Research updates

Contact information for MERI

General inquiries: bblaher@unimelb.edu.au
Grants: mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au
Graduate research: mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au
Human ethics: timm@unimelb.edu.au



Research Network for Early Childhood Professionals

MGSE’s Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood (REEaCh) hub is wanting to establish an online research network of early childhood professionals.Members of the research network will be invited to participate in an online survey which will guide the direction of important ECEC research projects and help to find real-world solutions to improve the outcomes of young children.



2019 INEI Award

Congratulations to Dr Duncan Symons and his co-investigators for securing the 2019 INEI Award for their proposal Designing STEM for Asia Pacific. This project will consist of two interrelated parts, considering questions of curriculum and pedagogy. Broadly, the curriculum question enquires about the ideal set of STEM knowledges and dispositions that ought to be deployed given local sociocultural conditions. The focus will be the distinction between the planned and the implemented curriculum: while curriculum is often made at the political level by state Ministries of Education, curriculum as implemented in classrooms can have significant effect on the precise message delivered. Beyond the ‘efficiency’ or ‘effectiveness’ frames of references for pedagogical approaches, the team will be investigating insights into the forms of explicit/tacit communication of knowledge, cultural norms, and interpretations of the nature of the STEM disciplines. Through this grant, the three key researchers will travel and study each other’s primary school classrooms as a means to develop an understanding of how Confucian and western pedagogical approaches can enhance and support each other within STEM teaching and learning.



Minivera Elements - updating publications

MGSE academic staff are encouraged to add their research outputs in the university publications system: Minerva Elements.

  • All continuing and fixed term staff are required to lodge their research outputs in the School Annual Research Output Collection
  • Casual Academic staff and research students are encouraged to lodge their research outputs
  • For all staff and students, it is essential to lodge the research outputs where they relate to funded research activities.

Annual Research Collection

MERI is looking to deploy an improved process for the annual collection of publications at MGSE. Before the process put into practice, we will need first to audit the publications that have been accepted during 2019 and published for the categories:

  • A1 Books - authored - research
  • B1 Chapters in research books
  • C1 Journal articles - refereed
  • F1 Conference publications - full written paper - refereed

Please send a list of your research outputs published from 1 January 2019 until today for the team to check if they are already listed in Minerva Elements. The lists can be sent as a  to Claudia Sandoval who is currently helping MERI to develop and implement a new process.



Access experts at Melbourne Data Analytics Platform

Application deadline Sunday 22 September 11.59pm

MDAP is seeking submissions from researchers interested in working with the team on projects over 3 or more months. MDAP aims to support data-intensive research, and a dedicated team of academic specialists in data science, data stewardship, research software engineering and high-performance computing collaborate with successful candidates. Staff of MDAP seek to work closely with researchers and academics on projects to produce high impact research. For any enquires contact mdap-info@unimelb.edu.au


Professional development - Graduate Research Supervisor Workshop

Date: Friday 4 October
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Venue: Malaysian Theatre, Glyn Davis Building
Register

Registration is now open for the final Graduate Research Supervisor Workshop of the year. This workshop provides updates and information on key responsibilities of academic supervisors at the University. All supervisors of graduate researchers are required to complete training in order to become registered as a supervisor, and to complete a refresher of that training every five years. This training can also be completed online via TrainME. For any enquiries contact: cjbe@unimelb.edu.au


Find an expert pop-up

Date: Friday 11 October
Time: 11.30am - 1.30pm
Venue: TBC

Laptops and iPads will be set up for research staff to experience the new Find an Expert. Research staff will be able to update their profile, and will be provided with a Top Profile Tips, while also being able to update your photo.


Update - Conference travel funding now open to professional staff

MGSE endeavours to support the maximum number of MGSE staff in communicating the breadth of our research to the widest possible audience, by making available conference funding support. The MGSE Strategic Plan 2016-2020 highlights MGSE’s focus on developing the calibre of our academic staff and ensuring that they are supported in their capacity to produce world-leading research. Accordingly, there will be a focus on providing enhanced opportunities to our talented cohorts of early and mid-career academics to showcase their research. This opportunity will also be available to professional staff (UOM7 and above) who are involved in research projects or specialist administrative support roles.

