Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the October 2021 issue of the Sussex Researcher. We hope you all have been keeping well and safe in these times.
Below are a number of items that we feel can be useful to all of you:
- For your training and development needs, we are delighted to share a range of new online workshops and webinars taking place over October through to December - so do take a look at our events listing and book quickly to grab a place!
- For better access to all the resources available to you from the Research Staff Office, please take a look at our recently revamped and reorganised webpages - we hope you like the new layout!
- A reminder that Research Staff are entitled to up to three free confidential one-to-one coaching sessions with an independent professional development coach.
- Applications for the Researcher-Led Initiative Fund are now open. You can apply for up to £750 to organise an event or activity that can enhance your professional skills and/or benefit the research community.
We look forward to seeing you all at the various events and activities coming up over the next months, and as always, we invite you to get in touch with ideas and feedback!
Best wishes,
The Research Staff Office
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Research Staff Office Events
Careers beyond research: applying your skills outside academia - Monday 11th October, 13:30-16:30
Making your research data available to support your publication - Tuesday 19th October, 10:00-11:00
Understanding Open Access publishing - Tuesday 19th October, 12:00-13:00
Navigating peer review: challenges, responses & publishing - Friday 22nd October, 09:30-12:30
How to Peer Review Manuscripts for Journals - Tuesday 26th October, 10:00-12:30
Effective Online Teaching - Wednesday 3rd November, 14:00-15:00
Attracting your own research funding - writing and applying for fellowships - Thursday 4th November, 13:30-16:30
Adding your Research Data to Sussex Figshare - Thursday 4th November, 11:00-12:00
Developing Excellent Research Proposals - Thursday 11th November, 10:00-13:00
Supporting PhD Students: Practical Tips- Wednesday 24th November, 11:00-12:30
Advanced Presentation Skills for Public Engagement - Thursday 2nd December 14:00-17:00
Using Publication Metrics Responsibly - Tuesday 7th December, 12:00-13:00
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Research Staff Office Webpages Revamp The RSO have revamped and reorganised our webpages under several headings that reflect the provision and support we currently provide for research staff:
We hope you enjoy browsing through our webpages and please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.
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One-to-one Coaching Service for Research Staff Did you know that as a member of Sussex Research Staff, you are entitled to up to three free confidential one-to-one coaching sessions with an independent professional development coach? You can use your coaching sessions to discuss any aspect of your role and career development. Coaching is useful for considering your next career steps, adapting to new roles and responsibilities, working towards your research goals, managing working relationships, responding to changes or simply as a confidential space in which to explore new ideas and solutions to professional challenges. All coaching sessions are with Dr Natalie James, qualified coach and Director of Research Coach Ltd. Natalie coaches academic researchers from all career stages across the UK and internationally and has extensive experience in supporting early career researchers as a coach and trainer. Her coachees say:
- “I feel more confident in the way I can think and own my professional development. I have also gained focus on the tasks I have to achieve. I do not feel 'lost' anymore and I look forward to taking the steps in my career.”
- “Natalie manages to combine very effectively being approachable and real with lots of relevant knowledge and expertise”
- “Through the research coaching I got a much clearer view of my career path and really consolidated my research ideas. Personally, it was great to talk to someone outside of my department that could help me see the big picture.”
You can take up the opportunity for coaching sessions at any point in your research staff contract at Sussex. To arrange your coaching sessions please complete the enquiry form on our coaching page.
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Apply to the Researcher-Led Initiatives Fund (deadline 29th October) Want to run your own training or community activity? The Researcher-Led Initiatives Fund offers up to £750 to doctoral and early career researchers to organise an event or activity to enhance your professional skills and benefit the research community. The fund supports short-term, well defined initiatives around:
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- mental health and wellbeing
- public engagement
- training and development
Given the current pandemic, all applicants are asked to consider how they could adapt their plans should the government and University Covid-19 guidelines rule out in-person activities.
Recipients must submit a short evaluation report after their activity has taken place, and may be asked to contribute to the Doctoral School’s Festival of Doctoral Research or a Researcher Development Programme event to share their experiences.
See the RLI Fund webpage for further information and to apply. The deadline for applications is 29th October 2021.
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Opportunities / External events
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Participate in the OECD International Survey of Science (ISSA2021) The International Survey of Science (ISSA) collects data and information on key topical issues for the global scientific community. Implemented through an open online survey, it aims to provide a timely picture of the state of science to complement other available statistical evidence and indicators and provide new insights that inform science policy around the world. Recently launched on a global scale, ISSA2021 seeks to provide better international comparisons about the professional situation of researchers in the UK. The OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Directorate aims to inform the definition and implementation of policies aimed at improving the current state of science in the UK as well as its impact on British society. The survey questionnaire, comprising questions about your experience and current situation as a scientist or researcher, should take about 20 minutes to complete. After completing the survey, you can opt in to receive a customised report with advanced survey results, as a sign of our appreciation for your time and support.
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Elsevier Researcher Academy - Free Online Modules on Becoming a Peer Reviewer All researchers will encounter peer review during their career, both as an author and as an expert who has been asked to review the work of another. If you are interested in peer reviewing, Elsevier Researcher Academy now provides free access to a series of modules that explains the actions you should definitely avoid, from saying yes when you don’t have time to complete a review, to providing biased or unfair statements. The modules also explan how your reviewing activities can provide an important stepping stone towards becoming a journal editor.
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Research Funding
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.
Do look at Research Development webpages for guidance around applications
For more information about ECR Fellowships, check out our new webpage:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/researchstaff/funding/fellowship-opportunities
For Coronavirus information for research grant applicants & grant holders check out:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/development/covid-19 |
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K-ASEAN Institutional Links Early Career Researchers (ILECR) Scheme
The UK-ASEAN Institutional Links Early Career Researchers (ILECR) Scheme provides seed funding to senior researchers from higher education institutions in the UK and partner countries - Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Deadline for Applications: 30th November 2021
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Linked education and assessment systems data research fellowship
This supports research into ways education and assessment systems data could influence policy. The projects full economic costs may be £130,000, of which 80 per cent is funded.
Deadline for Applications: 1st December 2021
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New investigator research grant – infections and immunity
This supports researchers who are capable of becoming independent PIs and who are ready to take the next step towards that goal within the areas of infections and immunity. There is no limit to the funding that can be applied for, but the typical full economic cost of a project is up to £1.2 million over three years.
Deadline for Applications: 12th January 2022
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New investigator research grant – neurosciences and mental health
This supports researchers who are capable of becoming independent principal investigators and who are ready to take the next step towards that goal within neurosciences and mental health. There is no limit to the funding applied for, but the typical full economic cost of a project is up to £1.2 million.
Deadline for Applications: 26th January 2022
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Multidisciplinary project award
This supports collaborations between cancer researchers and scientists from engineering and physical science disciplines. Projects may receive up to £500,000 each over a maximum period of four years.
Deadline for Applications: 27th January 2022
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