Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the latest issue of the Sussex Researcher for 2019. We hope you had a wonderful Easter break in the sunshine!
May marks the close of our Spring semester Research Staff Development Series, however there are still a few events coming up so book quickly to grab a place!
In terms of plans for the summer, keep an eye on your e-mails and on our training & development page as we plan to trial some themed mini-workshops popping up at different times of the day in different locations to bring you bite-sized learning opportunities that fit in with your busy diaries.
In other news, the ESRC have just announced the Festival of Social Science – a series of public engagement events that are social science-focused – all of which will take place across the UK between 2-9 November 2019. The deadline for applications is 10 May, so do check out the news story below for more details on how to apply.
Best wishes,
The Research Staff Office Team (Hayley Cordingley and Alex Aghajanian)
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Research Staff Office Events
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Events organised by other teams
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Featured Workshop Introduction to Coaching Skills for Principal Investigators and Research Managers Date: Wednesday 1st May, 14:00-17:00 Location: Fulton 213 Coaching is practiced worldwide to help people to develop their skills, overcome challenges and reach their goals. Many of the tools, techniques and skills used by coaches can be learned and put into practice quickly and effectively to achieve positive and rewarding results in the workplace. For PIs and Research Managers, coaching skills are useful in:
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues and collaborators.
- Supporting and developing students or junior colleagues.
- Developing effective team practices
- Reflecting on personal strengths and challenges and devising strategies for future success.
This practical and interactive workshop will introduce key coaching concepts and skills that can be used effectively in management/leadership relationships.
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Update from VITAE on Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers The Concordat Strategy Group (CSG), launched a consultation to inform a revision of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. Chair of the CSG, Prof Julia Buckingham, CBE, has commented on the latest developments around the revision of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers in which she reports that the Concordat consultation received almost 600 responses. The CSG will publish a full report on the consultation at the end of April and aim to publish the final revision of the Concordat in late June/early July.
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ESRC Festival of Social Science Are you thinking about how to creatively engage with the public to share your research? Do you want to get some discussions going with non-academic audiences to understand new perspectives? Or maximise the impact of your research with policymakers or others? The ESRC have just announced the Festival of Social Science – a series of public engagement events that are social science-focused – all of which will take place across the UK between 2-9 November 2019. Up to £1,000 is available to run a public engagement event in that week. The Festival is a great way to:
- Encourage, support and create the opportunity for social science researchers, particularly early career researchers, to engage with non-academic audiences
- Provide a ‘safe’ place for researchers at all career stages to test out public engagement activities
- Engage with a range of policymakers promoting social science research and findings, to inform policymaking and to maximise the impact of research
- Engage the wider public to promote social science research and findings and an awareness and understanding of the contribution they make to the economy and wellbeing of society
- Engage young people and schools in social sciences
To apply for this funding of up to £1,000, applications must be made via the ESRC IAA here at Sussex (application form is on the website under the ‘ESRC IAA Funding’ drop-down box). These must be returned to Megan McMichael ( m.mcmichael@sussex.ac.uk) by 4pm on 10th May 2019.
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Soapbox Science returns to Brighton - Volunteers needed! Are you passionate about science and love talking to people about it? Do you want to help raise awareness about gender equality in science careers? Soapbox Science Brighton is looking for volunteers to help out at their event on Saturday 1st June 2019, between 11am and 2pm, where twelve scientists will be entertaining beachgoers with interactive short talks on their research expertise. Organiser Dr Katy Petherick, Public Engagement Coordinator in the School of Life Sciences, said: “Each year our speakers display a wonderful array of science on the seafront, with previous talks featuring bee costumes, giant rubber ducks and paddling pools. We are especially pleased to be featured as part of Brighton Fringe, helping us to attract an even more diverse audience this year.”
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Emerging Technologies Competition 2019 The Emerging Technologies Competition is the Royal Society of Chemistry’s annual innovation initiative, turning promising ideas into commercial reality. The competition supports early stage companies and academia in accelerating commercialisation of innovative technologies in the following areas: (you can find out more about these categories in Application & Judging).
