Monash University - Faculty of Arts

Postgraduate Studies (Research) - School of Historical Studies

• Research Supervision
• Postgraduate Research Resources and Facilities
• MRGS Postrgraduate Travel Grants
• Postgraduate Research Enquiries
• Copyright Advice
• Current Student Research Projects

Introduction

The School's comprehensive postgraduate program is characterised by a focus on student community, advising and support.

All research graduate students are expected to attend a regular seminar series. In their first year, students attend an 'Induction Seminar' every couple of weeks in the course of which we discuss how best to develop a thesis topic, write a literature review, approach the theoretical issues that may be involved in the thesis and undertaking research. This program meshes with one that is run by the Arts Research Graduate School but the focus is on enabling students to discuss their work and their concerns with each other.

At the end of their first year, all new students present a paper outlining their research to a conference attended by academic staff and other graduate students. During their first year, too, all students present their project to a small panel of staff.

In their second and subsequent years, students attend a 'Work in Progress' seminar at which they discuss ongoing research questions and read and comment on the work of other graduates - and in turn have their work read and commented upon.

There are also other seminars in which all graduate students meet together - to discuss an important book or article or to meet with and listen to a guest speaker.

Once each year, at the end of first semester, a 'Reporting Back Day' is held. During the course of this day all students present a chapter of their work to a small panel (comprised of two members of academic staff and one graduate student) for analysis and discussion.

Research Supervision

For students seeking a supervisor for their thesis, a list of the research interests of historical studies staff can be viewed at:

• Areas of Staff Research & Supervision

N.B. The School can provide supervision of research in the areas listed on this page, but this list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. Staff members' interests range widely, and students who wish to work on topics not covered on this page can possibly be accommodated. The School also encourages students to undertake interdisciplinary and comparative topic. Dissertation topics may be discussed by interview with the relevant Postgraduate Adviser or the Graduate Coordinator.

Postgraduate Research Resources and Facilities

The School has a postgraduate room and more accommodation is available in the postgraduate study centre (complete with computers and other resources).

Other support structures provide opportunities for students to enhance their professional development. For example, many students choose to join the editorial team of the School's online refereed postgraduate journal Eras or to undertake sessional tutoring. If you are interested in sessional tutoring, please download and complete this form and return it to Liisa Williams, room W605.

MRGS Postgraduate Travel Grants

Students undertaking postgraduate research programs at Monash are strongly encouraged to present their research findings at national and international conferences. This allows them to expose their work to peer review and to develop networks that will be important in their subsequent research careers.

Postgraduate travel grants are also available for students:

• to undertake field trips, surveys, data collection or interviews;
• to learn new techniques;
• to pursue research in specialist archive collections; or
• to utilise specialist equipment not available at Monash

This interaction with researchers of international reputes enriches and broadens a student's research experience, while also stimulating collaborative research links between Monash and other tertiary and research institutions.

Forms and further information www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/scholarships/grants/postgradtravelgrants.html

Postgraduate Research Enquiries

For all matters and questions to do with your candidature, scholarships, forms, resources and administrative issues, your first port of call will normally be either the Graduate Coordinator or the Graduate Administrator.