| Message from the Research Staff Office |
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Hello Everyone
Welcome to this issue of the Sussex Researcher and to the 2016/17 academic year. We hope you have had a productive and enjoyable summer.
We are very pleased to bring you our new autumn programme of events and workshops that will be starting later this month. There are opportunities to participate in events that you might have missed last year as well as some exciting new workshops, see the article below for more information.
We have a busy 2016/17 in store and this year we are introducing even more opportunities for you to meet other researchers from across the University via termly researcher development coffee mornings (cake aplenty), an international researchers lunch and our researchers forum and lunch. Watch this space over the coming months for more information.
Best wishes,
Natalie James (Research Staff Officer) and Kirsty Bridger (Researcher Development Coordinator)
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| Aiming For Promotion at Sussex |
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Wednesday 22nd September - 10.00-12.00 Book a place
Postdoctoral researchers (Grade 7 and above) are eligible to apply for promotion at Sussex through the annual academic promotions process.
In this workshop Professor Clare Mackie, Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and chair of Science Academic Promotions Boards at Sussex will provide information about the promotions process and insight into what promotions boards are looking for from researchers looking to secure a promotion.
Learning Outcomes
Following this workshops participants will:
- Be familiar with the academic promotions process at Sussex;
- Understand the assessment criteria for promotions;
- Have clarity about the skills, knowledge and experience required to progress to the next grade in the career pathway;
- Know what promotions boards are looking for in a successful candidate;
- Be able to make informed decisions about the appropriate time to apply for promotion.
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| News |
| Autumn 2016 Training & Development Workshops - Now open for booking |
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We are very pleased to launch the autumn programme of development events for Sussex researchers.
 The programme includes workshops covering the themes of:
- Aiming for Promotion at Sussex
- Thinking Strategically About Your Research
- Data Management
- Peer-Reviewing Manuscripts for Journals
- Research Integrity, Ethics and the 'Open Researcher' Agenda
- Professional Networking for Researchers
- Getting Your Research into the Media
- And more!
All events are free to attend and are now open for booking. Places are limited so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
See the research staff training and development page for the full programme, workshop outlines and booking information.
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| Research Led Initiative Fund - Autumn call now open |
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 The Researcher-Led Initiative (RLI) Fund is accepting applications. The RLI Fund is available to support doctoral researchers and early career research staff to organise activities that will enhance their professional and research skills.
In the previous funding round, postdoctoral researcher, Dr Allan Debelle, was awarded RLI Funding to run a successful 'Social Media For Academics' workshop.
For further information visit the Researcher Led Initiative Fund web page.
Deadline for applications: Monday 31st October 2016
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| Stern review of the REF |
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The independent review of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), led by Lord Nicholas Stern was published on 28 July 2016. Although being largely praised by senior academics, research leaders and policy makers, it received a less warm response from those earlier in their research career. The main concerns focussed on Stern's recommendation that research outputs should no longer be 'portable' and instead outputs should only be credited to the institution in which the work 'demonstrably' happened.
The aim of the recommendation is to put an end to the pre-REF recruitment rush, where prestigious institutions have been quick to hire 'rising stars' with notable publications from smaller insitutions. However, early career researchers have raised concerns that 'non-portability' of research outputs will have a negative impact on their ability to move institutions and secure permanent posts.
It is not yet known how this will resolve and to what extent the recommendations will be implemented for the next REF, which is due in a few years time. However if 'non-portability' comes into effect, it will be ever more important for institutions to carefully consider how best to support their early career research staff in developing their independent research careers.
Read the full Stern Review of the REF
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| Horizon 2020 Information Event - Visit by UKRO |
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 Save the date: 1-2 December 2016
The University of Sussex and the University of Brighton will once again be jointly hosting this year's visit by UKRO (the UK Research Office).
UKRO is the European office of the UK Research Councils, providing support and advisory services to UK research organisations on EU research funding programmes.
