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
Ethics Updates
Planned Outage
Infonetica Ethics Review Manager (ERM) users are advised that the system will be offline from 5pm Thursday 22 October until 8am Monday 26 October. Read more
Infonetica ERM is now live
The innovative new Infonetica Ethics Review Manager (ERM) system is now live for researchers (staff and students). Researchers will create new human research ethics applications in Infonetica ERM, and they will no longer use Themis Human Ethics Workbench. You may notice that there are no projects in your 'Work Area' in Infonetica ERM. This is because inflight applications in Themis will be made available in the new system on Monday 2 November.
Historical/completed applications in Themis will not be available in Infonetica ERM. If you need a copy, please submit a Service Now webform. To learn how to use the new system, please watch the training video, or refer to the learning support materials.
If you have a general query related to human research ethics, please email HumanEthics-Enquiries@unimelb.edu.au.
Infonetica ERM training queries can be emailed to ethics-melbourne@unimelb.edu.au.
For technical system support:
- Staff submit a Service ticket, or call the Service Centre on (03) 8344 0888
- Students call the Research Helpline on (03) 8344 0999.
Additional Infonetica ERM Training Now Available
Researchers and graduate researchers who submit human ethics applications are encouraged to attend one 1.5 hour training session to learn how to use Infonetica ERM.
The training session will cover the new human ethics application process, how to use Infonetica ERM to submit applications, and the new human ethics committee structures and meeting schedules.
Register by clicking on the suitable session below to apply using Eventbrite.
Date | Time | Eventbrite Registration Link |
Wed 28 Oct | 10.30am-12.00pm | |
Wed 11 Nov | 2.00pm-3.30pm | |
Thu 19 Nov | 10.30am-12.00pm | |
Tue 24 Nov | 10.30am-12.00pm | |
Wed 2 Dec | 1.30pm-3.00pm |
Please note – tailored training sessions will be held in the coming weeks for human research ethics committee members.
Ethics Reminders
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Research activity in government schools and early childhood settings
All research and evaluation activity involving Victorian government schools and Victorian early childhood services requires approval through the Department of Education and Training’s (DET’s) Research in Schools and Early Childhood settings (RISEC) process.
The move to increased restrictions across Victoria necessitates that the DET again pauses the RISEC process and research and evaluation activities involving schools and early childhood sites. These activities are suspended for the remainder of 2020.
Therefore, the following should not proceed:
- RISEC-approved research and evaluations
- Any other contact with schools or early childhood sites, staff, or children to conduct, or to recruit for, research and evaluation activity
- RISEC applications and amendment requests.
There is no guarantee that this suspension of activities will not continue into next year. MERI encourages all supervisors to continue to discuss with Graduate Researchers how to redesign their project so that it can go forward.
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Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM): Applications to conduct research
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.
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Travel updates: China, Hong Kong and Indonesia
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.
Indonesia
New regulations are in place for researchers wishing to conduct research in Indonesia and foreign researchers are advised to confirm compliance with following new regulations:
“Foreign nationals conducting research in Indonesia are advised to reconfirm their compliance with local regulations, following a legislative amendment in July that introduced new requirements. Foreign researchers must now seek ethical approval from the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry, alongside the pre-existing visa and permit requirements for conducting research. Penalties for non-compliance with this policy now include criminal prosecution with the possibility of imprisonment. Travellers intending to conduct research are advised to contact their nearest Indonesian Embassy for advice.”
The University of Melbourne would like to emphasise that researchers are to contact their nearest embassy or consulate for specific guidance if they are currently conducting research in Indonesia or will be in the future.
For more information:
Email the Research Integrity Unit
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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Indigenous Knowledge grant writing support
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute would like to convene a number of workshops to support UoM researchers to apply for research grants. At this stage they are looking to identify the level of interest in workshops of this kind. Some upcoming grant rounds include:
- The AIATSIS Indigenous Research Exchange 2021 round (closing 31 October)
- The ARC Discovery Indigenous Grants
If you are currently in the process of preparing a grant for the AIATSIS Indigenous Research Exchange or considering applying for an ARC Discovery Indigenous in the future, the Indigenous Knowledge Institute wants to hear from you. Please email the Indigenous Knowledge Institute with details of your research interests and the type of workshop that may interest you. This will enable them to develop tailored grant writing workshops in collaboration with UoM colleagues.
