This is the first of a series of articles that will highlight important steps within, and parts of, ResearchNow - Flinders’ new publication management system. These articles aim to help you navigate and get the best out of ResearchNow functionality. 

Getting help - the ResearchNow Guide for Researchers webpage is a comprehensive knowledge bank that addresses many ResearchNow queries. Additionally, you can log a ServiceOne “ResearchNow query” for bespoke assistance. 

ResearchNow Output Terminology: ‘Tasks’, ‘Status’ and ‘Workflow step’ Explained

ResearchNow has some specific terminology. 

'Status' and 'Workflow step' 

These terms describe how an output moves through the validation process. You and Flinders' Library contribute to this process. Validation ensures that accurate, high quality data is displayed on the portal and is used for reporting purposes.

• 'ENTRY IN PROGRESS' - draft output record. When your review of the output metadata is complete, change the status to -"for validation".
• 'FOR VALIDATION' - the Library will review the accuracy and completeness of the output record. When this is complete, they will change the status to "validated". The Library will contact you if there are problems in confirming publication information. To speed up the process attach a full text copy.
• 'VALIDATED' - you can no longer edit your output record. It will now be visible on your ResearchNow portal profile.
  

'Tasks'

When you log into ResearchNow, via your OKTA dashboard, an alert will appear in the right-hand taskbar. This is the system alerting you to any tasks that are waiting for you. 

Some of the key tasks are outlined in the image below.

Keep an eye out for the next instalment of ResearchNow tips and tricks in Inspiring Research.

Applications for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2021 are now open in the Research Management System (RMS).

Applications will close at 5:00pm (AEDT) on 18 March 2020. The deadline for submission of the final application in RMS to Research Development and Support (RDS) is 16 March 2020.

All documentation related to Discovery Indigenous is available on GrantConnect. If you do not already have an account on GrantConnect, you should register with GrantConnect to access all updates. For further information on GrantConnect, please refer to the GrantConnect website.

If you have any questions and/or would like an RMS user guide, please contact the ARC Team, RDS, at arc@flinders.edu.au.

Detailed information on Flinders’ ARC grant application process is available on the Flinders' ARC Schemes page.

Important notes about automated eligibility management in the ARC's RMS:

Functionality has been introduced into RMS to assist and improve application eligibility compliance related to final reports and project limits.

Eligibility checks are performed in RMS at various stages of the application submission process: whilst the form is being filled; on certification by the Administering Organisation; and at time of submission to the ARC. 

Where RMS detects an eligibility issue, an application will not be able to proceed to the next submission stage in RMS.

While an application may pass eligibility checks when initially filled in, subsequent changes to RMS information may affect an individual’s eligibility.

As RMS will prevent applications with detected eligibility issues being submitted to the ARC, please allow adequate time to check and address any eligibility issues encountered at each stage of the application process.

The eligibility checking functions are not exhaustive and the ARC will undertake eligibility checking after close of submission. It remains the responsibility of the researchers and Research Offices to comply with the grant guidelines.

If you have any questions, please email arc-ncgp@arc.gov.au.

Book now at ienrol research to access Flinders’ researcher training and development opportunities. Workshops, information sessions, seminars and drop-in sessions aim to provide ongoing development and support to all researchers.

This regular posting in Inspiring Research will update you as to what’s on offer in the coming weeks, listing current opportunities that you can participate in and book into now.

Click on the links below to view the course details.

Drop-In Sessions: ARC grants, Monday 2 December 2019

Drop-In Session: NHMRC and Health grants, Wednesday 4 December 2019

Drop-In Sessions: Industry, Government, International & Internal grants, Tuesday 10 December 2019

Drop-In Sessions: ARC grants, Tuesday 10 December 2019

Drop-In Session: NHMRC and Health grants, Wednesday 11 December 2019

Drop-In Sessions: ARC grants, Wednesday 18 December 2019

Further courses scheduled for later in the month and beyond are available at ienrol research.

University research has the power to enhance our economy, improve our societies and better the world. But how do you get the world on board with your research and the potential benefits it could deliver? You need to Pitch it Clever!

