An Associate Supervisor (End-user) is someone from outside the higher education sector who brings practical, industry, community, or government-based expertise to support a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate. They contribute applied knowledge and real-world perspectives to the research project.

Associate Supervisor (End-user) examples:

• A person with lived experience.
• A member of the leadership team of a primary or secondary school, e.g., a principal.
• A health practitioner, e.g., a dietician, nurse or physiotherapist.
• A specialist from an advocacy or charitable organisation, e.g., a policy manager.
• A specialist from a government or government organisation, e.g., the head of a regulatory body.
• A specialist from a business, e.g., an accountant or lawyer.

An end-user does not include other higher education providers or any organisation affiliated with, controlled by, or a subsidiary of a higher education provider (such as a Medical Research Institute). Individuals employed by these types of organisations—whether on a full-time, part-time, or honorary basis—are not eligible to serve as an Associate Supervisor (End-user). Instead, they should be considered for inclusion on a HDR candidate’s supervisory panel under the category of Associate Supervisor.

The Principal Supervisor will determine the extent of the Associate Supervisor’s (End-user) involvement. However, the role may encompass the following key contributions:

• Mentorship: Providing guidance and encouragement to support the candidate’s professional growth and career aspirations.
• Professional development: Assisting the candidate in developing skills and capabilities that broaden their future career opportunities.
• Networking: Facilitating access to end-user-related experiences, including invitations to industry events, professional meetings, placements, and networking opportunities.
• Resource access: Supporting the candidate in obtaining access to research resources, facilities, and/or equipment within the end-user’s organisation or community.

An Associate Supervisor (End-user) is not required to hold academic qualifications; however, they should possess expertise in the HDR candidate’s research area.

The appointment of an Associate Supervisor (End-user) is recommended by the Principal Supervisor, in consultation with the Co-supervisor and the HDR candidate, and is subject to approval by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research. While this appointment can occur at any stage of the candidate’s research journey, involving an Associate Supervisor (End-user) at the time of admission offers a key advantage: it allows the end-user to contribute to shaping the research question, enhancing the relevance and potential impact of the research within industry or community settings.