An end-user is an individual, business, community or community organisation, government or government organisation, or non-government organisation.

An end-user is not another higher education provider or an organisation that is an affiliate, controlled entity or subsidiary (such as a Medical Research Institute) of a higher education provider. Anyone employed by these types of organisations, even if only on a part-time or honorary basis, is not eligible to be an Associate Supervisor (End-user) and would instead need to be considered for inclusion on an HDR candidate’s supervisory panel in the category of 'Associate Supervisor'.

Examples of Associate Supervisor (End-user)

• A person with lived experience
• A member of the leadership team of a primary or secondary school, e.g, a principal
• A health practitioner, e.g, a dietician, nurse or physiotherapist
• A specialist from an advocacy or charitable organisation, e.g., a policy manager
• A specialist from a government or government organisation, e.g., the head of a regulatory body
• A specialist from a business, e.g., an accountant or lawyer

While an Associate Supervisor (End-user) is not required to hold academic qualifications they should have expertise in the area of the HDR candidate’s research project.

No, the role is voluntary. It is underpinned by an institutional commitment to reciprocity; that is, the end-user, ACU and the HDR candidate all reap benefits from the association. 

The Principal Supervisor identifies potential Associate Supervisors (End-user). This can be in consultation with the Co-supervisor and research candidate (both individuals may suggest suitable Associate Supervisors (End-user) or from end-user expressions of interest. The Dean of Graduate Research is delegated to approve an HDR supervisory panel, including the appointment of an Associate Supervisor (End-user). Appointment can take place at any point during the candidature. However, an advantage of including an Associate Supervisor (End-user) at the point of admission is that the end-user perspective can be used to inform the research question thereby assuring the relevance of the research to industry.