Research updates
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
Ethics Update
The MGSE HEAG committee continues to meet remotely to review ethics applications during the COVID 19 disruptions. During this time only approved projects that are completely online or desk-based research can proceed. The Victorian DET and Catholic Education offices are not approving any new projects.
Ethics Q&A Panel Discussion
Date: Tuesday 30 June
Time: 2pm - 3.30pm
Password: 6m364n
MERI is hosting an Ethics Q&A panel discussion where you can ask questions on everything, from your role in your GR’s ethics application to ethical considerations of externally funded research. Answering your questions will be Sophie Arkoudis, Tricia Eadie, Kylie Smith, and Tim Mattingsbrooke.
Potential discussion points:
- Minimal & Standard applications
- Funded research
- Consultancies and the importance of referring to the contract and attaching contract to application
- RIOT training
- PLS and CF
- Data management plans
Research News
Call for papers: Indigenous Cultural Heritage Conference 2020
Proposals due by Thursday 25 June
Papers are being solicited for the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Conference, to be held 24-26 November at Pullman on the Park, Melbourne.
Taking Control of our Heritage provides the first opportunity for Traditional Owners and their allies to meet, discuss, and develop programs, strategies and ideas to take control of their cultural heritage in Australia.
The conference is for all Traditional Owners, their organisations and those that work with them in the promotion, management and protection of Indigenous Cultural Heritage. The conference program will encompass several relevant themes, prominent international and national speakers as well as a comprehensive social program.
The National Native Title Council, the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council are now calling for abstracts and proposed panel presentations addressing the conference themes:
- Applications of Indigenous Knowledges
- Land Based Cultural Heritage Management
- Ancestral Remains and Artefact Management
- Law and Governance (including UNDRIP), Business
- Museums, Intangible Heritage (including Intellectual Property issues)
- Impact of Climate Change and Cultural Heritage
- Family History Research
- Language Protection and Promotion and Operation of Lore.
Proposals and abstracts should be received by the conference organisers by Thursday 25 June.
For more information or for registration visit the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Conference website. For any enquiries contact Lyndon Ormond-Parker.
Teachers and ex-teacher participants sought for well-being and career decisions study
Are you a current or ex-teacher? A DET-funded study of teacher well-being and career decisions to assist in reducing teacher burnout and turnover is looking for participants to complete an anonymous online survey (Approximately 15 mins to complete). Early Learning, Primary, or Secondary levels are eligible. Ethics approval (HREC #1954350).
Visit the survey page for more information.
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.
The creative industries in days of isolation - a fast pace shift to making, learning and living in a crisis
Chief Investigator: Dr Kathryn Coleman (MGSE)
MDAP Collaboration Lead: Dr Kristal Spreadborough
Melbourne Data Analytics Platform (MDAP) have just launched successful collaboration projects for Semester 2, 2020. MGSE was successful with Kate Coleman leading a team that includes Dr Solange Glasser and Dr David Sequeira (FFAM), A/Prof Thomas Cochrane (CSHE), Amanda Belton (SCIP MGSE) and Dr Emily Fitzgerald (MDAP). MDAP is a team of Research Data Specialists and Research Data Stewards working to enable data-intensive research across the disciplines, as part of the University’s Petascale Campus Initiative (PCI). For more about the project, visit the MDAP website.
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.
Digital technologies protect us from the social exposure to the virus, with tools that facilitate contactless delivery of essential goods, virtual meetings, and cloud services that enable work from home and elearning delivery. In connecting with business, schools, or government automated interactions have in many cases replaced even virtual human contact. Digital technologies now know more about us and the virus – from contact tracing that monitors vectors of viral transmission, to big data analytics that track viral spread.
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.
23 Research Things is back in 2020
23 Research Things is a program of 23 blog posts that highlight digital tools to support the research activities of academics and graduate students. Featuring contributions from researchers, data scientists, and librarians, the posts will introduce research tools or topics, and outline why and how these might be integrated into practice. The 23 Research Things series ran successfully in 2014 and 2017. The 2020 edition relaunches this month and will see new and improved content. Sign-up to receive 23 Research Things. If you have any queries contact: gr-library@unimelb.edu.au.
Researcher@Library blog - stay updated
The Researcher @Library Blog provides the latest news on events, training and other opportunities for researchers at the library and across the University, including updates from the Researcher Connect Online program (9 June-3 July 2020). Subscribe for a weekly digest via gr-library@unimelb.edu.au.
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.
- ARC Linkage Projects 2020 (continuous round)
- ARC Future Fellowships 2021
- ARC Laureate Fellowships 2021
- ARC DECRA 2022
- ARC Discovery Projects 2022
Clean-up your Themis workbench
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 3 July.
