MERI Updates
MERI Updates
Ethics and Travel Update
Contact information for MERI
Visit the MERI contact page to learn more about the team.
General inquiries: bblaher@unimelb.edu.au
Grants: mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au
Graduate research: mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au
Human ethics:mgse-ethics@unimelb.edu.au
A message from Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM)
CEM is still accepting applications to conduct research in CEM schools and these applications will be subjected to the usual review process. However, even if approved, researchers are not yet permitted to approach schools until they are given written permission by CEM. All approvals at the moment are ‘conditional’. Some projects have been exempt from this current ban on approaching schools (e.g. research that has been instigated by a school not an external researcher, OR research that had already begun pre-Covid), but this is considered by CEM on a case-by-case basis.
At the moment non-essential staff or visitors (e.g. researchers) are not permitted in CEM schools.
Travel update to China and Hong Kong
China
China will not allow most foreigners to enter China due to COVID-19 and direct flights between China and Australia have been significantly reduced. DFAT advises that if, despite that advice, you travel to China you will be subject to 14 days mandatory quarantine and quarantine requirements may change at short notice. If you’re already in China and wish to return to Australia, DFAT recommends you do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Australians are advised that they may be at risk of arbitrary detention.
Hong Kong
National Security legislation for Hong Kong came into effect on 1 July 2020. This law could be interpreted broadly and the full extent of the law and how it will be applied is not yet clear. You could break the law without intending to. You may be at increased risk of detention on vaguely defined national security grounds. Visit the Smart Traveller website and select 'Local Laws' to find out more.
University travel portal
The University’s health and safety travel portal has been updated with the most recent DFAT travel advice.
Research News
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Research Codes: newly revised ANZSRC list
The ARC has just released the newly revised ANZSRC (Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification) research codes which include the FoR and SEO codes that the ARC uses to help it assign assessors to Discovery Program and Linkage Program research grant applications.
The new codes will also be used in the next Excellence in Research Australia 2023.
You can access the new codes on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website by clicking on the ‘downloads’ tab then selecting the relevant ‘Data Cube’. -
Melbourne MicroCert incentive funding outcome
Dr Marian Mahat was awarded $25,000 Melbourne MicroCert incentive funding for a series on Leading Change in School Learning Environments. The Melbourne MicroCerts will provide participants with knowledge and skills to align teaching and learning strategies in innovative and flexible learning spaces to the learning needs of 21st century students. For more information visit the MSPACE website.
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Joint PhD projects
HUJI-Melbourne call for joint PhD projects
Submission deadline extended to Monday 20 July
The deadline for applicants has been extended until 20 July for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) and University of Melbourne's second call for joint research projects. The program supports the development of globally engaged researchers through an international research training group for joint PhDs. In 2020 the call is open to project proposals across all research areas, with up to six scholarships for graduate researchers (across three collaborative research groups) currently available through this competitive call.
KU Leuven-UoM call for joint PhD projects launched
Submissions due Tuesday 8 September
The University of Melbourne (UoM) and KU Leuven seek to support research collaboration and the development of globally-engaged researchers by establishing an international team of project supervisors for jointly awarded PhDs.
KU Leuven and UoM are calling for project proposals to establish up to 10 joint graduate research projects across five separate pairs of Primary Investigators (PIs). Each of these five PI pairs will receive funding for two joint PhD candidates, including tuition fee waivers, a full living allowance, health insurance, relocation support and mobility funding.
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U21 Research Project - Request to Staff
Dr Licho Lopez is conducting a Universitas21 funded study of how MGSE prepares the next generation of teachers to work with African diasporic students in Australian schools from early childhood to secondary. This is a comparative study that, in addition to MGSE, will also examine teacher preparation programs in Lund University (Sweden), University of British Columbia (Canada), Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile).
In a time of heightened awareness of #BlackLivesMatter across the country, understanding how our School responds to the call to better equip the next generation of teachers to address antiblackness in schools is of utmost importance.
Please complete this short survey by Tuesday 21 July.There is also an option to complete the survey using this WordDoc version. If you choose this option please e-mail the completed survey directly to lllopez@unimelb.edu.au.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD Scholarship
Closes Friday 31 July
The Melbourne School of Graduate Education, in partnership with the Indigenous Studies Unit, is offering an eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate research student a PhD position with our Curricula Project team to conduct the next phase of delivering online teaching resources for teachers in accordance with the Australian curriculum framework.
The successful candidate will receive a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship of approx. $31,200 pro rata per year for 3.5 years of the PhD (Fulltime) plus an additional top up scholarship approx. $17,664 pa for 3 years and $7,008 for 6 months through the 'David and Elizabeth Tudor Top-Up PhD Scholarship (in Indigenous Knowledge)'.
