Subject Selection / Getting Started

Define your research interest and personal goals.

Research is both rewarding and challenging. Give yourself the best chance of success by ensuring your project aligns with your past studies, existing research skills, interests and career goals. Use the resources below to find inspiration, get information about what the subjects entail and what can be realistically achieved. Remember that supervisors will have advice on topics that are feasible to research within a small project, and often seek students to undertake specific projects. It will help to speak with several potential supervisors as you define your research area.

• Check the list of research opportunities/projects
• Attend an information session
• Read past theses online
• Contact the Subject Coordinator
• Speak to potential supervisors

Finding the right supervisor can make a successful research project that much easier. Identify potential academic supervisors by:

1. Asking lecturers or a fellow Master of Environment student for recommendations,
2. Using the Find an Expert search tool,
3. Viewing the information on Faculty research webpages:
   1. Science
   2. Arts
   3. Architecture, Building and Planning
   4. Engineering
   5. Business and Economics
   6. Education
   7. Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
   8. Law

Check the academic’s homepage or publications to see whether their research interests align with your project. Supervisors are typically full-time University staff (sometimes Associates or Fellows, rarely sessional i.e. casual staff). Joint academic supervision is possible and may be required depending on the disciplinary scope of a project.

Once you have identified a potential supervisor, send them an email and ask for an appointment. In your email make sure you describe your research interests, your background knowledge of the area, and your existing research training or skills.

Important matters to consider/discuss with potential supervisors include:

• Your research interest, potential questions and personal goals;
• The size (number of points) and duration (1 or 2 semesters) of subject you’re considering;
• Your background knowledge and skills (e.g. recent subjects and grades);
• The supervisor’s capacity and interest in supervising your project;
• The supervisor’s availability to supervise (any planned absences?);
• Compatibility: do you think you can work well together?

Potential supervisors may not have previously supervised a Master of Environment student and may have questions about the process and support provided. Invite them to contact MEnv-research if they have further questions.

Strategies for finding an industry supervisor include:

• Approaching an organisation via a letter and a phone call;
• Working through an academic with existing industry contacts;
• Responding to a project opportunity advertised through the OEP website;
• Collaborating with their employer, whilst still studying, to develop and undertake a research project.

It is advised that students facilitate a meeting between industry and academic supervisors prior to the submission of the application.

Yo can find contact details for supervisors on the Find an Expert search tool.

Choose a subject that fits within your study plan and is large enough to facilitate the research required to answer your proposed research questions. Discuss your options with potential supervisors.

Industry Research subjects facilitate working with an Industry Partner and require an industry supervisor. Industry subjects require additional legal paperwork to protect the student and govern the use of intellectual property. Please note:

• Developing a relationship with an industry partner can take considerable time
• It is critical that that all parties have realistic expectations of the project scope
• The project must be completed within University timelines for assessment
• It is advised that projects be ‘of mutual interest, but not time crucial’

The Research and Industry Subject application form (R1) should be completed in consultation with your supervisor and requires signatures from the supervisor(s) and Head of Department before it will be considered. The form is quite detailed, and it can also take some time to get HoD signatures so start early to ensure a timely submission.