On Thursday, 30 May 2019, Research Development and Support (RDS) released the Excellence in Research Australia 2018 (ERA2018) analysis to each College.

The Research Analytics and Impact team in RDS have developed a self-serve area in RePortal to enable researchers to view their own research outputs included in ERA2018 including discipline assignments and citation metrics where appropriate.

All current staff and adjuncts can access RePortal via their Okta dashboard.

Once logged into RePortal, staff will need to click on 'My ERA2018 Outputs' (see red arrow) under the 'Flinders Research' header as shown in the screenshot below:

The self-serve area provides some background information on ERA, charts presenting some key analysis on an individual’s research outputs and a listing of research outputs. The listing of research outputs can be grouped and sorted in different ways using the column headers.

The Research Analytics and Impact team will look to add further functionality in the coming weeks and any feedback on the current dashboard and/or potential new features is very much appreciated via research.data@flinders.edu.au.

Inspiring Research is being completely redesigned – features will include single sign on access via Okta, daily news feeds to update and alert you to research opportunities, and powerful search functions and filtering capabilities.

Part of this revitalisation could include changing the name of the platform. We are reaching out to the Flinders’ community for name suggestions. Do you have any ideas?

The new Inspiring Research will be the key instrument for our Flinders’ research community to access major research news feeds and all forward-looking research related opportunities – including funding, training and development, conferences and workshops, and updates on changes to the research landscape at Flinders, nationally and globally.

The new platform is being informed by good practice UX (user experience) enabling ease of navigation and strong search and filtering options to deliver you with the key information you need and want. Content will assist in users accessing and quickly comprehending the potential and possibilities for them and their research. If there is information that applies to research and doing research, it will be in Inspiring Research.

Suggestions can be made before 5:00 pm, Wednesday 12 June 2019. Please email inspiring.research@flinders.edu.au. Everyone who submits a name suggestion will be entered into a prize draw.

We look forward to hearing your suggestions.

The Health Services Research Association of Australia and New Zealand's (HSRAANZ) awards and prizes program recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of health services and policy research in Australia and New Zealand.

The below awards will be presented at the 11th Health Services and Policy Research Conference in Auckland on 4-6 December 2019.

Best Health Services and Policy Research Papers

These awards recognise the best scientific works in the field of health services and policy research.  The best qualitative and quantitative papers and an Australian and New Zealand winner may be selected in each category.  Winners may be invited to present their work at an HSRAANZ event or webinar

• Best overall paper
• Best paper by an Early Career Researcher (ECR)
• Best paper by a PhD Student

Distinguished Investigator Awards

These awards replace the HSRAANZ Professional Award. They recognise investigators who have made significant contributions to the fields of health services and policy research in Australia and New Zealand through scholarship and teaching, advancement of science and methods, and leadership. Awards will be given in up to three categories:

• Lifetime Achievement
• Mid-Career
• New Investigator

The deadline for nominations for all 2019 awards is 31 July 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 July 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application and advice, contact Marina Delpin, Manager: Researcher Training, Development and Communications.

For further details, including the online application form, visit the HSRAANZ website.

Flinders University Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) enables emerging researchers to develop their careers by undertaking key research projects or promotion of research outcomes. 

Applications for the 2019 round are now open, closing 29 July 2019. Funding of up to $10,000 will be awarded to each successful applicant.

This initiative is powered by Flinders partnering with our community of donors to provide ECRs (0-8 years post-PhD conferral) with the financial support to grow and fortify their skills. Our supporters want to make a difference by building our researchers’ capacity and capabilities to make a positive impact. 

This investment may represent your first independent research funding, enhancing your research track record and providing a springboard to larger projects and grant opportunities. Or it may provide the funds to showcase your research on the international stage or to form collaborative partnerships with industry and government stakeholders. It represents an opportunity for you to secure funding, manage your projects, and gain new experiences. Having access to funds at this early stage of your career will help to carve your own research pathway.

Project funds may be used for activities including:

• achieving a key result or pilot study to underpin future funding applications; 
• developing collaborations with industry or other partners;
• travel support to present current research findings at an international conference in your research field;
• accelerating progress in your existing research program(s) by facilitating additional resources (eg. short term research support staff or consumables).

Applicants are encouraged to formulate their own grant submission, outlining how the addition of Impact Seed Funding will leverage and stimulate their research activities, before consultation with their College Dean of Research.

The selection panel will consider the intrinsic research merits of, and potential for impact from, the project. In addition, the panel will be looking to understand how the applicant will use this opportunity to develop their capacity to be an independent, competitive researcher and how this investment will support their career pathway.

