Key Contacts and Support
The SABEL HDR team is here to support you throughout your candidature, from getting started through to completion. If you’re unsure who to contact, your School’s Research and HDR Officer is the best place to start. They can assist directly or connect you with the right person. The SABEL HDR team also work closely with the Graduate Research School, who manage the administrative side of your candidature.
Use the guide below to help direct your enquiry:
Central administrative questions (e.g. enrolment, scholarships, candidature variations, official processes)
→ Graduate Research School (via WesternNow)
School-level or procedural matters (e.g. progress, supervision, candidature support funds, workshops, thesis submission)
→ Research and HDR Officer or Director, HDR and Honours
Faculty-level matters or unresolved issues
→ Associate Dean, Higher Degree Research and Honours
SABEL HDR Leadership provides Faculty-level oversight and coordination of Higher Degree Research across all Schools. This includes strategic leadership, operational delivery, and the development of initiatives that support supervision quality and research outcomes. Working closely with School HDR leadership and professional staff, the SABEL HDR Leadership team ensures a consistent, high-quality HDR experience across the Faculty.
Associate Dean, Higher Degree Research and Honours (SABEL)
Associate Professor Alex Ling
Email: A.Ling@westernsydney.edu.au
Alex provides strategic leadership for Higher Degree Research across SABEL, including the development of Faculty-wide initiatives, oversight of HDR quality and outcomes, and coordination of HDR policy and governance. He works closely with Schools to support supervision, candidature progression, and the overall HDR experience.
Research Operations Manager
Jessica Simpson
Email: Jessica.Simpson@westernsydney.edu.au
Jessica leads the operational delivery of Research and HDR support across the Faculty, including the coordination of systems, processes, and administrative services. She works closely with School teams and central units to ensure HDR processes run smoothly and efficiently.
Directors, Higher Degree Research and Honours
In addition to your supervisor(s), your School’s Director, HDR and Research, is a key academic contact throughout your candidature.
They provide academic leadership and guidance on HDR matters within the School, including advising on progress and milestones, supporting candidates and supervisors, providing guidance on examination and submission, and assisting with any issues that may arise during candidature.
School of Social Science
Associate Professor Lucy Nicholas
Email: L.Nicholas@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Arts
Associate Professor Lorraine Sim
Email: Lorraine.Sim@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Business
Associate Professor Aila Khan
Email: A.Khan@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Education
Professor Michele Simons
Email: Michele.Simons@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Law
Professor Rehan Abeyratne
Research and HDR Officers provide School-level administrative support and are a key point of contact for day-to-day HDR matters. They assist with: HDR documentation and processes; applications for funding and resources; coordination of candidature milestones and submissions; and general enquiries and administrative support. Research and HDR Officers work closely with your School’s Directors, HDR and Honours, and the Associate Dean HDR and Honours, to support candidates and supervisors throughout the HDR lifecycle.
School of Social Science
Vicki Fox
Email: SoSS-hdr@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Arts
Rinu Mathew and Quinn Nguyen
Email: PostgradsSOAadmin@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Business
Natalie Du
Email: Business.Research@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Education
Craig Bromley
Email: SoE-HDR@westernsydney.edu.au
School of Law
Rinu Mathew
SABEL provides dedicates HDR study spaces to support candidates who wish to work on campus. Shared hot desks are currently available at the following locations:
- Kingswood campus: I.1.21
- Parramatta South Campus: EHa 1.26
- Parramatta City Campus (1PSQ): Level 10
- Bankstown campus: L2.17
These spaces are available for use by HDR candidates from across the Faculty and provide a shared environment for writing, study, and research.
If you would like to access an HDR study space or require further information, please contact your School’s Research and HDR Officer.