(1) The Doctor of Letters and Doctor of Science degree represents the pinnacle of academic achievement. These degrees are awarded only in exceptional circumstances to applicants with internationally established and outstanding positions as leading authorities through their contribution to scholarship. (2) Candidates must have published work that gives clear proof that the candidate is a leading authority in the field of study concerned and has made an original and distinguished contribution to the advancement or application of knowledge in that field. (3) Nil. (4) To be eligible to become a candidate for a higher doctorate a person shall either be a graduate of the University of at least five years standing, or hold equivalent qualifications from another university or institution recognised for the purpose of the University and have a substantial association with the University. (5) Higher doctorates will be conferred upon candidates who have distinguished themselves by their substantial and original contributions to the advancement of learning. The main points which will be taken into account when considering a candidate's submission are: (6) Before submitting a formal application, candidates may seek the informal guidance of the Executive Dean appropriate to their academic discipline. If in doubt about which Executive Dean to contact, candidates should ask the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) for advice. (7) The candidate will be required to submit the following seven categories of document. The full submission will be assessed as per the above criteria. (8) The curriculum vitae must state the candidate's educational qualifications and employment, and indicate the candidate's sustained, intellectual and scholarly effort and international standing. The CV should be no more than two A4 sheets. (9) Typically, a candidate will be working as a senior member of staff in a higher education or other research environment with approximately 15 years post doctoral degree research experience. Examples of items which candidates may wish to include in the Curriculum Vitae are: (10) A candidate's application will be based wholly or to a substantial extent on original works of distinction carried out independently by the candidate. As a general guideline, a candidate in a scientific discipline might be expected to submit a list of more than 70 published works of which approximately 10 may be identified as the most significant items of the submission. (11) The list may include a number of refereed articles and review articles, and possibly a book. A candidate in a humanities discipline might normally be expected to submit a number of major publications, for example 2 or 3 books, plus a range of 30 or so publications published in respected journals. However, these are cited as examples only and they are not strict rules. It is recognised that there are enormous differences in publication output between individuals working in one academic discipline and another. The list of published works should be formatted so that the publications are grouped (if appropriate) into the research 'themes' described in the candidate's statement (see clause (13) below). (12) A brief summary title for the submission is required; and (13) A statement of at least 5,000 words which is signed by the candidate and which sets out comprehensively the case for the award of the higher doctorate. A submission may represent one or more research 'themes' which have been developed over a period of time. These should be clearly identified in the candidate's statement in order that the University may recognise the focus, variety and scope of the candidate's work. (14) The University recognises that, in many disciplines, jointly authored papers are the norm rather than the exception. It is acceptable, therefore, to submit multi-authorship papers provided that the candidate identifies the joint principal authors and describes his/her own contribution in sufficient detail to make the extent of this contribution clear. (15) It is advisable for applicants to seek statements from any joint principal authors that they agree with the description of the extent of the applicant's contribution the joint paper. In disciplines where sole authorship is common, a substantial proportion of the submitted papers (especially within the significant set of 10) should be sole authored. (16) A statement is required if a candidate has previously submitted any of the published works for a degree at this or any other university and, if so, what part. Such material which has been included in a successful submission for another higher degree or diploma will not be taken into account in the assessment for a University of Western Sydney higher doctorate, but will be regarded as supplementing the remainder of the work. (17) A candidate must submit the names, qualifications/status and addresses of two persons who are not members of the University staff who will be willing to act as referees for his/her submission if requested by the Head of School. The University will consult these referees but has the right to contact any other referees of its choice. (18) The candidate must submit 3 sets of the published works. The submitted works must be printed and published in recognised, prestigious national or international refereed journals (for example in publications by learned societies or commercial journals), as chapters in books, or as complete books. (19) Candidates are invited to submit seminal work with a maximum of ten significant publications. Other work, including that shown to have been accepted for and to be awaiting publication, may also be presented but will only be considered as supplementing the main body of printed work. In keeping with the candidate's 'statement about the submission' (see clause (13) above), the submissions should be grouped according to the research themes, numbered, and an appropriate index provided. (20) Applications should be made in writing to the Vice-Chancellor. (21) The Vice-Chancellor will invite applicants to submit whatever material is considered necessary to satisfy the admission criteria stated in Part C of this policy. (22) The Vice-Chancellor will confer with the Chair, Academic Senate and appoint a Higher Doctorate Panel, to consider the application. This panel will consist of: (23) The panel may consult external advisors who are acknowledged experts in the field. (24) The panel will consider the material submitted by the applicant together with referees reports and any other relevant material and make a confidential recommendation to Academic Senate. The Academic Senate will convey its recommendation to the Board of Trustees. (25) The candidate shall lodge three copies of the work submitted for the degree with the Academic Registrar's Office. (26) The Higher Doctorate Panel in consultation with the appropriate College shall appoint at least three external examiners. The names of the examiners will be confidential and will not be revealed to the candidate. (27) The Academic Registrar's Office will send a copy of the work submitted by the candidate or appropriate documentation to each of the examiners together with the advice of the examination requirements. Each examiner will return independent and separate reports direct to the Academic Registrar's Office. These reports will recommend either that the degree be awarded or that the degree not be awarded. (28) The examiners' reports are confidential to the University and no extracts from their reports, correspondence or notes shall be quoted verbatim to candidates, either orally or in writing. However the examiners will be asked to make additional comments specifically for transmission to the candidate, if they are recommending rejection. (29) The confidential examiners' reports will be considered by the Higher Doctorate Panel which will make a confidential recommendation to Academic Senate. The Academic Senate will convey its recommendation to the Board of Trustees. (30) An unsuccessful submission will not exclude the candidate from applying again to submit for a higher doctorate, on one further occasion only, at a later stage. This will not be earlier than two years from the date of the failure decision for the first submission. The date of the failure decision is the date on which the Academic Senate decided not to recommend that the degree be awarded. (31) On the recommendation of the Academic Senate, the Degree of Doctor shall be awarded by the Board of Trustees for published and unpublished work which in the opinion of the examiners has been generally recognised by scholars in the field concerned as a distinguished contribution to knowledge. (32) The fee to be paid on acceptance as a candidate shall be prescribed from time to time by the Vice-Chancellor.Doctor of Letters and Doctor of Science Degrees Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Part A - Eligibility
Part B - Criteria for the Award of a Higher Doctorate
Part C - The Contents of a Submission
Curriculum Vitae
List of Published Works
Title and Statement about the Submission
Statement about Joint Authorship
Statement Describing Previous Submission of the Works
Referees
The Published Works
Part D - Admission
Part E - Examination and Award of Degree
The Examiners
Examination of Candidate's Work
Degree Conferment
Part F - Fees
View Current
This is not a current document. To view the current version, click the link in the document's navigation bar.