The application form and guidelines are available on the Flinders' Internal Schemes webpage. 

All queries and applications can be directed to Rupali Saikia, Research Grants Officer (Industry, Government, International and Internal), RDS. 

Applications must be lodged by 5 pm, Monday 29 July 2019.

Flinders University Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) was established in 2018, and you can read more about the inaugural recipients on the Flinders News Blog.

CSL is calling for Applications for the 2020 CSL Centenary Fellowships which offer Australia’s best and brightest biomedical researchers $1.25 million over five years in support of discovery and translational medical research.

The CSL Centenary Fellowships for early-mid career medical researchers are high-value awards available to Australians who wish to continue a career in medical research in Australia. Two individual five-year $1.25 million fellowships are awarded each calendar year.

Australians currently working overseas but looking to repatriate are encouraged to apply.

Applications will close 31 July 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 July 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

Winners will be announced 10 October 2019. For more information, including application details, please visit www.cslfellowships.com.au.

The world is witnessing unprecedented levels of human displacement. By the end of 2017, over 68 million people were forcibly moved from their homes, the highest number on record, including 25 million refugees fleeing conflicts, violence, persecution or human rights violations.

Over the last 10 years Australia has resettled over 170,000 refugees who contribute significantly to the cultural, social and economic fabric of Australia. These are individuals and families trying desperately to start new lives in unfamiliar surroundings.

However, the transition to life in another country is rarely easy. Challenges such as finding a house, securing work, learning a new language, and building social connections and a sense of belonging can compromise health and wellbeing for new arrivals.

Join Associate Professor Anna Ziersch, at this free event, in a discussion on the social determinants of health and wellbeing for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.

The lecture Settling Well: Supporting Health and Wellbeing for Refugees will be held in Level 1, Room 1, Flinders Victoria Square on Tuesday, 18 June 2019, 5.30-7.30pm.

To register to attend, visit the Registration page.

Through its education and research programs, Flinders encourages new ways of thinking, and supports experimentation and daring, with the mission to contribute on an international scale through ‘changing lives and changing the world’. So we invite you to share and collaborate with us on our BRAVE journey. We will impart our knowledge and new discoveries, elevate discussion and inspire debate; all with the view to facilitate the betterment of our society. To find out more about the BRAVE series, please visit the Flinders website.

Be BRAVE, be bold, be at Flinders.

Promoting the conduct of high quality research is a strategic priority for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

High quality Australian research has contributed to outstanding advances in science and medicine to the benefit of all Australians. This Research Quality Strategy (Strategy) aims to ensure the highest quality of NHMRC-funded research through the provision of guidance and support for good research practices throughout the research cycle.

The Strategy builds on current and previous NHMRC initiatives to foster research quality and aligns with Australia’s Chief Scientist’s call for action and international initiatives in this area. It applies to all types of research funded by NHMRC including basic science, clinical medicine and science, health services and public health research.

The Strategy was developed with advice from NHMRC’s Research Quality Steering Committee, which was established to provide advice on mechanisms for enhancing quality in NHMRC-funded research.

NHMRC recognises the importance of partnership with researchers and research institutions in Australia to ensure high quality research and will actively consult and engage with the sector throughout the implementation of this Strategy.

The Strategy and further information are available on NHMRC's website.

Questions or feedback about the Strategy can be sent to quality@nhmrc.gov.au.

TIME’S RUNNING OUT! Register today and collaborate with US researchers and expand your international network right here at Flinders at Tonsley!

Flinders New Venture Institute (NVI) has been chosen to host 10 US based academics on the Australia: Innovation & Internationalisation tour here at Flinders at Tonsley on Monday 15 - Thursday 18 July 2019.

NVI are inviting you to explore potential partnerships with academics from Fox Temple University and other East Coast Universities in the US, with the aim to co-develop case studies, white papers, journal articles, conferences, and/or grant submissions. 

You’ll also have the chance to gain insight into local South Australian SMEs to hear about their journeys toward internationalisation and the role of innovation in their development, and also into the inner workings of the Tonsley Innovation District. 

This tour provides a unique opportunity for Flinders researchers such as yourselves, to develop international collaborations and partnerships with US College academics. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit local SMEs to hear their journey toward internationalisation and the role of innovation in their development. 

A complete list of the visiting US academics, their roles and their areas of interest can be found on the Flinders NVI website.

