Dear Researchers,
Welcome to the Summer term issue of The Sussex Researcher. We hope you have all been enjoying the recent sunshine!
Included in this newsletter edition, we would like to particularly highlight:
CEDARS Survey will be sending out next week, please look out! We want to know more about you and your experiences of the research environment here at Sussex. We are running this as part of our commitment to the Researcher Development Concordat, delivery of actions in implementing the guiding principles and meeting our obligations to support your career development; so that we can create a healthy and supportive research culture to ensure our researchers can thrive. This is a great opportunity for you to feedback to us directly and influence change at an institutional level - as a thank you we are offering the opportunity to enter a prize draw upon completion of the survey, Over the next few months we'll be working hard to plan our initiatives and events for the ECR Symposium on 6 July. So, stay tuned for more information coming soon! As always we welcome your feedback and suggestions of how we can improve your experiences and professional development. Please drop us an email at researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk and we'll try our best to incorporate your suggestions into next year's programme.
Warmest regards,
The Research Staff Office Team,
In this Edition RSO programme of support: Upcoming workshops & events News: Research Staff Coffee Mornings Writing Weekend Retreat ECR Symposium and Summer of Research Events New round of SSRP projects will help global and local sustainability challenges Learning at Work Week Your Research and Careers: A special opportunity to attend the British Summer Showcase event Research Funding: EPSRC; BBSRC; NERC
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Workshops & Events
Research staff are expected to engage in a minimum of 10 days’ professional development pro rata, per year
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Research Staff Office Events
Raising your research profile with Elements–
Tuesday 25th April, 12:00 - 13:00
Project Management Essentials for Researchers–Thursday 27th April, 14:00-17:00
Using publication metrics responsibly–Tuesday 9th May, 12:00 - 13:00 |
Workshops organised by other teams
What is research impact and why does it matter?- Monday 24 April, 10.00 - 12.00
Effective Skills for Mentors - Wednesday 28 April, 10:00-11:45
Coaching as a Manager -Tuesday 2 May, 10:00-11:30 |
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Research Staff Coffee Mornings
This is an informal space to meet and get to know other researchers across campus.
The next Coffee Morning will be taking place on Wednesday, 26th April 11-12pm at the Meeting House.
So, if you need a little time out from your workspace to connect with others, why not pop along for as little or long as you want?
There will be hot and cold drinks and a selection of snacks to nibble on.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Run by Research Staff Office.
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Struggling to finish a big piece of writing? Finding it tough to get motivated?
If so, our Writing Weekend Retreat is for YOU!
Our first Writing Weekend Retreat is an intensive and supportive writing environment for research staff on 20 and 21 May.
The aim is to give you the necessary time, space and encouragement to make significant progress on a piece of work. It's completely free, fully catered by Connie & Cooper and facilitated by Dr Perpetua Kirby from ESW, who is experienced in writing support.
Apply for a place here. Registrations close on Monday 24 April, 10pm.
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ECR Symposium and Summer of Research Events
The first Summer of Research is happening across Sussex this June and July and will include an ECR Symposium on 6 July. The aim is to bring our researcher community together to showcase and celebrate ECR research at Sussex.
There will be ample opportunities to learn, share, and connect with other researchers from across the University.
ECR Dragon's Den
Part of the ECR Symposium’s exciting programme we will be opening applications for this on 24 April.
ECRs wanting to explore a new line of research or to expand their current research will bid for a fixed prize pot, pitching their ideas to a panel of ‘dragons’ drawn from all three disciplines at Sussex and externally. Successful applicants will receive training in writing, communicating and pitching from Sam Knowles, before they submit a final 500-word proposal. A shortlist of 5-10 ECRs will be drawn from these proposals to present to the dragons at the live final.
Research Image Competition
Research staff from all disciplines are invited to submit one image that encapsulates or represents their research, accompanied by a title and 50-word caption. These will be printed for display on the day, and uploaded to the RSO website (see Doctoral Festival page for similar example).
A panel of faculty from all disciplines will judge and award 1st and 2nd place. Students, researchers and staff will vote online and in person (via app) for the People’s Choice award. Winners will be announced following the Dragon’s Den.
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New round of SSRP projects will help global and local sustainability challenges
2023 marks a pivotal year as we approach the mid-point in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With their seventh small grants funding round, the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) continue to support collaborations across the University of Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) that help to deliver science towards the SDGs. As in previous years, project proposals were required to demonstrate that multiple SDGs will be addressed and advanced by an interdisciplinary project team involving two or more Schools. This particular SSRP funding round aims to strengthen relationships with international partners in low- and middle-income countries alongside connections with local agents in Sussex and the South Downs to ‘advance sustainability research with impact’.
A new set of interdisciplinary research projects have now been selected by a cross-School review panel chaired by Professor Joseph Alcamo, SSRP Director and Professor of Environmental Systems Science in the School of Global Studies.
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Learning at Work Week (15-21 May 2023) is an annual, national campaign organised by Campaign for Learning, which aims to promote the development of learning cultures in the workplace and highlight the significant advantages of continual learning and growth.
This year's theme, Create the Future, explores how lifelong learning at work can help us all personally and collectively create our futures – from achieving life and work goals, to shaping our lives, communities and the world, to driving innovation and achieving organisational ambitions.
Teams and divisions across the University will be hosting a range of events and activities for staff during Learning at Work Week, giving you the opportunity to learn something new, refresh your skills and feel inspired to set development goals for the year ahead.
Coaching Fundamentals
Monday 15 May, 10:00 until 11:30 (Online)
Tuesday 16 May, 10:00 until 11:30 (Library Seminar Room 1)
Tuesday 23 May, 14:00 until 16:00 (Bramber House)
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The British Academy Summer Showcase 2023
On 17 June, the British Academy will open its doors for the annual Summer Showcase, a free festival of ideas for curious minds. This year, people will have the opportunity to meet the thinkers shaping our world through their pioneering social sciences and humanities research through a programme of engaging panel discussions, pop-up talks, performances, workshops and film screenings.
Book your ticket here.
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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
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EPSRC Responsive mode open plus fellowship
These are personal, career development focused awards in any area funded by EPSRC. It opens to all stage of researchers to deliver improvements in research culture. Fellowships are tenable for five years.
Deadline for Applications: 23 May 2023
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BBSRC Discovery Fellowships
This funding opportunity is open to early-career researchers wishing to carry out independent research within a host laboratory. Fellowships are tenable for three years and the full economic cost of your project can be up to £500,000. BBSRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.
Deadline for Applications: 25 May 2023
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Enhance the impact of environmental sciences research Apply for funding to enhance the impact of research in the environmental sciences. The project must focus on the ambitions set out in NERC’s strategic delivery plan and NERC remit areas from UKRI’s strategy plan. Fellowship will cover up to 100% of your salary. You would receive up to £40,000 for direct costs, including travel. Deadline for Applications: 23 June 2023
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