Universities Australia has opened its annual Pitch it Clever competition, challenging early-and mid-career researchers to talk up their research in a 1-2 minute video. The video should aim to persuade leaders from across the country to become champions for your research, which will build your research profile and reach.

Submissions close 23 January 2020 at 11.30 pm (AEDT). If you are considering applying please contact Dr Marina Delpin as soon as possible. Prizes and awards assist in building your research profile and track record of achievement. Contact Marina regarding this applying into this competition and other prizes and awards that match your discipline and career stage. 

Dr Sam Elliott, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work was the Universities Australia Award winner in 2019. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saint said Sam’s success in the Universities Australia competition "underlines the progressive methods and engagement of leading research being undertaken at Flinders University". 

Pitch it Clever videos will be shortlisted by a panel of Vice-Chancellors and then shown at Universities Australia’s annual Higher Education Conference for conference delegates to vote on. 

Three awards are available in 2020 - the Vice-Chancellor's Award, the Universities Australia Award, and the People's Choice Award.

The Vice-Chancellors' Award features a $3,000 cash prize, plus return flights, accommodation and entry to the Universities Australia Conference, presentation of the award during the conference and an opportunity to meet Vice-Chancellors and other senior university executives. The prize also includes an internship with The Conversation. This includes travel and accommodation for a week at the Melbourne headquarters of The Conversation.

The Universities Australia Award features a $1,000 cash prize, and return flights, accommodation and entry to the Universities Australia Conference.

The People's Choice Award features a $500 cash prize. The prize also includes return flights, accommodation and entry to the Universities Australia Conference.

Pitch it Clever is being run through thinkable. To apply through thinkable, a researcher has to have been verified by thinkable. Verification entails registering as a researcher, and then authenticating your current organisation email, select your field/s of study, and provide details of at least one recently published peer-reviewed article.

For the first time in Australia, Space Connect has created an awards program initiative that will showcase the nation’s best and brightest space businesses and professionals.

Recognising the leading individuals and businesses driving the development of Australia’s space economy, the Australian Space Awards universally acknowledges all space industry stakeholders - from the major listed organisations and corporates servicing Australia’s space economy to SMEs, start-ups, academic institutions and associations.

The awards are open to all businesses operating in Australia supporting the space industry, including telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining and transport sectors as well as the defence, agriculture, disaster and water management industries. Winning a Space Award will be a desirable accolade for both individuals and businesses seeking to forge their role in the space industry.

The awards celebrate the best of the best in Australia’s space industry and will recognise the outstanding contribution of professionals and businesses working within the industry across 21 categories. These include:

• Academic of the Year
• Researcher of the Year
• Scientist of the Year
• Academic Institution of the Year
• Research Organisation of the Year

Nominations close on 17 January 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a complete final draft application is 20 December 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher Development, Training and Communication.

For more information and to nominate, visit the Space Connect website.

Applications for the 2020-21 round of the Science Policy Fellowship program are now open for early and mid-career scientists (EMCR).

The program provides EMCRs with the opportunity to work in a Commonwealth Government department, to learn about the policy-making process and to provide a pathway for scientists to become skilled policy practitioners. It is designed to strengthen the links between science and policy-making by producing both a scientifically informed policy workforce and a policy literate academic community. 

Successful applicants will be employed by host departments as policy officers for one year to gain experience in policy-making. Positions are available in a range of host departments in diverse policy areas such as future transport technology, social policy evaluation, STEM education, migration policy, space industry and the federal budget.

Feedback from participants in the program’s first round rated the opportunity very highly:

"A career pathway filled with interesting work and challenges… I am keen to keep on the journey that I have started."

"Contributing to policy decisions - I can see I’m able to have an impact."

Applications for the 2020-21 Australian Science Policy Fellowships are now open through the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website. Applications close on 13 January 2020.

Further information, including a Factsheet, 2020 program summary, host role descriptions and FAQ are all available at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website.

Please contact the Office of the Chief Scientist: OCS-projects@chiefscientist.gov.au, if you have further questions. The Australian Science Policy Fellowship program is an initiative of the Office of the Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Finkel.

The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) are thrilled to launch the Indigenous Media Mentoring program 2020 in collaboration with National Indigenous Television (NITV-SBS) and with support from CSL. 

