Melbourne Research Experience Survey

Every two years we ask you for feedback on your research experience. The information you provide helps us identify areas of good performance and areas for improvement.

Take part and have your say

If you are a current graduate researcher who commenced before 1 January 2025, you will receive an email containing a link to the survey. Simply use the survey link to provide your feedback. The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

Those who complete the survey by Monday 4 August 2025 have the option to be entered into a draw to win one $750 or one of five $150 Virtual Mastercard gift cards (or a GoGift Global gift card if based overseas).

You will be asked about your experience of supervision, the resources and support available to you. You will also have the opportunity to provide general comments about your graduate research experience.

Reporting from the MRES

Outcomes will be reported by faculty, and where appropriate by department or school. Results are not presented where there are fewer than five responses. More comprehensive reports of your views on supervision and support will be compiled and submitted to faculty leadership through the Committee of Graduate Research Associate Deans, to Academic Board through the Higher Degrees by Research Committee, and senior management.

You said, we listened

Key initiatives undertaken by your faculty since the 2023 survey.

• Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
  • Introduced tailored and comprehensive research integrity and ethics workshops for ABP graduate researchers, in collaboration with the Office for Research Ethics and Integrity.
  • Reviewed and re-designed our Research Methods workshops, engaging expertise from across the Faculty.
  • Held our Graduate Research Symposium, which is now a valuable highlight in our annual calendar of graduate researcher events, forums and workshops.
  • A successful review of our graduate researcher programs was conducted by the University’s Higher Degrees Research Committee.
• Faculty of Arts
  • Streamlined research support funding aligned with confirmation milestones, incorporating advisory committee into budgeting and planning for graduate research projects.
  • Significantly increased levels of research support for essential research activities, fieldwork and conference presentation.
  • Enhanced student voice with new feedback opportunities including deputy associate dean graduate research coffee chats and graduate research (GR) forums that led to improvements to coursework, communication and cohort connection.
  • More strongly integrated graduate researchers into faculty research culture through inclusion of graduate researchers in the dean’s newsletter and integration of graduate research into research portfolio in the faculty.
• Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Launched an LMS community platform for graduate researchers, serving as the primary information and announcement hub.
  • Introduced a dedicated student lounge space exclusively for graduate researchers and the FBE PhD Student Society.
  • Developed and implemented the Doctoral Skills Training Program, featuring professional development and skills workshops throughout the academic year.
  • Delivered a pilot wellbeing program for doctoral graduate researchers, focusing on personal effectiveness and metacognitive journaling.
  • Introduced an FBE heat for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, with two graduate researchers advancing to the University's Grand Final, and one winning the People's Choice Award.
  • Embedded a dedicated orientation session for new doctoral candidates within the broader Faculty orientation program, fostering a sense of community and connection.
  • Allocated annual funding to support the FBE PhD Student Society’s cohort-building events and initiatives.
• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
  • Held our now annual Graduate Research Showcase, bringing together our graduate researchers with top industry partners to support research collaboration and career pathways.
  • Established graduate research committee with representatives from the student societies in each school and department, to help support belonging and cross-discipline networking and a voice for graduate researchers in decisions that affect them.
  • Introduced FEIT supervisor training to support quality supervision experiences for our graduate researchers.
  • We run local programs for graduate researchers such as new graduate researcher induction, monthly coffee club, Thesis Writer workshops, Three Minute Thesis and our end of year celebration.
• Faculty of Fine Arts and Music
  • Created regular 'coffee catch-ups' – a social space for graduate researchers and staff to connect and build a sense of community.
  • Created a booking system to maximise use of Faculty space for dedicated graduate research work, making it more accessible to all graduate researchers.
  • Introduced a new initiative to supply better information to graduate researchers and supervisors on ethics applications.
  • Streamlined and clarified faculty-specific digital information for graduate researchers.
  • Improved the faculty Graduate Research Fund application process to make awards more accessible and expedient in their payouts.
• Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
  • Initiated monthly newsletters specific to the MDHS graduate research cohort to deliver timely and relevant information to graduate researchers and their supervisors, and professional support staff.
  • Launched biannual MDHS Graduate Research Welcome Event for new graduate researchers to meet and hear from the associate dean graduate research, the faculty graduate research team, current graduate research and wellbeing and advocacy services.
  • Established the MDHS Graduate Research Candidate Committee – a representative committee of graduate researchers reporting directly to the faculty Graduate Research Committee.
  • Expanded faculty-wide development opportunities including the Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program (in partnership with GSA), Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) and Career Development workshop (in partnership with Melbourne Business School).
  • Expanded and revitalised the Dean’s Awards in Graduate Research; reinstated the Dean’s Award for Excellence in the PhD Thesis; amended the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Research to be more inclusive; created and launched the Dean’s Award Event to celebrate excellence in the graduate research community.
  • Undertook a review of MDHS graduate research administrative support services.
• Faculty of Science
  • Mandated online mental health training for all Faculty of Science graduate research supervisors.
  • Established a Graduate Research Reference Group (GRRG) to gain regular feedback on graduate researcher issues at school and faculty level.
  • Enhanced faculty welcome events (with Academic Skills/Library) to improve graduate researcher onboarding.
  • Improved school and faculty communications about provision of resources.
  • Substantially improved Faculty graduate researcher webpages and intranet page for supervisors.
  • Expanded involvement in international joint PhD programs, enhancing opportunities for collaboration and academic mobility.
• Faculty of Education
  • Reviewing key milestones to ensure that there is consistency across the faculty and that expectations are clear and supportive toward quality and timely completions.
  • Developing course work for the PhD to help build a strong foundation for the PhD and to enhance collegiality and community amongst our faculty graduate researchers.
  • Holding an annual Research Conference bringing together our graduate researchers and academic staff, which provides our graduate researchers with the opportunity to present their research.
  • Providing ongoing support to the graduate researcher-led Graduate Researcher Community (FoE GRC) to create a connected and thriving community. Initiatives include coffee catch ups, shut up and write days, and to enhance research culture for all graduate researchers in the faculty. The annual Graduate Research Showcase provides graduate researchers with the opportunity to present their research and connection with peers, building a supportive graduate research community.
  • Ensured that our graduate researchers are represented on key faculty committees.
• Melbourne Law School
  • The graduate research team is developing networks of graduate research alumni to help develop long-term relationships with graduate researchers.
  • Developing the Graduate Research Support Program to give more importance to training in oral presentation and argument.
  • Developing programs to address the role of AI-assisted learning in graduate research.

Reporting inappropriate behaviour

Occasionally, survey respondents wish to make the University aware of concerning or inappropriate behaviour they have experienced or witnessed. We encourage you to contact the Safer Community Program in the first instance. They can provide advice and support, including on what to do if you would like to make a formal report.

For further information on the University’s commitment to a safe, inclusive and respectful community, visit Our commitments webpage to find out about the actions we are taking.