Graduate Program
Download the E&ERC Graduate Program Guide
Features
The graduate program of the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre at UNSW aims to foster excellence in postgraduate research and supervision, and the development of skills to better equip research students for careers in science. Students are offered support for their own research projects and a wide-ranging program of activities aimed at developing a broader conceptual understanding of the discipline and enhanced research skills. Excellence in postgraduate research is recognised by annual prizes for theses, publications, presentations and research activities.
Postgraduate Research Forum
Twice each year, the research activities of students are featured in the E&ERC Postgraduate Forum. Presentations from students across the centre, and associated social events, promote the effective communication of science and allow students to receive valuable feedback from fellow students and academics. The forum will be held in the week after the last week of each session (June and November).
E&ERC Research Seminars
The Centre will feature regular research seminars by resident and visiting academics and research fellows. Attendance at these seminars is considered essential for exposure to wide variety of evolutionary and ecological research topics, critical thinking beyond a student’s individual project and gaining potential contacts.
Seminars are co-ordinated by Dr Malte Ebach (e.ebach@unsw.edu.au). Students should check the E&ERC website for dates and times of upcoming seminars.
Distinguished Visitor Program
The E&ERC will host extended visits from distinguished research scientists. The visitors will give research presentations, participate in workshops and discussions, meet individually with research students, and attend dinners or other social events.
Once a year our visitor will be part of a Diversity in Science program which is based on the successful BEES Women in Science program (2004-6). The aims of this program are to showcase excellent science, highlight and address issues associated with diversity in science and to workshop strategies for career success. This program is targeted especially at early career researchers.
One of the distinguished visitors each year will be selected by the postgraduate students, offering an opportunity for students to meet important researchers relevant to their field and make important contacts (i.e., potential employers of postdocs). Students with ideas for potential visitors should contact Dr Angela Moles (a.moles@unsw.edu.au) with their suggestions.
Research Discussion Groups
Students and staff regularly meet to discuss ideas in evolution and ecology. These groups feature discussions of published papers, short presentations of student research, and sessions for planning proposed research. Currently active discussion groups include:
- Evolution of sexual selection, ageing – Brooks & Bonduriansky laboratories
- Conservation genetics – Sherwin laboratory
- Marine ecology and evolution – Johnston, Poore and Steinberg laboratories
- Fisheries and marine environmental research – Suthers laboratory
- Predator-prey interactions and invasive species – Banks laboratory
- Ecogeeks – Bonser and Moles laboratories
- Stata Journal Club - David Warton's group and other statisticians
Students should contact the academics in charge to obtain discussion schedules.
Development of Research Skills
The E&ERC will host workshops and discussions throughout the year aimed at improving the research skills of postgraduate students. These will be held by centre academics, research fellows and distinguished visitors. Postgraduate students are encouraged to be actively involved in the selection of topics that will most benefit their research project and development as a research scientist.
Writing skills: The centre strongly promotes the written communication of research via journal articles, and the popular media. Workshops will give guidance in all steps of the publication process: manuscript preparation, selection of appropriate journals, dealing with reviewers’ comments and manuscript revisions. Excellence in publication is recognised by the annual E&ERC postgraduate award for Outstanding Paper in Evolution and Ecology.
Communicating research to the broader community is encouraged via preparation of articles for the popular press, and promotion of student research on the E&ERC web page. Excellence in scientific communication in addition to journal articles is recognised by the annual E&ERC award for Outstanding Evolution & Ecology Postgraduate Researcher.
Practical skills: Academics, research fellows and distinguished visitors will periodically present workshops on specific skills relevant to their research (e.g., advanced statistical analyses). A database of research skills held by centre staff and students will facilitate skill sharing among postgraduate students.
Students should check the E&ERC website for dates and times of upcoming events.
Development of a research career
There is more to developing a research career than simply finishing a postgraduate degree. With experienced mentors, we aim to provide resources and advice for students at various steps along the pathway to a research career. With a program of activities for students, the E&ERC will provide advice on several aspects of a successful research career including funding opportunities, grant writing, research networking, and finding employment.
Students should check the E&ERC website for dates and times of upcoming events.