For applying, research project enquiries and support for applicants, please contact Dr Melitta Hogarth.
For more about eligibility and outcomes about the scholarship download the information sheet.
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Clean-up your Themis workbench by Friday 31 July
It’s time to clean up your Themis workbench, in preparation for the new improved Ethics Research Manager (ERM) system to be introduced for Human Ethics in early Q4 2020.
Please login to Themis to finalise and submit any draft Human Ethics research applications, especially those dated November 2019 or earlier. If you no longer require any drafts, then please copy them for future reference, by close of business on Friday 31 July.
To find out more, visit the REPS Program pages on Staff Hub, or email the team via ethics-melbourne@unimelb.edu.au. -
Applications open next week - OTP program
Applications Open - Monday 6 July and close - Sunday 2 August
The Open Talent Pathways program provides research students at Masters and PhD level the opportunity to embark on their first journey in the startup ecosystem. Successful applicants will be introduced to the tools and approaches of the entrepreneur and empowered to find and develop their own start-up idea.
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Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competition has launched
Registration closes Wednesday 5 August
The Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competition has launched and is open to graduate researchers from all disciplines and at any stage of their candidature. Entrants are challenged to create a 60-second digital explainer to communicate their research to a non-specialist audience. By joining the competition GRs develop key communication and digital design skills, showcase their research, and compete for the opportunity to represent the University on the global stage, and win some great prizes. For more information visit the VYT page or contact the team.
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New features available on Find an Expert
The following new features are now available in Find an Expert:
- Journal cover and conference images on search results and profile pages
- Searched keywords displayed as bold text in profile pages
- Citation format improvements for book chapters and conference proceedings
- New filter options on search results to enable filtering by researcher organisation and project status
- Links to the Research Website on profile pages.
Additional features will be added and updates made to Find an Expert this year. Find out more at the Find an Expert - Phase 2 page.
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Call for papers - Considering Viral Technologies: Pandemic-Driven Opportunities and Challenges
In April 2021, The University of Melbourne will host the Seventeenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society. Since the beginning of the current COVID situation, lockdowns, quarantines, and stay-at-home orders have swept across our everyday lives – and at an incredible speed. To keep our societies functional during this time, we have turned increasingly to digital communication tools and networks.
Visit the Technology, Knowledge & Society website for more information on Call for Papers. For more information about next year's conference visit the Special Focus page.
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ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
The EOI process for FL21 will involve an application for review by an internal panel followed by an opportunity to receive feedback. Please register a NOI. Further details on this process will be available on the Staff Hub shortly.
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Now Open: ARC Schemes - Expression of Interest
Expression of Interest (EOI) for ARC schemes opening in the third and fourth quarter of the year are now available. If you are interested in applying for the current rounds please complete the EOI so that the MERI team can support you through the application process.
Research Events
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Presentation design for researchers
Date: Thursday 16 July
Time: 3pm - 4pmPresenting your work is a key skill for all researchers. This 45-minute interactive online workshop covers design basics including using typefaces, creating information graphics, and how to find interesting images to engage an audience in your research. This online workshop is useful for creating slide presentations, designing academic posters, and for those entering the Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) Competition.
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Becoming a digital researcher in 2020
Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 3pmDigital and computational research methods have become extremely popular in humanities and social science. But as researchers how do you learn the latest digital methods and tools, especially without a background in tech or coding? What are the true costs and benefits of such a shift? This webinar is tailored for HASS researchers wanting to think like a digital researcher and learn the language of computational methodology. This one-hour session will open with a brief introduction to what digital and computational research is and how it works, and showcase a number of tools and methods. Early career researchers and graduate students especially encouraged to attend.
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Human Research Ethics Drop-in
Date: Wednesday 29 July
Time: 11am - 12pmDo you need a hand with your ethics? Not quite sure how to tackle a particular problem? Come chat with Tricia Eadie, Acting HEAG Chair, and Tim Mattingsbrooke, Ethics Consultant at MERI, and get all your questions answered.
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Did you miss the Researcher Connect event?
The Researcher Connect online event for University of Melbourne academics and graduate researcher ran over 19 days and provided a diverse range of workshops and seminars, expert panels, research platform showcases, and virtual drop-in clinics, to help you accelerate your research. Many of the events have been recorded and are being posted onto the Researcher Connect website, along with some short stand-alone videos for you to view.
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Using digital tools to publish strategically for STEMM researchers
Date: Wednesday 22 July
Time: 11am - 12pmChoosing how and where to publish your research is crucial to maximise the reach of your work. This session introduces key digital tools to help researchers in STEMM disciplines identify and evaluate publishing options. If you are a graduate researcher considering submitting your thesis for publication, it is important to use the right tools when selecting where to publish and to consider open access and copyright issues well in advance.
