Content

Candidates identify a gap in their own knowledge or a specific area of focus in their practice-focused research that they need to investigate further. With doctoral confirmation (and beyond) in view, they work with the academic team (including their supervisors) to determine and co-design a means for addressing the knowledge gap, deepening their understanding, and/or developing their own professional expertise. With reference to prior learning and research to-date, they employ reflective and reflexive practices to critically evaluate and integrate the significance of new insights gained about their own practice, profession, the systems they operate within, their contexts and communities, into their research proposal.

Unit code: PPX108Z

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Doctoral

Unit discipline: Professional Practice

Proposing College: School of Graduate Research

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Learning outcomes

1.

Systematically investigate specialist theory and practice to creatively address a gap in knowledge, deepen understanding and/or develop expertise.

2.

Engage in critically reflective and reflexive practice, with professional awareness and ethical integrity.

3.

Engage with peers to learn, communicate and critique specialist knowledge and practice.

Unit sequence

Pedagogy

By teaching through collegial collaboration and learning via critical reflection conducted independently and in community, the unit engages theory and practice to achieve learning outcomes.

Indicative Bibliography

As negotiated.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Oral Presentation - Short Presentation

As if presenting to a confirmation panel, candidates give a 15-minute (1000-word equivalent) presentation that outlines their proposed research and responds to feedback received.

1000 20.0
Report - Final Research Proposal

In consultation with the academic team (especially supervisors), candidates finalise and submit a final draft of their Research Proposal (approximately 2000 words) and a polished draft of a sample of writing (at least 3000 words) that they anticipate submitting for confirmation.

5000 80.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 16 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-16 08:55:19 +1100