This event will focus on Horizon 2020, which is the current EU Research and Innovation framework programme and the main source of European research income for UK universities.
A full programme will be published nearer the time, but the event will likely include: an overview of EU funding following the referendum; Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships; funding for research into Migration, Refugees and Mobility; and Open Science and Data Management.
Registration details will be circulated in due course.
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| Career advice highlights from the EuroScience Open Forum |
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 Researchers from all corners of Europe attended the biennial EuroScience Open Forum, where experts showcased scientific developments in a broad range of fields and discussed science policy issues - plus offered career guidance.
You can read Science Careers's takeaway highlights from three of the careers sessions here.
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| LGBT STEMinar 2017 |
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 The second edition of the LGBT STEMinar will be held at The University of Sheffield on Friday 13th January 2017.
The conference is designed for people who work or study in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and identify as LGBT+. The day aims to showcase work from diverse fields, and to encourage collaborations between different departments, universities, companies and subjects.
Those who may not identify as LGBT+ but wish to discover and support the work that LGBT+ people are doing are welcome to attend.
Attendance is free, so to register your interest or put yourself forward for a poster/talk fill in this online form.
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| Opportunities |
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If applying for funding, remember to check funders' eligibility criteria carefully and discuss the opportunity with your host institution/department prior to preparing any applications.
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| Round 3 of the Sussex Social Science Impact Fund (SSSIF) is now open. |
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The Sussex Social Science Impact Fund can provide funding up to £20,000 (or £40,000 if cross-departmental) for University of Sussex social science impact activities. It supports a diverse range of activities, including:
- Activities that lead to new or development of networks and partnerships with businesses, NGOs, policymakers and other non-academic organisations.
- Development of new engagement methods, activities or impact strategies, e.g. proof of concept projects.
- Co-production where you are working with others to develop knowledge that supports impact
- Working in a non-academic organisation, or hosting a non-academic placement at the University of Sussex.
Eligibility: The SSSIF is open to all social science researchers who are conducting research of excellent quality that aligns with ESRC guidelines, but regardless of funding body of research. It is open to all researchers, including early career researchers, though not open to students.
More information.
Deadline for expressions of interest: 26th September 2016
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| ESRC Media Training |
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 ESRC-funded researchers can access a one-day media training session that provides the opportunity to develop practical media skills in a safe environment.
The training is an opportunity for researchers, no matter what stage of their career, to develop their skills and feel comfortable handling media interviews. Whether a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher or senior fellow, the new practical media training session provides the guidance needed to engage the media with confidence - and plenty of opportunity to practice.
The course is running on the following dates in London:
- 13th September 2016
- 20th October 2016
- 17th November 2016
More information can be found here.
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| Fellowship, Research Mobility and Young Investigator Awards for UK Researchers in Brazil |
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 Brazilian State Funding Agencies, articulated by its National Council (CONFAP), have launched a call for proposal offering support to researchers based in UK Universities and Research Institutions, who wish to work on research in Brazil, in collaboration with local colleagues.
These awards offer an opportunity for the UK researcher to develop the strengths and capabilities of their research groups through training, collaboration and reciprocal visits with a partner in some of the best research groups in the Brazil.
More information.
Application deadline: 24th October 2016
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| Wellcome Trust Investigator Awards in Science |
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 Investigator Awards in Science offer flexible funding support to researchers at all career stages working on important questions of relevance to their scientific remit.
You can apply for an Investigator Award if you're a researcher at any stage in your independent research career. If you're an early-stage researcher, you should be able to show that you can innovate and drive advances in your field of study and demonstrate considerable promise for the future. Your research, funding and training track records should be strong relative to your career stage.
The research you propose for an Investigator Award should be distinct from, and not replace, activities already supported in your host organisation or by other awards.
The level of funding we provide for an Investigator Award is flexible and can be anything from under £500,000 to around £3 million. Awards can last for up to seven years, if appropriate.
More information.
Application deadline: 21st November 2016
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