Culturally and Linguistically Diverse HDR Engagement Forum
The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) HDR Engagement Forum is a welcoming and inclusive social space for higher degree by research (HDR) students and staff of CALD backgrounds at UQ.
The forum is a safe, respectful and collaborative environment that sustains the wellbeing and academic development of CALD HDR students and supports and promotes community engagement and leadership skills.
The forum aims to:
- support CALD HDR students' integration into the UQ community, promote a sense of belonging and raise cultural awareness
- ensure inclusive workplace practices, enhance employability and promote wellbeing
- establish UQ’s first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Framework for HDR students from CALD backgrounds.
Forum focus areas for 2026 and 2027
The forum delivers a vibrant, year‑round program. In 2026 and 2027, our activities include:
- workshops focused on research skills, academic development and navigating the HDR journey
- symposia that showcase CALD HDR research, challenges and innovations
- regular wellbeing check‑ins to foster belonging and provide peer‑supported care
- cultural connection events celebrating diversity and strengthening community networks
- training on cultural intelligence and diversity in research to build inclusive and culturally aware research practices
- career coaching sessions supporting employability, confidence and leadership development
- co‑designed discussions with HDR candidates and advisors to collaboratively shape the CALD HDR EDI Framework.
Committee members
Chair
- Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Deputy Chairs
- Associate Professor Obaid Hamid, School of Education
- Associate Professor MD Shahriar Hossain, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
Members – Staff
- Associate Professor Sobia Zafar, School of Dentistry
- Associate Professor Teresa Ubide Garralda, School of the Environment
- Dr Dewan Rahman, School of Business
Associate members – Staff
- Dr Hao Liang, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
- Dr Hao Tran, School of Languages and Cultures
- Dr Mostafa Kamal Masud, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- Dr Mehwish Nisar, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
- Dr Shirina Lin, School of Business
Members – HDR students
- Anjana Rajagopal, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Aprezo Maba, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Madushani Dahanayake, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- Yeasin Tarek, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
- Maziyyatul Muslimah, School of Education
- Zhengjin Jiao, School of Business
Resources
- My.UQ support for HDR students
- Career Development Framework
- Employability
- Ethical and responsible use of AI
- Ethical and Responsible Use of AI in HDR Academic Writing, Dr David Rowland (Academic Skills Advisor)
- Generative AI for HDRs - prompt library
- CALD HDR Symposium 2025 - program booklet
Past meetings
Professor Pierre Benckendorff, Deputy Dean of the Graduate Research School presented on "Navigating AI in Academic Writing: Opportunities, Limits and Responsible Use" on 29 April 2026. Watch the talk recording. (Requires UQ log-in.)
Presentations and guides
Events
CALD HDR AI workshop and networking event: Practical and Productive Use of AI in HDR Research
Presenters: Ms Franciele Spinelli and Mr Noor Mohammad Masum
Learn how HDR candidates Fran and Noor have used AI througout their doctoral journeys, as they offer real examples you can adapt to your own research.
Explore practical, discipline-sensitive ways to use AI across the HDR research cycle, from building theoretical frameworks to analysing data and shaping your thesis.
When: Monday 6 July, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Building 24, Room 302, St Lucia campus
Light refreshments will be provided.
Register here by Thursday 2 July 2026.
Contact
If you have questions, feedback or would like to join the forum, email CALD_HDR@uq.edu.au.