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 - reminder for researchers and staff who submit applications
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.
Once an application is submitted in Themis, responsible researchers cannot track their applications. Themis does not alert applicants if there are compliance issues or errors with ethics applications. Additionally, applications don’t show up on the Ethics Officer’s workbench either. Submitted applications will sit in Themis until the responsible researcher emails the Ethics Officer for an update on their application.
Therefore, once you have submitted a new application or submitted revisions to an existing application, please email mgse-ethics@unimelb.edu.au and include your ethics id number in the subject line. The Ethics Officer will contact you if there are any issues with your application.
To check the status of your ethics application or to make amendments please review the spreadsheet under the FAQ section ‘How can I track the progress of my application?’ . This spreadsheet is updated weekly, if you cannot find your application on the spreadsheet please email mgse-ethics@unimelb.edu.au.
SCIP (Social and Cultural Informatics) Update
During the COVID-19 situation Humanities researchers can still get advice on digital research issues while they work from home. SCIP Data Scientists are available for consultations via Zoom to answer your research questions and provide dedicated support on request.
SCIP is currently reorganising its training schedule to take advantage of online training with new workshops and seminars. Workshops planned for June and July will cover topics such as scraping data from the web, building interactive maps using R & Leaflet, working with regular expressions, and using tools for collecting and analysing twitter data.
Book a consultation with a Data Scientist at scip-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au.
The new SCIP workshop schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
Research Integrity Online Training (RIOT)
The RIOT course is now available for all staff and students. RIOT covers the principles of research integrity and their application to the planning, conducting and reporting of research. The training has been updated to align with the new Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 and customised with University of Melbourne resources.
The new course is available on Canvas LMS and all users need to self-enrol via the Communities Catalog. The current RIOT course will remain open until 30 May. Please ensure you download your completion certificate by this date. It is a requirement for graduate researchers to complete RIOT prior to confirmation. Visit the RIOT page for more information.
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.
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.
Marles Medal
The Marles Medal in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine (STEMM) and the Marles Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) (collectively 'The Marles Medal') have been established in 2020 to complement the Woodward Medal (est. 2001). The Marles Medal recognises excellence in research impact, which may include an affect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health and wellbeing, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.
Up to two Research Impact Medals will be awarded annually to two University of Melbourne employees in the field of STEMM or HASS for the most significant demonstrable contribution their excellent and original research has made to society, the economy and environment, in the preceding ten years.
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.
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
Exploring Digital Teaching and Learning in the Master of Teaching (Secondary)
This new report written by Amy McKernan and Mark Selkrig with Kate Coleman, Nicky Dulfer, Lisa McKay Brown, Kira Clarke, Peter Anstee, and Matthew Cunnane piloted a professional learning community working with a range of online teaching approaches in their subject and sharing their experience with each other. This report also included an audit to help inform the current understanding about the varying approaches of online learning at MGSE.
A post-coronavirus pandemic world for higher education
Authors Gwilym Croucher and William Locke
This paper summarises factors and emerging trends for higher education following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the responses of providers and governments.
New collaboration between ARC and REEaCH
The Assessment Research Centre (ARC) and the Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood Hub (REEaCH) have won a joint bid to the Department of Education and Training to design a fit-for-purpose assessment tool to support the learning development of children aged 2 to 6 years. The Tool will be delivered online and will support Victorian early childhood teachers and educators to observe, document and assess each child’s progress in learning, develop more intentional individual learning plans and improve information sharing between kindergarten services and schools. The collaboration between the ARC and REEaCH provided the opportunity for MGSE to present a unique response, combining the expertise across early childhood pedagogy, assessment for learning, psychometrics and professional learning. The project will be directed by Tricia Eadie and Jayne Johnston and led by Jane Page and Toshiko Kamei.
Learning Creates Australia
Learning Creates Australia is a ground-breaking new program of work that seeks to expand how we define success for Australian young people between the ages of 15 and 19, and how we can measure and accredit a broad range of the knowledge and skills they develop.
The program is funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, and is a collaboration between the Assessment Research Centre, the Foundation for Young Australians, and Price Waterhouse Coopers. In May 2020 the first project in the program 'The Learner’s Journey' was launched, and will continue to June 2021. It will use interactive online social labs to privilege young people’s views and experiences of learning, success and transitions in determining project directions and outcomes.
The program seeks to reshape how schools, VET providers, universities, employers and young people themselves work towards and recognise different forms of learning, and through this contribute to better transitions and pathways for youth.
Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM)
TRAM is the University of Melbourne’s research translation accelerator, offering a range of programs designed to develop entrepreneurial thinking and to maximise the commercial impact of research-based projects. This year the Melbourne Graduate School of Education have their first ever participant in the program, an eight week course that helps researchers to transform their research and inventions into products and services that have real-world impact.
Next Level Social Skills is a social skills is a program that builds from Matt Harrison’s PhD research into using cooperative video games as tools for social learning. This program is helping Matt to understand the current needs of children and young adults with lived experiences of neurodiversity, as well as the needs of their families. The course will conclude with a launch in late June where Matt will introduce his program.
Latin America Engagement Survey
The University has long-standing engagements with Latin America and is calling upon Divisions to report on new and existing activities in the region.
Staff leading LatAm activities (e.g. research, student recruitment, alumni etc.) are asked to liaise with MGSE project members and submit a survey response by Friday 29 May.
Survey for University educators and students
A new survey has been launched by researchers at MGSE focusing on the impact that the COVID-19 global pandemic is having on teaching and learning in Australia. The survey aims to capture educators’ and students’ perspectives when transitioning to online teaching and learning, and to record the opportunities, concerns and challenges they are experiencing during this time.
Research Computing Services - securing your research data
The University provides secure and supported research data storage platforms for you to store and manage your data. At the start of 2020, Research Computing Services added just over 1.1 petabytes (1,100,000 gigabytes) of new storage to support increasing research data storage needs. Currently the service is providing priority access to computing services for our researchers and affiliates working on COVID-19 research.
Your data is always protected in whichever University supported data storage platform you choose to use, however it's also important that you understand which storage best meets your needs. If you need help choosing the right storage platform, please see the Research Computing Services page for information and contacts.
Research Hub now live
The website provides a new channel to market the University’s research, research facilities and collections globally to help drive research collaborations, industry partnerships, graduate researcher recruitment and funding/revenue. It will do this in collaboration with other channels such as Find an Expert, Pursuit and Newsroom.
The site will be managed by a Research Website team within UC&M, led by Victoria Whatmore, Content Strategist and Web Manager.
If you would like to enquire about using this channel in your research marketing plans simply send an email to research-website@unimelb.edu.au.
Join the Rhino 3D modelling community
Rhino is a design tool for rapid prototyping, 3D printing, graphic design and more.
Research Computing Services has recently started a new community for researchers around the tool, inclusive of training sessions, drop in help and networking opportunities. To join today and stay updated with the community initiatives, sign up to their newsletter for more information contact s.ramza@unimelb.edu.au.
Role of the Supervisor
Date: Thursday 21 May
Time: 9am - 10am
This seminar will provide opportunities to discuss what it means to be a GR Supervisor, their responsibilities, and how to act in the role effectively. The focus will be given to discussing effective supervision practices during the University response to COVID-19.
Human Research Ethics Drop-in
Date: Monday 25 May
Time: 11am - 12pm
Zoom password: 751930
Need a hand with your ethics? Zoom in to chat with MERI's Ethics Consultant, Tim Mattingsbrooke, and Acting HEAG Chair, Tricia Eadie, about any concerns you have.
No need to RSVP! Simply join via the link on the day.
SCIP (Social and Cultural Informatics) Workshop
Date: Monday 25 May
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Kathryn Coleman and Amanda Belton of SCIP are teaming up with MERI to showcase all the support SCIP offers your Graduate Researchers! If your GR wants to dive deep into data with sophisticated digital methods, please forward the registration link to them. You're more than welcome to join us, too.
Role of the Advisory Chair
Date: Thursday 28 May
Time: 9am - 10am
This seminar will discuss the role and responsibilities of the Advisory Chair in graduate supervision, with updates on current GR policies and important information regarding COVID-19 and GRs. Perfect as a refresher for current Chairs, with insights also for those new to the role.
Engaged University e-Symposium
Date: Thursday 9 - Friday 12 June
The Engaged University e-Symposium will provide a space for professional and academic staff to reflect and explore different levels and scales of engagement initiatives for research, teaching and community, and their impacts across the University of Melbourne.
The full program will be made available in late May.
Submissions are sought for presentations by academic and professional staff employed by the University of Melbourne or associated institutes and centres. Closing date for submissions is Wednesday 13 May.
ORCIDs and Researcher Profile Support
An Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) helps with the disambiguation of researchers and research outputs, enables linking and reuse of high quality, persistent data, and connect research activities. Funding bodies including the ARC are strongly encouraging applicants to create an ORCID.
