[Usyd-research-announce] Go8 Development program for new and emerging Chief Investigators: USyd Learning Solutions

Research Grants research at usyd.edu.au
Tue Jun 3 14:47:04 EST 2008


Development program for new and emerging Chief Investigators 

Researchers, like other members of staff, need access to ongoing
professional development. However, the nature of research work means
that the content and focus of these activities needs to reflect the
different ways that research operates. 

 

In second semester Learning Solutions and the Research Office will
launch an exciting new development program for new and emerging chief
investigators (The Future Research Leaders Program). This is a joint
collaboration with other Group of Eight universities culminating in the
development of nine purpose-built learning modules designed specifically
for Go8 researchers. Trials for some of the modules have been conducted
in semester 1 and have received very positive feedback. 

 

Some places have become available on the final trial modules to be
conducted before the end of July. Participants who join the program will
be asked to participate in a short researcher KPI study and short
evaluations of the module they attend.

 

For more information see below or contact Learning Solutions on 9351
7655.

 

Target Audience

 

 

Early to mid-career researchers who have recently moved to, or who are
currently working towards being in a CI role. The program develops the
skills required by those responsible for the management of research
grants and projects. The focus of the program is those who will be
managing research teams or budgets. In some cases Lab Managers and
Research Assistants will benefit from the program.

 

How does the program work?

 

 

The program employs a blended learning approach so that participants can
preview the content ahead of time. This will involve working through
on-line material that includes activities and exercises to link the
learning with your current research. The face to face workshops then
build on those exercises. Each module takes approximately 10-12 hours to
complete and includes 6-8 hours of work prior to the workshop and then
participation generally in a four hour workshop.

 

Due to the pre-work required it is unlikely that participants will be
able to participate in both the first two modules that are only a week
apart. 

 

Who is delivering the program?

 

 

The program is co-ordinated by Learning Solutions and the Research
Office. The face to face components will be co-facilitated by some of
the University's most respected researchers.

 

 

1.       Governance and Compliance: Protecting yourself, your research
and your University

 

 

Research is bound by significant governance expectations, responsible
research practices and the need to comply with statutes and regulations.
This module examines the policy and risk management context in which
research operates and the resultant requirements for research practice. 

 

Aims 

To consider responsible conduct in research and how you can take maximum
advantage of your university's governance and compliance requirements to
build research strength and leadership. It aims to give an understanding
of the trust placed in people and in institutions that conduct research.
You will also gain an appreciation that robust research requires
integrity embodied in a commitment to intellectual honesty and personal
responsibility.

 

Learning outcomes 

After completing this module you should be able to: 

*         Locate and recognise the Codes of Conduct for Research that
prescribe standards of work performance and ethical conduct expected of
all persons engaged in research; 

*         Describe the situations where research requires approval by an
ethics committee, safety committee or other regulatory committee or
authority; 

*         Recognise the obligations to the university and community in
undertaking publicly-funded and -sponsored research; 

*         Define what constitutes a failure to conduct research
responsibly and major forms of misconduct; 

*         Identify key sources of information, advice and further
education on specific issues relating to research conduct. 

 

Content overview 


1        The research context 


2        Leading ethical research communities 


3        Grant holder responsibilities 


4        Research integrity 


5        Knowledge capture and preservation 


6        Other governance and compliance issues 


 

Workshop details 

 

The first hour will review the Australian Code for the Responsible
Conduct of Research and allows for consideration of some high-profile
cases for discussion. 

 

The second 3-hour part of the workshop will cover the background and
issues stemming from consideration of the scenarios proposed in many of
the activities that are distributed through this module. These
open-ended scenarios, with the common theme 'How would you choose and
defend your point of view?' will lead to some interesting points of view
and debate. 

