PRESIDENT'S UPDATE June - July 2021
There can be no doubt that we are passing through a challenging period. The last major ARMS gathering to be held in person, the Adelaide Conference, feels as if it happened a life time ago (it is only 22 months!) and all of the discussion about events to celebrate the Society’s 21st anniversary now seem to belong to a different era. It is clear that we still have some months ahead before we can begin to appreciate a regular way of working, living, and travelling. I hope that you and those close to you are faring well and keeping safe.
In spite of all of this, I continue to be impressed by how ARMS members continue to tackle the obstacles that they encounter – using them as a spur to explore creative solutions and innovate their way to previously unimagined solutions. Harnessing the realistic optimism that is prevalent in the research management community, there are many instances where new skills have been developed and teams have tapped into a resilient self-belief to achieve successful outcomes in enabling research excellence. Those examples that have been shared with me have been highly motivational. I encourage you all to capture these occurrences, and to consider turning them into an ARMS Impact Case Study to inspire the endeavours of colleagues across the sector.
This newsletter provides some updates on new professional development offerings and other exciting initiatives. There is also information about how members can participate in these and other events, and to a number of opportunities to acknowledge significant contributions to the Society and the profession. In particular, I look forward to seeing a strong cohort of nominations to join the ARMS Board – I encourage you to consider putting yourself forward for these engaging and rewarding roles that are important in supporting the excellent Executive Office team in stewarding the continuing development of the Society.
Whilst mentioning both events and the Executive Office in this piece, it would be remiss of me not to touch on a significant change. Grace Mulraney, ARMS’ Conferences and Major Events Coordinator, has decided to embark on a new career opportunity. Many of you will have interacted with Grace over her years with the Society and know that she has been an extremely valued asset to the ARMS Executive Office and will be greatly missed by many members of the ARMS community. I hope that you join me in wishing Grace every success in her new role and best wishes for the future.
Dr Ross McLennan
ARMS President
WHAT'S UP in ARMS?
Update from the ARMS Board
ARMS BOARD MEMBERSHIP
2021 ELECTION CYCLE
Nominations close 20 August
The Society is now calling for nominations from members who are passionate about the research management profession and have the time and commitment to serve on the Board of ARMS.
Four (4) positions are up for renewal following our scheduled virtual Annual General Meeting of ARMS on the 4th of November 2021. These roles include:
- TREASURER (one position only)
- GENERAL COMMITTEE MEMBER General Board Member (3 positions only – NOTE: 1 position to be filled by an ARMS member residing outside of Australia)
Click here to read more.
DEMONSTRATING THE IMPACT OF RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
Case Studies due 2 August 2021
Strategic Priority 2 of the ARMS Strategic Plan is the Promotion of the Profession of Research Management. One way to achieve this priority is to capture, document and share stories that demonstrate the valuable contributions made by Research Management Professionals to the research enterprise.
To facilitate this aim, we are very pleased to announce the release of a template that has been developed to assist in capturing a range of Research Management Professionals impact case studies.
We now invite ARMS members to share stories of situations, actions and outcomes that describe how the skills and expertise of Research Management Professionals have benefited the research enterprise.
The overall aim is to produce a collection of impact case studies that will help to identify lessons to share with research management professionals and to demonstrate the value of the profession of research management to key stakeholders and influencers.
It is anticipated that this collection will be released at the virtual conference of ARMS in November 2021.
For a copy of the template click here.
FELLOWS OF ARMS – 2021 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Nominations close 06 August 2021
Fellows of ARMS are recognised as individuals who have made an enduring and substantial contribution to research management as a practitioner, mentor, trainer or advocate in the research management profession.
Fellows of ARMS will be entitled to carry the post-nominal “Fellow of ARMS” and are encouraged to participate actively in the work of the ARMS community to share best practice in the profession of research management well beyond their membership with ARMS.
If you have made an enduring and substantial contribution to the research management profession as a practitioner, mentor, trainer or advocate; then we want to hear from you!
Nominate for our 2021 round of Fellows!
THE JANET DIBB-LEIGH AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
Nominations close 20 August 2021
The Janet Dibb-Leigh Award for Distinguished Service to Research Management recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the research management sector throughout Australasia and Singapore.
