The Flinders Social and Behavioural Human Research Ethics Committee (SBREC) have brought in two changes that will take effect from 1 July 2018.

To minimise the number of forms that applicants need to submit, the Low / Negligible Risk Assessment Form has been merged with the Application Form. All applicants are now required to complete the risk assessment at the front of the new application form. This section has undergone minimisation from the original Low / Negligible Risk Assessment Form.

The second change is to the Response to Conditional Approval and Deferral forms. For student led projects all conditional approval responses and deferral responses now must be signed by the student and student’s supervisor. If the principal researcher is a staff member, then the forms do not need to be signed before submission.

The new forms are now available for download at the Guidelines, Forms and Templates webpage on the Human Ethics section, Research Development and Support.

If you have any queries or require assistance in relation to these new forms, please do not hesitate to contact Andrea Mather or Rae Tyler on human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au.

Four projects led by Flinders University have received funding success in the recent Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grant funding announcements. Flinders now has a total of 6 projects that have been funded through the ARC Linkage Projects Scheme in 2018, after two Flinders led projects were announced in the first release.

The project teams include researchers from Flinders’ Colleges of: Business, Government and Law (CBGL); Education, Psychology and Social Work (CEPSW); Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS); Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS), and; Science and Engineering (CSE).

Promoting engagement with life in older adulthood was awarded $202,623. Flinders’ Dr Timothy Windsor (CEPSW), Professor Mary Luszcz (CEPSW), Dr Ruth Walker (CNHS) are working with Dr Trevor Mazzucchelli (Curtin University), Associate Professor Robert Stawski (Oregon State University) and Ms Amber Watt (University of Adelaide). The project will consider the increase in engagement by older adults to assist organisations and aged care service providers adopting innovative approaches to promoting ageing well. The team are partnering with Oregon State University, ECH Incorporated, the City of Okaparinga, and the Office for the Ageing.

Meaningfully communicating the value of arts and culture through reporting was awarded $180,437. Flinders’ Professor Julian Meyrick (CHASS), Professor Robert Phiddian (CHASS), Professor Richard Maltby (CHASS), Dr Tully Barnett (CHASS) will be working together with Mr Peter Louca (Arts SA), Ms Satu Teppo (Arts SA) and Ms Christabel Anthoney (Festivals Adelaide). The project aims to change the way culture can be valued and measured through reporting.

Economic complexity as a driver of innovation and smart specialisation will be working with SA Department for Industry and Skills (Formerly Department of State Development). The project was awarded $143.646. Flinders’ Professor John Spoehr (CSE), Associate Professor Giselle Rampersad (CSE), Professor David Powers (CSE), Dr Rong Zhu (CBGL) and Professor John Quiggin (University of Queensland), aim to determine how economic complexity can drive innovation and smart specialisation, and how industry can be supported to transition to a more competitive economy.

Professor Adrian Linacre (CSE) and Professor Kenneth (Paul) Kirkbride’s (CSE) project Visualisation of latent DNA was awarded $106,705. Adrian and Paul will be working with Forensic Science SA and the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency. The project aims to deliver a proof-of-concept that allows visualisation of invisible DNA (latent DNA) into a quick, inexpensive and practical DNA collection method that will lead to DNA evidence being available in more cases.

Each of these projects will be featured in upcoming Inspiring Research articles.

The two earlier successful projects have been featured in Inspiring Research - Dr Michael Morrison (CHASS) and Associate Professor Amy Roberts (CHASS) - Interrogating the Riverland's colonial frontier, and Dr Michael Morrison and Dr Darlene McNaughton’s (CMPH) - Indigenous foodways in colonial Cape York Peninsula.

Changes have been made to the Linkages round, with the ARC moving to a continuous submission and assessment of proposals. As there are no set closing dates, researchers and their partner organisations can work on proposals at any time throughout the year. Please contact the ARC Grants Team in Flinders RDS, for further information.

Dr Katherine Morel (left) and Professor Pamela Sykes

Dr Katherine Morel, a former HDR student in the College of Medicine and Public Health, has been awarded the Radiation Research Editors' Award from the Radiation Research Society (RRS) on the back of research conducted in the laboratory of Flinders’ Professor Pamela Sykes.

The Editors’ Award honours a Radiation Research Society Scholar-in-Training who has published an outstanding paper in Radiation Research. Katherine’s publication: Parthenolide Selectively Sensitizes Prostate Tumor Tissue to Radiotherapy while Protecting Healthy Tissues In Vivo was published in March 2017. Co-authors include Flinders’ researchers Rebecca Ormsby and Pamela Sykes.