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Using digital tools to publish strategically for HASS researchers
Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 11am - 12pmThis session introduces key digital tools to help researchers in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines identify and evaluate publishing options. The session will cover topics such as identifying and evaluating journals in your research field, journal ranking tools, reasons to consider publishing in Open Access journals, and ethical publishing; thesis mills, predatory publishers and how to avoid them.
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File management 101: Taming the digital chaos
Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 1pm - 2pmUsing digital technologies effectively has become a mainstream requirement for the modern scholar. But how do you manage a tsunami of file formats, storage systems, metadata standards, not to mention the latest digital tools and cloud services - when all you want to do is focus on your research question? This session will help you get organised and start managing your files and information properly.
Funding opportunities
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Opportunities closing soon
Laura Bassi Scholarship
Closes Saturday 25 July
All currently enrolled masters and doctoral candidates, as well as academics in the first five years of their employment, are eligible to apply for the Laura Bassi Scholarship, which awards a total of $8,000 three times per annum.
Marles Medal
Nominations close Monday 27 July
The Marles Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) was established in 2020. The Marles Medal recognises research impact: the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health and wellbeing, the environment or quality of life beyond academia. In 2020, awardees will receive a cash award of $10,000. Please visit the website for key dates, eligibility, and how to apply. For any enquiries contact: ric-internalgrants@unimelb.edu.au.
2021 Early career researcher grants open for applications
Applications due to RIC by Monday 27 July
Applications are now open for the 2021 Early Career Researcher Grants. This program aims to support early career researchers who demonstrate clear evidence of high research potential, to progress their research careers and enhance competitiveness in applying for external research funding.
Grants are awarded for one year, beginning 1 January 2021, with a maximum value of
$25,000 for humanities and social sciences and $40,000 for science and technology. Please see the RIC webpage for details of the application process and any specific submission requirements for your Academic Division (including faculty-specific deadlines). Eligibility Exemption Requests (where applicable) are due to RIC by Monday 27 July.Final applications are due via SmartyGrants and Themis by Tuesday 15 September. For any enquiries contact ric-internalgrants@unimelb.edu.au.
Westpac Research Fellowships EOI
Applications closing Monday 27 July
The Westpac Research Fellowships internal EOI stage is now open. Up to two Westpac Research Fellowships will be awarded this year across four university partners. The focus areas for the Fellowships are:
- Technology and Innovation
- Strengthening Australia-Asia ties
- Enabling positive social change
The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) EOIs
Expressions of Interest close Friday 31 July
The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) is calling for expressions of interest in both the 2020 Platforms and the Australian Data Partnerships programs.
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Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford in 2021 - applications open
The Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious international scholarship program, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Applications close on 11 September 2020 for entry to Oxford in October 2021.
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Research Funding Opportunity: Australian Data Partnerships (ARDC)
The ARDC's Australian Data Partnerships will fund you to establish and develop national data assets to support leading edge research & broader impact. Funding available of up to $500k. Open call commences July 2020.
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Woodward medal
The Woodward Medal in Science and Technology and the Woodward Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences - are awarded annually to a member of staff for research published in the five years leading up to 31 December of the preceding year.The research must have made a significant contribution to knowledge in a field of science and technology or humanities and social sciences. In 2020 awardees of each medal will also receive a cash award of $10,000. Please visit the website for key dates, eligibility, and how to apply. For any enquiries contact: ric-internalgrants@unimelb.edu.au.
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ARC Scheme Dates - Advance Notice
Please note dates are subject to change. All official dates will be published on the ARC website's grant calendar you can also download the ARC NCGP Scheme Timeline 2020-2021.
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ARC Linkage Projects
If you are contemplating submitting an application in round 2 or 3, please notify MERI.
Linkage Projects 2020 Assessment Round 2
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 29 June 2020
Submit review ready application to RIC: 6 July 2020
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 20 July 2020
Request not to Assess Close: 22 July 2020 - Final Application due to MERI: 22 July 2020
Final Application due to RIC: 29 July 2020
Final Applications due to ARC: 5 August 2020
Linkage Projects 2020 Assessment Round 3
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 26 October 2020
Submit review ready application to RIC: 2 November 2020
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 15 November 2020
Request not to Assess Close: 17 November 2020 - Final Application due to MERI: 17 November 2020
Final Application due to RIC: 24 November 2020
Final Applications due to ARC: 1 December 2020
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 29 June 2020
MGSE Policies
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 into the MGSE Submission Policy, and additionally allows MERI to provide the appropriate support for your application.