POSSUM Student Project Policy

The POSSUM students policy has been adapted from the MWA students policy.

1. The POSSUM consortium encourages participation in the POSSUM project by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

2. An undergraduate or postgraduate student whose degree requirements depend on data, algorithms, software or hardware associated with the POSSUM survey, in cases where these data, algorithms, software or hardware are not yet available for public use, must obtain formal recognition of their research project as a POSSUM Student Project, and must be a member of the POSSUM project as per the conditions and procedures defined under the POSSUM Membership Policy.

3. A POSSUM Student Project is a well-defined research project that depends on data, algorithms, software or hardware associated with the POSSUM survey, in cases where these data, algorithms, software or hardware are not yet available for public use, and that will be conducted primarily by an undergraduate or postgraduate student in pursuit of his/her degree.

4. The procedure for obtaining formal recognition of a research project as a POSSUM Student Project is as follows:

a. Any member of the POSSUM project who is not themselves a student can nominate a student project to be recognised as a POSSUM Student Project;

b. A nomination for a POSSUM Student Project should be made before or soon after work first starts on a project (not when a manuscript is about to be written).

c. Nominations for POSSUM Student Projects must be sent to the entire POSSUM collaboration

d. Once a proposal is submitted, there will be a two week period in which any member of POSSUM can comment, provide input, or request to participate via group reply to all@possum.groups.io. Since POSSUM is an open collaboration, the expectation is that any POSSUM member who requests to participate and who can articulate a meaningful planned contribution will be accepted by the Project Lead; the Project Lead is responsible for maintaining the list of participants in their project.

e. After two weeks have elapsed, the POSSUM executive will adjudicate on the nomination (or the revised version thereof);

f. If a nomination is approved, the POSSUM Lead investigators will announce this decision to the entire POSSUM collaboration (via email to all@possum.groups.io), and will add this project to the list of POSSUM Student Projects. The list on the WWW will reproduce the information submitted as per item 4(b) above, with appropriate modifications developed by consensus between the nominator and the POSSUM lead investigators.

5. Designation as a POSSUM Student Project is granted for a limited term:

a. POSSUM Student Projects are valid for a term of up to three years beginning on the date of the written formal approval by the POSSUM lead investigators.

b. At the end of the specified term, on the graduation/completion of the student, or upon discontinuation of the project, all rights and privileges cease.

c. In the event that a student does not take up the approved project within 12 months of approval, or in the event that a student discontinues his/her contributions to a POSSUM Student Project before the end of the term (either because the student changes research topics or advisors, or changes degree programs, or is no longer enrolled at the host organisation, or for any other reason), a notice of discontinuation must be sent by the original nominator of the project to the POSSUM PIs. The notice must give the name of the student (if applicable) and it must state that the research project has lapsed or has been discontinued. Upon receipt of this notice, any rights and privileges granted to the project will cease.

d. In order to extend an unfinished project at the end of the approved term, a new POSSUM Student Project request must be submitted in accordance with the procedures in item 4 above.

e. If a project is deemed by the POSSUM PIs discontinued without notice, the POSSUM PIs will notify the student (if appropriate) and the original nominator. In order to continue the project, the student and/or nominator must demonstrate that the project is active within two weeks of receiving the notice. At the end of two weeks, the POSSUM PIs will make a final determination on the status of the project. Upon a decision by the POSSUM PIs that a project has been discontinued, any rights and privileges granted to the project will cease.

f. If the original nominator of the project ceases to be a POSSUM Member, a new nominator who is a current POSSUM Member should be identified. If this does not occur, the POSSUM PIs may decide to discontinue the project, and any rights and privileges granted to the project will then cease.

6. POSSUM Student Projects are granted the following rights:

a. The project is reserved to be advertised or pursued without competition. Other members of the POSSUM collaboration are restricted from undertaking overlapping research without the written approval of 1) the student (if appropriate) and 2) the original nominator of the project

7. Any resulting POSSUM Publication should be based on a previously approved proposal.

8. The progress of the student remains the responsibility of the student's supervisor(s).

9. POSSUM Student Projects are subject to all conditions and policies of the POSSUM project and any other applicable policies.

10. The POSSUM PIs will adjudicate over any disputes relating to student projects or student participation, and their decision will be final.