AusSMC are inviting Indigenous STEM researchers from around Australia to join us at the SBS studios in Sydney for two days of intensive media training on 10 and 11 February 2020. 

The training will develop practical skills in TV, radio and print media, as well as guiding discussions on the challenges and opportunities of being an Indigenous research voice in the media and on how best to navigate the media landscape. The program provides ongoing opportunities to build a media profile through avenues such as the Science Media Exchange (Scimex.org), the Australian Academy of Science and the AusSMC network of science journalists.

AusSMC also offers optional media placements with media partners. In the past these have included The Conversation, The Sydney Morning Herald and NITV/SBS. More information about the program is available at the AusSMC website. 

AusSMC are currently seeking participants for the program and are looking for expressions of interest from: 

• Active researchers, who identify as Indigenous and work in any area of STEM
• With at least two years postdoctoral experience (or similar)
• Who have an interesting research story to tell
• And want to learn how to communicate their research to the public.

The group will be mentored by Indigenous journalists and (where appropriate) Indigenous experts with media experience. 

This workshop is supported by CSL and the training and catering are free of charge. Participants will be asked to fund their own travel and accommodation, but in cases of need some travel support may be possible. There are a limited number of places available.

Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 29 November. Karen Ashford, Director, Media and Communications can be contacted to discuss this opportunity and/or connect you with AusSMC for additional information.

AusSMC are also keen to develop a wider list of Indigenous research experts available to talk to the media and invite all Indigenous researchers to sign up to the Scimex database.

Research Ethics and Integrity staff at the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne are conducting a short survey of academics in Australia.

The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding about academic’s perceptions of the seriousness of breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and which parameters most strongly influence these perceptions, with the aim of promoting consistency across institutions in managing breaches.

The target participants for the project are active researchers (including final year higher degree research students) across all disciplines. Participation involves completing an anonymous 10-15 minute online survey.

A Plain Language Statement contains more details about the project and your rights as a research participant should you choose to take part.

Please read the Plain Language Statement and if you agree with the terms, please participate in the survey.

The Australian Academy of Science provides assistance to empower early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) through opportunities to fund activities designed to support their careers. 

Applications to receive funding for the July 2020 - June 2021 round of the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) are currently open. The Theo Murphy Initiative supports activities that provide tangible benefits to EMCRs and ultimately further scientific discovery.

Proposals are open to anyone, but at least one person on the proposed organising committee must be an EMCR. Successful projects will be granted funding and the support of the Academy’s Secretariat, who will work with the organising committee, to deliver the project goals. 

The activities must aim to provide tangible benefits to EMCRs to support their careers and ultimately further scientific discovery. If your proposal is selected you will get the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Australian Academy of Science to deliver the activity, which includes funding of up to $50,000 per activity.

Activities can be held anywhere in Australia. Applications are open to deliver activities in the following formats:

• High Flyers Think Tank 
• Theo Murphy Frontiers of Science symposium
• Meeting, conference or training workshops
• E-learning resource for EMCRs
• Add-on to an existing activity or event

Check out all the details and get your thinking caps on. Get inspired, submit your activity and help provide tangible benefits to EMCRs.

The AAS encourages you to check the FAQ and tips for successful proposals document. If you have any questions about the eligibility of your activity or about any of the formats, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at emcr@science.org.au or 02 6201 9488. 

Applications close Sunday 15 December 2019.

Flinders has a comprehensive researcher training and development program. Please contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher training, development and communication, if you are interested. Marina is able to provide support and facilitate all applications by way of discussing ideas, bringing together a collective of EMCRs and working in conjunction with applicants to streamline activities, amass support and ensure University-wide benefit.

The inaugural Flinders’ internal Health Research Showcase, will highlight the excellent capacity and capability that exists in health research throughout the University and awaken multi-disciplinary collaboration potential within our University.

Spanning clinical, medical, nursing, allied health, psychology, bio-science, public health, rural and remote health, engineering, digital health, health services through to health policy, you will hear about research that is making a difference. Join us to connect and explore opportunities to work together in developing health solutions that can have an positive impact on peoples’ lives.

On Monday 16 December at Alere, this half day event will improve visibility of Flinders' health research activities and develop synergies across all Colleges and health-related research Institutes.

