MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ARMS
PRESIDENT'S UPDATE October 2020
It is difficult to believe that 12 months ago we were preparing for an exciting year of events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the foundation of ARMS. I do remember standing on stage at the Adelaide Oval promising the attendees of the Conference dinner that the next year would be like no other and full of memorable events. Whilst that has, indeed, turned out to be true – it just wasn’t quite as we all anticipated.
I don’t think I need to expand on how and why 2020 has been different! I will note that many of us are still struggling through the challenges that have come from restrictions, uncertainty, and change – impacting professional and personal lives. For some, this will continue throughout the rest of this year and into the next. I will reiterate something that I have previously written about in this newsletter: I continue to be overwhelmingly impressed by the dedication,
resilience, spirit, and support for colleagues that I have encountered from all corners of the ARMS community. Your reaction to this adversity has been remarkable.
Through a year of turmoil, we in the Board and Executive Office have sought to position ARMS as a constant presence for our members. Whilst we have had to do things differently (and who would have thought how many hours we would all spend in virtual rooms in the past 7 months!), the drive to continue to provide opportunity for professional development and networking will, I hope, have been beneficial to many of you. In addition, ARMS has maintained our momentum in advocating for the profession with key stakeholders across the region and leading discussions with our international sister societies.
As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter, we will showcase a range of these activities at the forthcoming Virtual Event. The Program Committee have compiled a fantastic line up of topics and speakers; I thank them for their efforts and in working to a tight timeline. I look forward to sharing this online experience with many of you – an opportunity to reflect on what we have learnt in 2020, to share ideas on best and next practice, and to think strategically about how we can continue to adapt to the future.
Dr Ross McLennan
ARMS President
Update from the ARMS Board
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOIs) FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
EOIs MUST BE RECEIVED BY NO LATER THAN THE 20th of NOVEMBER 2020 to arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au
ARMS is now calling for membership to the Education and Professional Development Committee from passionate research management professionals who are current financial members of ARMS.
Purpose of the Education and Professional Development Committee
The EPDC will oversee the development, promotion, operational management and delivery of the Society’s Accreditation Program (Foundation and Professional) and other professional development activities to serve the needs of the members.
Please refer to the Committee Terms of Reference for further details.
Application Process
Interested members are required to review the guidelines and complete an EOI template to register their interest.
EOIs will be assessed against a range of skills and experience criteria which are required to be addressed by the applicant.
Enquiries may be directed to the ARMS COO, email Maria.Zollo@flinders.edu.au
EOIs are due 5PM AEDST on the 20th of November 2020 to arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au
AND THE WINNER OF THE 2020 RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS' DAY COMPETITONS IS (drum roll here) . . . .
ARMS is pleased to announce the recipient of this years' Research Administrators' Day Competition is... Southern Cross University Office of Research. Congratulations on celebrating this special day remotely and in style!! The recipient will be receiving a gift card to the value of AUD$100 to be used for a social gathering to celebrate for when it is safe to do so.
This year the ARMS Executive office received five very creative and different entries. They often were based on humour with many also highlighting the important role played by research management professionals in the research endeavour.
We thank those that have submitted entries, specifically
- Southern Cross University (Office of Research) - who are this year's competition recipients.
- Curtin University
- Macquarie University
- RMIT University
- The University of Sydney
Southern Cross University Office of Research
Submitted by: Carolyn Piercy
Southern Cross celebrated their day with a virtual morning tea and a round of work Bingo.
Congratulations to Liz Key, acting Grants Officer, who took out top Bingo honours.
Macquarie University
Submitted by: Emily Brennan
Socially distanced 'bouquets' was how this team celebrated their special day.
RMIT University
Submitted by Roberta Matai and Cara McGrain
Nearly 70 staff gathered in a live Teams event and challenged themselves to answer the following question: “You know you’re a research administrator if/when …"
Answers included:
- You know you’re a research administrator when you know grant dates better than family birthdays.
- You know you’re a research administrator when you own a T-Shirt that says "have you read the grant guidelines?"
Research Office at Curtin University
Submitted by: Ash Roberts
This group kicked off their day with morning tea and then challenged themselves to describe (in a single sentence) what Research Administrators do to a primary school student.
The Clinical Trials Support Office at the University of Sydney
Submitted by: Karina Bray
The team of Research Administrators choose to publishing an article in the University's Staff News featuring Wicky West, Manager Research Project Budget Services, Emily Ouro, Human Ethics Officer and Anne Moran, Clinical Tirals Risk Officer
This first ARMS virtual conference picks up this theme to focus not so much on the difficulties of 2020, but on the lessons we have learned, the things we have changed and the emergence of "a new normal." What will we retain from the past in this new normal, what will we discard? As the world around us rapidly changes, research management has also been required to change - to be more agile, responsive and connected.
How are individuals and the sector responding to challenges the pandemic has created? From crisis management to opportunities for innovation.
