I have recently commenced as the new Director, Research Development and Support (RDS) to lead the expansion of the Research Services Office to become a more holistic Research Development and Support team which now includes research development and commercialisation.

I am passionate about ensuring that Flinders researchers continue to receive high quality and responsive research support, timely knowledge regarding grant and funding opportunities and that opportunities for continuing researcher professional development are available.

Our key role at RDS is to help to foster and promote Flinders University’s research excellence.

As a former student (1987 – 1991; BSc(Hons)) I have a strong affinity with Flinders University and I am excited about being involved in the changes that are underway at Flinders.

As background, I have had over 15 years of Senior Executive experience in leading R&D organisations and have worked in the Not for Profit sector, Government and Private companies.

Prior to coming back to Flinders, I was intimately involved in supporting the research agenda for Australian training and skilling, in my role as National Manager, Research and Engagement at the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER).

I have also worked across a range of industries including transport as (Acting Chief Operating Officer of Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure), the water sector (Chief Executive of Water Research Australia), and primary industries (Manager, Research Operations with Meat and Livestock Australia). While living in Sydney I also worked at UNSW on two separate occasions- as the Managing Director of the UNSW Student Association, Arc@UNSW, and as a Commercial Business Development Manager with Unisearch. I started my career as a research chemist with DSTO (now DST Group).

In addition to being a Flinders science graduate (Hons), I have also completed a Master of Applied Science (UniSA), an MBA (Deakin) and Grad Dip Corporate Law (USyd) and I am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

I look forward to bringing a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to the newly transformed Research Development and Support division, to support us to provide valued services to Flinders researchers and our external partners.

Jodieann Dawe

Director, Research Development and Support

Dr Fiona Utley (University of New England) will be presenting and leading discussions on ARC grants on Tuesday 26 September at Flinders’ Bedford Park Campus.

All Flinders researchers are invited to attend, noting that limited places are available. This session will enable participants to gain insights on successfully preparing and applying for Australian Research Council category 1 grants.

The initiative, sponsored by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, with thanks to Professor Melanie Oppenheimer, is the wider dimension of a fully subscribed workshop being undertaken over three days for DECRA applicants in the HASS College.

To join Dr Fiona Utley on Tuesday 26th September 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, please register via ienrol.

Entries and nominations for the Scopus Researcher of The Year Awards 2017 are now open. Could this be your winning year? The Scopus Researcher Awards are part of an Elsevier global initiative to support researchers, with the intention of supporting researchers in their quest to advance the frontiers of science across a broad range of disciplines. This year, Elsevier are launching new award categories to recognise and encourage outstanding researchers in Australia and New Zealand who have made significant contributions in their areas of research.

The Awards for 2017 will be presented the following categories:

Award Categories

• Excellence in Innovative Research Award
• Excellence in Sustainability Research Award
• Women in Research Award

Judging Criteria

Excellence of the research program

1. Excellence in Innovative Research Award: Excellence demonstrated as a direct result of innovative research. Include information on patent and commercialisation will be helpful for this criteria.
2. Definition of Innovative Research: Innovative research is research which has utilised new, advanced and original methods to move their field forward or has introduced new ideas through original and novel thinking or approaches.
3. Excellence in Sustainability Research Award: Excellence as a direct result of sustainability research.
4. Sustainability Research can be in areas relevant but not limited to, the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
5. Women in Research Award: Excellence in scientific research conducted by female researchers.

Scientific Rigour

Evidence of scientific rigor as demonstrated through publications and citations indexed in Scopus. Provide a summary of all publication outputs from Scopus including details of for example (articles, reviews, conference papers, books & monographs, and patents). Please list the output which received the most citations and include your h-index.

Research Impact

Evidence of the impact the research has had outside the field of study and academia generally, including any positive change brought about by the research. Please use any metrics that can evidently show your research impact. Definition of Research Impact: Research impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia. (source: Australian Research Council)

The winner for each category will receive $1000 cash prize, a plaque and be invited to an award ceremony plus Elsevier will fully subsidise the travel and accommodation expenses.

Learn more on our website or contact us with any queries. Entries close 7 pm AEST Friday 22nd September 2017.

