| Message from the Research Staff Office |
|
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to this issue of the Sussex Researcher. It's been an interesting month, with a unique opportunity for our Research Staff Reps to influence government policy for Early Career Researchers when we welcomed three visitors from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Instrial Strategy (BEIS). The visit was made possible thanks to a pairing between Dr Lily Asquith (Sussex) and Roxanne Ohene (BEIS) as part of the Royal Society Pairing Scheme. Take a look at the article below for more info about the visit and how you can get involved in similar pairings with MPs and civil servants.
Thank you to those of you that have already participated in the CROS 2017 survey. If you haven't added your views yet, you have until Wednesday 29th to participate here, more information below.
We are very exited to launch our call for speakers for 'Spotlight @ Sussex Impact Day', which will be a celebration of postdoctoral research at Sussex, the first time such an event has been included at Sussex Impact Day. Apply before 24th April for a Spotlight talk, see below for more info, we are really looking forward to receiving your applications.
Finally, we are very sad to announce that Kirsty Bridger will be leaving the Research Staff Office in April, to take on an exiting new role at the international charity Sightsavers. We are sorry to see Kirsty go and thank her for all her efforts during her time at Sussex and wish her every success in her future career.
Best wishes,
Natalie James (Research Staff Officer)
|
| Drowning in data? Using Data Management Plans for your Research – Quantitative Data |
|
Thursday 6 April - 14.00-16.00 - Book a place
Research data is a valuable resource for both the individual researcher and the research community, and many funders now require a Data Management Plan (DMP) to be submitted as part of a funding bid. This workshop will look at how you can keep your data organised, secure and reusable for the future. We will discuss funder expectations, and use the Digital Curation Centre's DMPOnline tool to develop clear plans to support your own research, whether you are writing a funding bid or planning a project.
Whilst open to everyone, this workshop will have a focus on researchers working with quantitative data.
Learning Outcomes:
During this workshop participants will:
- Consider how to implement good practice in research data management, including organising, saving, backing up and describing their data
- Investigate issues around sharing and re-use of their data
- Explore tools that help with RDM, including practical use of the DMPOnline to create plans to support funding bids
|
| CALL FOR SPEAKERS - Spotlight @ Sussex Impact Day - Apply Now |
|
A celebration of Sussex postdoctoral research
Deadline for applications: 5pm Monday 24th April 2017 (Apply Here)
- Would you like an opportunity to present your work to an audience at Sussex Impact Day 2017?
- Would you like training and experience of presenting your research in ways that are accessible and engaging to a non-specialist audience?
- Would you like to contribute to an event to celebrate the research achievements and impact of Sussex postdoctoral researchers?
If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions above and are a Sussex Research Fellow (Grade 7, 8 or 9), we would like your application for a talk at the very first ‘Spotlight @ Sussex Impact Day’.
Building on the successful Spotlight Profiles of Sussex Research Fellows, on Tuesday 13th June 2017, the Research Staff Office is hosting a Spotlight session as part of the annual Sussex Impact Day. The aim of the session is to celebrate the research achievements and impact of Sussex Research Fellows through a series of short engaging TED-style talks from postdoctoral researchers from across the University.
In addition to being considered for a talk at the event, all applicants will be considered for a Spotlight Profile write up.
For more information and to make an application visit the Spotlight @ Sussex Impact Day webpage.
|
| Spotlight on...Dr Phil Johnstone |
|
 Research Fellow in Science Policy Research Unit
After my PhD I saw the DiscGo project (Governance of discontinuity in technological systems) advertised, the overall framing of the project seemed very interesting. In science technology studies and innovation theory academics usually look at new technologies and how you support those, to promote those to grow, to flourish.
We’ve been looking in depth at how a government reaches a point where it's conceivable to disengage with something.
It’s a controversial thing to say to an industry ‘sorry guys we're phasing you out’ but this is likely to become increasingly necessary in terms of sustainable energy policy.
Read Phil's Spotlight Profile here.
|
| News |
| Summer 2017 Training & Development Workshops - Now open for booking |
|
We are very pleased to launch the summer programme of development events for Sussex researchers.