- Health Energy & environment
- Food & drink
- Enabling technologies
Shortlisted entrants will be invited to present their ideas to a panel of expert judges at the competition final, taking place at Chemistry Means Business 28-29 October in London.
Entering the Emerging Technologies Competition is a chance to gain exposure for your technology, receive tailored support from our competition partners, and win up to £10,000 to develop your idea.
Deadline for applications: 5th July 2019
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Precision maps reveal widespread distribution of disabling neglected tropical disease in Rwanda The painful and stigmatising neglected tropical disease podoconiosis is widespread across Rwanda, according to the first mapping of the disease. More than a million people were screened for the disease across 30 districts, and cases of podoconiosis were found in all districts. The study, which mapped the entire country in 1x1 square kilometres, was published (27 March) in the journal Lancet Global Health. Lead author Dr Kebede Deribe, Research Fellow at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), said: “Our data provides information on where the disease is prevalent and quantifies the number of cases. Having found podoconiosis across all districts in Rwanda, we need to now focus on ensuring that those suffering from it have access to treatment and preventing the occurrence of new disease.”
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Spotlight on Dr Charlotte Rae
Research Fellow at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School
My postdoc work is focused in particular on Tourette's syndrome, which is this interesting neurological condition where people experience involuntary movements and speech acts called “tics”.
Working on Tourette's syndrome is really important because it's a very under-investigated condition. There are currently very limited treatments available for people with Tourette's that are 100% effective in all individuals.
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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 |
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Research Opportunities Fund
Designed to provide initial funds for faculty to stimulate new interdisciplinary ideas and research projects. It will provide initial support for research programmes amongst researchers from different disciplines within Sussex and/or with key external collaborators.
Members of faculty on fixed-term contracts may apply if they will be employed at Sussex during the ROF funded project period and can justify how they will deliver the proposed external funding application
The maximum amount that can be applied for is £1,500. Funding must be incurred and claimed by 31 July 2019 at the latest.
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The ICURe Innovation to Commercialisation programme
The ICURe Innovation to Commercialisation programme offers university researchers with commercially-promising ideas up to £35k to ‘get out of the lab’ and validate their ideas in the marketplace.
Deadline for Applications: 4th May 2019
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Macquarie University Research Fellowships
These support researchers within three years of the award of their PhD who have an outstanding track record (relative to opportunity) and/or who show evidence of excellent research potential.
The Scheme provides an incubation period for early career researchers to allow them to increase their competitive edge in securing research funding from non-University sources.
Deadline for Applications: 30th May 2019
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The Alliance Hubert Curien Programme
The programme is a partnership between the French and British governments. It aims to encourage reciprocal mobility between early career researchers in both countries, leading to closer collaboration on existing research projects as well as strengthening connections that could lead to more Franco-British collaboration on future projects.
Research groups in the UK and France can each apply for funding for travel and subsistence costs which will enable reciprocal mobility over a two-year period
Deadline for Applications: 27th June 2019
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Sir Henry Dale fellowships
These support postdoctoral researchers who aim to become independent scientists leading their own groups addressing an important biomedical question. Fellowships cover a basic salary, which is determined by the host organisation, a supplement of £7,500, personal removal expenses, research and other relevant expenses.
Deadline for Applications: 6th August 2019
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Career establishment awards
These enable new group leaders with a salaried independent position to establish their own independent research group. Awards cover salaries for one postdoctoral researcher and one technician, associated running expenses, and equipment costs of up to £25,000, over six years.
Deadline for Applications: 20th August 2019
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Senior cancer research fellowship
This enables scientists to further develop their own research programme in any area of the CRUK’s funding remit, with the exception of clinical trials and drug discovery. The fellowship is typically worth up to £2 million over six years.
Deadline for Applications: 20th August 2019
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Sir Henry Wellcome postdoctoral fellowships
These enable newly qualified postdoctoral researchers to start independent research careers in high quality research environments. Fellowships are worth up to £300,000 over four years.
Deadline for Applications: 8th October 2019
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