Do you want to improve your research communication skills? Do you want access to the premier conference on career development? Do you want help in getting ahead in engaging publishing? Then April at Flinders has something for you.

Upcoming researcher professional development opportunities aim to fortify and build skills around research engagement, recognising and communicating research impact and thriving in an academic environment. Flinders' Researchers can register to attend these opportunities via ienrol.

Research communications for engagement and impact - by researchers, for researchers across the disciplines (10 April) is an action learning workshop led by Dr Andrew Stapleton and will equip each participant with a tool kit and the skills to write for multidisciplinary audiences.

“The Conversation” in conversation (18 April) will feature Sarah Keenihan, Editor for The Conversation and a multidisciplinary discussion panel of Flinders researchers who have contributed articles and commentary. This interactive forum will highlight how The Conversation works and “what they do”, and the panel is open to Q&A about their experiences. There will be a focus on their approach to contributing and publishing their work, and the benefits and impact that flowed from it.

Science Pathways 2018 – the Australian Academy of Sciences EMCR Forum Conference (23, 24 April) will see Flinders transform into a remote conference site for Australia’s premier conference focused on career development, bringing together early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) and scientific leaders from academia, industry and government. Science Pathways will provide researchers from all disciplines with the skills necessary for thriving in an academic environment. Participants will build on existing knowledge and learn new skills essential for future success. In addition, this event will provide an opportunity to meet like-minded EMCRs and network amongst peers.

Flinders University is a remote conference site for Science Pathways 2018 - Australia’s premier conference focused on career development, bringing together early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) and scientific leaders from academia, industry and government. On April 23 and 24 researchers from all disciplines and Colleges across the University are welcome to join the livestreamed conference for free here at Flinders, you just need to register. We are also accepting registrations through our ienrol page.

Science Pathways will provide researchers with the skills necessary for thriving in an academic environment. Participants will build on existing knowledge and learn new skills essential for future success. In addition, this event will provide an opportunity to meet like-minded EMCRs and network amongst peers.

The 2018 program focuses on how to achieve equity in STEM, how to access funding from non-traditional sources, and key considerations for interdisciplinary research.

Being a remote delegate allows you to:

• Get together with other EMCRs in your organisation to watch the livestream
• Have access to the delegate app, which will contain all the relevant information about the event and the session schedule in your local time
• Participate in the conference by asking the speakers questions through the delegate app
• Participate in the live polls and give your input on relevant issues facing EMCRs  

For further information please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

The Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme is a joint initiative (PDF 1.2MB) of Universities Australia and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany's national agency for the support of international academic cooperation. It fosters research collaboration of the highest quality between Australian researchers from Universities Australia member universities and German researchers from German universities and research institutes.

The scheme supports exchanges for Australian researchers to spend time at partner institutions in Germany and for collaborating German researchers to spend time at Australian universities. Researchers must be working on a joint research project with their German counterparts, rather than simply furthering their own individual research in Germany. The inclusion of early career researchers is a significant focus of this scheme.

Applications open on 3 April 2018 and close on 15 June 2018. Applications must be submitted through Research Development and Support, as Universities Australia will not accept applications direct. The Flinders internal closing date is 1 June 2018. For application support, contact Mary Lyons, Research Development and Support.

Click here (PDF 87.8KB) to see the 73 projects awarded funding in 2017.

The NHMRC Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Fellowships are now open for application. They provide support for health care professionals (e.g. medical specialists, general practitioners, public health practitioners, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, radiologists, and other allied health providers), health care personnel (health service managers, hospital department leaders, clinical trial managers) health systems personnel, health researchers and health policy makers to translate evidence into health care and public health improvements.

Applications close on 5:00 PM AEDT, 23 May 2018 with the Flinders internal closing date of 9 May 2018. Applicants are advised to contact the Research Administration Officer at their Administering Institution early in the application process and are asked to direct any questions they may have to their Research Administration Officer.

The Fellowships provide for 0.5 of a full time equivalent position and ensure time for Fellows to develop the range of skills needed for leadership in research translation within their career. TRIP Fellowships are not designed to support applicants already established as health care leaders.

Grant Guidelines and information on how to apply is available via Grant Connect. If you are not able to access the guidelines, contact Gareth Rees, Research Development and Support.

Join Sarah Keenihan, Editor for The Conversation and a multidisciplinary discussion panel of Flinders researchers who have contributed articles and commentary – Professor John Long (CSE), Dr Alice Gorman (CHASS), Dr Rodrigo Praino (CBGL), and Dr Nicole Lovato (CMPH).

