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Higher Doctorates

POLICY NO:  AB-60

Purpose

1. This Policy details the principles informing, and criteria applying to, the awarding of Higher Doctorates by the University of South Australia.

Scope

2. This Policy applies to Higher Doctorate qualifications as specified in clause 7.

Responsibilities

3. Academic Board is the approving authority for this Policy.

4. The Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise is the officer responsible for organisation-wide adherence to this Policy .

5. The procedural responsibilities of this Policy are provided in Procedure AB-60 P1: Higher Doctorates.

Policy Principles

6. Higher Doctorates are the highest qualification awarded by the University. They are awarded to candidates who are judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge. The level of attainment required for a Higher Doctorate is substantially higher than what is required for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

7. The University may award the following Higher Doctorate degrees:

  1. Doctor of Science (DSc)
  2. Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
  3. Doctor of Laws (LLD)
  4. Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
  5. Doctor of Visual Arts (DVA)

8. To be eligible for a Higher Doctorate degree, a candidate must normally hold a PhD or Research Doctorate and be a:

  1. graduate of the University of South Australia of at least 8 years’ standing; or
  2. graduate of one of the University of South Australia’s antecedent organisations; or
  3. graduate of a recognised university of at least 8 years’ standing and a staff member of the University of South Australia for at least 4 years; or
  4. graduate of a recognised university of at least 8 years’ standing and have a close research association with the University of South Australia for at least 4 years.

9. Award Criteria:

  1. The candidate must have a sustained, consistent, and substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge, as demonstrated via a substantial body of published work or significant solo exhibitions in public galleries (for visual arts only).
  2. The published work or solo exhibitions must have added new significant knowledge to the field in question; or have led to major innovations or contributions to society; or have extended the development of knowledge by others.
  3. The work must be of international importance and the candidate must have gained international distinction as an authority in the field.

Definitions

Published work means work that is readily available for public criticism and may include: a published book or article, other printed material, a composition or recording of music, a video recording, film or other work of visual or sonic art, an exhibition, performance or folio of work, and computer software, digital material or other non-written material.

Associated Documentation

Policy AB-58: Research Degrees

Procedure AB-60 P1: Higher Doctorates

 

Officer Responsible for Update and Review: Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise

Approved by: Academic Board, 26 March 2021

Commencement Date: 1 April 2021

Review Date:  March 2026

History: This policy supersedes Policy RES-16.5: Higher Doctorates.