Honorary Research Associates

Appointment as an Honorary Research Associate

On behalf of Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington University, I would like to express our appreciation for your willingness to contribute your scholarly expertise to co-supervise a thesis candidate.

To ensure quality supervision for our thesis students, the University provides a professional development programme including an orientation session for supervisors new to the University. For information on upcoming workshops for postgraduate research supervisors please contact fgr-enquiries@vuw.ac.nz or to register please visit https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/fgr/supervisors

As an external supervisor, our Regulations expect you to assist your thesis candidate to “complete their research within an agreed time frame, to maintain and enhance the reputation of the School and the University, and to encourage the highest possible academic standards. This includes taking reasonable steps consistent with available resources; to provide a framework within which the academic work can take place; to provide academic guidance; to facilitate and assess progress; to facilitate administrative compliance; to guide the candidate into wider contacts and opportunities as appropriate to the discipline.” This is not your responsibility alone. The University Supervisor, a staff member of the University, is responsible for the overall oversight of the student and you should liaise with the University Supervisor as appropriate throughout the student’s candidature.

You can find the University supervisor in Panoho under the students Thesis Information page.

If you have no other University appointment, then you are formally appointed as an Honorary Research Associate (HRA). As an HRA you are entitled to join the staff procession at graduation ceremonies and to have full access to library services.

You, or the University, may terminate this arrangement by giving two months’ notice in writing explaining the reasons for your decision.

You can find further information at the following web links:

For other information relating to thesis candidature, including online six-monthly progress reporting and human ethics applications (if relevant to your field), please refer to the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research website https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/fgr

Please note that you will be required to comply with relevant Victoria University policies and statutes including:

  • Policy on Staff Conduct
  • Health and Safety Policy

These can be found at https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/governance/policy/staff-policies

Finally, thank you for sharing your time and knowledge by supervising these students. I hope the experience will be fulfilling for both you and your thesis candidate.

Yours sincerely

Professor Neil Dodgson

Amo Tāura Rangahau

Dean Faculty of Graduate Research