This unique opportunity requires your involvement in a minimum of two of the following four collaboration sessions:

• Monday 15 July 1:30pm - 5:00pm
• Tuesday 16 July 11:30am - 1:00pm
• Wednesday 17 July 11:30am - 1:00pm
• Thursday 18 July 9:00am - 11:00am

You can find more information and register your session tickets on eventbrite. Registrations will close on 28 June 2019.

If you have any questions or require any additional information please contact Emily Canale or on 8201 7943. 

Please feel free to distribute to other colleagues that may be interested in this opportunity.

Defence Science and Technology (DST) will hold its flagship partnership event on 15-16 August 2019 at its Edinburgh laboratory in Adelaide, South Australia.

DST's popular annual partnerships event is Defence’s largest science and technology laboratory in South Australia.

The theme for SCINDICATE 2019 is Partnering for Impact.

Once again, industry, universities and research agencies are invited to participate in the two-day activities which will include technology demonstrations, business matchups, workshops, briefings and laboratory tours, as well as opportunities for networking and forging new collaborations. A Next Generation Technologies Fund Showcase will be a special feature of the event.

If you want to be part of the action, hurry and express your interest by 30 June via the DST website.

For more information about the event, email Scindicate@dst.defence.gov.au.

The name SCINDICATE 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.

The International Symposium on ALS/MND is coming to Perth in December 2019. Australian MND researchers will have the opportunity to meet with and present their work to an audience of around 1,000 MND researchers and research advocates from around the globe at the Symposium.

Since 2005 the Annual MND Australia Research Conference has provided the opportunity for researchers funded by MND Research Institute of Australia (MNDRIA) to present their currently funded work.

As the Conference is not being held this year, the MDRIA is administering the Jenny and Graham Lang Travel Grants, which contribute $1,500 towards the cost of attending the International Symposium on ALS/MND in Perth on 4-6 December 2019.

The grant will only be awarded to applicants who intend to register for attendance at the Symposium.

Early bird registration for the Symposium of £400 closes on 27 August 2019.

The Grant must be used to subsidise travel, registration fees or other costs associated with attendance at the Symposium. 

Eligibility

1. Recipients of the Nina Buscombe Award for 2019 are not eligible to receive the Jenny and Graham Lang Travel Grant 2019 (applications can be made for both but only one can be accepted)
2. The applicant must be a researcher with an interest in motor neurone disease 
3. The applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident 
4. Applicants who are final year PhD students or early postdoctoral researchers will be considered favourably
5. Applicants who have submitted a presentation abstract will be considered favourably
6. The applicant must have no more than 10 years postdoctoral research experience
7. The applicant must agree to write a formal report on their attendance at the Symposium, including knowledge gained and the benefit for people with motor neurone disease. This report must be sent within 4 weeks of the conclusion of the Symposium.

Applications to MNDRIA close 5.00 pm AEST on 8 July 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 24 June 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

The MND Australia website has further details and how to apply on the travel grant.

For information on the Symposium and associated meetings, visit the MND Australia website.

The Jenny and Graham Lang Travel Grants are provided by MND Victoria and administered by the MNDRIA.

Research Australia members are invited to participate in a webinar briefing on the Draft Evaluation Framework for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Flinders University is a member of Research Australia and interested staff are encouraged to attend the webinar.

The briefing will take place at midday AEST, Tuesday 4 June.

In this webinar Research Australia will provide:

• background on why understanding return on investment through the MRFF matters;
• a briefing on what Research Australia are recommending, and the feedback received to date; and
• an opportunity to contribute to the conversation about how the MRFF Evaluation Framework can meet Government’s needs and provide researchers with a new lens through which to understand the economic, social and health benefits of their work.

Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S-knkGyCROeRp5wFshJI4A.

The MRFF is a once in a generation opportunity to cement Australia’s position as a global leader in health innovation. The bipartisan support the MRFF has enjoyed to date is testament to the opportunity the MRFF offers and the value Australians place on value-based healthcare.

As a key architect of medical research policy in Australia, Research Australia has been working with the Department of Health to develop an Evaluation Framework for the MRFF which:

• quantifies actual and expected gains, typically measured in quality adjusted life years (QALYs); savings cases; productivity dividends; economic contribution; and employment;
• provides qualitative description of complementary effects, e.g. confidence amongst researchers which is relevant to staying in the sector; willingness of non-government funders such as venture capitalists, philanthropists and even private individuals to invest in this area;
• identifies formal outcomes without strict numerical valuation, e.g. new registries; increase in capacity; regional access to services; and
• promotes and measures translation of MRFF-funded research into health system improvements, social benefits and practice changes.