 

Date:            25 June

Time:           9:00 - 1:00 (followed by lunch)

Location:       Learning Solutions
Level 4 (2nd Floor) Margaret Telfer Building
K07 - Arundel Street Glebe

Presenter:     Professor David Cook, Chair of the Human Ethics Committee

 

To enroll use this link:

Go8 Governance & Compliance: Protecting yourself, your research & your
university - June 25
<http://fmx01.ucc.usyd.edu.au:8080/learningsolutions/register.jsp?ID=T22
04> 

 

2.       Leading and Managing People in a Research Context 

 

 

Research projects require some particular approaches to managing people.
We will explore the ongoing management of the research team and allied
contributors and particular management issues that may arise. We will
focus on management within the distinctive research context of
constrained periods of employment and tight timelines.  If you have
responsibility for managing students, research teams, research centre or
a programme of research, this is most important. It will make a real
difference to how your group operates.

 

Aims

This Module aims to assist researchers to reflect on their preferred
leadership style, the challenge of developing a context for creative
research and the ongoing management issues within the distinctive
research context of fixed-term employment and narrow time frames.

 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module you should be able to:

*         identify the characteristics of a culture in which research
teams identify and achieve appropriate goals 

*         understand the relevance of different leadership styles in a
research context and the stages in team development 

*         introduce key characteristics of effective communication,
negotiation skills and teams 

*         understand your responsibilities in creating a safe equitable
workplace for the team 

*         provide tools and skills for researchers to plan and monitor
activities to meet the requirements of the research plan. 

 

Content overview

The module comprises the following topics:

1.      Challenges of managing and leading in a research setting
This topic explores the environment within which people can perform
well. 

2.      Research leadership 
This topic explores the major elements that contribute to research
leadership. 

3.      Building an effective team
This topic deals with the setting of standards and the interpersonal and
communication processes a leader must address. 

4.      Managing individuals
This section focuses on motivating, guiding and developing individuals
working on your project. 

 

Workshop details

There will be a 4.5 hour workshop associated with this module. 

 

Date:            1 July

Time:           9:00 - 1:30 (followed by lunch)

Location:       Learning Solutions
Level 4 (2nd Floor) Margaret Telfer Building
K07 - Arundel Street Glebe

Presenter:     Professor Judy Black, NHMRC Senior Principal Research
Fellow

 

To enroll use this link:

Go8 Leading & Managing People in the research context - July 1
<http://fmx01.ucc.usyd.edu.au:8080/learningsolutions/register.jsp?ID=T22
05> 

 

 

3.       Research Strategy and Planning

 

 

Effective research must be carefully planned to achieve the best
outcomes for the researcher/s, the university and the furthering of
knowledge. This module explores the initial stage of research project
management: designing and costing the project as well as operating
within the broader research and political context. This module is suited
to any researcher who is developing a new grant proposal or project
area. 

 

Aims

The need to plan your research project sounds obvious, but this is often
the thing least well done in many projects.  This module is designed to
help you work out where you best fit in the research world; not the
academic discipline per se, but strategically placing yourself in the
best position to be adequately funded over a long period of time to lead
research projects about which you feel passionate.  

 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module you should be able to:

*         Identify the broader research context in which you will be
administering research projects, forming research teams and seeking
appropriate grants while ensuring these support your university's
strategic goals

*         Review your strategy for conducting research 

*         Review what works with grant proposals 

*         Plan the initial stage of a research project including design,
estimating costs and budget control 

*         Operate successfully within the broader research and political
context 

 

This module comprises the following topics 

*         Research Strategy: an introduction

*         Project Planning: scope and concept

*         Project Funding: grant seeking 

*         Project Management 

 

Workshop details

There will be a 4 hour workshop associated with this module. 

 

Date:            23 July

Time:           9:00 - 1:00 (followed by lunch)

Location:       Learning Solutions
Level 4 (2nd Floor) Margaret Telfer Building
K07 - Arundel Street Glebe

Presenter:     Professor Margaret Harris, Director of Research, Faculty
of Arts

                        Professor Stephen Simpson, ARC Federation
Fellow, School of Biological Sciences

                        Warwick Dawson, Director of the Research Office

 

To enroll use this link:

Go8 Research Strategy and Planning on July 23
<http://fmx01.ucc.usyd.edu.au:8080/learningsolutions/register.jsp?ID=T22
08> 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.ucc.usyd.edu.au/pipermail/usyd-research-announce/attachments/20080603/f59527d3/attachment.htm


More information about the Usyd-Research-Announce mailing list