Early Career Researcher (ECR) Development Program
Previous programs
2003
In December 2003 a forum was held for Early Career Researchers
UniSA. Chaired by Professor Ian Davey, the forum provided ECRs
with the opportunity to provide input into the development of the ECR
development
program. Early Career Researchers for the purpose of this program are
researchers who are within five years of the start of their research
careers. This normally means that they have been awarded a doctorate within
the previous five years. Researchers whose doctorate was awarded more than
five years ago, but whose research career has been interrupted, may still be
eligible. Research career interruptions could include non-research
employment, misadventure, illness, or family and career responsibilities
(source: ARC website).
2004
An Early Career Researcher Development Advisory Group chaired by
Professor Ian Davey was established early in 2004. The position of Director: ECR Development was established at Level
E for three years at 0.3 and Professor Julianne Cheek was appointed in
February 2004. The ECR Development
program reported to the Research Policy Committee via Professors Davey
and Cheek. The aim of Early Career Researcher development is to contribute
to the improvement of the University’s research performance and the performance
indicators for the program are measurable improvements in the research
performance of participants. The ECR Development program offered a
‘smorgasboard’ approach through 2004, with nine workshops attended by 149
participants. The workshop topics covered issues such as grants, publishing,
managing resources, performance management, commercialisation, and
intellectual property.
2005
In 2005 the program implemented a cohort model, with Heads of Schools
invited to each nominate one person. There were 21 participants in the cohort program which included the following elements:
- an ‘ECR survival kit’
- mentoring by a senior researcher
- a one day ATN ECR conference (attended by 82 delegates, some from interstate)
- a one day retreat
- four one day core sessions covering a range of topics and activities
- a one day workshop on grant writing presented by Gil Stokes
- a half-day workshop presented by Mark Onslow
- a one day workshop on time management provided by the Australian Institute of Management
- an end of year celebration and networking event.
Issues covered in the core sessions included: grants, publishing, managing resources, and the wider research community. ECRs not members of the cohort were invited to attend the morning presentations of the core sessions.
Participants are invited to fill in an evaluation form at the close of each workshop. In addition, 2005 cohort members were invited to complete an end of year evaluation form to provide information on measurable outcomes and whether participation in the program has influenced those outcomes, and a report has been produced.
2006
The program offered a cohort model again in 2006 with a similar structure
and content to that of 2005:
- an ‘ECR survival kit’
- mentoring by a senior researcher
- a two-day retreat
- four one day core sessions covering a range of topics and activities
- an end of year celebration and networking event.
Twenty-four ECRs were selected via an application process and the program commenced in March with the two-day retreat.
Issues covered in the core sessions again included: grants, publishing, managing resources, and the wider research community.
The Director: ECR Development was overseas in 2006 and the contract for this position expired in December 2006. The Research Career and Leadership Development Committee formed in May 2006 and now has oversight of the ECR Development Program. The Chair of this new committee reports to RPC.
2007
The program offered a cohort model again in 2007 with a similar
structure to that of 2006 but with a refocussed content, aligning the
program closer to the Research Quality Framework (RQF).
- ECR 2007 Cohort profiles (pdf 256kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
- ECR 2007 Scheduled activities (pdf 42.8kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
Twenty-three ECRs were selected via an application process and the program commenced in April with the two-day retreat.
In the context of High Quality Research topics covered in the core sessions included: building your research capability, the human dimension, developing skills in research management & collaboration, and publishing highly and publishing well.
2008
The program offered a cohort model again in 2007 but with a refocussed content, aligning the
program closer to the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
- ECR 2008 Cohort profiles (pdf 541kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
- ECR 2008 Scheduled activities (pdf 124.7kb - download Adobe Acrobat)
Twenty-six ECRs were selected via an application process and the program commenced in May.
In the context of High Quality Research topics covered in the core sessions included: building your research capability, achieving research funding - mechanisms and strategies, achieving research funding - grant writing exercise, publishing well, enhancing personal and social competencies, developing research in collaboration, calibrating and benchmarking
For further information about the program contact Siobhan Langan, Project Officer: Researcher Development, Organisational Development.