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Interdisciplinary GR Program in Indigenous Settler Relations
The Indigenous Settler Relation Collaboration’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Program is open to graduate researchers in any faculty undertaking a graduate research related to the emerging field of Indigenous-settler relations in Australia and the world.
The program will connect students with researchers across disciplines, fostering an engaged and supportive intellectual community, and creating a strong cohort experience for the duration of their study. The program will deepen academic understandings, and enhance interdisciplinary knowledge exchange on research that leads to more just relations between Indigenous and settler peoples. Students are supported to build networks across the University and with relevant external organisations and to develop their research in reference to current real-world challenges.
Eligible students must have commenced a PhD/Doctorate or Masters by Research. Priority will be given to students who have at least one supervisor based at the University of Melbourne.
If your graduate researcher is working in this space, please direct them to find out more about the program and how to apply on the Program website.
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GEM Scott Teaching Fellowships 2021
Expressions of Interest are now open, and close due Friday 20 November.
The GEM Scott Teaching Fellowships program recognises, rewards and further develops exceptional academic teaching staff at the University. Fellows propose and undertake a significant program of work to improve and enhance curriculum design and development, teaching, learning and assessment, innovative pedagogical practice and/or the student experience at the University. The Fellowship will allow staff to further develop their understanding and practice in University-based teaching, learning and assessment and asks them to share this more broadly across the University. Up to two GEM Scott Teaching Fellowships of up to $65,000 each will be awarded for 2021. Enquiries can be submitted to chancellery-academic@unimelb.edu.au
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U of T - UoM International Research Training Group
The call for project proposals will close on November 23.
The U of T - UoM International Research Training Group - Call for Proposals awards academic collaborative pairings from Melbourne and the University of Toronto (U of T) with funding to support Joint PhD candidates. Project proposals are open to all research areas, and a SciVal report is available for download that details the most prominent research areas and current research collaborations between UoM and U of T.
Applications are open for individual projects and project "clusters". Priority will be given to “Cluster Applications”, which includes three or more primary supervisors (PIs) across both institutions, supervising at least two joint PhD candidates. More details about applications can be found in the Joint Call Guidelines.
Please email mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au if you are interested.
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New online supervisor registration form
Melbourne CSHE is now accepting expressions of interest for the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching 2021 intake. This course combines research-based, theoretical seminars with practical exercises involving peer review and negotiated projects. It is offered part-time to complement participants' current teaching practice.
You can find out more about the course structure, entry requirements, and fees on the course website.
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Graduate Certificate in University Teaching - EOI for 2021 intake
The Indigenous Settler Relation Collaboration’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Program is open to graduate researchers in any faculty undertaking a graduate research related to the emerging field of Indigenous-settler relations in Australia and the world.
The program will connect students with researchers across disciplines, fostering an engaged and supportive intellectual community, and creating a strong cohort experience for the duration of their study. The program will deepen academic understandings, and enhance interdisciplinary knowledge exchange on research that leads to more just relations between Indigenous and settler peoples. Students are supported to build networks across the University and with relevant external organisations and to develop their research in reference to current real-world challenges.
Eligible students must have commenced a PhD/Doctorate or Masters by Research. Priority will be given to students who have at least one supervisor based at the University of Melbourne.
If your graduate researcher is working in this space, please direct them to find out more about the program and how to apply on the Program website.
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ARTiculate: call for abstracts
Submissions close 11:59pm Sunday 1 November.
The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music has an active and vibrant research culture that combines an exploratory and experimental approach to enquiry, and draws upon both traditional and practice-led modes of research in the pursuit of excellence and innovation. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a key feature of their work, and the process of colliding traditional and emerging ideas, perspectives, knowledges and methods creates an environment of intellectual opportunity.
The Faculty's 2020 Research Showcase - ARTiculate: Communicating your research in the Fine Arts and Music - to be held Thursday 26 November, will provide an opportunity for research staff in the Faculty to share their work virtually with their colleagues and the wider University community.
Research staff external to the Faculty whose work aligns with key features of the Faculty's research agenda as articulated above are also welcome to present at this event. They invite proposals for presentations from all staff, with the aim of creating a virtual forum for intellectual and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Please contact Bernardo Jarrin or Shannon McKenna for any enquiries.
