Workspaces report

GSA’s Education (Research) Officer for 2024-25, Scott Arthurson, developed this report highlighting graduate researchers’ workspace needs.

GSA conducted a survey of 410 graduate researchers, a Townhall, and extensive consultation of our members. We found that, across the University, graduate researchers largely affirmed support for a number of existing policy settings:  graduate researchers are best served by consistent, 24-hour access to sole-use dedicated desks across their candidature in safe, contained office environments with secure storage, shared with a manageable number of other researchers.  

Additionally, graduate researchers regard quality IT equipment and ergonomic furniture (such as sit/stand desks) as essential office facilities. Graduate researchers determined that office spaces should have temperature control systems, ventilation and natural light, with localised control over lighting to avert sensory issues. Graduate researchers also consider it essential that they have access to nearby bathrooms, shared kitchen facilities, shared social spaces, and separate collaborative/meeting rooms. Graduate researchers linked sole-use dedicated workspaces with an improved sense of belonging and reduced isolation. They expect to be included in decision-making processes regarding their workspaces, and for management to be accountable to staff, graduate researchers, other students, and the University community. 

Graduate researchers make a vital contribution to the University of Melbourne. As one of Australia’s top universities, the University of Melbourne should take a leadership role in ensuring its graduate researchers’ work is valued, and their work is enabled. However, graduate researchers identified multiple risks to the successful provision of their workspace needs. These included: 

• crowded and noisy workspaces; 
• the introduction of hot-desking, particularly in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT), as well as unstable and precarious access to workspaces; 
• unstable and precarious access to workspaces; 
• bad ventilation, lack of natural light, and poor temperature control; 
• limited access to ergonomic furniture and equipment; 
• variable access to adequate shared spaces and amenities; 
• issues of belonging, community, and mental health; and 
• a lack of co-design, clear communication, and democratic accountability in decisions by executive level management. 

Critically, according to graduate researchers, replacement of sole-use desks with hot-desks, hotelling or bookable desks – such as the Flexi-Space model in FEIT – does not meet their basic requirements, and is therefore unsuitable for graduate research. We call for a suspension and review of Flexi-Space in FEIT, and a moratorium on hotdesking plans in other faculties. 

To read the full report PDF, click on the button below, or access the Word document here.

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To read a summary report PDF, click on the button below, or access the Word document here.

Read summary report