The process for allocating funding for conference travel will also be driven by academic supervisors and their discussions with academic staff focusing on quality and productivity, capacity building, and recognition in relation to research outputs and research excellence. It is expected that any conference travel and associated publications will form part of a documented publication plan for each individual academic.

For further information download the Conference Travel Policy or make a submission for funding.


Submission invitation to IJERPH

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) is currently running a special issue The Contributions of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Literacy and Professor Lindsay Oades from the Centre for Positive Psychology will be the guest editor.

This special issue will focus on the:

  • Contribution of positive psychology to population health and wellbeing
  • Potential contribution of wellbeing literacy to understanding and enhancing population health and wellbeing.

IJERPH encourage the submission of papers that report on:

  1. The interaction of positive psychological factors (e.g., strengths, optimism, self-regulation) related to population health and/or wellbeing
  2. Contemporary views in wellbeing science that can be applied to populations
  3. Wellbeing literacy and other aspects of language use that influence aspects of population health
  4. New data or conceptualisatons of population health through a wellbeing or positive psychological lens.

If you are interested please submit submit a 350-word abstract by 1 December 2019 for consideration and feedback by the Guest Editors. Authors whose abstracts are accepted will be invited to submit a full manuscript. Subject to the decision of the Special Issue editors, up to five manuscripts accepted through this process will receive a waiver of the normal Journal publication fee. In addition, authors may submit their paper through the normal journal submission process and the usual journal processing fee of 1800 CHF will apply.

For more information, visit the special issue website.

The submission deadline is 30 June 2020. Manuscripts should be submitted through the online manuscript submission and editorial system at http://susy.mdpi.com.



Save the date - Creating Connections

Date: Wednesday 23 October
Time: 8.30am - 7pm
Venue: 100 Leicester Street, Level 1, Parkville

Melbourne Education Research Institute (MERI) is hosting an all day event ‘Creating Connections’.

All staff and graduate researchers are invited to attend.  The event aims to showcase the diverse and high calibre research being undertaken within the School, facilitate opportunities for academic debate and dialogue, create professional development opportunities and to continue to build on a strong research culture.

Participants will gain insight into ethics, grants, publications and various other workshops that are planned for the day.There will be opportunities for graduates to undertake confirmation and completion seminars.

Further details and program to follow.


MGSE Submission Policy

Please note that MGSE submission policy requires all proposals (internal and external) to be endorsed by the Dean, as Head of Department.

MERI close dates are set in advance of the close dates of the funding body (for submissions direct to sponsor) or the research innovation and commercialisation closing date (usually about a week).

If you are in a situation where you think you will be unable to make the MERI close date, please contact MERI and let us know that you are intending to apply, noting that the level of service MERI can provide in relation to feedback and assistance with proposals will be determined by the amount of lead time available.

MERI close dates are available on all funding opportunities found in the funding opportunities section below.


MGSE Grants Notice of Intent (NOI) Policy

If you are interested in making an application to any opportunity, please notify MERI at your earliest convenience. This applies to both lead (submitted through UoM) and non-lead proposals (those submitted through other institutions). This feeds in to the MGSE Submission Policy, and additionally allows MERI to provide the appropriate support for your application.


Key opportunities



Special Alert Call for EOIs: MacArthur Foundation 100&Change $100 million grant

100&Change is the MacArthur Foundation’s global competition for a $100 million grant to fund a single proposal that promises real and measurable progress in solving a critical problem of our time. They are seeking proposals that articulate both a problem and its solution. Competitive proposals will address a significant problem and provide a solution that is impactful, evidence-based, feasible, and durable. The University is convening an internal selection process to identify potential projects and choose the most competitive one for submission. We are currently calling for Expressions of Interest from academics who have projects with potential for funding at a $100 million scale. To receive the EOI form and for further information, please contact Georgina Luck.