All researchers at Flinders, especially early and mid-career researchers (EMCRS) are encouraged to attend on 18 April, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM. Register at ienrol.

Sarah will talk about how The Conversation works and “what they do”, and the panel is open to Q&A about their experiences. There will be a focus on their approach to contributing and publishing their work, and the benefits and impact that flowed from it.

Do you know any early-career researchers who have peer-reviewed results, a discovery, or an invention that has received little or no media attention?

Please nominate them for Fresh Science, the national competition that helps early-career researchers find, and then share, their stories of discovery. Scientists get a day of media training and the chance to share their work with the media, general public and school students.

Fresh Science is looking for: early-career researchers (from honours students to no more than five years post-PhD), a peer-reviewed discovery that has had little or no media coverage, and some ability to present ideas in everyday English. For advice and support, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Research Development and Support.

Past Flinders scientists who have been selected include Laura Gell and Katherine Morrell in 2017, Dr Mona Awadalla and Stephanie Shepheard in 2016, and  Dr Justin Chalker in 2015.

How to nominate

Check out the selection criteria, read ahead and see what questions will be asked, then go online and nominate via the short, easy, online application form.

Nominations close midnight on Tuesday 24 April.

The training and events will be held in June and July– dates will be posted on the Fresh Science website.

What’s involved in Fresh Science?

In each state, the top ten applicants will be selected. If selected, the following will be provided:

A day of media training where you will: hear from working journalists about what makes science news for them; find the story in your research with guidance from two experienced science communicators; and practice being interviewed in front of camera and on radio.

A short profile about your work written in a media-friendly way, published online and via social media.

The chance to step on stage and present your science to a friendly audience down at the pub. In some states, you will also present to school students or a “shark-tank” style panel of leaders from industry and government.

One story per state will be written up as a press release and issued to the media.

Fresh Science is an initiative of Science in Public.

Fresh Science South Australia is supported by the South Australian Museum, Flinders University, the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide.

Now in its 21^st year, Fresh Science has trained over 500 scientists to share their science, and generated hundreds of news stories via TV, print, radio and online. You can read past Fresh Scientists’ stories online at freshscience.org.au.

The Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation has opened applications for the 2019 Al & Val Rosenstrauss Fellowship. The external closing date is 5 PM AEST on 30 April 2018, with the internal Flinders closing date of 16 April 2018. For advice and application support, contact Gareth Rees, Research Development and Support

Targeted at early-career researchers (5-10 years post-doctoral) who show potential to be stars of the future and who are building credentials for a long career in research, the fellowship provides funding of $80,000 per year (excluding GST) for a period of four years, towards salary costs of the recipient.

The Foundation has recently added "Dermatology with an emphasis on Psoriasis" to its support categories:

• Brain Sciences: Psychiatry or Neurology (excluding Dementias)
• Dermatology with an emphasis on Psoriasis
• Endocrinology (excluding Diabetes)
• Geriatrics (excluding Dementias)
• Lung Disease (other than Cancer)
• Rheumatology
• Vision Sciences

For more information about eligibility and application guidelines please visit the Rebecca L Cooper website and refer to the 2019 Fellowship Application Guidelines.

Please also note that the Foundation will accept applications for 2019 Project Grants from 1 August 2018 until 5 PM AEST on 31 August 2018.

The 2018 Ramaciotti Awards are now open for applications. This year, the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research and the Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants are available. The Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award is only offered every 2 years and the next call for applications is in 2019.

Applications close 5 PM, 31 May 2018 for both awards, with the Flinders internal closing date of 17 May 2018. For advice and more detail on the Ramaciotti Medal, contact Dr Marina Delpin, and for advice and more details on the Health Investment grants, contact Gareth Rees.

The Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundations are collectively one of the largest contributors to biomedical research in Australia having granted over $57 million to  research projects since 1970. Vera Ramaciotti, OBE, established the Foundations to give substantial support to biomedical research – an interest shared by Vera and her brother Clive. The Ramaciotti Foundations continue to support biomedical research and each year make significant distributions via the Ramaciotti Awards.

Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research Medal and $50,000 Grant

This is awarded to a person who has made an outstanding discovery (or discoveries) in clinical or experimental biomedical research that has had an important impact on biomedical science, clinical medicine, or the way in which healthcare is delivered. Candidates for the Medal are provided by nomination only from professionals within the medical and scientific research community. The Ramaciotti Foundations’ Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) may nominate candidates, seek nominations or advice from other biomedical scientists. They do not accept self-nominations. Previous nominees may be nominated again.

The greater part of the nominees work leading to the discovery (or discoveries) must have been conducted in Australia, and the nominee should still be actively engaged in this work.