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Empower yourself this Open Access Week
Open Access Week (19-25 October) is an opportunity to consider how you can make your research more accessible and discoverable. Scholarly Services has organised content and webinars to help you engage with open research practices. The Researcher@Library blog will feature a Q&A series with researchers across the University to discuss a variety of issues such as negotiating rights with publishers, the ethics of academic publishing, connecting with open science networks, and practical steps to becoming an open researcher. The Open Access 101 webinar will look at the different pathways to making your research open: using preprint servers, finding OA journals, taking advantage of the University's Open Access repository and collecting download statistics. If you are interested in more specialised sessions, then you can also attend a variety of free Australasian events.
Find more information and register for events on the Open Access event website.
Please contact Dimity Flanagan for any queries.
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Reminders
Call for proposals: MGSE Graduate Research Conference 2020
The call for proposals will close on Sunday 25 October at 11.59pm.
The MGSE Graduate Research Conference is returning in December 2020 as a Summer Ideas Festival.
As many conferences are postponing their events until 2021, this is a great opportunity for your Graduate Researchers to gain experience presenting their research, learn about others’ insights and methods, and make new connections at MGSE. If you think your Graduate Researchers would like to present at the conference, please ask them to consider submitting a proposal. A proposal template for Graduate Researchers to complete has been provided for download.
Presenters will be notified in the following weeks, and the programme will be announced in early November. Please request your Graduate Researchers submit their proposals and queries to mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au
Implementation of 2020 ANZSRC codes
The ARC has released the following statement on the implementation of the 2020 ANZSRC codes:
The ARC has developed a plan to adopt the updated 2020 Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) codes into the Research Management System (RMS) for National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) application and peer review activities.
Understanding current pressures on universities, the aim is to provide enough time for the research sector to plan for, and manage, this change and minimise the burden on researchers and research offices in managing the transition.
The ARC sought feedback from Research Office Directors on a proposed staged approach:
- This year the 2020 codes will be implemented into RMS user profiles only, so researchers can commence selecting the 2020 codes (alongside retaining their 2008 codes) in their individual profiles.
- The 2020 codes will start to be used in next year’s College of Expert nomination round.
- The 2020 codes will be introduced into NCGP grant application forms for schemes opening from September 2021.
New 2020 ANZSRC code changes will not be introduced into application forms for any scheme rounds that are currently open or are due to open in late 2020 or early 2021.
Further advice and instructions on how to select the 2020 ANZSRC codes will be published by the ARC, at each new stage of the implementation process.
ARC scheme EOIs open
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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Farewell for Tim Mattingsbrooke
Date: Friday 30 October
Time: 4pm-5pmAs Tim Mattingsbrooke has recently accepted a new role with OREI, the MERI team invites you to join us in farewelling him on Friday 30 October at 4pm. Tim has been with the University for almost 25 years, initially supporting MDHS’s clinical schools before joining the then Faculty of Education. The subsequent 18 years saw Tim excel in his positions supporting research training and human research ethics. He has long been a critical part of the research success of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, and we wish him all the best with his new team over at OREI. Please join us for a drink, a few words from his old colleagues, and any farewells you would like to make before Tim starts his next chapter at the University.
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Educational Leadership Spotlight Series
Reach for Greatness: Personalisable Education for All Children
Date: Monday 26 October
Time: 10am – 11amPresented by Professor Yong Zhao. Hosted by Dr Daniela Acquaro.
Leadership, Moral Courage and Ethical Behaviour
Date: Monday 9 November
Time: 10am-11amThe expectation on leaders during 2020 has been immense as they navigate unchartered waters, respond to unexpected circumstances, and continue to support programs and foster a sense of community and collegiality in remote working environments. This presentation will provide an opportunity to pause and reflect on the importance of moral courage and ethical behaviour at all levels of the education system during this time, and the essential role leaders can play in supporting moral resilience.
Presented by Dr Natasha Ziebell. Hosted by Dr Daniela Acquaro.
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Educational Leadership Mentorship Series (MGSE staff-only)
Navigating Gender Barriers: Implications For Mentoring and Progression
Date: Friday 30 October
Time: 10am – 11amPresented by Dr Barbara Watterston and Dr Lisa Ehrich. Hosted by Dr Daniela Acquaro.