Radiation Research is consistently in the top quartile of journals in the areas of biophysics, radiation, and radiology, nuclear medicine and imaging. It has a H index of 111, (one of the main measurements of the quality of a journal - the higher the number, the higher the quality). Articles in this journal often have a high level of international collaboration, and Katherine’s article is representative of this.

Katherine was a recipient of a 2018 Flinders University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence and is currently a Postdoctoral fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University.

The award will be presented at the RRS annual meeting, to be held in conjunction with the Conference on Radiation and Health, 23-26 September 2018, in Chicago, USA.

BRAVE Flinders Research and Innovation series present their next lecture, AI and Health - Who's at the Wheel? to be held on 14 July 2018, 10.30am to 11.30am at SAHMRI.

Professor Alison Kitson will present an update on AI applications in the health sector and what this technology means for ageing.

Alison is an internationally recognised researcher and nursing leader and is the Vice-President and Executive Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University.

This is a free event and registrations are not required.

This lecture is presented in association with the official program for the 2018 Adelaide Festival of Ideas.

The MRFF has announced a funding opportunity for publicly funded clinical trials that address areas of health burden and unmet need, such as rare cancers and rare diseases. Applications to this grant opportunity must propose a clinical trial that addresses an 'unmet medical need' by improving the health outcomes for members of the Australian community living with serious health conditions whose diagnosis or treatment is not adequately addressed by existing options.

This grant opportunity has $33 Million assigned to it with the aim of funding around 20 applications, which would mean applications should be around $1.5 - $2 Million with the plan for 5 years applications.

Grant applications will be managed by the NHMRC and as such, via RGMS. Further information is available at grants.gov.au.

Research Development and Support has a web section which includes information on the MRFF. This includes guidelines and category descriptors for current grant opportunities, as well as how to apply. Minimum data is due on 1 August 2018 and the applications close on 15 August 2018. Any queries on the MRFF can be directed to Gareth Rees, Grants Officer via phone 8201 2199 or email research.grants@flinders.edu.au or your College Research Support staff.

National Science Week is coming up on 11 - 19 August 2018. Register your event, lecture, workshop or other science-related activity by 30 June and it will be included in the comprehensive brochure of events that is widely distributed. This includes any event during August and into September.

Everyone is cordially welcome to the launch of Science Alive! (which is the largest science expo in Australia). This event will also highlight the range of activities that will form part of National Science Week this year.

When: Thursday 2 August from 7 pm

Where: Goyder Pavilion mezzanine at the Adelaide Showground

Cost: FREE, with drinks and nibbles provided

The launch features a thought-provoking presentation on Weird Animals, Sex and the Future of Men by Professor Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, La Trobe University, and the most recent winner of the prestigious Prime Minister's Prize for Science.

Prof Graves is an evolutionary geneticist who works on Australian animals, using their distant relationship to humans to discover how genes and chromosomes and regulatory systems evolved. She uses this unique perspective to explore the origin, function and fate of human sex genes and chromosomes, (in)famously predicting the disappearance of the Y chromosome.

Register your attendance at https://launchofsciencealive2018.eventbrite.com.au

Another way to celebrate National Science Week is with a Brain Break Morning Tea. Schools, organisations and workplaces can order their free Brain Break quiz kit via the national website. Applications close on 17 July.

For any enquiries, please contact: Rona Sakko, Chair, National Science Week SA Coordinating Committee on 0419 827 723 or via email at ronadel@dodo.com.au or rona.sakko@gmail.com

Defence Science and Technology (DST) is proud to present SCINDICATE 2018 on 29-30 August at its Fisherman’s Bend laboratory in Melbourne. The theme for SCINDICATE 2018 is Future Science and Innovation for Game Changing Capabilities.

DST welcomes expressions of interest from industry, universities, research agencies and STEM organisations who have a genuine interest in making new connections, learn more about DST and be a part of the future of science supporting defence capability in Australia.

The expression of interest is essential to manage numbers as there are capacity limitations at the DST Fishermans Bend laboratory which is a secure defence site. Following a security vetting process, successful registrants will be contacted and issued with a ticket to attend. Unsuccessful registrants will also be advised.

SCINDICATE is the new brand name for the previous annual external engagement event called Partnerships Week. The name abbreviates Science (Sc) and Industry (Ind) and is pronounced Syndicate, meaning a group of individuals or organisations combined to promote a common interest; in other words, partnership and collaboration.