Read more about the award from the New Scientist, click here

The Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Inc (ACSPRI) are offering a two day Master Class on Mixed Methods Research Design, in Melbourne on 9-10 November 2017. As Flinders is a member of ACSPRI, all staff are able to access the membership prices for attendance at the course. The early bird offer will close on 3 November 2017.

Airbus Defence and Space and Delta-V NewSpace Alliance have partnered up to create a New Space & Innovation Session at this year’s International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide. On the back of the France-Australia Roundtable on Wednesday, 27 September @IAC2017, the session will bring together some of the best in Australian Start-ups and Innovation Scene to come and pitch what they are doing differently. With the combination of start-ups already making waves in their respective industries and some newer start-ups yet to make their mark, the event is aimed at presenting the bright minds Australia has to offer and have them showcase their exciting ideas to all those present. So if you are interested in seeing what some of our most innovative minds have been up to, this is your chance!

The New Space and Innovation session will also feature guest speakers from Delta-V, Aerospace Valley, and Airbus, and will be a hub of new ideas and conversation between Australian and International delegations interested in the future of the Space and Spatial industry.

Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre, West Building, Lower level One, Riverbank Room 6

Time: 2 pm to 5 pm

Attendance: Open event, please spread the word

RSVP: melanie.revellat@airbus.com

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is inviting proposals for the latest round of Grand Challenges Explorations. Grand Challenges Explorations fosters early-stage discovery research to expand the pipeline of ideas for solving our greatest global health and development challenges. Launched in 2008 with an initial $100 million commitment from the foundation, Grand Challenges Explorations grants have already been awarded to more than 1200 researchers in more than 65 countries.

Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies. Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million.

The Gates Foundation are accepting applications on the following three topics until Wednesday, 8 November, 2017, 11:30 am Pacific Time:

• Novel Approaches for Improving Timeliness of Routine Immunization Birthdose and Healthcare Worker Skill in Low-Resource Settings;
• Healthy Minds for Adolescent Mothers: Achieving Healthy Outcomes for the Family;
• Innovations for Integrated Diagnostics Systems

Applications from Flinders Researchers should be submitted to Research Development and Support by 25 October 2017. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Brodie Beales.

Tips for applicants in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese and Spanish are available. Full descriptions of the topics in these languages will be available at the beginning of the week of 18 September, 2017.

Grand Challenges invites you to read summaries of the over 1300 GCE grants funded to date and to check out the interactive world map of investments across the global Grand Challenges funding partner network.

Research Development and Support (RDS) is aiming to streamline the processes for researchers in applying for the next rounds of ARC and NHMRC grant applications. Flinders lead applicants are asked to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI). Details on how to access the EOI and the other dates relating to ARC and NHMRC funding rounds are below.

Information on the timing of ARC and NHMRC forthcoming grant rounds are attached below, but please note the following key dates: 

• As the next ARC grant rounds are earlier than previous years, we are seeking EOIs for the ARC by 3 October 2017.
• As the next NHMRC grant rounds are at a similar time to that of previous years, we are seeking EOIs for the NHMRC by 31 October 2017.
• ARC and RDS indicative dates
• NHMRC Funding Calendar RDS dates

Please note EOIs are not being sought for ARC Linkage Projects applications and that ARC LIEF applications will be subject to a separate EOI process.

The Expression of Interest

The EOI is online and can be accessed in RePortal or directly via: https://research.flinders.edu.au/RP/Workflow/Flow/List. Users should log in using their standard Flinders FAN and log-in details. Your EOI information will also be provided to your College.

Additional support

RDS Senior Grants Officers are to here to support you and would welcome the opportunity to meet with ARC and NHMRC applicants. Please feel free to contact the relevant officer below between 3 October and 1 December 2017 to discuss your application:

ARC applications: Maya Roberts at Maya.Roberts@flinders.edu.au or x17698

NHMRC applications: Gareth Rees at Gareth.Rees@flinders.edu.au or x12199

We are trying to make these processes as streamlined as possible and if you have any feedback please forward it to research.data@flinders.edu.au.

