Research

Research degrees are open to graduates of at least four years of full-time tertiary study, including at least one year of study in theology or an associated discipline. Upon being admitted to one of these degrees the research candidate become a member of the University of Divinity’s School of Graduate Research (SGR).  Research students have full borrowing rights at all the libraries of the University of Divinity, and are supported by a regular program of research activities, where they have the opportunity to meet with other research students, and to discuss the progress of their own work.

Featured Links

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  Meet our research students

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  Meet our research supervisors

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  Research process/flowchart

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  Typical research paths

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  Research Application Procedures

Research Units

The University of Divinity offers two research units.

Courses

The University of Divinity offers two higher degrees by research.

Research Resources on ARK

Please logon to ARK to access the following:

• CTC Resources on ARK
• HDR Resources on ARK

Supervisor and Researcher Training

Supervision
Each HDR candidate works with at least two supervisors, a primary supervisor and an associate supervisor. The role of the supervisor is to support, guide, and encourage you in you work, as well as give you feedback on your writing. As you develop as a researcher, the relationship between the HDR candidate and the supervisor undergoes subtle changes as you become the expert in your field of research.

Researcher Training
The SGR offers several different training opportunities, and we are continuing to develop this program. The aim of training is to equip you with the skills you need to compete your dissertation, but also to prepare you for life after completion. Areas covered include general orientation to the research environment, opportunities to participate in research methodologies units, training for the first major milestone—the confirmation panel, academic writing skills development, workshops on presenting and publishing your research and planning your career.

Thesis Boot Camp and “Shut up and Write” sessions

The School of Graduate Research organises three thesis bootcamps a year. A Thesis Bootcamp is a two-day intensive Keeping yourself motivated to write can be a challenge. The SGR organises writing events throughout the year. Thesis bootcamps run over two days and provide the space and motivation for a period of concentrated writing. “Shut up and Write” sessions are only 2-3 hours at a time but run on a more regular basis.

Research Seminars and Research Days

CTC and the University of Divinity run regular research seminars and conferences. Engaging with other researchers and scholars, listening to their work, and presenting your own, helps to develop critical thinking and engagement, and broadens our knowledge of a breadth of disciplines and research. It is another way of building community.

See key research dates above.

Study Carrels

A number of lockable study carrels are available in the Mannix Library for use by research students. Allocations are made at the beginning of each year. Applications should be made to the Deputy Master by the end of November.

Recent Research Graduates

Latest Research News

Supervision Resource from Assoc Prof. Liz Boase.

Kumar, S., Kumar, V. & Taylor, S. (2020) A Guide to Online Supervision. UK Council for Graduate Education. Available on-line.
As I converse with candidates, I note that student experiences with supervision do vary across the University. There is a considerable body of research that supports a correlation between supervision and good outcomes for candidates, demonstrating that students thrive best when they meet with supervisors regularly (at least monthly). Regular meetings provide opportunities for discussion about ideas, future research direction, problem solving, and support. In this way the focus is on the student and their needs and not solely on written work. There is, after all, much more to developing effective researchers than providing comments on their writing (although that too is important).

Study and Mentoring Program offered by the Good Samaritan Sisters