Scheduled across 3 days Thursday 26 - Monday 30 November, this ARMS online event will provide the chance to hear from key funding agencies, be inspired by panel sessions addressing current issues and participate in interactive virtual networking.
Yesterday we released our Preliminary Program to our members! Please click here to download now.
SAVE THE DATE RESEACH ETHICS IN A COVID-19 WORLD
Wednesday 11th November
11.00am - 12.30pm AEDT
A virtual event hosted by ARMS in collaboration with the Australasian Ethics Networks.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has profoundly affected the conduct of research. Some research has been severely restricted, and many have had to alter protocols and methods. Other research, associated with prevention and treatment of COVID, and strategies to address anxiety, uncertainty and social isolation, has increased. Research ethics review is now routinely conducted online.
In the webinar, we will address the following questions
- What has changed in the research ethics landscape?
- How are changes to research protocols and methods being ethically evaluated?
- What are the ‘work arounds’ research ethics committees have made?
- How has urgent research been expedited? What makes it urgent?
This virtual webinar is FREE OF CHARGE for current ARMS Members and $50AUD for Non-Members.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020
Notice is hereby given that the virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society is scheduled for:
Date: 26 November 2020
Time: 2.00 PM – 2.45 PM AEDT
Location: Aligned with the virtual event ARMS event – Never Waste a Crisis: Lessons Learned
The business of the AGM shall be:
1. Confirmation of previous AGM minutes
2. President’s Report by Dr Ross McLennan
3. Presentation of Annual Accounts by ARMS Treasurer
5. Update on ARMS Education and Professional Development Programs
6. Announcement of Society elections for 2020
7. Amendments to the ARMS Constitution presented by Dr Ross McLennan
8. Any other business
By order of the ARMS Board
…………………………
Secretary
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
TWO ELECTIVES ON OFFER AS PART OF THE INAGURAL 2020 SPRING SCHOOL
Developing your research management capabilities has never been more important than at present! ARMS electives offer a deep dive into current issues that will enhance your understanding of the topic and better equip you as a research management professional. The two electives offered in our "Spring School" are returning by popular demand. Both were fully subscribed when offered in the ARMS Winter School (June 2020) and address issues of immediate relevance - "Business Process Improvement in Research Management" and "Assessing the Societal Benefits of Research."
To enable easier accessibility, electives will be delivered in a flexible format via the online Zoom platform. This delivery approach will involve structured, shorter meetings staggered over multiple days with the presenter(s), and breakout rooms for participants to collaborate. The sum of the shorter online meetings will equate to a full day workshop.
During the workshops, you will develop knowledge and skills in a specialised, relevant area, network with other participants and have an enjoyable time!
Interested? You can enrol in one or two electives as stand-alone professional development programs. The electives can count as credit towards future participation in the ARMS Advanced Level Accreditation Program (conditions apply) or as CPD for ARMFs and ARMAs.
Please contact the ARMS Executive office, arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au or 08 8201 5592, if you require assistance or would like to enrol in Assessing the Societal Benefits of Research.
PD Sessions @ Zoom are scheduled between 12 pm and 1 pm AEDT unless noted otherwise.
ARMAs and ARMFs - Note that these sessions will automatically accrue 1 hour of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Information on each session, including registration and Zoom log-in details, will be sent to ARMS members prior to each event and posted as an event on the ARMS Events page.
Click here to register for our PD Sessions @ ZOOM.
October 28th - Wednesday (New Time 1pm-2pm AEDT)
QLD/NT/PNG Chapter
Pushing on through the Pandemic: The challenges, successes and strategies of regional universities
Presenter(s): Professor Susan Kinnear, Mr Andrew Johnson, A/Prof Jason White and Dr Steve Rogers. This panel will be facilitated by Dr Sarah Wright. Register here.
November 3rd - Tuesday
NZ Chapter
The Unique Contribution of Te Ao Māori: An Overview of New Zealand's Vision Mātauranga Policy Framework
Presenter: Dr Gabrielle Hine
November 19th - Thursday
WA Chapter
Tips and examples on creating a supportive environment for university-industry collaborations
Presenter(s): Tom Goerke, Director CSIRO Innovation Centres Australia and CSIRO Lead, Innovation Centre Perth and Ms Ash Roberts, Curtin University
December 2nd - Wednesday VIC Chapter
Our Identity: Research Management as a profession in a global context
Presenter(s): Dr Bryony Wakefield
Missed A Past PD Sessions @ ZOOM?
Our presenters from our recent PD Sessions @ ZOOM have composed articles outlining the key learnings and reflections from their session.
Grantsmanship on a shoestring: a time-efficient approach
On the 13th of October, we hosted an ARMS PD Session @ Zoom, “Grantsmanship on a shoestring: a time-efficient approach”. The session was presented by Dr Thorsten Kostulski and Mr James Walsh, Research Development Managers in the Research Capability and Development Team, UTS Research Office.
