Higher Degree by Research Students

CeRDI's higher degree by research (HDR) students are part of a multidisciplinary research centre with a strong research culture and established industry connections. Many of CeRDI's HDR students have received industry scholarships that enable deeper research collaboration and facilitate research outputs with national and international relevance.

Dr Peter Weir, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

Peter Weir commenced his PhD in early 2020 with support from an Australian Government Research Training Program fee-offset scholarship through Federation University Australia and a scholarship from the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils funded by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Program.

Previous interest in soils and soil moisture management provided a strong background for the research undertaken into the measurement of the spatio-temporal variability of in-paddock plant-available water in dryland agriculture farming.

Peter's research highlighted how the shortcomings of single point measurement of rainfall can be overcome with the innovative use of merged radar rain-gauge rainfall to estimate the spatial distribution of soil water within a paddock. This has resulted in development of an application for the inclusion of archival rain radar data from the Bureau of Meteorology's Rainfields system into the Visualising Australasia's Soils (VAS) portal.
 

The integration of the Rainfields data extends the capabilities for VAS, offering new opportunities for project partners to access weather data, mapped to regions and soil types," Peter explained. "Users have access to spatially mapped rainfall data, to examine their 'patch' and visualise the variation of rainfall patterns of intensity over time.

Peter's principal PhD supervisor was CeRDI's Assoc. Prof. Peter Dahlhaus whose knowledge and strong support was fundamental to pursuing the research and successfully completing his PhD. The additional support and collegiality received from the Centre and CeRDI staff, especially the technical team, were of great benefit to his research studies.

Peter's PhD was confirmed in 2025, and he has been invited to join the CeRDI team assisting the implementation of new soil moisture applications into the VAS portal as a part of Phase 3 of the flagship Soil CRC project.

Dr Chris Bahlo, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

Chris Bahlo commenced her PhD in early 2016, having successfully applied for a Regional Universities Network (RUN) PhD and scholarship. Chris’s PhD involved the examination of open data and interoperability standards within Australia’s agriculture and animal welfare systems, for improved resilience, productivity and profitability.

Prior to commencing her PhD, Chris had established strong ties with Federation University having completed a Bachelor of IT (Professional Practice) with Distinction from Ballarat University in 2013 and completing an Honours degree the following year. For Chris, the decision to pursue her PhD at Federation University was influenced by various factors including the similarities between the PhD topic and her qualifications, work experience, and interests. Chris was also keen to take advantage of studying at a regional university, being familiar with the university campus of Mt Helen, and living and running a small farm close by.

Another important draw card for Chris in completing her PhD was its linkages with CeRDI. The Centre’s close ties to industry, its range of collaborative projects and the implementation of new technologies presented exciting opportunities for Chris which would complement and expand her research skills. In commenting on this, Chris says:

I valued the ease of access to highly experienced academics and researchers, but also found it very useful to be based in an office with fellow HDR students for exchange of ideas, mutual encouragement and assistance. The technical team was also helpful in assisting me with projects. Additionally, I was able to work within the CeRDI team on various projects, many of which were closely aligned with my PhD project and provided valuable learning and ideas.

The breadth of research activities in CeRDI across multiple domains was also integral in shaping Chris’s PhD experience. This was complemented by a strong technical team, and in collaboration with other researchers and industry bodies, further facilitated the positive experiences and development of skills that Chris gained during her studies.

Chris submitted her PhD for examination in early 2021 and was recently notified that her thesis had been successfully examined, passed subject to minor corrections. Chris is currently employed in CeRDI.

Dr Patrick Bonney, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

A PhD scholarship recipient in the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Pat Bonney commenced his studies in late 2016 examining citizen science and water policy. As a freshwater scientist this research presented Pat a unique opportunity to blend his discipline expertise with interests in science communication, and the human dimensions of freshwater problems.

The expertise, support and responsiveness of his supervisory team was instrumental in shaping the focus and novelty of Pat’s research. His supervisors came from diverse backgrounds and included Dr Angela Murphy (Principal), Dr Birgita Hansen, and Dr Claudia Baldwin from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Pat reflects that as a team, they trusted in his ideas and allowed him to undertake his research that best suited his personal style, background and curiosity. It was this trust and flexibility that kept Pat’s motivation high throughout his candidature.

Pat also credits CeRDI in playing an important role in supporting and shaping his PhD experiences. The collegial support from other researchers, the technology team and staff at CeRDI contributed positively to Pat’s PhD experience. Complementing this were the exciting opportunities for methodological and career development. Specifically, the data management and technology development and expertise available in CeRDI enabled Pat to investigate research questions he would not have otherwise had the ability to do. Likewise, the broad, multi-sectoral partnerships, in CeRDI enabled Pat to better understand the context of his own research and to communicate effectively about his research with key stakeholders from government, non-government and community-based organisations.

The benefits for studying at Federation University were further reinforced, with the practical advice and workshops available to HDR students. In summarising his time at CeRDI and Federation University Pat comments:

It provided a set of tools that has enhanced the potential of my research. It has enabled me to consider non-traditional ways to collect, analyse and disseminate data. These developments have been essential in shaping my research and progressing my fields of interest.

Pat graduated with a PhD in 2021.

Dr Alison Ollerenshaw, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

Alison commenced her PhD in mid-2016, conducting research into the relationship between business incubator services and the psychological capital of tenants. Melton City Council the Western BACE were industry partners for the project, and her studies were supported by CeRDI.

