University Graduate School Board

Selection of Potential Examiners for Research Degree Theses

At UTS the process of approval of Examiners requires faculties to nominate potential Examiners to the University Graduate School Board. The following guidelines are provided for use by faculties in identifying potential Examiners.

1. The Examiners should have appropriate expertise
   Examiners nominated will, collectively, need to demonstrate:
• expertise in the field for example as shown by their research track record, positions held, publications, professional standing and so on;
• empathy with the approach being taken, e.g. the paradigm or methodology;
• level of qualifications which should be at least at the level of the thesis being examined (formal qualifications may not be necessary in all cases but the faculty will need to provide evidence of academic standing in such cases).




2. Examiners should have experience in examining theses
   This experience should be collectively demonstrated among the Examiners chosen:
• a general understanding of thesis requirements and standards of theses;
• experience as an Examiner (with two out of three already with experience as an Examiner of higher degrees). In the case of the doctoral level degree, at least one Examiner should have experience as a doctoral Examiner;
• understanding of higher degree examination processes in the Australian context.




3. There should be no potential for conflict of interest for the Examiner
   Examiners should not be placed in a potential conflict of interest situation such as where their involvement might (rightly or wrongly)be seen to:
• bring benefit to the department or faculty, e.g. through dividends or other performance-based income as a result of a positive Examiner's report;
• compromise UTS' or the students' potential commercial interest in the research.

People who might be seen to have a conflict of interest include:

• former supervisors;
• recently retired staff;
• current or former colleagues or friends;
• recent graduates;
• long-term visitors to the University;
• co-authors of joint publications.

As a general rule:

• examiners for staff members who are submitting theses in their employing institution should come exclusively from outside the University;
• no more than one Examiner should come from the same employing institution as another examiner;
• at least one Examiner of international standing is desirable to provide a benchmark of quality, especially for a doctoral thesis.

Endorsed by Academic Board

December 1999