The person nominating should make a submission which includes the following:

• A citation (not more than three pages) outlining the background to and consequences of the nominee’s discovery (or discoveries) and their recent scientific achievements.
• Brief curriculum vitae of the nominee and a list of selected publications. Submissions must be received in Research Development and Support by 17 May to Dr Marina Delpin. The Medal recipient will be notified in September.

Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants

Grants of up to $150,000 - These Grants are awarded to individuals in universities, public hospitals or institutes for a contribution towards the undertaking of health or medical research with a potential path to clinical application within five years. A Health Investment Grant is intended to provide enabling research support for an autonomous early career investigator who is taking or has recently taken a substantive position. It is expected that up to five grants will be awarded in 2017.

Flinders is able to submit one application per department, up to a maximum of three applications overall. Contact Gareth Rees to discuss your application and eligibility to apply.

A Health Investment Grant is subject to the host institution providing a matching grant of the amount requested and raising the balance (if any) of the full cost of the proposed project. The matching grant must be cash for cash (not in-kind) but can include the salaries of project personnel (excluding the salary of the Chief
Investigator).

The Researcher Professional Development Team invites Flinders researchers to the first in a series of skills training and development workshops: Research Communications for engagement and impact – by researchers, for researchers across the disciplines. This workshop will be on 10 April, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, Noel Stockdale Room, Library.

This action-learning workshop, led by Dr Andrew Stapleton, Professional Research Communicator and host and producer for Australia’s Science Channel, will equip each participant with the skills to write for multidisciplinary audiences. Using a robust best-practice tool-kit, this workshop will provide researchers with the opportunity to produce a lede and structured outline for an article that will communicate the impact of their research, and during this process, get real-time feedback and advice from an industry professional. This workshop aims to improve researchers’ awareness of research impact and celebrate it through great writing.

Researchers at all career stages who are keen to build skills to effectively communicate their research impact are invited to register. Please register at ienrol.  Please note that places are limited.

The Researcher Professional Development team is led by Dr Marina Delpin and is part of the Flinders’ Research Development and Support Division. The team coordinates training and development that builds key skills that are core to the research process, and doing research, at Flinders. Working closely with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework and research leaders, further skills training and development activities are being developed and rolled out, with the aim to impart the knowledge, key traits and attributes of effective, highly successful researchers. Please contact Marina if you have any queries about the opportunities coordinated by this team, including their flagship programs that build researcher capacity and capabilities – the Researcher Mentoring Scheme for ECRs and Building Research Leaders Program for MCRs.

Collaborate | Innovate | 2018, being held in Sydney from 14 to 16 May at Aerial UTS Function Centre, is the leading conference on business-research collaboration and engagement and attracts upwards of 350 delegates, including some of Australia’s most influential people in government, industry and universities. The conference will explore the importance of business and industry working with researchers to create innovation, and how to foster these relationships.

If you are bidding for a CRC, then this conference is not to be missed. It is the premier source of information on CRCs with sessions and workshops on how to bid and establish a CRC. The conference is also a valuable networking opportunity for those who attend, connecting them to the CRC Community, representatives from the CRC Program, captains of industry and leaders in their field.

The CRC Association will also be holding the third Business-Research Match-up at the conference during the day of 15 May. The match-up provides a platform for participating businesses to access the wealth of knowledge and expertise of Australian researchers. It also helps facilitate networking opportunities for all conference attendees.

Registrations are now open for the conference. Members only early bird closes 13 April.

The Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) is inviting nominations for its 2018 Australia Prizes. This is an excellent opportunity to nominate yourself, a friend or colleague who has enriched and contributed to Australian cultural and intellectual life.

The two prizes on offer are the Future Leader prize and the Student prize. The closing date for both prizes is 2 July 2018 and details on contact areas and internal closing dates at Flinders for students and staff are listed below in the relevant section.

The Future Leader prize is for an early career professional in any of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) fields. This recognises the nominee’s professional achievements and contribution to community and the advancement of the HASS sector. Sponsored by Future Leaders, the finalist will be awarded a $2,000 cash prize and recognition from our esteemed Future Leaders jury. The Flinders internal closing date is 10 working days prior, Monday, 18 June 2018. For assistance in preparing the nominations, please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

The Student prize is for a student project, performance or exhibition that best exemplifies the contribution of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) fields to our understanding of our nation and us. Students enrolled at any level in any Australia tertiary educational institution are eligible to be nominated. Sponsored by CHASS, the finalist will be awarded a $500 cash prize and recognition from our esteemed Student prize jury. Flinders students are encouraged to contact Nicole Harris, Office of Graduate Research, for application support.

