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The Graduate Research Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Graduate Studies (BOGS), and has delegated decision-making powers for operational graduate research matters. It also provides advice to the Board of Graduate Studies on policy and regulations regarding graduate research.

Terms of Reference

  • To provide academic oversight of the graduate research degree programmes at the University of Otago. These programmes include Doctoral programmes and Master's research thesis programmes (where the thesis is at least 90 points);
  • To make decisions on behalf of the Board of Graduate Studies relating to the admission and enrolment, progress, approved study and examinations, of candidates for thesis-based doctoral degrees, delegating as appropriate to the Dean of the Graduate Research School;
  • To consider the matters placed before it by the Dean, Graduate Research School and the associate Deans Postgraduate (or equivalent), and provide academic advice and recommend appropriate actions for implementation through established procedures; and,
  • To review the policy and regulations for Doctoral and Master's study in the University in the light of the material placed before it and recommend any modifications to policy or regulations to the Board of Graduate Studies through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).

Membership

Composition of the Committee Member Expiry Date (if applicable)
Dean, Graduate Research School (Convener) Professor David Baxter Ex-officio
Deputy Dean, Graduate Research School Associate Professor Diane Ruwhiu Ex-officio
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Richard Blaikie Ex-officio
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), Division of Commerce Professor Lisa McNeill 16 May 2025
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), Division of Health Sciences Professor Chrys Jaye 31 December, 2024
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), Division of Humanities Associate Professor Wayne Stephenson 31 December, 2023
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee), Division of Sciences Dr Christian Ohneiser 31 December, 2025
Director (or nominee), International Danielle Yamamoto Kerr 31 December, 2023
Head of Department (or nominee), Higher Education Development Centre Associate Professor Vijay Mallan Ex-officio
Manager, Postgraduate Scholarships, Prizes and Awards Peter Boston Ex-officio
Manager, Graduate Research School Bronwen Stephens Ex-officio
Elected postgraduate representative on the OUSA Executive, or a current postgraduate student nominated by the OUSA Keegan Wells 31 December 2023
In attendance Member Expiry Date (if applicable)
Academic staff members representing Professional Doctorate programmes (DClinDent, DBA, EdD and DMA) Associate Professor Sunyoug Ma 31 December 2023
Dr Sarah Carr 31 December 2023
Dr Helen Trevethan 31 December 2023
Committee Secretary Michelle Bennie
michelle.bennie@otago.ac.nz
Group Leaders, Student Administration
Lead Administrator, Student Administration

Meetings for 2023

Please find below the meeting dates and venues for the Graduate Research Committee in 2023.

  • Tuesday 28 February, Centre for Innovation Seminar Room
  • Tuesday 28 March, Council Chamber
  • Wednesday 26 April, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 30 May, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 27 June, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 25 July, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 29 August, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 26 September, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 31 October, Council Chamber
  • Tuesday 28 November, Council Chamber

These meetings will commence at 2pm.

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