Registrations of interest can be placed via the Eventbrite page. For more information about the event, email Scindicate@dst.defence.gov.au.

The Beat Cancer Project Funding program will open on 2 July 2018 with four research schemes - Early Career Fellowships, Mid-Career Fellowships, Principal Research Fellowships and Travel Grants. The Translational Research Packages will not open until 27 August 2018.

The objectives of the Beat Cancer Project are to increase funding for cancer research, increase the capacity for researchers to attract more national and international research grants, and build a stronger cancer research workforce and broader research infrastructure in South Australia.

The Beat Cancer Project is a South Australian state-wide initiative intended to support and advance cancer research within the state. It is funded by Cancer Council SA and the SA Government through SA Health) and administered by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

Researchers will be required to complete an on-line application form – the link to the form will be accessible on the date that the scheme opens. Please refer to the Beat Cancer Project website to access the link to the application form. If you require further information about any of the above Schemes, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer.

Early Career Fellowships

One Early Career Fellowships will be funded in 2018.
Funding Available: Up to $80,000 each per annum for 3 years with the requirement of matched funding.
Open: 2 July
Close: 28 September
Funding guidelines

Mid-Career Fellowship

Two Mid-Career Fellowships will be funded in 2018.
Funding Available: Up to $100,000 each per annum for 3 years with the requirement of matched funding.
Open: 2 July
Close: 28 September
Funding guidelines

Principal Research Fellowships

Two Principal Research Fellowships to be funded in 2018. Applicants working in the field of population health are strongly encouraged to apply.
Funding Available: Up to $200,000 each per annum 3 years with the requirement of matched funding.
Open: 2 July
Close: 28 September
Funding guidelines

Travel Grants

Travel Grants to commence in 2018.
Funding Available: up to $10,000 per applicant to support short-term exchange arrangements; up to $2,500 to support conference attendance and travel.
Open: 2 July
Close: 28 September
Funding guidelines

Translational Research Packages

The scheme aims to support practice- based research and evaluation projects, and identify targeted, multidisciplinary translational research that address specific State priorities.
Funding Available: Package of up to
$150,000 per year for three years. Matched funding is required.
Open: 27 August
Close: 22 October
Funding guidelines

The College of Medicine and Public Health is hosting an information session on Research Technology Platforms available to staff at Flinders.

At this session you can hear about the wide variety of facilities and services and learn more about how they can support your research. It will offer the opportunity to talk one-on-one with platform representatives.

Facilities/platforms on offer include: Animal, Antibody Production, Cell Screen SA, Flow Cytometry, Proteomics, Genomics / Bioinformatics, Microscopy, and Low-dose X-Ray Irradiation.

The information session will be held on Friday 6 July 2018, from 12 PM - 1 PM in the FCIC Function Room, Ground Floor, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. All welcome and a light refreshment will be served.

Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) are holding a forum on How to secure an early career researcher (ECR) fellowship?

To be held on Wednesday 4 July 2018, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Rumours (6th floor), Union House, University of Adelaide (North Terrace campus). Doors open from 5:00 PM,  and networking with light refreshments from 7:00pm.

All Welcome - FREE admission. RSVPs are required for seating and catering by Thursday 28 June to anne.jurisevic@adelaide.edu.au.

Speakers will be:

Dr Cadence Haynes on The process and experience of applying for fellowships as an ECR

Manager: Research Grants, Research Services, University of Adelaide

Cadence has a background as a medical researcher, with a PhD in reproductive health.

Cadence has expertise as a science communicator and has worked as an administrator of competitive research funding since 2011. She now works within Research Services at the University, as the manager responsible for coordinating submission of applications and establishment of new funding within the health and biomedical sector.

Professor Damien Keating on Submitting a stand out ECR fellowship application

NHMRC Career Development Fellow, Head: Molecular & Cellular Physiology Lab, Centre for Neuroscience, Flinders University

Damien received his PhD at the University of Adelaide in 2003 and undertook post-docs in Hamburg and Melbourne. He missed out on national early career fellowships, was recruited to Flinders University as a BioInnovation SA Re-search Fellow, and then held an ARC Future Fellowship and NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (Level 2, current). He has also held grants from the ARC and NHMRC worth about $7 million and published about 80 papers.

Associate Professor Kristin Carson-Chahhoud on Designing successful research projects that stand-out from the crowd

NHMRC ECR Fellow, School of Health Sciences, UniSA

Kristin is an Associate Research Professor and NHMRC Fellow in the School of Health Sciences with the University of South Australia. She has held back to back NHMRC fellowships and is the recipient of multiple NHMRC and other project grants.