Tight fiscal constraint in both the public and private sectors means that continuing support for the MRFF relies on real, demonstrable health and economic impact. An Evaluation Framework for the MRFF safeguards the Fund, making the case for continued investment to Government and taxpayers.

To find out more about the Draft Evaluation Framework, please contact Research Australia on (02) 9295 8546 or admin@researchaustralia.org.

MS Research Australia offers a range of grants, including Project, Fellowships, Scholarships and Travel Awards to support and accelerate research into finding better treatments and a cure for MS.

Whilst eligibility requirements and conditions differ between awards, all applications must have a direct link to advancing our knowledge of MS.

The following awards are currently open for applications:

MS Research Australia Incubator Grant

Incubator grants provide seed funding for the early stages of new innovative research efforts, with the aim of generating preliminary data needed to support future grant applications. There are two rounds a year which have an expedited review process. The maximum value of an incubator grant is $25,000. The research is expected to be completed within a year from the date that the grant is awarded.

Deadline Round 2: 28 June 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 14 June 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

MS Research Australia Ian Ballard Travel Award

The Ian Ballard Travel Award is intended to enable recipients to undertake an international travel tour to undertake learning or to extend or establish collaborations on their MS research speciality.

Deadline: 27 September 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 13 September 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

Further information can be found on the MS Australia website.

Before applying for any of the Grant funding awards listed above, please read the MS Research Australia funding process document, the conditions of award document and the sample peer review document

Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and UniSA invite all their higher degree by research (HDR) students to attend a one day workshop on human research ethics and integrity.

Current HDR students who will be undertaking research projects that may require human research ethics approval are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop, to be held on 19 June 2019.

The workshop will include:

• An introduction to research integrity and the responsible conduct of research;
• An overview of the ethical issues that may arise in research involving humans (including topic specific break-out sessions);
• Tools to analyse and address these issues;
• How to apply for approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee.

Registration is required by Monday 10 June. To register, visit the University of Adelaide website. If you have any enquiries, please contact the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Team on hrec@adelaide.edu.au

For more information, visit the University of Adelaide website.

Non-HDR students, whose current program of study requires an application for ethics approval may also be eligible to attend, pending confirmation from their supervisor. Contact the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Team to ascertain eligibility.

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) is calling for applications for its Workshop Program Grant.

This grant is for workshops to be held between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. Applications are due by Friday 4 October 2019.

ASSA’s Workshop Program provides grants to researchers in the social sciences for the purpose of funding two-day research workshops on issues of national concern. The program provides an arena for intellectual exchange, a forum for developing connections between research and policy, and a platform for supporting Early Career Researchers.

Workshops will be funded to a maximum of $9,000. This sum includes provision of $1,500 towards the cost of preparing a digested analysis paper. This paper should be an analytical summary of the workshop content, and is intended to be accessible to people with no special knowledge in the topic of inquiry. At least one of the workshop convenors must be an ASSA fellow, and at least two of the participants must be Early Career Researchers based in Australia. Workshops with an emphasis on policy often include government officials and policy analysts.

Please visit the ASSA website for information about the Workshop Program, and to download the guidelines and application form.

"Research Activate and Communicate" is an initiative to bring Flinders’ research community together to inform, inspire and share strategies that drive research success.

You can now access the full “Activate & Communicate” program and enrol at ienrol-Research for research training and development workshops being run during this intensive in the week of 24 June.

Sessions will cover a breadth of topics core to: 

• research funding applications and research-group development strategies; 
• exploring the commonalities of successful funding applications;
• informing publication strategy; 
• publishing with impact – making the most of your outputs; 
• benchmarking your career; 
• academic profile management; 
• working with the media. 

In addition, we are welcoming external experts to lead training in:

• establishing yourself as a thought leader; 
• engage and captivate - persuasive presentation skills;
• social media for researchers; 
• searching for research funding – a masterclass.

Please contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager: Researcher Training, Development and Communication if you have any queries.

With thousands of Australians at risk of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, it is crucial for many sectors in Australia to come together as one and provide a unified voice for change.

The 2019 STOP Domestic Violence Conference, is now open for registration and is also calling for presenters.

The Conference will be held from 9-11 December 2019, on the Gold Coast. More information, including registration details and the types of presentations being sought, is available at the Conference website.

From lived experience speakers through to academics, the program is diverse and inclusive. The aim is to discover successful practical strategies, hear different perspectives, examine the latest research and reports, and connect with people dedicated to the same common goal.

With greater knowledge, insight and network connections, the work that will be presented can help to change the lives of thousands of Australians.