PhD Scholars in the RegNet Program spend 3 years (full-time) and 6-7 years (part-time) engaged in an area of original theoretical and evidence-based research which culminates in the production of a major thesis. The time spent with the RegNet Program as a PhD scholar is challenging and academically rigorous. PhD Scholars receive the full support of all academic staff in the RegNet Program and frequent opportunities for academic exchange. They are therefore immersed in one of the world's leading centres for interdisciplinary scholarship in all areas of regulatory studies. RegNet also runs a special lecture and workshop series for PhD students.

For information on potential RegNet Program supervisors and their research interest click here.

For information on current RegNet PhD students click here.

For information on completed RegNet PhDs click here.

RegNet is a very supportive and innovative environment in which to conduct research
Jodie Houston (PhD student from Australia)

Academics in the RegNet Program have a deep commitment to teaching and learning and a shared belief that teaching is fundamentally important to intellectual endeavour. RegNet’s philosophy is that scholarly excellence requires a dynamic interplay between teaching and learning for both academic staff and students. Several academics have a formal teaching role in the faculties at the undergraduate and honours level and are often invited to present guest lectures for other ANU departments. Academics in the RegNet Program hold supervisory responsibilities in the program as well as in other parts of the ANU and at other universities in Australia and overseas.

PhD scholars work closely with their supervisors and advisory panels (usually two academics). These panels are made up of some of RegNet’s academic staff, as well as leading scholars from affiliated research areas throughout RSPAS and the ANU, and with experts from other Australian and overseas institutions. RegNet Program academics are committed to their roles as supervisors and advisors set out in the ANU’s Code of Practice for Supervision in Higher Degrees by Research.

The environment is great to do a PhD. Everyone is really friendly, staff have an open door policy,
and people here share their ideas freely with each other
Julie Ashby (Visiting PhD student from Exeter University, UK)

The RegNet Program maintains a high profile visitor program with academics from universities all around the globe coming to participate in the intellectual life of the Program and the broader university. Short visits are often organized around workshops and conferences, or important milestones in particular research projects. Longer visits are often organized around the completion of collaborative research ventures or the initiation of new ones. One of the primary responsibilities of visitors is to engage with PhD students and assist in strengthening the academic networks of PhD scholars and early career academics. RegNet visitors are valued for contributing to the intellectual life of the Program and facilitating the professional development of its postgraduates and early career academics.

PhD scholars in the RegNet Program enjoy a high level of administrative support and access to pastoral care. Professor Neil Gunningham is RegNet’s Graduate Student Convenor. He is the first point of call for prospective PhD scholars. Professor Neil Gunningham handles inquiries from potential students, provides referral advice to student support services and sits on the Board of Studies. Assistance with students’ annual reporting requirements (e.g., annual plans, reports and thesis proposal reviews) is provided by Paulina Piira, RegNet's Human Resources Manager.

RegNet’s Finance Manager, Ms Hilary Greenhill and IT Officer, Mr Jin Kwee Ho, are also available to assist PhD scholars.

RegNet also encourages PhD scholars to access the strong range of university-wide services readily available to them including counselling, OH&S, health, academic skills and the careers unit. Students are also encouraged to refer to the ANU’s Postgraduate Research Guide to assist them with any queries about their candidature and actively participate in activities organised by the Graduate School and PARSA.

As part of its support for PhD scholars, the RegNet Program runs a series of workshops tailored specifically to meet the research needs of students working in an interdisciplinary environment. They introduce students to topics in the area of regulation (eg Meta Regulation, Responsive Regulation, Nodal Governance) and to broad conceptual themes, cross-disciplinary paradigms and methods that may be new to many.

The workshops also deal with areas such as statistical methods, how to frame and theorize a research question, how to prepare and succeed in conference presentations, how to develop more effective writing styles and how to apply for postdoctoral research fellowships.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the wide range of campus seminars and workshops held by other areas of the University such as those coordinated by the Academic Skills Unit.

RegNet is the ideal environment in which to do a PhD. Students here are valued as equals and
even though there is no formal coursework students have a diverse range of intellectual activities
to keep them interested
Tali Gal (PhD graduate from Israel)

The RegNet Program hosts a regular seminar series. Seminar attendance is one of the primary formal responsibilities for staff and students as it provides opportunities for all - from students to the most senior staff, from inside and outside the RegNet Program - to exchange ideas and to teach and learn from one another. These seminars are presented by both RegNet scholars and visiting scholars from Australia and around the world. RegNet’s seminar series also gives the PhD students an outlet in which to present their own work. It is an excellent opportunity to be involved in and exposed to cutting edge research and ideas on a broad range of themes.

It is expected that all academics within the RegNet Program, including PhD students, attend these seminars on a regular basis. It is often the case that a seminar with a topic area that seems most removed from one’s own research can prove to be the most fruitful in stimulating ideas and providing intellectual depth and direction. The series is advertised broadly both within the University and the broader RegNet Network and all interested people are welcomed and encouraged to come along and participate freely. At times these seminars are recorded or papers are made available from them to assist in reaching as broad an audience as possible. Click here to access seminar papers from previous presentations and click here to view the schedule for the current seminar series.

The RegNet Program is located in a new, purpose-built building on the city-side of the ANU campus. The RegNet Program provides a fully-equipped office for each PhD scholar in a shared room. When part-time students visit the ANU campus, they are also provided with office space.

Full-time and part-time PhD students can request access to a set funding allowance in support of fieldwork and conference travel during the course of their degree. For further information click here.

The RegNet Program strongly encourages all prospective PhD scholars to discuss their academic interests with the Graduate Convenor and to identify their potential supervisor prior to applying. For assistance, please contact Professor Neil Gunningham at Neil.Gunningham@anu.edu.au or +61 2 6125 1516 or write to him at:

Professor Neil Gunningham
Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet)
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA