Re-vitalising a standard student induction event
The Graduate Research School requests Cotton Education Services design a more interactive student induction experience
In 2025, our team was given a challenge - redesign the induction experience of Higher Degree Research Students.
Previously, the event had been a 3 hour collection of PowerPoints delivered to an entirely passive HDR cohort.
Instead, GRS wanted an exciting, interactive experience where the HDR students had the opportunity to connect with UTS staff and other HDR peers.
Instead, GRS wanted an exciting, interactive experience where the HDR students had the opportunity to connect with UTS staff and other HDR peers.
Need analysis
Before redesigning the UTS HDR induction event, we conducted a focused needs analysis to ensure the program aligned with the real expectations and challenges of incoming research students.
This involved reviewing participant feedback from previous years, consulting with GRS staff, and mapping the induction content against the HDR experience.
We identified a clear need for more engaging, scaffolded content that supported both research and emotional readiness. These insights shaped a more learner-centred experience, with interactive elements and clearer pathways for ongoing support.
Building belonging and peer support
The HDR Reps Forum was a newly formed informal working party that brought HDR student reps together on a monthly basis with the Graduate Research School.
To foster a stronger sense of community at the HDR induction event, we collaborated with the HDR Reps Forum, inviting them to act as ambassadors on the day. Their presence created a welcoming, peer-led atmosphere that helped new students feel seen and supported from the outset. These ambassadors shared lived experiences, answered questions, and guided participants through the program—building trust and encouraging informal peer connections. This approach significantly boosted feelings of belonging and laid the groundwork for ongoing peer support throughout the HDR journey.
A cinematic welcome to UTS Data Arena
We organised professional staff from across the university to record short induction chats to video. They were designed to reflect the diversity and collegiality of the UTS research community.
The video was screened in the UTS Data Arena - a world-class 360 immersive cinema - which elevated the experience from a typical presentation to something truly memorable. The scale and setting gave the messages emotional weight, and many students described feeling deeply welcomed and inspired. It also showcased one of UTS’s best keep secrets, and invited students to use the facility in the future to explore and translate their research.