Recommendations

The recommendations below are based on survey participants' responses. They highlight key supports required by graduate researchers to assist them in weathering the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing with their research.

• A universal six month universal extension for all projects, including a matching extension to scholarships. A 6-month extension has recently been granted by the Australian National University to their graduate research students, and we call upon other universities to follow.

• The provision of further crisis extensions made available on a case-by-case basis.

• A period of paid leave specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic that does not impact other leave options such as regular allocations of sick leave and leave of absence.

• Grants for students to access appropriate technology and furniture if they do not have a suitable work-space at home.

• A comprehensive support package for international students which addresses

  • The ability to continue their research from their home country, and maintain their scholarship

  • Support to address any visa issues

  • Support for students at the end of their candidature to stay in the country as long as required.

• Hardship scholarships for students in particularly vulnerable situations (e.g. domestic violence, homelessness) that have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Support services, including telephone counselling and accommodation support.

• The back-pay of wages for sessional staff (tutors and coordinators) that reflect hours worked, particularly as this relates to the transition to online teaching and learning in March 2020.

“This cannot just be a selective support mechanism that forgoes the universal impact of the crisis for all no matter the nature of their research. "

These recommendations will ensure that students are able to address their present survival and community care needs during this time of crisis, enabling them to return to and continue with their PhD research when they are able to focus on and prioritise conducting high-quality research. Further, these recommendations will ease strain on other parts of the university system, such as:

• Academic supervisors, who are being asked to conduct supervision as normal while being able to access limited support themselves.

• Ethics committees, which will have to rapidly process multiple application amendments if students are forced to continue their research as usual (as is currently expected).

• Teaching teams relying on graduate student labour.