Research Development and Support is pleased to invite you to attend the following series of presentations by the Australian Research Council (ARC) at Flinders University on 11 October 2017. These presentations, from Professor Stephen Buckman and Professor Joanne Tompkins, ARC Executive Directors, provide an excellent opportunity for Flinders staff to hear direct from the ARC on ARC Centres of Excellence, the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Writing a Successful Grant Application and ARC Assessment and Feedback.

ARC Centres of Excellence

Presenter: Professor Stephen Buckman, ARC Executive Director, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, and Information Services

When: 9 – 9.55 am, 11 October 2017

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award

Presenter: Professor Joanne Tompkins, ARC Executive Director, Humanities and Creative Arts

When: 10 – 10.45 am, 11 October 2017

Writing a Successful Grant Application and ARC Assessment and Feedback

Presenters: Professor Stephen Buckman, ARC Executive Director, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, and Information Sciences and Professor Joanne Tompkins, ARC Executive Director, Humanities and Creative Arts

When: 11 – 11.55 am, 11 October 2017

Please indicate which presentation you would like to attend by selecting the relevant session when enrolling via ienrol. You can enrol for more than one session, if you wish.

If you have any enquiries regarding the presentions, please contact Maya Roberts via email: maya.roberts@flinders.edu.au, or phone: 8201 7698.

Increasing effectiveness in Social Work Practice

What are the theoretical underpinnings of the social work skills used with children, adults and families? To date, theory is largely absent from the contemporary skills literature. Reviewing the literature has uncovered that there is a lack of explicit theoretical perspectives and the widespread adoption of a managerial theoretical perspective.

Even though publications in this field have content contributing to an understanding of social work skills, none of them elaborate on the process through which skills are effectively operationalised in social work practice. My research has revealed a need for qualitative case studies that explore how specific theories, and through which techniques, inform the skills underlying effective social work assessments and interventions with children, adults and families.

To read about this further, please see my paper published July 2017 in the British Journal of Social Work.

Dr George Karpetis

Dr George Karpetis is a senior lecturer in social work and the Program Director of the Masters of Social Work, at Flinders University. George completed his Masters degree in England, his PhD in Greece, and he is an accredited social worker both in England and Australia. Adopting the psychoanalytic perspective in practice, George worked as a clinical practitioner for 20 years. For the last 12 years, he has been lecturing on mental health social work and he is an editorial Board member for the Social Work Education and Psychoanalytic Social Work peer-reviewed journals. In his published research, he evaluates the effectiveness of theories in clinical, teaching and supervision practice. Currently, he is researching how child protection practice errors are generated by the implicit theories adopted by practitioners and educators.

Role: Senior Lecturer in Social Work
College: Education, Psychology and Social Work
Campus: Bedford Park
E: george.karpetis@flinders.edu.au
T: 8201 2270

This is a new feature for Inspiring Research where we profile Flinders’ Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in our ECR Spotlight. This initiative will appear regularly and aims to connect our research community and strengthen research communications within the University. You will get insight into who our ECRs are and how their research and achievements are making a difference.

The featured ECRs welcome dialogue, debate, and conversation and we hope that it may shape future intra-, inter- and/or trans-disciplinary collaboration with Flinders’ colleagues. Please feel free to comment on their spotlight, and/or contact them directly. Also, you can contact the ECR Spotlight coordinator, Dr Marina Delpin, with your queries and comments.

The first two competitive grant opportunities for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) have now opened. These grant opportunities will be run by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and will draw on their high quality application and assessment processes. THE MRFF is an initiative of the Australian Government (Commonwealth) which combines health and medical research and innovation.

The Antimicrobial Resistance Targeted Call for Research competitive grant opportunity aims to stimulate research on novel and innovative methodologies, such as genomics, to determine antimicrobial resistance profiles and transmission within and to/from residential aged care facilities. This knowledge will assist in the promotion and development of optimal and appropriate antimicrobial use in residential aged care facilities.

The Lifting Clinical Trials and Registries Capacity Grant Opportunity will stimulate clinical trial and registry activity with priority to be given to under-researched health priorities, such as rare cancers and rare diseases. Novel and innovative trial designs and recruitment strategies and the application of precision medicine will also be encouraged under this grant opportunity.