Dyason Fellowships

Full applications will be due to RIC by Wednesday 6 November 3pm

Dyason Fellowships fund University staff to undertake or host a short-term international visit that fosters significant and lasting research collaborations with leading international researchers. Fellowships are awarded across all disciplines as well as for interdisciplinary proposals.


Funding Items



Melbourne Disability Institute 2019 Seed Funding

The MDI Seed Funding Scheme is intended to support disability research that is interdisciplinary and can demonstrate significant impact on the well-being of people with disability, their families and carers. The MDI seed funding scheme is now open for application. Funding requests of up to $20,000 will be considered. In exceptional cases, funding requests for higher amounts will also be considered. The round closes 5pm Friday, 25 October. Visit the MDI webpage for more information.

Drop-in sessions

The MDI will be running drop-in sessions for interested academics to come and discuss their idea or ask any questions. Due to limited places per session, bookings are essential.



The Ford Foundation - Challenging Inequality

The Ford Foundation is open to new ideas and invite you to submit yours on their online form. They will review and contact you within 45 days. One of the areas they are focusing on is persistent prejudice and discrimination against women, people with disabilities and racial, ethnic and caste minorities.

Please contact MERI if you are interested in applying.



Call for applications- Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia's 2020-21 Workshop Program

Applications are due by Friday 4 October

This grant is for workshops to be held between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.

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 go to ASSA's website for information about the Workshop Program, and to download the guidelines and application form.

Please contact Dylan Clements for more information, or with any inquiries you might have.


Forrest Research Foundation

The Forrest Research Foundation is offering 4 post-doctoral fellowships in any subject area to outstanding early career researchers who wish to undertake their pioneering research at one of the five Western Australian universities. The fellowships are open to candidates who have completed their PhD since 1 January 2017, or who will complete their PhD before 31 December 2019.

Contact mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au for further information.


Australian-American Fulbright Commission, AU

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission invites applications for its professional scholarship in vocational education and training. This enables employees within the vocational education and training sector or training leaders in business and industry to undertake a short course or research programme in this field at a US institution. The scholarship may also be used for other forms of professional development, including visits to relevant organisations. The outcomes must benefit the wider vocational and training sector in Australia.

Teachers, managers, administrators and other employees of private and public registered training organisations may apply. People who are leading vocational education and training strategies within their business, and staff within universities that teach within the training and skills sector, are also eligible. Applicants must hold at least an undergraduate degree or equivalent, and be Australian citizens residing in Australia at the time of application. Applicants may not hold dual US-Australia citizenship or US permanent residency, and must be prepared to return to Australia for the two years following the programme.

Scholarships include living, travel and dependent allowances, and health insurance worth up to AUD 100,000, for up to four months.

Applications re-open February 2020 visit the Fulbright Australia page for further information.


MGSE Research Professional Magazine

Curated Opportunities for MGSE Academics

Your funding opportunities can be found through Melbourne Graduate school of Education Research Professional Magazine, this curated fortnightly e-publication is updated simultaneously with the MGSE News release.


SCIP (Social & Cultural Informatics Platform) research data consultations

To arrange a booking to meet with a SCIP socio-informatician to discuss research data management and any informatics questions and needs (including help with arc applications), please contact SCIP to request a time, and provide a brief description of your requirements.

Important Publications Affiliations

It is important to ensure that all of your publications affiliations reference your position at MGSE, as this affects internal funding distribution. Please see example below:

Professor John Smith, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, the University of Melbourne


Publications Launchpad

Minerva Elements

Have you been entering your publications into Minerva Elements? If so, please also send your supporting evidence to MERI
This way, we can also include your recent publications in ‘Publications Launchpad’.

Below is a summary of publication and Minerva updates:

How To Add Publications To Minerva: Minerva Elements is the system used to add and update publications. A Minerva User Guide is available. It is also important to check against the University Publications Collections Guidelines on evidence needed for each publication category. Please contact MERI for further advice on publications collection.

Training: additional MGSE specific training sessions will be held in the coming months or contact MERI to organise a one-on-one session.