The showcase will feature an expert panel discussing existing collaborative research activities, outlining the secrets behind a successful collaboration, and the benefits, outcomes and impact of their work.

Also featuring spotlight presentations from each of our Colleges to highlight health-related activities and capabilities. 

Lunch will be provided as well as an opportunity to network with health colleagues to further explore potential collaboration following the Showcase.

Register for attendance at Eventbrite by 5 pm Monday 9 December (Registration is essential).

The event is open to all Flinders staff and clinical affiliates involved in health research, or with the potential to work across collaborative health related disciplines. Please share amongst your networks.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) have announced the opening of the Clinical Trials Activity (Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need (RCRDUN)) Initiative.

The initiative aims to reinforce Australia’s position as a preferred destination for clinical trials by supporting new opportunities for clinical trial participation and associated benefits from accessing the latest research by members of the Australian community living with a medical condition for which there are limited effective treatment options. 

There are four separate opportunities open under RCRDUN initiative across the following areas:

• Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need 
• Childhood Brain Cancer 
• Neurological Disorders 
• Reproductive Cancers 

Attention is given to under-researched health priorities and conditions, with funding across these areas expected to support the deployment and use of innovative trial designs and recruitment strategies to provide high-quality evidence of the efficacy of new health treatments, drugs and devices in addition to the Implementation of new health treatments, drugs and devices to improve health and wellbeing. Further information on the rationale of the initiative can be found on the Department of Health website.

Applications must be submitted electronically using NHMRC’s online Research Grants Management System (RGMS) with Minimum data for applications is due 22 January 2020. Applications close 5 February 2020, with deadline for certification in RGMS by 4 February 2020. If you are intending to apply, contact the NHMRC team in Research Development and Support (RDS) for information on application support and deadline for compliance review. 

To better support applicants and assist the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Research Development and Support (RDS) to manage the ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) round for LE21, the RDS is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from researchers who are intending to lodge an application to the ARC for the upcoming LE21 round.

The EOIs are due by Wednesday, 5 February 2020. As LIEF funding requires cash contributions from collaborating parties, a co-investment approval from the relevant College and the DVC(R) will also be required.

The EOI and co-investment form and information on the process for ARC applications at Flinders is available on the Flinders' ARC schemes page.

Please note that the EOI and Co-Investment Application Form are required regardless of whether the lead Institution is Flinders or another university.

Key dates for LE21 are:

For Stage 1 – LIEF bids led by Flinders University and other organisations, EOI to be submitted to RDS and their relevant College by Wednesday, 5 February 2020.

The College will consider LE21 EOIs and advises which bids are supported by Wednesday, 19 February 2020.

The DVCR will review College supported bids and makes his final decision on University contribution by no later than Wednesday, 4 March 2020.

For Stage 2 – LE21 Full Application Submission, LE21 applications are to be submitted to RDS for review with:

• Completed Flinders University certification form
• Signed ARC written evidence form for CIs and PI
• Signed ARC written evidence form for other organisations confirming cash and in-kind contributions, where possible, by Wednesday, 11 March 2020.

Submission ready LE21 application are to be submitted to RDS via RMS, with signed ARC written evidence form for other organisations confirming cash and in-kind contributions by no later than Wednesday, 25 March 2020.

Applications will close in RMS on 1 April 2020.

For more information, or application assistance, contact the ARC team in RDS via arc@flinders.edu.au.

Visiting health economist with the University of York, UK, Professor Richard Cookson will share an overview of his research at a Health Translation SA and SAHMRI event next month. 

Professor Richard Cookson is a professor at the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York and has co-chaired various international working groups on equity, and his UK public service includes working in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit and serving on NICE advisory committees and the NHS Advisory Committee for Resource Allocation.

He has helped to pioneer “equity-informative” methods of health policy analysis including methods of distributional cost-effectiveness analysis, methods of health equity monitoring for healthcare quality assurance, and methods for investigating public concern for reducing health inequality. 

The 11 December event, organised by Health Translation SA and SAHMRI’s Aboriginal Health Equity Theme, will be split into a forum in the morning, and a workshop into the afternoon, exploring the role of equity-informative health economics evaluations to support service and policy decision making.

