Expression of Interest – To undertake a Higher Degree by Research 

Thank you for your interest in studying a Higher Degree by Research at Torrens University Australia. Before you can apply, we require information from you to assess your academic background and research interests.  

NOTE: Submission of this form and accompanying documentation is not a formal application. 

The information on this form is collected to assess whether you will be invited to apply for a research degree at Torrens University Australia. In submitting this information, you give your consent for it to be shared with academic staff who will make this decision. 

The Expression of Interest is a screening assessment to ascertain: 

1. Your level of academic writing 

1. Your ability to interrogate literature 

1. The alignment of your project area to the targeted projects of TUA 

1. Your ability as an independent learner and problem solver 

1. Your understanding of the current literature and research opportunities in your chosen research domain 

Please ensure you take the time to complete all sections of the EOI and clearly articulate the need and benefit of your higher degree research project. 

Please note: This form must be filled out digitally – we cannot accept handwritten forms except in extreme circumstances. If you are having difficulty filling out this form, please contact the HDR Administration Officer at [email protected] or Student Services on 1300 575 803. 

Personal Information  

Title:

☐Mr    ☐Mrs    ☐Ms    ☐Dr

Other

 

Family Name:
Given Name(s):

 

Country of Origin:		Date of Birth   (DD / MM / YY)
Residency:	☐AU/NZ Citizen  ☐Permanent Resident  ☐Temporary Resident  ☐Non-Resident
Email Address:

 

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This EOI must be submitted along with proof of citizenship, certified transcripts, any research publications listed as evidence of research experience (translated into English, if applicable) and evidence of English Language Proficiency (IELTS or equivalent) if applicable. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Academic Background 

Torrens University Study  

Have you previously studied, or are you currently studying, at Torrens University Australia? 

☐No      ☐Yes        

If yes, Torrens Student ID:

Qualifications 

Please list your 3 most recent tertiary level qualifications. 

Qualification Title (e.g. Bachelors of, Masters of)
Major or Discipline:
Awarding Institution:
Location of Study:
Language of instruction:
Year of completion (or expected completion):
Final Grade:
Grade Point Average/Scale:

English Language Proficiency (International Applicants only) 

Is English the primary official language of your country of origin?        ☐Yes        ☐No 

 If NO, please provide the results of your most recent IELTS (or equivalent) test: 

Listening	Speaking	Reading	Writing

 For International Applicants, evidence of English Language Proficiency must be submitted along with your EOI. 

Professional Experience 

Position Title	Employer	Location	Dates of Employment	Relevance to proposed research  (including research skills, experience, knowledge)

 

Research Experience  

Previously Completed Research 

Please describe your most recent Bachelor’s, Honours or Master’s research thesis or research dissertation (if any): 

Research Title:
Research Word count:
Mark or grade received:
For the Degree of:

Summary of Research:

Research Publications (articles, papers, industry publications, opinion pieces)  

Title	Authors	Journal	Year	Link to article

(Please add more rows as needed, or add the list as an appendix.) 

Summary of Research Experience 

(maximum 250 words) 

Understanding of Research Degree Study 

Please summarise your understanding of the study and research requirements of a higher degree by research 

(maximum 250 words) 

In order to become eligible for higher degree by research, the understanding of research is needed to be accompanied by capacity to independently undertake research of high quality and originality. The eligibility criteria encompass the successful completion of graduation qualification with good credentials. The research component is mainly about planning and execution of research, with an aim of developing new research methods, new ways to analyse data, or to develop any theory to make unique contributions in the field of research. The students might also carryout innovative interpretations of already known facts and ideas. Thesis is the main research product of the degree which is termed as scholarly piece of original writing produced as result of research completion.  

