We are seeking recruits to a research project being undertaken on behalf of the NZ Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies (a consortium of the eight NZ universities). The project has been endorsed by Universities NZ and funded by the Tertiary Education Commission. The researchers are Madeline Banda and Dr Jennie Billot (AUT University), Dr Theresa Sawicka (Victoria University, Wellington) and Professor Lucy Johnston (University of Canterbury). A parallel recruitment process will be undertaken at VUW and UC to ensure cross sector-participation in the evaluation. 
We are undertaking an evaluation of an online programme Learning Aptitudes Program (LEAP) in order to identify its suitability for the New Zealand context. The modules offered in this programme cover skills that Australian employers and government have identified as priority skills they want postgraduate researchers to be acquainted with during their studies, prior to entering employment in their fields. Details of the programme can be located at http://www.egradschool.edu.au/whategsaoffe/employabilit.jsp .
The modules offered in Semester 2, 2013 are Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Communication, Research Commercialisation and Public Policy. We are seeking 20 PhD candidates from AUT who have been confirmed recently through to being close to submission or have just submitted. The reason for this distinction is that candidates are likely to have different needs and expectations at different stages of their research which we feel is important to understand.
Participants will be asked to enrol in one of the above modules and will need to be prepared to commit a minimum of approximately 17 hours over six weeks – two focus groups (pre- and post-trial), an evaluative questionnaire and at least three to five hours per week for five weeks for the module. We would prefer that the majority of participants are not full-time staff as their needs and expectations may be quite different; if you have been employed subsequent to your enrolment as graduate or teaching assistants or a part-time position, this would be acceptable.
To be considered, we require applicants to complete a Consent Form and provide some information for registration such as your stage of study and your preferences for modules.
If you wish to receive a copy of the Consent Form and the Participant Information Sheet, please email us at postgraduate.centre@aut.ac.nz.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennie Billot or Madeline Banda.
Madeline Banda
Director Postgraduate Studies
Phone: 09 921-9999 ext 8044
Email: mbanda@aut.ac.nz
Jennie Billot
Postgraduate Research Education Leader
Phone: 09 921-9999 ext 9694
Email: jbillot@aut.ac.nz