Nominations will close on 2 July 5pm (AEST) and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Check out the CHASS website for all the guidelines. 

GSK's Discovery Fast Track Australian Challenge, a program designed to accelerate the translation of early-stage research into game-changing new medicines, is now open for nominations. The nomination period will close on 27 April 2018. The Challenge provides a new template for drug discovery as it aims to rapidly uncover the best opportunities for discovery research.

Winners will get access to GSK’s state of the art screening technologies and extensive library of compounds. Working with GSK experts, winning scientists will be able to test their hypotheses in the hope of finding compounds with the potential to develop into the medicines of the future. In addition, up to $75,000 AUD will be provided to enable winners to conduct supportive research for the collaboration.

Since its initial launch in 2013, the annual Discovery Fast Track Challenge has attracted more than eleven hundred proposals from more than three hundred universities, academic research institutions and hospitals in 28 counties. Previous entries have focused on a broad range of disease areas, including malaria, antibiotic resistance and certain types of cancer.

In addition, it may be possible to pursue promising results in collaboration with GSK's Discovery Partnerships with Academia (DPAc) team under a further collaboration.

Further details on the application process can be found at www.gsk.com/discoveryfasttrack.  Flinders applicants should contact Gareth Rees, Research Development and Support, for advice on applying.

Wine Australia is inviting applications for funding through the Incubator Initiative, a program that connects early career researchers with Australia’s wine regions. This year, 9 of Wine Australia’s Regional Program partners have crafted 26 local research questions for project applications.

Projects will be developed to answer a specific regional need, and researchers will work with the Regional Program partners and deliver the findings to grapegrowers and winemakers in the region. Up to $20,000 is available for successful applicants to undertake the projects, with this funding matched by a co-contribution – cash or in-kind – from the organisation where the researcher is employed.

Who can apply?

The Incubator Initiative is open to early career researchers working for an Australian-based research organisation. Early career is defined as having five years or fewer of research experience since completing a PhD or Master’s degree. Applications will also be accepted from researchers who have submitted a PhD or Master’s thesis and are awaiting the outcome.

How to apply

View the research questions on Wine Australia’s website and contact the Regional Program partner to develop a project plan.

Applications must:

• be developed in consultation with the Regional Program partner
• align to the Wine Australia Strategic Plan 2015–2020
• clearly address the regional issue, and
• have the potential for extension of findings through Wine Australia’s Regional Program.

Applicants will need to provide their Curriculum Vitae and evidence of completion or submission of their PhD or Master’s thesis. A supervisor should be identified and a letter demonstrating their support for the applicant, proposed research and associated funding should be provided.

Once a project plan has been developed, an application should be submitted by the researcher via email to Wine Australia using the template provided. Applications close 13 April 2018. The Flinders Internal closing date for applications is 30 March 2018. For assistance in preparing the application, contact Mary Lyons, Research Development and Support.

The SA Science Excellence Awards showcase the critical importance of science and research to the development of industry and our society. Come along on Friday 13 April from 11:00 AM in the Council Room, Registry Building, to hear from Sarah Treasure, Senior Project Officer, Department of State Development about the South Australia’s Science Excellence Awards to help you get ahead in your nomination.

Through the awards, the achievements of talented individuals, including recent PhD graduates and early career science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals and teachers, who are making an outstanding contribution to society both nationally and internationally are acknowledged. Please rsvp to Nikki Johnson, for catering purposes, if you are intending to attend the information session.

Awards are presented in five categories:

• South Australian Scientist of the year
• PhD Research Excellence Award
• STEM Professional Award
• STEM Educator of the Year (split into School Teaching and Tertiary Teaching categories)
• Excellence in Research Collaboration

Nominations are now open for the Awards and will close 11 May 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 10 working days prior, 27 April 2018, and for assistance in preparing the nominations/applications, please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

Nominations are currently being sought from Australian researchers for the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) 2018, closing Wednesday, 11 April 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 10 working days prior, Wednesday, 28 March 2018. For assistance in preparing the nominations, please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

The ASPIRE prize is an annual award which recognises young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies as demonstrated by the impact to APEC economies through market-led innovation.

The theme for this year is ‘New Material Technologies’ anddisciplines under this theme include materials and biomaterials science, polymer chemistry, chemical and mechanical engineering, solid-state physics, nanotechnology and other relevant fields. To be eligible, Australian researchers must be under 40 years of age by 31 December 2018 and be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident living in Australia at time of application.

The nomination form and further information can be found here.