The morning’s forum will be held in the SAHMRI auditorium from 8.45 – 11.15 am. Professor Cookson will share an overview of his research on equity informative economic enquiry. Exploring the nature and role of equity-informative health economic evaluations, he will discuss important gaps in the evidence base for reducing health inequalities.

A panel conversation will then consider the important of equity in health, and the opportunities and next steps for SA.

A workshop will then be held from 11:15am – 4pm a to explore the potential for developing and applying equity-informative evaluations in SA.

Register for the forum and workshop at the Eventbrite page.

The Australian Academy of Science, in collaboration with SAGE, invites you to register for Catalysing Gender Equity 2020, a two-day outcome-driven conference guided by the Women in STEM Decadal Plan to be held in Adelaide on 20-21 February 2020.

Representatives from across higher education and research, industry, education and government will be encouraged to celebrate success, showcase impact and growth potential, highlight key action areas and foster collaboration to achieve change, all guided by the six opportunities of the decadal plan.

“No sector can solve this alone. Leadership is required and it must be accompanied by accountability.”
Women in STEM Decadal Plan

Delegates will participate in a variety of workshops, seminars, gallery submissions and panels, each focused on progressing and implementing strategic recommendations and opportunities in the decadal plan.

Catalysing Gender Equity 2020 is an excellent event to connect leaders and actors from across the STEM ecosystem, including SAGE members. It will enable them to strengthen collaborations, build new networks and share evidence-based best practice.

In addition, all attendees can join SAGE in celebrating recipients of the Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Awards at the SAGE Awards Dinner on 20 February 2020. Event and dinner registrations will open 25 November 2019 and will be advertised through Inspiring Research.

The registration fee for the full two days is $450 (incl GST), and includes access to:

• inspiring plenary sessions focused on leadership, action and next steps
• sector-led workshops aimed at accelerating decadal plan strategic recommendations
• an Equity Action Gallery showcasing the wealth and impact of equity activities occurring across the nation.

A reduced rate of $350 (incl GST) is available for students (undergraduate, PhD and masters), not-for-profit organisations, and small businesses of less than 15 employees.

In addition, all delegates can join SAGE in celebrating recipients of the Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Awards at the SAGE Awards Dinner on 20 February being held at the Adelaide Town Hall. Dinner tickets are $165 (incl GST) per person.

Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision has opened their call for expressions of interest from appropriately qualified scientific or medical researchers and research that is specifically directed towards finding a cure for both congenital and acquired Bone Marrow Failure (BMF) syndromes.

Two programs are open in this round, with a closing date of 1 December 2019. Contact the RDS Grants team today if you are interested in applying.

The programs are:

• Grants-In-Aid, to support research projects into the causes and treatment of Bone Marrow Failure (BMF) - $50,000 AUD per annum for up to two years
• Program grants (high clinical impact, multidisciplinary investigators/multiple site research collaboration of international standard) - $1 million AUD to be awarded over a minimum three and maximum of five year period

For more information and to access the application templates, visit the Maddie Riewoldt's Vision website.

Each expression of interest also requires the following:

• a brief CV (max 1 page each, 12 point font) for the principal investigator and all named co investigators;
• include current and prior positions (last 5 years), positions of responsibility (last 5 years), top ten publications (last 10 years); and
• a 100 word statement of impact of your research on clinical outcomes.

The Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Inc (ACSPRI) 2020 Summer Program courses are up on the ACSPRI website ready for researchers to get a head start for 2020.

They have an array of qualitative and quantitative  of courses ranging from the fundamentals to the very advanced. Early bird registration will be open until 4 December 2019. Book by this day to get a significant discount. (Flinders is a member organisation of ACSPRI.)

Week 1 will be held at the Australian National University from 20-24 January.

Week 2 will be held at the University of Melbourne from 3-7 February.

Week 3 will be held at the University of Melbourne from 10-14 February.

Their courses are small group intensives, with no more than 20 in each class. They are hands on, held in a classroom or computer lab, and in the more advanced courses researchers are encouraged to bring their own project or research data with them.

For more details about any of the courses visit the ACSPRI website or contact them on 03 8376 6496 or email: info@acspri.org.au for more information.