to understand disease

Join us online on Wednesday, 2 July at 12:00-13:00 (AEST) for our  next session in the Masterclass Series: Seeing like a Researcher

In this session, Professor Anna Walduck will present her groundbreaking work in the development of advanced tissue culture methods. This Innovation in Research masterclass will explore the fascinating world of organoids—complex in vitro models that replicate the structure and function of real organs—and their wide-ranging applications.

Session Overview

The development of advanced tissue culture methods has made it possible to culture “organs in a dish” that are termed organoids. These models, self-assemble into 3- dimensional structures that closely resemble the characteristics of the original organs. Organoids are derived from stem cells present in adult animal or human tissues and have become indispensable for investigating questions including fundamental biology, cancer, infectious diseases and personal medicine. ​ Read more

ACSPRI Courses

These ACSPRI courses are available to staff and HDR candidates of Charles Sturt at a discounted rate. HDR candidates may also be able to use their operating funds. 

Courses with places remaining in the 2025 Winter Program: June 30 – July 11

Week 1: Online June 30 – July 4

Foundations of Qualitative Methodologies, Data Collection and Analysis: Online (3 days) with Prof Carol Grbich
Data Analysis Using Stata: Online with Dr Joanna Dipnall

Week 2: Online July 7 – 11

Introduction to Qualitative Research: Online with Dr Emma Mitchell
Applied Statistical Procedures: Online with Dr Gordon Emmerson
Qualitative Research: Design, Analysis and Representation: Online with Dr Delwyn Goodrick
*Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis: Online with Dr Mark Griffin (*one place left!)
Introduction to Large Language Models (LLMs) in Social Sciences: Online (3 days) with Dr. Maria Prokofieva Read more

2025 Faculty of Science and Health HDR and Honours Symposium

The Symposium is a great opportunity to extend peer networks and to discover  the research that is being undertaken by our Higher Degree by Research and Honours students in the Faculty of Science and Health.

The 2025 Symposium will be conducted as a hybrid event this year on the 18th and 19th November, 2025. It will provide HDR and Honours students an opportunity to showcase their research to their peers in an online and in person collegial conference setting.

There will be opportunities to come together in person to meet with staff and  students in a supportive environment over on-campus morning/afternoon teas and lunches.

Students will have the opportunity to present a 10 minute seminar on their research, suitable for a non-specialist audience. This will be followed by 5 minutes of question time. Prizes for the best and runner up HDR and Honours seminars will be awarded to be used for professional development.

A selection of posters will be presented online and in person over the days and will also compete for prizes to be used for professional development.

For more information please email FOSH-Ops-Admin@csu.edu.au

Registrations are now Open

Registrations will close Friday 29th August, 2025.

Student Registration Form

Staff Registration Form

**Please note:

Seeing like a Researcher- Masterclass #3

Join the next Masterclass Series online on Wednesday 18 June at 12:00-13:00 (AEST) for Seeing like a Researcher: to learn how to build your professional brand on LinkedIn and promote your research outside the University. ​

Session Overview
In this session, you will learn strategies to engage with LinkedIn strategically so the algorithm works in your favour, including how to set up your profile, how to network authentically and exactly what to post.​ This is a valuable opportunity for researchers looking to learn valuable skills to promote your research and start posting with confidence.

About the presenter

Fleur Horsley is the Social Media Strategist and has 15+ years’ experience in social media across a range of industries. She has worked in various industries including home construction, healthcare, small business and for 8 years in the higher education space.​.​

Join here

Explore the Masterclass Series and join directly from the webpage: Masterclass Series – Researchers

Session recordings

The Masterclass Series is recorded for those who cannot join in person. Watch past Masterclass recordings here: Engagement and impact – Researchers

Three-minute Thesis finalists selected

It’s all over in just 3 minutes! But what impressive 3 minutes they are! Last week a record number of our HDR candidates took on the challenge of presenting their doctoral research to a non-expert audience in our annual 3-minute Thesis competition heats. 20 presenters from across the spectrum of our disciplines shared their passion and the significance of their research with audiences and the judging panels whose difficult task it was to select just 8 finalists. The finals will be held with a live audience in Wagga Wagga on 13th August.

Thank you to everyone who presented for the time and commitment you put into your presentations and thank you to our judges.

Congratulations to the following who have been selected for the finals.

Sophea Aing – New drugs and vaccines against H. pylori

Kirstie Northfield – From Grunts to Giggles: Understanding Your Teen’s Mental Health

Jennifer Sharp- Virtual friends: technology for social connection in space.

Sarah Smorhun – Beyond Bollards: Protecting Australian Crowded Places

Muhammad Riaz Hasib Hossain – Mob-Based Cattle Weight Gain Forecasting Using ML Models

Alexander Tynan – Deworming the world

Nushrat Azam – Reflections in the Mirror: The Impact of Othering on Self & Social Identity

Katrina Gersbach – In their own words: Wellbeing in the heart of the bush

The ‘Seeing like a Researcher’ lunchtime program starts this Wednesday!

Join us on Wednesdays for our 2025 lunchtime Masterclass Series 12:00-13:00 (AEST).

This Wednesday 21 May at 12:00-13:00 (AEST) is our first Masterclass for Seeing like a researcher: Developing a high-quality ARC/NHMRC application

Drawing from his experience as a member of the ARC College of Experts and the ARC Grant Selection Executive Committee, Professor Muhammad Shiddiky will share valuable insights, practical advice on how to develop a compelling ARC and NHMRC grant application.

More info and join from the webpage here: Masterclass Series – Researchers

DocFest Graduate Research (virtual) Conference

It’s less than a week to go before we kick-off this year’s DocFest.

It’s a whole week of great research presentations. keynote speakers, discussion panels and workshops for HDR candidates, supervisors and anyone interested in research. Click the button below to see the daily program and links to sessions.

You can pop in and out of sessions or come for the lot, but don’t miss it!

Join The 2025 Masterclass Series

 

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