It’s important that you do this, as draft applications in Themis will not be transferred to the new ERM system when introduced later this year.
In the coming months, you will receive further communications to ensure your readiness to transition to ERM.
To find out more, visit the REPS Program pages on Staff Hub, or email the team via ethics-melbourne@unimelb.edu.au.
Events
Register for TRAM Track presentation day
Date: Tuesday 30 June
Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Staff are invited to join the upcoming TRAM (Translating Research at Melbourne) Track Presentation Day, celebrating the efforts of this semester's TRAM Track cohort and their dedication to transforming both their research and their thinking. Presentation Day will see the nine teams that have participated in TRAM Track in first semester 2020 share their research entrepreneurship journeys to date, and their path forward.
Hear from this sensational cohort on their insights and journeys toward turning their research projects into viable businesses. You can learn more about the teams over on the TRAM blog.
Research Connect
Date: June - Friday 3 July
This online event for University of Melbourne academics and graduate researchers runs over 19 days. It will offer a diverse range of workshops and seminars, expert panels, research platform showcases, virtual drop-in 'clinics', and more to help accelerate your research.
The program starts with the 'Meet the Platforms' series running over two weeks (9 - 18 June), then ramps up with an intensive fortnight (22 June - 3 July) of activities showcasing digital tools, research services and support.
Featured events include a Researcher Connect Poster Competition and the launch of the 2020 'Visualise Your Thesis' competition. New events will be added progressively to the site, so bookmark the Researcher Connect site and keep checking back for events.
For more information contact the Research Connect Team.
Online videos
Over the course of the Researcher Connect online program videos and webinar recordings will be uploaded to the Researcher Connect videos page, to assist researchers to explore digital tools and expert services available at the University of Melbourne.
Human Research Ethics Drop-in
Date: Monday 22 June
Time: 11am - 12pm
Zoom password: 344732
Do 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, about any concerns you have. Save the date to your calendar.
Adapting fieldwork during COVID-19: Panel Discussion and Q&A
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 3pm - 4pm
Zoom password: 4c949s
Educational research is inseparably connected with learning environments affected by COVID-19. Join other researchers to explore solutions to the challenges created by these disruptions, and share ideas to adapt your research.
The panel features:
- Professor Julie McLeod
- Ben Symon, PhD Candidate
- Professor Lorraine Graham
Save the date to your calendar.
Funding Items
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.
Melbourne-Manchester Research Fund 2020
Applications due Monday 29 June
The University of Melbourne and the University of Manchester Research Fund is an initiative to enhance research collaboration between the two universities. The overall aim of the fund is to encourage and provide initial support for development of high-quality research projects in areas of mutual strength and shared interest. Funding is available for staff at both institutions to undertake short-term visits to deepen and extend research links with a view to enabling collaborators to make joint proposals to external funding sources for the next phase of their research. The fund is open for proposals across all research areas.
Visit the website for more information.
Australian-American Fulbright Commission, AU
closes Monday 6 July
The Australian-American Fulbright Commission invites applications for its professional scholarship in vocational education and training. Applications are open to employees within the vocational education and training sector as well as 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.Scholarships include living, travel and dependent allowances, and health insurance worth up to AUD 100,000, for up to four months. Visit the Fulbright Australia page for further information.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Ford Foundation - Challenging Inequality
Expressions of Interest are open on an ongoing basis
The Ford Foundation is a prestigious United States funder that has fellowship and project opportunities available in the broad thematic area of Challenging Inequality. Having a United States partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Applications are open on an ongoing basis
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has a grants database with fellowship and project opportunities that includes Higher Education in the Humanities, Arts and Cultural Heritage, Diversity, Scholarly Communications, and International Higher Education. Having a United States partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.
The Economic and Research Council
Applications are open on an ongoing basis
The Economic and Social Research Council has Calls for Proposals for a range of project ideas and specific grant opportunities. Having a United Kingdom partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.
Key Opportunities
PhD Scholarship: Resilient Melbourne, Resilient Communities
Expressions of Interest due Tuesday 30 June
In the face of growing climate, economic and social risks, fostering social cohesion within local communities and neighbourhoods is increasingly important.
Resilient Melbourne is exploring this challenge through partnerships with five development sites that are seeking to enhance community resilience through the built form and innovative models of social engagement.
Expressions of interest can be lodged through this form.
For enquiries and further information please contact MSSI's Executive Officer Janine Campbell.
DECRA and Future Fellowship applications extended
closes Wednesday 25 November
The Australian Research Council has extended the application time frames for DECRA and Future Fellowship applications, to take into account the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. ARC DECRA 2022 applications are now Wednesday 25 November 2020. Find out more on the ARC website.
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.