Invitations are now open to attend the 5th South Australia Space Forum, Thursday 12 April 2018, Adelaide Convention Centre. Registrations will be accepted up until 5 April 2018 for this event which is coordinated by the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) and the Space Industry Association of Australia.

Facilitated by Nicola Sasanelli AM, Director of the South Australian Space Industry Centre, this event is anyone involved in space-related industries, educational organisations, research and space associations.

The biannual Forum continues to attract growing interest in the space sector, locally, nationally and internationally. Since the first Forum in June 2016, the participant numbers have grown from 80 attendees to an expected 250 for this event.

The Australian Government’s ‘Review of Australia’s Space Industry Capability’, due to be presented to government in March, findings will be presented at the forum by Trevor Power from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.  Former USA Astronaut, Pam Melroy will speak on recent trends in US space policy. The evolvement of Space 4.0 will again be among the key topics for discussion.

Speakers will include:

Mr Richard Price, Chief Executive, South Australian Space Industry Centre

Mr Trevor Power, Head, Industry Growth Division, Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Ms Pam Melroy, US National Space Council Users Advisory Group (USA)

Mr James Hinds, HO Strategy Space Systems, Airbus DS (France)

Mr Sebastian Kleim, Regional Manager Asia-Pacfic, Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), German Aerospace Center (Germany)

Dr Nick Stacy, Research Leader Intelligence Systems National Security & Intelligence, Surveilance and Reconnaissance Division, DST Group, Department of Defence

Mr Michael Davis, Chairman of Space Industry Association of Australia

A full program will be emailed to registrants closer to the event.

Contact spaceoffice@sa.gov.au with any queries.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are now open and accepting nominations to reward excellence in Australian science. Over the years a number of Flinders' researchers have received these awards in recognition of their brilliant achievements that make a difference - including members of the Colvera Team (2017), members of the TEPO Team (2016) and Dr Philip Dinning (2011). The spectrum of prizes cover a broad range of scientific disciplines and aim to recognise the work of scientists and researchers at all career stages.

The 2018 program comprises of 16 prizes across the areas of research & innovation, leadership science engagement, and also school science. Entries close on 7 PM AEST, 4 May 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 10 working days prior, 20 April 2018. For assistance in preparing the nominations/applications, please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

If you aren’t familiar with the program, you can get a feel for it via this 1 minute video featuring last year’s winners, you can also learn more about the program via Twitter @eurekaprizes.

The Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, celebrating excellence in research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science. Entrants can enter themselves or be nominated, with prizes available for both individuals and teams. It’s free to enter, and in 2018 there is a prize pool of $160,000 on offer.

Of particular interest to Flinders researchers are the following Prizes:

• Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research, awarded to an individual, group or team for an outstanding recent contribution to infectious diseases research.
• Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia is awarded to an Australian individual, team or organisation for outstanding science or technology that has developed or has the potential to develop innovative solutions for Australia's defence or national security.
• Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science, awarded to a scientist working in any of STEMM fields who is passionate about engaging the public in your work. This is a long running and much-loved prize; past winners include Lisa Harvey-Smith (2016) and Emma Johnston (2015).
• Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science, targeted at scientists who are either aged 35 years or under, or no more than five years since being awarded their PhD. This is intended to reward and acknowledge the work of passionate and energetic young scientists who are demonstrating leadership impact.

When it comes to investigating an issue, answering a question or simply making sense of something, researchers often look to information to help get there, and it is rare that numeric or linear data will give the full picture on its own. Qualitative or unstructured data can hold the key to richer insights and true research discovery that can revolutionise recommendations and set the research ahead of the field. NVivo is a program that supports this type of qualitative research.

Flinders holds a site licence for NVivo, and this gives staff and HDR students opportunity for taking on-campus or online training.

On-Campus Training

There are three highly praised on-campus workshops available who are delivered by Associate Professor Linda Sweet and Dr Steve Parker. To enrol and view the courses dates, please refer to below weblinks.

• NVivo - Basic
  
• NVivo - Advanced features
  
• NVivo - Individual support
  

Online Training

Online based self-paced courses conducted by the vendor of the software - QSR International. These online courses combine flexible self-paced study with virtual interaction with an experienced facilitator and class peers. There are two types of courses available Fundamentals of NVivo for Windows or Moving on with NVivo for Windows (Mac’ equivalents are also available).

The courses are free of charge to the end user. However, the cost of the training is incurred by the university, and therefore strong commitment to finish the training is expected. There are various opportunities to obtain training in this software.

If you are interested in viewing starting dates, please check the QSR International site. To undertake a course contact staff.opportunities@flinders.edu.au to obtain a unique ID for enrolling.