Entrepreneurial HDR

UNSW’s entrepreneurial Higher Degree Researchers (eHDR) program is tailor-made for those who want to apply entrepreneurial thinking to their research.

eHDR is a self-paced program that incorporates interactive workshops, personalised coaching, and remote learning (online) modules.

Please note, the program is being updated and will be back online in mid 2025. For now, if you are interested in getting involved in our Entrepreneurial Community, we recommend you attending some of our events. You can view our events here:

UNSW Founders Events

Program details

Entrepreneurial HDR (eHDR) is UNSW Founders’ dedicated program for Higher Degree Researchers (HDRs) who want to apply entrepreneurial thinking to their research.

  • Finding a Problem Worth Solving

  • Rapid Research

  • Research Lean Canvas

  • Key Value Proposition

  • Stakeholders, Partnerships, Impact

  • Presentations: Communicating an Idea

  • Throughout the program, you will learn skills to:

    • Identify problems and build a knowledge base to understand and decide on goals to maximise the impact of your research

    • Validate your decision making by building skills and practical experiences to test and confirm your research hypotheses

    • Build your communication capability through introductions to industry partners and experts in the field to support you in reaching your research impact goals

    • eHDR also offers a Cohort Program as an optional addition to the self-paced learning modules, allowing you to complete the modules alongside your research with support from us.

    Being part of eHDR will also give you access to:

    • Self-paced online learning modules to guide you through the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship and commercialisation of research

    • Interactive workshops to develop your communication skills

    • Personalised 1:1 coaching sessions through UNSW Founders Coach & Connect with a highly experienced coach

    • Opportunities and connections that will support your research and increase your visibility in both academia and the wider community

    • Networking opportunities with HDRs and industry partners from a diverse range of disciplines

    • A UNSW approved digital badge certifying your completion on LinkedIn.

  • Interested in commercial applications for your research, or already on the path to commercialisation? Then eHDR is for you! Even if you’re not sure you want to be an entrepreneur, the eHDR program is a great way to explore entrepreneurship, engage more with industry and the community, accelerate your research and get career-ready during our Masters or PhD. To be eligible, you must be a current or alumni UNSW Higher Degree Researcher (HDR). HDRs include Masters of Philosophy, Masters of Research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates.

  • The eHDR program is being redesigned. It will be back online in mid 2025.

  • If you have questions about eHDR or the eHDR Cohort Program, please direct them to founders@unsw.edu.au with the subject line eHDR.

Testimonials

Since launching in 2020, eHDR has supported over 350 HDRs to develop the interpersonal and technical skills required to create maximum impact from their research.

Here’s what some of them have to say about their experience:

“It doesn’t matter what stage of your studies you are in, these skills are useful for all – whether you have a product and you want to refine it, or want to learn where to go from the start.”

— Liam Cheney, PhD Candidate (UNSW Science)

 

“The eHDR Program was a great opportunity to think more carefully about the end-users of my research and how my PhD Project can be tweaked to make it more useful to them.”

— Elena Keller, PhD Candidate (UNSW Medicine)

“I am enrolled in the eHDR Program and it has been great to help All researchers focus their work. Would highly recommend the workshops.”

— Wendy Jopson, PhD Candidate (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)

 

“The eHDR has helped me to refine my thinking. This is good for pitching an idea to someone and for helping me explain difficult concepts in my thesis.”

— Jason Moore, PhD Candidate (UNSW Law)