The session outlined the background, structure and content of a UTS ‘grantsmanship’ training program offered in 2019 and 2020 to upskill and motivate a diverse group of central and faculty-based research support staff. Thorsten and James described how new grant support staff tend to be initially trained in mechanistic ‘compliance’ checks of proposals, for a specific funding scheme. They turned this approach on its head, focusing the training program on high-level, abstract concepts and considerations relevant to the strategic understanding of competitively funded grant and fellowship proposals.
This session was highly popular, attracting almost 280 registrations and a virtual crowd on the afternoon of close to 200 attendees across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The session allowed for 20-25 minutes for questions and discussion following Thorsten and James’ presentation; they fielded over 20 individual questions and comments, reflecting that grantsmanship and capacity-building initiatives such as the UTS program are of increasing relevance to the sector and ARMS members.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
Accredited Research Managers (Foundation) or ARMFs and Accredited Research Managers (Advanced) or ARMAs, please note that ARMS' in-house events (registrations taken on the ARMS website) will automatically accrue CPD hours and there is no need for you to enter CPD separately in your CPD Diaries. Examples may include PD Sessions @ Zoom, ARMS virtual events and Winter School electives.
Chapter and SIG Updates/Events
Research Impact SIG
‘Impact through Culture Change’
The ‘Impact through Culture Change’ webinar series was hosted by the University of Auckland and focused on the achievement of impact from the perspective of organisational change and the important role senior leaders can have in effecting this change. On Monday 19th October, Jessica Glen (Senior Policy Analyst, Health Research Council of New Zealand) spoke about how the introduction of research impact criteria has allowed articulation of the benefits of health research to collectively demonstrate impact for New Zealanders. A Q&A session followed.
Please check the Special Interest Group webpage of the ARMS website to join this SIG.
QLD/NT/PNG Chapter
The winners of the Chapter virtual trivia session held on Friday 25 September to celebrate Research Administrators Day were the CDU Angels who took out first prize ($100 Coles Myer voucher) and Janet Wilks, who won the lucky door prize ($50 Coles Myer voucher). The Chapter have already started planning a Christmas themed trivia event, which will be advertised in due course.
To stay apprised of QLD/NT/PNG chapter events please ensure that you have selected your chapter under My Content in your ARMS portal.
Accreditation, Professional Development and Training
ARMS Foundation Level Accreditation 2020 Program
ARMS wishes to advise that the following electives are currently open or will open for registration on the ARMS portal shortly. Please check the ARMS website regularly to register for these modules. The list is not exhaustive as ARMS is continuing to schedule the delivery of further modules in the latter part of 2020.
Module 1.1-Aus: National Research and Innovation System in Australia
Registrations open 27 Oct
Module 1.3: Understanding Research and Researchers
Registrations open 27 Oct
Module 4.1: Research Ethics - Human and Animal
Registrations open 28 Oct
Module 3.3: Higher Degree by Research Candidature Management
Module 5.1: Research Information and Analytics
Registrations open 28 Oct
Module 2.3: Research Finance
Registrations open 29 Oct
Module 4.2: Research Integrity
Registrations open 30 Oct
Module 3.4: Higher Degree by Admissions and Completions
03 December 2020 (New Date)
The University of Melbourne
Research Integrity Investigations Officer
ANU College of Health and Medicine
Senior Research Manager Officer (SRMO)
Senior Officer, Research Funding
Coordinator, Research Technical
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Research Grants and Development Advisor
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Senior Research Grants & Development Manager
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Research Grants & Development Assistant
Associate Director, Business Development & Commercialisation
From the ARMS Executive Office
ARMS acknowledges the generous support of our corporate partners:
ARMS Executive Office Contacts
ARMS Chief Operating Officer
Phone: +61 8 8201 2525
ARMS Management Accountant
Phone: +61 8 8201 2610
ARMS Conference and Major Events Coordinator
Phone: +61 8 8201 2911
ARMS Administration Officer
Phone: +61 8 8201 2911
ARMS Accreditation Program Administrator
Phone: +61 8 8201 5592
Email the ARMS Executive Office
To allow members to start planning for their end of year break we wish to advise that the ARMS Executive Office will be closed from 1 pm Wednesday Dec 23rd to Friday January 1st 2021.
Not receiving Chapter or SIG Communication Emails?
Here's why...
As we have now moved to the new website/portal, it is required that you re-join your Special Interest Group (SIG) and Chapter through the portal. We have created a helpful guide to assist you with completing this.
If you have already completed this process and are still not receiving ARMS communications. Please contact your organisations IT department and request to whitelist the following IP addresses (range 103.73.82.0 to 24).
Newsletter Content and Release Dates for 2020
See below dates for the submission of content and distribution of the e-newsletter for 2020.
ARMS has been experiencing intermittent email issues.
Please contact your organisations IT department and request to whitelist the following IP addresses (range 103.73.82.0 to 24).
If you receive a bounce back and are unsure who to contact, please email arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au and your enquiry will be forwarded to the relevant person.
We apologise for any inconvenience!
|