Grievances and problems
If you experience problems during your candidature, it is important that they are tackled promptly so that progress is not unduly delayed. In general, problems are best solved without recourse to formal complaint. Where possible it would be encouraged to attempt to resolve problems at the local level.
The first contact is normally your supervisor.
Other people you may contact within the faculty are:
- Faculty Graduate Research Director
- Graduate Research Coordinators
- Other members of the school
- Associate Dean (Research)
- Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty
The following people outside the faculty can also be approached:
- Senior Coordinator, Current Candidature
- Director, Candidature Operations and Researcher Development
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, Researcher Development
See the Graduate Researcher contacts page or your relevant faculty page for contact details.
If you are unhappy about something that has occurred during your candidature you can reach out for support via the student complaints, conduct and appeals page.
Our Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Counsellor provides a free service to all First Nations students.
If you are dissatisfied with a decision of your faculty or the research and research training committee, you may submit a written request to the committee to review the decision. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, it may be possible to request that the decision be considered by the HDR appeals committee. The HDR academic progress procedures gives a description of the appeals process and the allowable grounds for an appeal. You are welcome to seek informal advice or assistance from the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA).
If you wish to make a formal complaint about another matter, please refer to student complaints.
Counselling and advice on non-academic matters can be sought from DUSA.
Further help and support for your wellbeing can be provided by the Health and Wellbeing Safety Team.