Nominations are called for annually, however this award is only offered to an individual whose contributions to the profession of research management are deemed exceptional.
If the Assessment Panel identifies a deserving candidate in this round, a trophy shall be presented to the recipient at a Virtual Event of ARMS to be held 3-5 November 2021.
If you have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of the research management sector throughout Australasia and Singapore, nominate now!
Click here to read more.
ARMS' RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT SIG RE-LAUNCH
We are pleased to announce the official re-launch of the ARMS’ Research Development SIG and welcome all interested ARMS members to register for the virtual event being held on 24 August 2021.
Feedback to our March survey crystallised into three key themes which we have now developed into three streams of activities. These streams will enable us to focus in depth on key aspects within the broad umbrella that is “research development”. The streams are:
- Research strategy, planning and implementation
- Researcher development
- Grant development
An overview of the three streams can be found by clicking on the link below.
In the following months, we are planning to run events to bring this SIG community together - Please refer to Chapter & SIG events below for details of the first event. If you are passionate about a particular stream and would like to suggest or run an event, please contact us at arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au
Kirsten, Dora and Marina
Research Development SIG Convenors
If you wish to receive direct emails regarding Research Development SIG activities, please ensure that you officially join the SIG via your ARMS member portal.
Chapter & SIG Updates/Events
QLD/NT/PNG CHAPTER SOCIAL EVENT
The QLD/NT/PNG Chapter hosted concurrent social events in Darwin and Brisbane on Friday 25 June, just beating the COVID-lockdowns in both cities! Across two venues (the Trailer Boat Club in Darwin and the Ship Inn in Brisbane) 27 members attended and took advantage of the opportunity to catch up and network over drinks and nibbles.
Being the first face-to-face event for the Chapter in well over a year, there was a lot of news to share. Those that attended really enjoyed themselves, particularly the Brisbane group who got in to the spirit of things, posing for a “ARMS” photo.
Thank you to those that attended. We really hope to see more members at the next event.
PITCHCRAFT SESSION: STRATEGIES FOR ARTICULATING YOUR VALUE
Thank you to everyone who came to Innovation Central Perth on the 17th of June for the ARMS: Pitchcraft Session.
Dr Natasha Teakle (Ayers) facilitated the session which aimed to help participants develop strategies to promote their personal brand. Self promotion is often an area that many people lack confidence in. Yet being able to confidently communicate your value, knowledge and experience is critical for many applications including;
- Working with researchers
- Engaging with external stakeholders
- Presenting new project ideas to senior executives
- Pitching yourself in a job interview or promotion opportunity
This interactive session mapped out ways for participants to promote their unique value and utilised scenario planning to bring these strategies to life and put them into action.
CALL FOR CONVENOR TO LEAD THE RESEARCH FUNDERS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Funding organisations vary in size and objectives; but they all play a key part in the research and innovation landscape. The ARMS Funders SIG is a platform for research managers in funding organisations to share some of the unique challenges they encounter. The SIG is looking for new convenors to liaise with the ARMS Office and other SIG members on SIG activities and networking.
If you work in the research funding environment, and are interested in convening the SIG or otherwise getting involved, please contact……[someone at ARMS]
To find out more about the SIG, contact Jane Jane.Hobson@nswcc.org.au or Merrilyn merrilyn.larusson@csiro.au.
INVITATION FOR AUGUST RE-LAUNCH EVENT
Join us for an e-meet-and-greet event on Tuesday 24 August at 12pm (AEST) to mark the official re-launch of the Research Development SIG.
We will kick off with a brief overview of the outcomes of the March member survey and the three streams that emerged as areas of interest to focus on in this SIG: Research strategy, planning and implementation; Researcher development; Grant development.
This will be followed by an interactive open floor discussion about the activities and priorities of the Research Development SIG over the next year. Bring your ideas for topics you would like to see covered at future meetings and workshops, ways you would like to connect and engage with and within the SIG, and professional development opportunities this SIG could facilitate.
Please register using the link below.
We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks!
