Student responsibilities

Students conducting their research with Telethon Kids Institute are expected to show initiative and lead their research project, with the support of their supervisory team and Leadership & Organisational Development.

Students have responsibility for the following aspects of their program:

Research and Training

• Project Plan – to, with the assistance of their supervisors, develop a detailed research proposal, and a corresponding financial and operational plan for their project
• Timeframes – to be aware of their project milestones and complete their research project within the stipulated timeframe, or explain why the project may exceed this timeframe
• Communication:
  • Meetings - to initiate frequent meetings with their supervisory team regarding their project, including generating and distributing agendas and minutes
  • Information Sharing - to frequently contact their supervisory team and share any relevant information regarding their project
• Feedback – to establish mutually acceptable timelines for feedback from their supervisors on written work
• Support – to alert their supervisory team and/or Leadership & Organisational Development of any issues they may be facing that will hinder the timely completion of their project
• Professional Development - to take responsibility for their own professional development and academic career

Community and Administration

• Reputation – to uphold the academic standards and reputations of both their supervisors and the Institute
• Student Culture – to participate in student activities, and promote the student experience at Telethon Kids Institute
• Policy and Course Requirements – to maintain awareness of the academic regulations and administrative requirements of their degree, and to complete all paperwork and other degree obligations in a timely fashion
• Health and Safety – to be responsible for their own personal safety, and the safety of those around them:
  • Within the Building – to ensure they adhere by the Institute’s Safety Rules at all times
  • In the Labs – to ensure while in the labs they are supervised at all times during their first month at Telethon Kids, and to ensure they follow all safety protocol outlined by Lab Managers and Supervisors
• Recordkeeping – to ensure their supervisors, university contacts, and Leadership & Organisational Development are informed about changes to their contact details and candidature

PhD Student Responsibilities

Students completing a Doctor of Philosophy, on top of the responsibilities mentioned on page 9, have additional expectations that must be fulfilled for successful completion of their course.

Student Advisory Panel
The Student Advisory Panel is the Institute’s process of ensuring all PhD projects are reviewed prior to submission to the student’s university.
This process comprises of a research Panel, composed by the student, which scientifically evaluates the student’s proposal and provides feedback prior to formal submission to the university. This is a compulsory process for all internal PhD students, except those enrolled through university schools with their own review system. 

Institute Milestones
On top of the student’s university milestones, Telethon Kids Institute has one additional yearly presentation milestone that must be fulfilled by all internal PhD students.

PhD students are expected to present their research to a Telethon Kids approved audience each year of their candidature. Presentations for the first, second, and third year may be short, however the final year presentation must be a formal, hour-long seminar of the student’s full project at the Institute’s Friday Seminar Series. For more information on PhD milestones, please see the Appendix.

Final Year Presentation
As mentioned above, a PhD student’s final-year presentation must be a formal, hour-long seminar showcasing their full project at the Institute’s Friday Seminar Series. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they book their presentation date with the organising committee in advance to secure a place.

All internal PhD students must complete this milestone for successful completion of their candidature. For more information on the Seminar Series and final-year presentation, please speak to the Leadership & Organisational Development team.