Appointment of Examiners

The examination of a Higher Degree by Research thesis is complex. Examiners must judge your understanding of a body of existing knowledge, your approach to research, construction of hypotheses, arguments and analyses. Students have a special relationship with their examiners, who will become their peers if the degree is awarded, so the selection of examiners is therefore of critical importance.

Doctoral theses are examined by at least two examiners, all of whom are external to the University of Adelaide.

Masters theses are examined by at least two examiners, at least one of whom is external to the University of Adelaide.

In nominating your prospective examiners, your supervisors will ensure that they are academic members or affiliate members of a tertiary institution or, where this is not the case, will provide information about the employment, research, supervisory and examination experience of each for the consideration of the Research Education & Development Committee. Examiners must:

• normally, be active in research/scholarship, to ensure that their knowledge of your field is current,
• have empathy with the theoretical framework you have used during your research,
• not have acted in a supervisory capacity, be co-authors on any papers arising from your doctoral or masters research, or have otherwise been involved in the development of your research,
• not be employed by the same institution, and
• not be advised of the identity of the other nominated examiners; or have their identity revealed to you.

On receipt of your notification of intention to submit, the Adelaide Graduate Centre will forward a 'Nomination of Examiners' form to your School for completion.

Your Right to Object to Potential Examiners

Around the time of giving notice of your intention to submit your thesis, your supervisors may discuss the names of potential examiners.

Whilst it is acceptable for you to be aware of the names of the pool of examiners under consideration, you will not be advised of the names of those examiners finally recommended by your School or appointed by the University.

Examiners have the right to remain anonymous and if their identity is revealed to you (except following the examination process with their consent) the examination will be invalidated. In such circumstances, new examiners must be appointed and consequently, the examination process will be significantly delayed.

You have the right to identify any person(s) you believe should not be considered to examine your thesis. This does not mean that your supervisor is obliged to present you with an exhaustive list of potential examiners, and the onus is on you to raise any objection.

You may exercise this right once only, prior to the commencement of the examination process. You can register your objection on the 'Notification of Intention to Submit' form. It is important to remember that this objection does not serve as a veto. If, on academic grounds, the School wishes to recommend the appointment of a particular examiner to whom you have objected, it can make a case to the Research Education & Development Committee for the appointment to proceed. The final decision to appoint a particular examiner rests with the Committee.