Kirsten, Dora and Marina
Research Development SIG Convenors
Latest News & Member Updates
WHAT'S COMING UP? CHAPTERS, SIGS & PD SESSIONS @ ZOOM
- 06 August 2021: Research Information and Reporting SIG Event
- 13 August 2021: NSW ARMS Chapter Event - Career Pathways Workshop - sold out
- 24 August 2021: Research Development SIG Re-Launch Event
- 27 August 2021: Research Impact
- 30 August 2021: PD Session : Universities Australia's plans and visions for research in the higher education - registrations opening soon
ARMS VIRTUAL EVENT 2021: 3 - 5 November
Disrupting the status quo: Challenging the research and innovation culture
The Call for Abstracts if officially OPEN! Submissions close Monday 30 August, with a view to review and release a preliminary program in September.
ARMS MEMBER PROFILE
ARMS recognises the important contributions of our members from across the Australasia region including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore as well as members from our Global Chapter.
As a new feature, a member will be profiled in each edition of our newsletter.
We introduce...NZ member Kyla Archer.
Kyla is the Research Centre Manager for the Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES) at the University of Auckland. Originally from the UK, Kyla has worked in various research management roles at the University of Auckland, managing pre- and post-award processes and projects, and has been in her current role since September 2020. Prior to that, she has held various project management and support roles for public and private organisations. Her first role after graduating from university was at one of the seven UK Research Councils, supporting peer review and pre-award processes for assessment committees.
Kyla was part of the Perth 2020 conference organising committee, which obviously did not go ahead, so is now part of the 2021 Virtual conference programme committee - applications for abstracts open now! She has also been part of the team which has written the Project Management module, one of the newest modules ARMS has to offer.
What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about working in research management?
The most rewarding part is seeing an exciting project which I have been involved in writing/reviewing/budgeting etc being successful in getting funding, and they can investigate really interesting things.
We have also recently had a strategy refresh in my research centre, and it's been really fun coming up with new ideas with colleagues all around the university to help keep us on track with our goals for the next few years.
The most challenging part is adherence to deadlines. Now I sit in a lab, closer to my researchers, so they sometimes hide from me if they know there is a deadline looming!
What words would you use to best describe research management?
We make things happen! Since working at a university, I have realised how much goes on behind the scenes that the researchers sometimes aren't aware of, in order to enable them to get on with their research.
Funniest ARMS conference experience? I have only been able attend the 2019 conference in Adelaide, which was helped by the fact that I received the ARMS travel grant for the NZ Chapter (thanks!) At the conference dinner I danced until my feet ached, which was then followed by some late night karaoke out on the town with some colleagues from University of Auckland and new friends from various institutions across Australia. Definitely some great networking and I can't wait to do it again someday!
If you would like to be profiled for our next UP in ARMS Newsletter, or have a publication you wish to share with other members, please contact: Maria.Zollo@flinders.edu.au
2021 ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS
Foundation Level Program:
The 2021 Foundation Level Accreditation program is well under way.
Click the accreditation icon for further information on modules being delivered from 01 August 2021.
Master Classes:
Due to the tremendous response to EOIs for the inaugural delivery of the following Master Classes, the workshops have been sold out.
- Costing and Pricing of Research; and
- Fundamentals of Project Management
ARMS is now arranging for additional workshops to be delivered for both Master Classes in September, October and November 2021. Additional workshops may be added as required. Please continue to monitor the Events section of the ARMS website for up to date workshop dates.
Spring School:
ARMS is pleased to announce that the following Winter School electives have been rescheduled as part of the Spring School program:
From the ARMS Executive Office
ARMS acknowledges the generous support of our corporate partners:
ARMS Executive Office Contacts
Maria Zollo
Chief Operating Officer
Phone: +61 8 8201 2525
Brett Dobson
Management Accountant
Phone: +61 8 8201 2610
Conference & Major Events Coordinator
New appointment to be announced shortly.
Phone: +61 8 8201 2911
Dana Watts
Accreditation Program Administrator
Phone: +61 8 8201 5592
Kaeisha Kilmister
Events & Administration Assistant
Phone: +61 8 8201 5592
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