Kristin was named 2014 Premier’s Channel 9 Young Achiever of the Year, 2015 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia and one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence in 2015. Her research focuses on novel technology such as augmented reality, holographic technology and virtual reality as a delivery mechanism best-practice evidence-based disease management guide-lines and recommendations.

A/Professor Wendy Ingman on How to make the cut? From the panellists perspective

The Hospital Research Foundation A/Professor of Breast Cancer Research, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide

Wendy is a breast biologist at the University of Adelaide, based at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her re-search dissects the biology of how the breast develops and functions to better understand how disease states occur, including lactation mastitis and breast cancer. After postdoctoral research as an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA, Wendy returned to Adelaide in 2005 and established the Breast Biology and Cancer Unit at the University of Adelaide which is part of the Robinson Research Institute. Wendy has served on NHMRC Early Career Develop-ment Fellowship panels for the past 3 years. Her current appointment is The Hospital Research Foundation Associate Professor of Breast Cancer Research.

With A/Professor Beverly Muhlhausler, Head: Food and Nutrition Research Group / NHMRC Career Development Award Fellow, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, as the Chair for the Forum.

Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity Policy Club presents Commercial determinants of health.

Corporations have a major influence on population health. Commercial practices affect key economic, social and environmental determinants of health and equity including income, employment, healthcare and medicines, food products and supply systems, and the natural environment. This policy club presents cutting edge research on approaches to regulation for commercial determinants of health, presents tools for evaluating the health impacts of corporations, and provides an opportunity for discussion of the best approaches to addressing commercial determinants of health.

To be held on Tuesday, 10 July 2018, 4:45 PM for 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM at Flinders in the City, Cnr Flinders Street and Victoria Square,  Level 10 Rooms 10.1/10.2.

Guest Presenters will be:

Professor Sharon Friel

Director and Professor of Health Equity at the Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet), Australian National University.

Sharon is Professor of Health Equity and Director of the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), Australian National University. She is also Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy ANU. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences Australia. She is Co-Director of the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in the Social Determinants of Health Equity. Between 2005 and 2008 she was the Head of the Scientific Secretariat (University College London) of the World Health Organisation Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Her interests are in the political economy of health; policy, governance and regulation in relation to the social determinants of health inequities, including trade and investment, food systems, and climate change.

Dr Julia Anaf

Research Associate, Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity

Julia’s research focuses on assessing transnational corporations as commercial determinants of health. The Southgate Institute has been conducting pilot studies to better understand the health impacts from the operations of transnational corporations across different industry sectors and jurisdictions. These studies aim to inform appropriate methodologies for future research designed to expand the scope of corporate health impact assessments and implications for health equity.

Professor Elizabeth Handsley

Lecturer, College of Business, Government and Law

Elizabeth teaches constitutional law and media law at Flinders University, and researches mainly on children's media law. In that work Elizabeth exposes existing regulations to multidisciplinary and cross-doctrinal comparisons, for example with human rights and consumer protection paradigms.

Elizabeth was a co-author of a recent WHO Europe report on digital food marketing to children, and has co-authored articles evaluating anti-obesity laws by reference to the Australian Constitution and international human rights law, recently published in the Journal of Law and Medicine and the Australian Journal of Human Rights respectively. A co-authored article on the application of human rights and business principles to food marketing is forthcoming in the UNSW Law Journal.

A Q&A Panel will follow these presentations, facilitated by Professor Fran Baum AO, with Ross Womersley, CEO SACOSS, that will elaborate on the ideas presented and involve discussions with the audience.

This is a free event and finger food will be provided from 4:45pm

Please RSVP to enquiries.southgateinstitute@flinders.edu.au. For any queries, please email julia.anaf@flinders.edu.au.

Researchers – are you after training in how to interact with the media? Are you looking to become an effective communicator across mainstream and social media channels, understand how it works and what it wants? Are you aiming to increase media interest in, and coverage of, your research?

Join Karen Ashford, Flinders’ Office of Communication, Media and Engagement, and Professor Paul Willis, scientist, broadcaster and social media expert on July 5 as they lead a Researcher Professional Development workshop on Media Training.

Generating and measuring the public impact of your research is becoming an increasingly important requirement for all researchers, and media performance is a key element.

Karen Ashford will cover the basics of identifying what’s newsworthy and why, effective media releases, and fundamental presentation and interview skills. Professor Paul Willis will focus on harnessing social media to promote your research and effectively engaging with audiences to build a following.

Places are limited so book now.