Publishing Your Research
Date: Friday 13 November
Time: 10am – 11amPresented by Professor Yong Zhao, Associate Professor David Gurr, and Associate Professor Helen Stokes. Hosted by Dr Daniela Acquaro.
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Library Publications Series
Using digital tools to publish strategically
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 10am - 10.45amWant to build a strong publishing track record and unsure which journal outlets you should be submitting to? Join the library team to learn about digital tools to support your decisions.
Creating your publishing story
Date: Tuesday 24 November
Time: 10am - 10.45amJoin the Library team to find out how you can weave attention, mentions, and citations data of your publications into your publishing narrative. Presented by Fransie Naude, Amy Perkins-White, and Kylie Tran.
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Workshop on Submitting to Academic Journals
Date: Wednesday 11 November
Time: 4pm-5pmJoin Associate Professor John Quay, Associate Professor Tricia Eadie, and Professor William Locke to learn how to submit to journals, what journal editors are looking for, and how journal review processes work.
Funding opportunities
MGSE funding submission essentials
This process is in response to both the MGSE Submissions Policy and the MGSE Grants Notice of Intent (NOI) Policy. It applies to both lead proposals (submitted via University) and non-lead proposals (submitted through other institutions).
It's essential to notify the MERI Grants team of your intent to apply for any funding opportunity, as all funding proposals (internal and external) need to be endorsed by the Dean, as Head of Department.
As all applications require several internal approvals, MERI sets its own close dates in advance of both the funding body (for submissions direct to sponsor), as well as the Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RIC) closing dates. This allows time to process your application before it is formally submitted.
If you're not sure you can make the MERI close date, email the Grants team with your intent to apply.
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Opportunities closing soon
Melbourne-Bonn Research Excellence Fund
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Friday 23 October
The inaugural call of the Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Fund aims to support collaboration in new research areas with Universität Bonn that have not yet received funding from Bonn or Melbourne or through a third-party before. Up to three applications will be funded and receive up to 20,000 € or $33,000 AUD from each institution.
Applications close on Friday 30 October.
Email the Grants team to apply
Edified Energiser Grants 2020
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Friday 23 October
Do you know of a student or graduate with a compelling plan to improve education for their community? Encourage them to apply for a $5,000 Edified Energiser Grant. The grant is open to people of any nationality (domestic and international) who are currently studying at, or have graduated in the last five years, from an Australian, New Zealand or UK higher education, vocational or English language institution. Applications are now open for grants to support students and graduates with a vision and plan to improve education in their community. A total of three grants are on offer, for a project in each of the following categories to improve:
- Any type of education
- Education in safety, health or wellbeing
- Education for women or about gender equity.
The 2019 winners of this grant opportunity included our own Tricia Martin and her team, with their submission of a Virtual Internship Platform for Regional NSW. For more information, please visit the Edifier website.
Applications close on 31 October 2020.
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Indigenous Knowledge Institute seed funding
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Wednesday 4 November.
The Indigenous Knowledge Institute invites proposals for innovative and interdisciplinary research projects with a focus on Indigenous knowledges. All University of Melbourne researchers are eligible to apply for this seed funding opportunity for projects up to a maximum of $20,000. Proposals will be assessed against five selection criteria:
- advances research in Indigenous knowledges
- commitment to partnership
- feasibility and impact
- interdisciplinarity, and
- early career researcher development.
Applications close Wednesday 11 November.
You can find more information or make an enquiry with the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.
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The Laura Bassi Scholarship
The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which awards a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in December 2020.
All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of their employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, previous winners, and the application portal can be found on the Editing Press website.
Application deadline: 25 November 2020
Outcomes announced: 20 December 2020 -
Reminders
ARC Linkage Projects
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
If you are contemplating submitting an application in round 3, you must email the Grants team as soon as possible.
DECRA and Future Fellowship applications extended
Applications close Wednesday 25 November.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has extended the application time frames for DECRA and Future Fellowship applications, to take into account the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more on the ARC website.
If you're considering applying, please email the Grants team as soon as possible.
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 26 October 2020
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Ongoing opportunities
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 called for proposals for a range of project ideas and specific grant opportunities. Having a United Kingdom partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.