Research Development and Support has a web section which includes information on the MRFF. This includes guidelines and category descriptors for both grant opportunities, as well as how to apply. Minimum data is due on 20 September 2017 and the applications close on 4 October 2017 for both grant opportunities. Any queries on the MRFF can be directed to Gareth Rees, Grants Officer via phone 8201 2199 or email research.grants@flinders.edu.au.

Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia invite all higher degree by research (HDR) / research by higher degree (RHD) students at any of the three institutions to a 1 day workshop. If you are a supervisor of a RHD/HDR student who you feel could benefit from this workshop, please forward the information to them.

The workshop aims to give participants:

• an understanding of the ethical issues that may arise in research involving human participants (across the full spectrum from biological samples to whole populations);
• tools to analyse and address these issues;
• an understanding of what constitutes good practice in research; and
• information on how to prepare an ethics approval application to the Universities' Human Research Ethics Committees. 

WHEN: Monday 25 September 2017 – 9 AM to 5:30 PM (Registration from 8:30 AM)

WHERE: Flinders in the City, Victoria Square, Adelaide

Current HDR/RHD students who have research projects which require human research ethics approval are strongly encouraged to register to attend this workshop. Non-HDR/RHD students whose current program of study requires an application for ethics approval may be eligible pending confirmation from the student's supervisor.

Attendees are required to nominate one of the following concurrent sessions of Ethical Considerations for Specific Research Methods or Fields to attend

• Qualitative (social sciences and humanities)
• Clinical Research (interventions, therapies; including clinical trials)
• Laboratory Research with Humans (human tissue samples, genetics, stem cells)

RSVP: by Monday 18 September 2017 by filling in the form here.

At the 2017 Australian Museum Eureka Prize dinner, held 30 August 2017 at the Sydney Town Hall, the Colvera team from the CSIRO, Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd, and Flinders University were awarded the prestigious 2017 Johnson & Johnson Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research.

From earlier research into bowel cancer by Professor Graham Young (right) at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, the Colvera^TM test was developed. The test is twice as sensitive at detecting recurrent tumors in patients who previously have been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is one of the top five causes of premature death among Australian's aged 45-74. Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world, where 1 in 13 Australians will develop bowel cancer.

The Colvera Team developed the blood test that detects tumour DNA in the blood plasma of bowel cancer patients. With 50% of bowel cancer patients in Australia having a recurrence of the disease after being given the "all clear", the ability of the early detection of the Colvera^TM test should improve the patients chances of being cured.

The test has undergone clinical testing in the United States where it is now commercially available. The test will be available in Australia soon.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of research, innovation, leadership, science communication and school science.

The Colvera Team Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research

2017 Johnson & Johnson Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research https://www.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka The Colvera Team, CSIRO; Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd; and Flinders University The Colvera Team has developed a clinically validated blood test that sensitively and accurately detects cancer DNA in the blood plasma of colorectal cancer patients.

AM Eureka Prizes on Twitter

Congrats to The Colvera Team! @JNJNews #Eureka17 #MedicalResearch

The next Research Grants and Contracts team drop-in session for interested academic and professional staff in September will be held on Tuesday 26 September 2017.

These twice monthly sessions are designed to allow staff to receive one-on-one assistance or advice on any aspect of the services provided by the Research Grants and Contracts team, including: assistance with research grant applications, searching for funding, grant budgets, establishing collaborative contracts and other research related contracts, terms and conditions of award, confidentiality and material transfer agreements etc.

Research Grants and Contract staff will be available from 12 PM to 1 PM on Tuesday 12 September 2017 and Tuesday 26 September 2017. Participants are encouraged to register at ienrol if they are interested in attending either of the sessions and are asked to please email research.grants@flinders.edu.au to give RSO staff advance notice of the nature of the assistance they require.

The next Research Data and Reporting Team’s monthly drop-in session for interested academic and professional staff will be held on Tuesday 19 September 2017.

The aim of the session is to provide one-on-one assistance to staff who want either a refresh on the research data systems used at Flinders or to learn some new skills.

Research Data and Reporting staff will be available from 12 PM to 1 PM on Tuesday 19 September 2017. Participants are encouraged to register at ienrol if they are interested in attending.