The course work in the degree is focused on enhancing the knowledge as well as capacity of individuals to carry out research in specific discipline or cross disciplinary field. The appropriate supervision and mentoring is assured for the students of higher degree by research, such that highly professional research can be conducted. The compliance with the Code for the Ethical Conduct of Research is compulsory to initiate any research project and any sort of unethicality is not accepted. The research should be conducted on the issue which can offer contribution at both theoretical as well as practice level.   

Proposed thesis/dissertation 

Review of Research Literature 

Please provide a short literature review of your project area and justification for your research.  Ensure your include commentary and citation of the literature reviewed in identifying the research gap and developing your proposed research questions.  This is an essential screening activity so please ensure you complete this task. (max 500 words) 

Please ensure you visit https://www.torrens.edu.au/research/commitment-to-research and https://research.torrens.edu.au/ 

And align your project to the strategic research areas of Torrens and identify potential supervisors 

The global pandemic that has been caused by world wide spread of novel corona virus (COVID-19) has largely affected numerous economic sectors, of which global tourism and hospitality has remained the most vulnerable sectors. Unprecedented effects of pandemic have been witnessed on hospitality industry due to restriction on international travel and interventions to isolate people (Hao, Xiao & Chon, 2020). Stay at home orders were followed in most of the countries starting from march, which has led to the closure of many hospitality businesses. For instance, with national as well as international travel bans, number of tourists and travellers has decreased to the lower possible extent and occupancy rates in hotels has fallen down (Gössling, Scott & Hall, 2020). Additionally, restaurants in most of countries were only allowed to operate for take away orders, which has substantially restricted the revenue stream of these businesses. Additionally, even if dine out is allowed with strict restrictions, people are still hesitated to go out for eating, as they are highly cautious about their health.  

It has been noted by Gursoy & Chi, (2020) that with lowering the interventions of social distancing, hospitality sector can slowly recover its position and revenue stream. However, there are large scale changes expected in the ways of operating in hospitality sector. The hospitality players need to engage in the operations which are aligned with emerging demands of customers, such that customers can be encourage to patronize the hospitality business. The preliminary research has been conducted on the research issue and it has been found that even everything will go back to normal, consumers still have limited willingness for dine in and hotel stay (Gursoy & Chi, 2020).  For instance, only one third of consumers have mentioned that they are willing to go out for dine in and travel to a destination where they have to stay in hotel. These results indicate that in order to increase the comfort level of customers and to normalize the demand for hospitality products and services, substantial measures are needed to be taken. It heightens the need of behavioural as well as operational marketing of hospitality sector, such that return of customers can be assured (Seetharaman, 2020). 

The preliminary findings have also suggested that consumers might show willingness to go out to places where additional measures are taken for assuring their health and safety (Wen et al., 2020). These measures could be in the form of enhanced sanitization, enhanced prospects of social distancing, limited human interaction during service ordering and delivery and implementation of safety precautions through well trained staff for improved health and safety of customers (Jiang & Wen, 2020). These results indicate that implementation of differential aspects will be needed in restaurants and hotels to come out of crisis. Therefore, the identification of emerging consumers’ behaviour and changing demands is crucial to assure return of hospitality customers.  

References 

Gössling, S., Scott, D., & Hall, C. M. (2020). Pandemics, tourism and global change: a rapid assessment of COVID-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-20. 

Gursoy, D., & Chi, C. G. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitality industry: review of the current situations and a research agenda. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29:5, 527-529, DOI: 10.1080/19368623.2020.1788231.  

Hao, F., Xiao, Q., & Chon, K. (2020). COVID-19 and China’s Hotel Industry: Impacts, a Disaster Management Framework, and Post-Pandemic Agenda. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 102636. 

Jiang, Y., & Wen, J. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on hotel marketing and management: a perspective article. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. 

Seetharaman, P. (2020). Business models shifts: Impact of Covid-19. International Journal of Information Management, 54, 102173. 

Wen, J., Kozak, M., Yang, S., & Liu, F. (2020). COVID-19: potential effects on Chinese citizens’ lifestyle and travel. Tourism Review.