 The programme includes workshops covering the themes of:
- Interviewing Techniques for Qualitative Researchers
- Getting Research Funded
- Creativity and Innovation Tools for Career Success
- Thinking Strategically about your Research
- Identifying Values and Talents to Make Satisfying Career Choices
- Making your Work More Visible
- Mentoring Skills for Researchers
- 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.
|
| Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) |
|
Thank you very much to the 49% of you that have already completed the nationwide 2017 Careers in Research Online Survey. If you have not yet contributed your views, please participate at the link below.
 PARTICIPATE IN CROS 2017 HERE
CROS is the only nationwide survey of its kind and will not run again until 2019. Intended for those primarily employed to conduct research (i.e. postdocs, research fellows, research assistants etc), the survey is a chance give your views on your experiences, career aspirations and career development opportunities.
The survey will take around 15-20 minutes to complete and upon completion you will be entitled to claim a £5 catering voucher to be spent at SussexFood outlets on campus.
All survey responses are anonymous. The more responses we get, the more influential the survey, both within the University and nationally. So if you have not already done so, please make sure you have your say between now and 29th March.
Survey closes at Midnight on Wednesday 29th March. For more information see the CROS webpage
|
| BEIS officials meet with Sussex Research Staff Reps to discuss UK support for Early Career Researchers |
|
On Tuesday 14th March, the Research Staff Office welcomed three visitors from the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The visit was an outcome of Dr Lily Asquith's week-long visit to shadow Roxanne Ohene, Head of the STEM and Research Talent Team at BEIS in 2016 as part of the Royal Society Paring Scheme, which pairs researchers with MPs and Policy makers in Westminster.
Roxanne Ohene , Kenny Chigbo (Senior Policy Advisor on STEM Migration) and Susannah Wiltshire (Assistant Director at BEIS) met with the Research Staff Representatives to get their views on how the UK government should be supporting early career researchers. The BEIS guests were particularly interested to discuss issues surrounding researcher mobility in light of 'Brexit', mechanisms to attract early career researchers to the UK and how best to support talented researchers at the early stages of their career.
In the afternoon, the visitors met with senior managers from across the University including Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell, and finished the day with a tour of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences with Lily Asquith.
Of the visit Roxane Ohene said "We really enjoyed the day and came away with a list of great ideas for us to consider and share more broadly with colleagues. While we can't guarantee that we will be able to deliver on [everything] it was really valuable to understand both your priorities and concerns"
Royal Society Pairing Scheme
The Royal Society Paring Scheme is now open for applications for 2017 with a closing date of 3rd April 2017.
Each year the Royal Society's pairing scheme pairs 30 research scientists with UK parliamentarians and civil servants. By spending time together in Westminster and the researchers' labs, participants learn about each other's work and gain a greater insight into how research findings can help inform policy making.
For more information about the scheme please see the Royal Society pairing scheme website or contact James Hannaford at james.hannaford@royalsociety.org or 02074512218.
|
| Harry Kroto Fellowships open to Early Career Researchers |
|
 This University funded scheme aims to consolidate sustainable collaborative research with international partner institutions and to provide Sussex's Early Career Researchers with opportunities to establish their research trajectories and generate research income.
The scheme is intended especially to assist those recently appointed to lectureships who are balancing the demands of both teaching and research. Applicants are invited to work with whichever institution outside of the UK is most appropriate for the intended outputs, and we particularly welcome applications to work with the University's designated strategic partners.
The scheme aims to:
- initiate and strengthen meaningful and concrete international research collaborations
- provide specific support for our Early Career Lecturers/Researchers as they establish their research trajectories and international networks
- increase internationally co-authored publications
- increase and diversify our sources of funding through internationally collaborative grant applications.
Deadline for application: Tuesday 2nd May 2017
For more information see the Sussex Research webpages.
|
| Researcher Led Initiative Fund - Spring Call Closing 31st March 2017 |
|
The RLI Fund is available to support early career research staff and doctoral researchers to organise activities that will enhance their professional and research skills.
