Research group ethos

My goal is to build a research group that is supportive and helps each member reach their unique potential. We welcome people from all walks of life, no matter their background, race, sexuality or socioeconomic situation. Bias and discrimination will not be tolerated. Above all, I want to create a collaborative research environment where we work together to not only achieve individual growth but also collective success.

What You Can Expect From Me as a Supervisor

I approach student supervision with dedication and commitment. I was fortunate to have had very supportive mentors throughout my research career, and I recognise how pivotal their guidance was to my own development. Drawing from this experience, here’s what student’s can expect from me as a supervisor:

• Weekly regular meetings: These meetings serve as valuable touchpoints, providing opportunities discuss progress, clarify any challenges, and maintain a clear sense of direction and support.

• Timely feedback: I am committed to providing constructive feedback promptly - typically within a few days. I consider timely feedback esstential, as delay can significantly hinder a student’s progress, which is a common concern among HDR students. I will also try to respond to emails quickly.

• Open-door policy: My open door policy means that if my office door is even partially open, you’re welcome to stop by for a chat. If it’s closed, I’m likely in a meeting or away from my desk.

• Open communication: I value open, two-way communication. If there’s room for improvement in your progress, I’ll let you know clearly and constructively. Likewise, if you encounter any issues with my supervision, I want to hear about them as soon as possible. Addressing concerns early prevents small issues from becoming major obstacles.

• Encouragement: I am committed to encouraging you to pursue various professional development opportunties. This includes applying for grants, collaborating with other researchers, attending workshops, engaging with industry and external stakeholders, and participating in both domestic and international conferences. When possible, I will provide financial support for these endeavours.

• Flexibility: I understand that everyone has their own optimal working hours. While my schedule is typically Monday to Friday (~8am - 6pm), there is no requirement for our hours to completely overlap. You are NOT expected to work on weekends, evenings or holidays - in fact, I actively discourage it (unless this is what works best for you). However, time-sensitive tasks, such as experiments or fieldwork, may require you to work outside of your normal hours. Ultimately, you are trusted to manage your time productively and efficiently. What matters most is that when you work, you work with focus.

My expectations are simple: try your best, be friendly, and show respect to others. This is your research journey, you have to be the driving force behind it. Be an active participant in our research group and the broader scientific community. Share ideas, build connections, explore diverse perspectives, and approach your work with curiosity and a critical mindset.

• Independence: Demonstrating independence and initiative is vital to your development as a researcher. It’s common for students to expect their supervisor to have all the answers, but the reality is that research is about exploration and discovery. While I will provide guidance throughout your research project, I won’t always have the answers. Often, you will need to take the lead in making some decsions and defining certain research directions. This is an essential part of becoming a skilled, self-sufficent researcher. These skills also come with experience, so I don’t expect you be entirely independent straight away.

• Apply for grants: Grant writing is a critical skill, not just in academia but across various sectors. It differs from other forms of writing and is cruical for building confidence and resilence as a researcher. While I don’t expect you to pursue large grants, I do expect you do actively seek and apply for smaller, HDR-targeted grants. It does not matter if you are successful or not. I have curated a list of relevant funding opportunties to help you get started.

• Be present and collaborative: Supporting each other within the group and university more broadly is strongly encouraged. Productive, close-knit teams create positive and memorable working environments. This is why I prefer students to spend time on campus when possible, attend lab meetings regularly, and engage actively with the group. However, I understand that working from home can be necessary for some, and we can negotiate a flexible arrangement that suits you.

• Be resepectful of others: It’s simple - don’t be a jerk. Disagreeing with others is fine, but is should be done respectfully. Be mindful of your peers’ working environment and if you face difficulting with others, work toward resolving issues constructively. While we don’t need to be best friends, we do need to maintain a professional and respectful environment.

• Good data practices: Protecting and managing our data responsibly is a key priority. Data collection procedures should be well-documented, analyses should be transparent, and data should be deposited in public repositories when possible. I am in the process of developing a data management system for the research group, and I expect all members to adhere to these protocols to ensure consistency, integrity, and accessibility in our data practices.