Editorial introduction : supporting postgraduates

This edition of Studies in Learning, Evaluation, Innovation and Development features a combination of themed and un-themed articles. Two contributions connect with the theme of Supporting Postgraduates. Two recent editions of SLEID (Vol. 7, No. 1; Vol 7, No. 2) have dealt with the theme of Supporting Beginning Learners; Supporting Postgraduates picks up on similar issues as they apply to the often complex challenges of conducting research higher degrees. Mark Tyler and Patrick Danaher from the University of Southern Queensland draw on circus metaphors relating to soaring through the rings, ringing changes and sawing through unproductive student emotions as they explore the importance of support networks in underpinning a rewarding postgraduate experience. Similarly, Wendy Davis from CQUniversity Australia, in a reflective, non-refereed article, ponders the challenges of her own experience as a postgraduate student in a relatively marginal, regional university campus.