In the last funding round, Research Fellows were awarded funding for:
- A symposium on 'The Diversity of Career Pathways in Science' - Project Lead: Dr Leanne Harris, School of Life Sciences
- A workshop to bring together 'Postdocs and PhDs in Neuroimaging at Sussex (POPINS)' - Project Lead: Dr Charlotte Rae, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
- 'The Postdoctoral Network' - Project Lead: Dr Ronald Grau, School of Engineering and Informatics
For further information visit the Researcher Led Initiative Fund web page.
Call for applications closing: Friday 31st March 2017
|
| Nuffield Research Placements |
|
 Are you a PhD student, lecturer or researcher in any area of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics?
Could you offer a placement to a local student? Nuffield Research Placements provide bright 16-17 year olds with the opportunity to work with Scientists, Technologists, Engineers and Mathematicians on a 4-6 week placement across the summer.
Offering a research placement provides the opportunity to develop your teaching and mentoring skills, as well as gaining valuable contributions to your research, published papers and grant applications.
Nuffield generally try to attract students from a lower income household, who may not have a family history of higher education or previously received such educational opportunities.
If you think you could offer a research placement this summer, please email nuffield@brighton.ac.uk.
|
| Podcast: 15 Minutes to Develop Your Research Career |
|
 Vitae and Author Services have developed a new podcast series, comprising of short, 15 minute episodes which offer practical tips and insights for researchers looking to develop their career.
The first 3 episodes are available online and focus on the following:
- Episode 1: Public engagement in research
- Edisode 2: Stepping up, moving on and alternative career paths for researchers
- Episode 3: Academic mentoring
Access the podcasts here.
|
| Opportunities |
|
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.
The majority of these opportunities are found via Research Professional, which you can access with your Sussex login. |
| Strictly Come Writing: The Sociological Review ECR Writing Retreat |
|
 The Sociological Review Foundation is running another Writing Retreat for social scientists in 2017.
The retreat is for early career scholars or postdocs (within 3 years of award of doctorate). The retreat venue will be held in the village of Gartmore, near Aberfoyle, in Scotland. All writing sessions, meals and overnight accommodation for the nights of Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th September are provided.
More information.
Application deadline: 30th March 2017
|
| Early-career academic grants |
|
 The Association of Commonwealth Universities invites applications for its early career academic grants. These offer early career academics the opportunity to attend a conference or academic meeting in another Commonwealth country. The scheme is aimed at academics who have not yet had the opportunity to work, study or travel outside their own country.
More information.
Application deadline: 2nd April 2017
|
| Pairing Scheme |
|
 The Royal Society invites applications for its pairing scheme. This aims to give policy makers and research scientists an opportunity to experience each other’s worlds. Research scientists are paired with UK parliamentarians and civil servants to learn about each other’s work by spending time together in Westminster and at the researchers’ institutions. The scheme begins with a Week in Westminster in which the pairs first meet and take part in workshops, hear from invited speakers and spend two days shadowing their pair. Then the parliamentarians and civil servants to get an insight into the world of research by undertaking reciprocal visits with their pairs.
Scientists across all science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics disciplines working in academia or industry are eligible to apply.
More information.
Application deadline: 3rd April 2017
|
| Industry Fellowships |
|
The Royal Society, in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Rolls-Royce, invites applications for its industry fellowships. These enable academic scientists to work on collaborative projects with industry, or individuals employed in industry to work on collaborative projects with university departments or non-profit research organisations. The aim is to enhance knowledge transfer in science and technology between those in industry and those in academia in the UK. The scheme covers all subjects within the life and physical sciences, including engineering but excluding clinical medicine.
More information.
Application deadline: 13th April 2017
|
| Researcher Links Workshops Opportunity in Brazil |
|
 Early Career Researchers from the UK and Brazil are invited to apply to attend the Renaturing Cities: Theories, Strategies and Methodology workshop taking place 10-13th July 2017 in Goiânia, Brazil. All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Newton Fund Researcher Links programme.
More information.
Application deadline: 23rd April 2017
|
| Future Leader Fellowships |
|
 The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council invites applications for its future leader fellowship. This enables early-career researchers to undertake independent research in any area within biotechnology and biological sciences, and to gain leadership skills. Applications that address the following strategic priority areas are particularly encouraged are agriculture and food security; industrial biotechnology and bioenergy; biosciences for health.
More information.
Application deadline: 11th May 2017
|
|
