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The University of Otago now has a Graduate Research School, which aims to provide more academic support, more services to graduate research candidates and a focus on leading research on how to research. The School replaces the research services department and now welcomes a Dean, Professor Rachel Spronken-Smith.

Prof. Spronken-Smith explained to Critic that the school will now have a “more academic focus” and the rename is for “marketing benefits.” Otago can now boast a centre, similar to those of overseas universities, that specifically caters for the needs of graduate students and increases the success of Otago students.

Prof. Spronken-Smith believes that postgraduate study is still worth the cost of higher fees, despite postgrads no longer being eligible for allowances, but recognises that postgraduates face increasing financial barriers to entry. “It is a concern of mine. Government policy is a huge barrier [to postgraduate study] but postgraduate qualifications are becoming more important for credentialism.” More students are gaining tertiary qualifications each year, so “there is an increasing expectation from employers.” Prof. Spronken-Smith believes there is a huge range of jobs for doctoral candidates now, compared to previous years when a PhD was a straight path to academia. However, she would like to pursue more research as to whether this is actually the case. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many PhD holders have struggled to find employment.

The opening of the graduate school coincides with the annual Graduate Research Month held at Otago. The month is a celebration of and for postgraduates. The school is aiming to make postgraduate information more accessible to students and the public with an open day to be held in the Link from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 20 August. It will present 50 booths representing more than 70 areas of study, and replaces the information evenings that used to be held.

The Graduate Research Month will launch with a workshop on networking tips, followed by the open day which will include a chamber debate, the OUSA Supervisors of the Year Awards and the final of the “three-minute thesis” competition. The thesis competiton gives students the chance to present their research to an audience and compete for “a number of generous prizes.” These include a trip to Sydney for the Australasian finals.