Sign the petition: save Usyd HDR academic profiles

We invite HDR students and members of the University community to sign and support the following statement.

Since earlier this year, HDR students have found that their University-hosted academic profiles have been removed from public access. We express strong concern about this decision.

Public academic profiles are standard across Group of Eight (Go8) and leading global universities. They are essential for confirming university affiliation, showcasing research achievements, building academic visibility and supporting career development, collaboration and public engagement.

HDR students have already experienced concrete negative impacts. Some students have been questioned about their institutional affiliation or required to provide additional proof when applying for jobs or conducting fieldwork, particularly in overseas contexts. No external platform can replace the authority, credibility and accessibility of an official University webpage.

The proposed alternative is not an adequate substitute. It is publication-dependent, less visible and lacks institutional authority. It disadvantages early-career researchers and reflects a narrow understanding of HDR students’ value.

This decision undermines HDR students’ professional presence, weakens their sense of belonging and creates reputational risk for the University of Sydney. It sends a clear signal that HDR students are not recognised as full members of the University’s research community.

We call on the University to:

• reverse the decision to remove HDR academic profiles
• engage in genuine and transparent consultation with HDR students and their representatives
• ensure any future system fully supports the academic, professional and public-facing needs of HDR candidates.

Download SUPRA’s letter to the University as a Word document [246KB].
Download SUPRA’s letter to the University as a PDF document [102KB].