Among the many benefits to studying through CeRDI, Alison nominates the access to research-expert staff, having a strong post-graduate community of students, and the availability of many and various practical resources as being particularly important. In commenting further on these benefits Alison said:

The PhD provided a valuable opportunity to complete research in my discipline area (psychology) while receiving guidance and expert advice from a strong supervisory team together backed up by the research and technical expertise in CeRDI. The transition from being a CeRDI staff member to a full time CERDI student was aided by the support I received in CeRDI, and from the Federation University-wide research community.

In particular, Alison referred to the graduate centre program and annual post graduate conference, organised through Federation University, as programs that she also found beneficial during her studies. These opportunities fostered additional learnings, insights and skills that supported her research.

Alison’s PhD supervisors were CeRDI’s Dr Angela Murphy and Distinguished Professor Helen Thompson, and Prof Suzanne McLaren. Having a strong, supportive, and committed team of supervisors is something Alison acknowledges as being essential to pursuing here research and completing her PhD. And while her research was quite unique, the project itself was aligned broadly with CeRDI’s collaborative research program in Health and Wellbeing, ensuring a strong connection between her research and the broader research focus in CeRDI.

Alison's PhD was confirmed in 2020 and is currently employed in CeRDI as a Research Fellow.

Dr Himalaya Singh, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

I am so grateful for the support I received from the CeRDI team and my colleagues throughout my PhD journey. The experiences and skills I developed at CeRDI have been instrumental in supporting me in my career

An online advertisement for a PhD scholarship was the starting point for an exciting journey of research at Federation University Australia for Dr Himalaya Singh.

Himalaya’s post-graduate research explored the application of spatial methods in sports injury epidemiological studies. The geospatial distribution of sport/leisure injury hospitalisations and its association with a broad range of social and economic characteristics provided an opportunity to connect with the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University. With the support of his supervisory team - including CeRDI Director, Distinguished Professor Helen Thompson - Himalaya was encouraged to fully utilise the resources at CeRDI to assist him with his studies.

Connecting with CeRDI opened up an exciting range of new opportunities for Himalaya. This included conducting applied research with the support of a multidisciplinary and skilled research and technical team within CeRDI.

Himalaya talks positively about his time at CeRDI and believes that the workshop and training opportunities within CeRDI contributed greatly to developing the necessary skills required to conduct and complete his post-graduate studies. He is grateful for the support he received from the technical team which helped him to address gaps in his technical skill set: “CeRDI’s unique approach to research, combined with digital innovation, enabled me to produce technical outputs for my studies which was well received by the broader research community”.

Himalaya, who is originally from Nepal, completed his studies at the Mt Helen campus of Federation University, and resided in Ballarat during his studies. He enjoyed the experience of living and studying in a regional location, off-set by a great sense of community and yet having access to the same amenities as other metropolitan campuses. Himalaya commented: “I really enjoyed my stay in Ballarat during my post-grad studies. In particular I enjoyed the tranquil environment, yet having access to all the amenities. The sense of community and the support from within the university, and outside, played a significant role in assisting me to stay focused and motivated during my studies”.

Within weeks of submitting his PhD thesis for examination, Himalaya landed his dream job as a spatial systems officer for a large local government organisation in Victoria. Himalaya attributes much of the hands-on experienced he received from CeRDI during his PhD with assisting him to gain this position and to utilise his skill base and research knowledge within a thriving community environment.

Himalaya successfully completed his PhD in 2018.

Dr Nathan Robinson, Alumnus, Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation, Federation University Australia

Collegiality and support are the key things that separate CeRDI from other universities and post graduate settings

Geologist Nathan Robinson commenced his PhD at Federation University Australia in 2012, following an illustrious career in soil and landscape analysis working with the Victorian government. Nathan’s interest in soils formed the basis of his award-winning PhD research which examined soil productivity in Victorian landscapes using digital soil mapping.

Nathan’s decision to commence a PhD at Federation University was greatly influenced by the strong reputation of Federation University, and the knowledge and commitment of his principal supervisor, Associate Professor Peter Dahlhaus from the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI).

The flexibility, trust and support that Nathan received within CeRDI also contributed to his positive PhD experience. The support of staff within CeRDI, complemented by varied opportunities and experiences proved to be both rewarding and beneficial for Nathan: “The best experiences during my PhD were the additional support and insights I gained from the Centre and the CeRDI staff. A key priority of the Centre is making data accessible and findable. Through my collaboration with CeRDI I was able to examine and introduce these methods into my own research. This proved rewarding and mutually beneficial my studies and to CeRDI”. It is these opportunities and the collegiality and support that Nathan received that he believes, differentiates CeRDI and Federation University from other universities and post graduate settings.

Having studied at a regional university was another benefit associated with his studies. As a Bendigo resident Nathan regularly visited Ballarat and considers the regional university experience a positive one: “Ballarat is a great regional setting, with good connections to Melbourne and other regions. There’s plenty for students to do here with many opportunities for students to connect with one another”. Nathan also commented on the university culture at Federation University which he believes offers a unique and positive vibe that enables students to be relaxed yet focused on their studies.

Nathan’s advice for those contemplating a PhD or who have already commences their studies is to be prepared to negotiate and work with your institution and supervisors to achieve your study goals. In commenting further Nathan said: “Being realistic about your goals and being clear in your communication is essential. Both CeRDI and Federation University greatly assisted me to succeed with my research goals, ensuring that my study experience was a positive one”.

Nathan completed his PhD in 2016 and was awarded the prestigious Soil Science Australia CG Stephens Medal for the best PhD thesis in soil science (2017). He has since been appointed senior research fellow in CeRDI and is now utilising and extending his research expertise within the Centre’s Agriculture research programme.