News from the IHT Advisory Board
IHT’s Advisory Board reviews and advises on the strategic direction and performance of IHT and supports the achievement of its vision and objectives. Read a summary from their last meeting for all the latest news from the Board.
Join Deakin’s Queering-Up Equity and Equality Research Spaces (Q-UEERS) network
Deakin’s inaugural Queering-Up Equity and Equality Research Spaces (Q-UEERS) network is seeking expressions of interest from Queer (ie. sexuality and gender diverse) and allied academic staff from across the university to join the network and take part in the next stage of the development of Q-UEERS.
Q-UEERS is an inter-disciplinary group of Queer researchers and genuine allies within IHT and the School of Health and Social Development. The network is working towards ‘queering-up’ mainstream research practices, knowledges and collaborations that promote equitable health, social and community spaces for sexuality and gender diverse people.
Find out more and submit your EOI on DeakinHub.
Future of Ageing Awards
The Future of Ageing Awards recognise leadership and innovation across Australia and New Zealand’s aged care sectors. These dynamic awards bring together aged care providers, industry suppliers and those individuals driving change to improve the lives of senior communities. Awards categories include consumer experience, dementia care, social inclusion, community engagement, technology, sustainability and research. Entries close on 4 August 2023. Find out more on the Future of Ageing Awards website.
Graduate researchers: visualise your thesis now!
You’ve heard of Three Minute Thesis (3MT) but have you heard of Visualise Your Thesis (VYT)?
Just like 3MT, VYT is designed to help graduate researchers develop the communication skills that are vital to a career in research like effective communication, digital literacy and visual storytelling.
Unlike 3MT, there’s no public speaking involved. Instead of memorising and presenting a three-minute script, VYT entrants create a unique one-minute audio-visual elevator pitch about their research, using a pre-supplied PowerPoint template.
Plus there’s a total of $5,500 in prizes up for grabs!
Inspired to enter? Entries close at 11.59pm on 5 July 2023. Find out more on the Deakin website.
MRFF Report on activities and funding during 2020-2022 priorities
The Financial assistance to support the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2020-2022 report is now available. The report discusses:
- MRFF policies, performance and assurance activities,
- how MRFF financial assistance was consistent with the 2020-2022 priorities,
- the processes for determining grants of financial assistance, and
- other Australian Government financial support for medical research, innovation and development.
Survey: Research Assessment Practices
The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) and the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia are seeking the views of researchers in Australia on how assessment practices in universities, government departments and agencies, and the private sector shape research careers and how such practices influence researchers’ choices and priorities.
The consultation is being undertaken for Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and will inform her advice to Government on the future of assessment practices in Australia’s research system.
Take the 15-20min survey on the ACOLA website.
Survey: STEM conditions and careers
Science and Technology Australia is conducting Australia’s biggest survey on STEM Career Pathways. The STEM Career Pathways survey will be Australia’s most comprehensive snapshot of current conditions and career patterns for scientists, technologists, mathematicians and engineers. We also need to hear from people who have left STEM careers – to know more about why they left.
This survey is being run by Science & Technology Australia to gather updated evidence on STEM career pathways and movement across the sector. It will inform research commissioned by the Office of the Chief Scientist for the Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council.
The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete. It is open to anyone with a STEM qualification and you can respond anonymously. All survey participants can enter the draw to win one of two $500 JB HiFi vouchers. The entry form is at the end of the survey.
The survey is open now and closes on 14 June 2023.
NHMRC seeks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumer and community representatives
NHMRC is forming a panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumer and community representatives to assess grant applications for the Targeted Calls for Research scheme.
The lived experience that consumers and community representatives bring to the assessment process ensures the research selected for funding values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural practices, concepts of health and wellbeing, knowledge, and learnings. This helps to ensure that the research funded is relevant to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If you are interested in participating, please visit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community and Consumer Representatives or contact targeted.research@nhmrc.gov.au. Nominations are due by Thursday 31 August 2023 17:00 AEST.
NHMRC advice on Use of generative artificial intelligence
NHMRC recognises that the release and increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) that use algorithms to create new content (such as ChatGPT) present both opportunities and challenges for research and for grant program administration.
NHMRC is currently developing a generative AI policy for its grant program, which will consider the use of generative AI by applicants, peer reviewers and others in interacting with NHMRC’s grant scheme processes. NHMRC is working with its expert committees and other research organisations to inform the development of its policy.
While NHMRC’s policy is being developed, the following guidance is provided:
For grant applicants: We recommend applicants take caution when using generative AI tools in the preparation of grant applications, given it may not be possible to monitor or manage subsequent use of information entered into generative AI databases.
For peer reviewers: We remind peer reviewers that they must not use generative AI tools to assist them in the assessment of grant applications as this would be a breach of their confidentiality undertaking.
NHMRC will continue to monitor developments in generative AI and update our policies as technologies develop and our understanding of risks and benefits is deepened.
Call for applications: STA Policy Committee or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Science and Technology Australia is calling for applications to join their Policy Committee or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Find more information on the STA website.
RE-FRESH releases Year 4 – 2022 Report
RE-FRESH’s fourth year included a global award, a national TV series, their research informing policy change in the UK, and much more. Read their Year 4 – 2022 report on the RE-FRESH website.
Welcome to Faith Smart
Faith Smart is joining IHT for the next week as in intern with the GLOBE and Nourish Network teams. Please join us in welcoming Faith to IHT.
My name is Faith Smart and I am currently interning at Deakin/GLOBE/Nourish Network for the next 10 weeks. My primary goal is to contribute to the reduction of food insecurity in impoverished communities, and I believe that this internship will provide me with invaluable insights and a solid foundation to consolidate my future career aspirations. During my time here, I will be aiding Chris Dubelaar in his food labeling research. In addition, I will assist Jasmine Chan, Kate Sievert, and Gary Sacks with their REFORM project work and Food company policy assessment. Furthermore, I will be supporting the work of Nourish Network and partners under the guidance of Victoria Hobbs. Upon completion of my internship, I intend to complete my undergraduate degree in Health Society and Policy with minors in Nutrition and Health, from the University of Utah. Subsequently, I plan to pursue a Masters in public health or human dietetics to enhance food security. Ultimately, I aspire to become involved in public policy initiatives within the legislature to drive meaningful change in the field.
