We value your input

Macquarie University is committed to providing a strong and supportive research culture. We encourage feedback from Graduate Research students regarding positive and challenging experiences.

Each year, Graduate Research students are invited to provide feedback on their university experience via the Macquarie University Student Experience Questionnaire – Research (MUSEQ-R). This survey covers key aspects of your research journey, including your skill development, the intellectual climate in your department/faculty, infrastructure, and your supervisory support. The feedback provided is used by the University to understand what we are doing well and where we can enhance your research journey.

Your 2022 feedback

Graduate researchers’ satisfaction improved in Overall Experience, Supervision, Skills Development, Intellectual Climate and Infrastructure in 2022, compared with 2021:

  • 92% thought the support and guidance from their supervisors was good or excellent
  • 95% of students were satisfied with their skill development
  • 60% of students felt they were well integrated into the broader research culture and community
  • 86% of students were satisfied with the infrastructure provided
  • 84% of students were satisfied with their overall degree experience

Areas that require improvement were also identified:

  • student integration into the research community
  • administrative processes and support
  • scholarship and research funding

Our response

Based on students’ feedback in 2022 and 2021, the Graduate Research Academy (GRA) at Macquarie University further enhanced its services to support students’ needs - including additional online developmental opportunities and support, greater financial support and student provisions, and enhanced administration processes.

  • Increased scholarship stipends to assist students with the increases in the cost of living.
  • Continued to deliver a range of workshops to support students with their skill development and milestone requirements.
  • Launched a range of initiatives, including Covid leave and extension provisions, to support students during lockdown.
  • Joined the iPREP Biodesign program to provide students with an exciting opportunity to collaborate with industry on design thinking.
  • Established the Graduate Research Advisory Group (GRAG) to strengthen the communication between Graduate Research Leadership, management and students and to provide an effective mechanism for engaging with the GR cohort to inform decision making.
  • Developed Guidelines for Graduate Research Internships and introduced new provisions to support students wishing to undertake an internship opportunity.
  • Offered new supervision workshops focused on supervision practices and supporting students’ skill development and progression.
  • Increased the amount of Postgraduate Research Funding (PGRF) to help students cover expenses relating to the conduct of their research or fieldwork.
  • Introduced new mandatory training requirements for external supervisors, creating an awareness and understanding of the rules, policies, and codes that supervisors and students are expected to adhere to.
  • Trained GRA staff in Mental Health First Aid and awareness, and provided all students with access to the Black Dog Institute’s Mental Health and Wellbeing eLearning module.
  • Transitioned from paper-based forms to eForms for key processes such as variations to candidature.
  • Launched the Graduate Research Peer Mentors program to improve peer level support within the research community, reduce the sense of isolation and create networking opportunities.
  • Hosted a range of social events, including the annual GRAfest, providing an avenue for students to connect with the graduate research community.

Your confidential feedback helps us to better understand how we are contributing to your university experience and to identify our areas of strength and areas for improvement.

Check your emails during September - October for an invitation to complete the Macquarie University Student Experience Questionnaire – Research (MUSEQ-R).

Other feedback opportunities

The Annual Progress Report (APR) provides you with an opportunity to critically reflect on progress in your research program and skill development in the last 12 months. You are encouraged to be honest in the reporting of your progress and be assured that the purpose of the APR is to enable the University to support your continued candidature and progression.

If you would like to confidentially discuss any aspect of your candidature please contact your Department Director of Research Training, Faculty Associate Dean Research Training and Performance or Academic Director Graduate Research to arrange a meeting.

The Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ) is a national survey offered to research graduates by the Graduate Careers Australia (GCA). The Questionnaire is intended to probe key elements of the university experience, including supervision, intellectual climate, skill development, infrastructure, thesis examination and goals and expectations.

Further information about the PREQ can be found at: https://www.graduatecareers.com.au/files/research/start/agsoverview/ctags/preqo/

Reports