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Research with NSC

Scholarships and fees

Academics

Why ANU?

As an HDR student you’ll work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development. Each HDR student is supervised by an academic with relevant expertise. Find out below regarding the steps to apply for HDR with NSC.

Research with NSC

Step 1: Check your eligibility

To be admitted to the NSC’s PhD program you are required to have achieved:

(a)    an honours or master’s thesis that has achieved a grade of  H2A

(b)    another qualification that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a); or

(c)    a combination of qualifications and professional experience that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a).

If you are not sure whether you can meet these criteria, please contact the NSPO HDR convenor for advice.

Step 2: Look for possible supervisors

Applicants must have two confirmed Crawford school supervisor willing to be your proposed supervisors. The list of academics available as supervisors can be found below.

Step 3: Submit an expression of interest and contact potential supervisors

Before submitting an application for admission, you should submit an expression of interest by emailing potential supervisors. While initial contact with supervisors can take any form, some documents that may assist are:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Academic transcripts
  • IELTS/TOEFL results (if applicable)
  • Draft thesis proposal (up to 8 pages)

Step 4: Write the thesis proposal

All applicants should write a thesis proposal that includes the following information.

Title

A precise and informative description of the project.

Abstract

A summary of the proposed research (approx 300 words) that includes the key research question or hypothesis, the rationale for the research, and the method to be employed in the study.

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Aims & significance

A clearly focused statement of the overall purpose of the proposed research (ie, why is it important?).

Research questions &/or hypotheses

The questions that the proposed research will address and/or the hypotheses that will be tested.

Institutional fit

A statement on why NSPO is suitable for your project and an indication of potential supervisors/advisors.

Literature review

You need to demonstrate that are aware of the wider literature published internationally and your research can be engaged with the on-going debates. Therefore, you need to provide a preliminary review of the key research that has already been carried out in the field and identification of the gaps in the literature that the proposed research aims to fill.

Methodology

An explanation of what type of data will be required to answer the research questions, or test the hypotheses and how the data will be collected and analysed.

Timetable

An indication of how the research will be carried out over the duration of a full-time (2 years for MPhil) or part-time (4 years for MPhil) candidature.

Resources

An indication of the funding that will be required over the course of the candidature (eg, for fieldwork) as well any special materials or training that may be necessary for the successful completion of the project.

Bibliography

A list of references cited in or relevant to the proposal.

Step 5: Make a formal application to the ANU
  • A minimum of 3 letters of reference required (At least 2 must be academic references)
  • Have two confirmed supervisors willing to be your proposed supervisors. Email from both confirming that they are willing to be a supervisor is required.

Once your supervisors have interviewed you and signed off on your proposal, you may then submit an online application. Your application will be sent to the Crawford HDR Admissions Committee for assessment at the next Crawford HDR Admissions meeting.

Apply now

Scholarships and fees

National Security College HDR Travel Grant

The National Security College HDR Travel Grant provides additional research funding for new or existing domestic higher degree by research students from the College to undertake fieldwork or attend conferences.

Other scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.

Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

Find out more.

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Academics for HDR supervision
James Mortensen

Dr James Mortensen

Senior Lecturer and HDR Program Coordinator

Dr James Mortensen is a Senior Lecturer and the HDR Program Coordinator at the ANU National Security College.
Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper

Danielle Ireland-Piper

Associate Professor and Academic Director

Danielle Ireland-Piper is the Academic Director and Associate Professor at the National Security College, Australian National University.
Sue Thompson Headshot

Sue Thompson

Associate Professor

Dr Sue Thompson has extensive experience in academia, government, the media and the non-government sector.
Michael Cohen Headshot

Associate Professor Michael Cohen

Associate Professor

Dr Michael Cohen has expertise in International Security with an empirical focus on the Indo-Pacific.
Dirk Van Der Kley Headshot

Dirk van der Kley

Research Fellow

Dirk van der Kley specialises on technology competition and innovation between the US and China, with a particular interest in biological technologies.
Dominique Dalla-Pozza Headshot

Dominique Dalla-Pozza

Senior Lecturer

Dr Dominique Dalla-Pozza is a Senior Lecturer with the ANU National Security College and ANU College of Law.
David Schaefer Headshot

David Schaefer

Lecturer

Dr David Schaefer is a Lecturer at the ANU National Security College.

PhD candidates

Why research at ANU?

Learn more about the application process at ANU.

Apply now

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