On 17/11/16 the University of Melbourne Executive endorsed a compulsory ORCID for all University of Melbourne academic staff. It is important for all academics to:
- Register for an ORCID, if they do not already have one.
- Connect their ORCID to their Minerva Elements account.
A new ORCID Identifier printable guide has now been published.
Entering details on Find an Expert through Themis
Please read and follow the steps below on how you can provide details of any grants you have been awarded that are not recorded in the Themis Agreements module.
Specifically “How do I add a biography to my Find an Expert profile?”
A biography is one of the first things people will see when they view your profile in Find an Expert. To add a biography to Find an Expert:
- Login to Themis
- Go to UoM Research Self Service
- Select the Themis Researcher Profile option
- Select Public Staff Profile
- Select Biography Details
- Enter your biography into the Biography Text field
- In the Additional Grant Information field you can provide details of any grants you have been awarded that are not recorded in the Themis Agreements module. Information you enter here is published in the Projects section of your Find an Expert profile.
- Click Save
Please note that this information will take about a day to feed from Themis to Find an Expert.
For further support, please contact Themis Support on 834 40888/Option 3/Option 2.
Journal of Artistic and Creative Education
Deadline for submissions: Sunday 31 May, 5pm
Studios are inherently practice-oriented sites that evoke and invite intercultural, sociomaterial, technological and integrative connections. This edition invites authors to consider place, site and space in ways that contribute to artistic and creative education. We invite authors to submit a 4000 word (or equivalent) paper or creative submission. We also invite interested parties to register their interest as reviewers for this exciting special issue of JACE.
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 is put into practice, an audit of publications accepted during 2019 across the following categories is required:
- 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. The MERI team will check if they are already listed in Minerva Elements. These lists can be sent to mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au.
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.
Key opportunities
2021 McKenzie Fellowships Program
closes Thursday 21 May 5pm AEST
The Program aims to recruit new researchers who have the potential to build and lead interdisciplinary collaborative research activities inside and across the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Starting at salary level A6, plus $25,000 project funds. Applicants must be able to commence no later than 30 June 2021.Expression of Interest
For more information visit the McKenzie Fellowship page.
TOP 5 Arts: ABC Media Residency Program - applications open
closes Monday 1 June
This year for the first time the ABC is partnering with the University of Melbourne to present TOP 5 Arts, giving a voice to Australia's next generation of arts practitioners and researchers. TOP 5 Arts is a media residency for graduate early-career practitioners and PhD researchers working in visual arts, performance, design, architecture and screen. The scheme seeks to equip early-career graduate arts practitioners and PhD arts scholars with media and communication skills to share their ideas and specialist knowledge widely through expert commentary and analysis.
Winners will work alongside some of Australia's best journalists and broadcasters to train in the craft of radio and TV interviews and develop content across the ABC's platforms to engage new audiences. Applications close Monday 1 June.
Spencer Foundation Grants
Full proposal deadlines: Monday 8 June
The COVID-19 Related Research Grants support education research projects that will contribute to understanding the rapid shifts in education in this time of crisis and change: (i) educational inequality caused by the COVID-19 crisis; and (2) new forms of equitable education. Find out more on the Spencer Foundation website.
Call for papers: ANAT SPECTRA 2020 Symposium
Submissions due Monday 1 June
Artists, scientists and researchers collaborating across disciplines are invited to submit paper proposals for the ANAT (Australian Network for Art and Technology) SPECTRA 2020 Symposium. ANAT SPECTRA is Australia's pre-eminent showcase of the best research and creative work being produced through interdisciplinary collaborations between artists and scientists today.
Presented by the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music in partnership with the Australian Network for Art and Technology, ANAT SPECTRA 2020 is a 3-day symposium with exhibitions, immersive screenings, performances and public talks from 30 September-4 October on the Faculty's Southbank campus.
The deadline for abstracts is 1 June, with notification of acceptance 15 July.
More information on submissions visit the ANAT SPECTRA 2020 Symposium page.
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.
Funding Items
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
NCSEHE Student Equity in Higher Education Research Grants Program – 2020 Round
Applications close: 5pm Western standard time (United States), Sunday 12 June
The NCSEHE invites proposals from high-quality researchers and equity practitioners to conduct policy-relevant research aimed at supporting and informing student equity in higher education.
Funding for several research projects is available through a competitive selection process. It is anticipated that the majority of grants will be for between A$30,000 and A$40,000, although other amounts may be considered. Grants will commence in August 2020 and should be completed within 12 months (no later than October 2021).
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.
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.
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.