Nomination Guidelines to become an    

ARMS Training Fellow for

Foundation Level Accreditation Programs

and

Master Classes

 

ARMS Training Fellow is a title given to an individual recognised by the Accreditation Council as having the knowledge and skills to present workshops as part of the Foundation Level Accreditation Program (FLAP) or for Master Classes. These guidelines are intended to assist nominees to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to become a Training Fellow.  Training Fellows from across the broad remit of ARMS, including  Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are encouraged to apply.

 

Training Fellows are required to perform at least one of the following:

  • Deliver Foundation Level Accreditation modules as part of the FLAP
  • Review Foundation Level Accreditation modules as part of the FLAP
  • Deliver Master Classes
  • Review Master Classes

 

BACKGROUND

The Accreditation Council, the committee authorised for overseeing quality standards of delivery content, is calling for nominations from volunteer research management professionals to further expand the pool of presenters for the delivery of Foundation modules and Master Classes.

These authorised presenters (Training Fellows) are recognised by the Accreditation Council as having the knowledge and skills to speak authoritatively on selected areas of research management and the ability to effectively train others.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR TRAINING FELLOWS

The successful nominee must meet the following selection criteria:

  • Demonstrate completion of an undergraduate degree;
  • Have a minimum of five years’ experience in research administration at a university or other post-secondary educational setting, hospital, not-for-profit research organisation, industry research laboratory or government research laboratory;
  • Have demonstrated theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of research administration and/or sub-field or research in the subject area which they wish to be considered as a Training Fellow;
  • Be a member in good standing with ARMS and/or one of its sister organisations;
  • Be recognised by other scholars and practitioners in the field as knowledge experts; and
  • Have demonstrated quality instructional/presentation skills. Given that delivery of workshops may be via videoconferencing platforms for the foreseeable future, applicants should also be comfortable with delivering teaching materials and able to encourage group interactions in this environment.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING FELLOWS – FOUNDATION MODULES - DELIVERY

Successful nominees will be required to present Foundation Module content within Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, or Singapore as required. Delivery may be in-person or via a virtual meeting platform.

Training Fellows will be required to deliver quality module presentation and will be recognised by other scholars and practitioners in the field as “knowledge experts” in the following topics:

  • Pre-award Grants Processes (elective module) – covering the role of research administrators in pre-award grant processes, grants development programs, supporting researchers, Grantsmanship etc.
  • Post-award Processes (elective module) – includes financial management and reporting requirements, institutional systems to support effective post award grants management, central vs devolved models, mechanisms for interaction with finance units, faculties, researchers and funders and IT support systems.
  • Research Finance (elective module) – looking at developing an understanding of how research is funded; key university finance processes as they relate to research; the cost of research and how its outcomes may be evaluated; managing the finances of research projects and allocations including reporting; effective costing and pricing of research projects; and key areas where things go wrong in research finance.
  • Navigating Agreements (elective module) - The Navigating Agreements module is intended to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to understand the role of, and effectively manage, agreements in research administration across the research project lifecycle. The module aims to provide participants with an understanding of the different types of agreements used in research, the key components of an agreement, and the legal and financial implications of each component.
  • Higher Degree by Research Scholarships (elective module) - The purpose of this module is to provide an insight into the current and evolving practices around the management of scholarships for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates.
  • Higher Degree by Research International Partnerships (elective module) - The purpose of this module is to provide an insight into the current and evolving practices of international research training.
  • Higher Degree by Research Candidate and Candidature Management (elective module) - develops an understanding of the basic principles and purpose underlying HDR candidature management, internal and external reporting requirements and the risks associated with HDR candidature.
  • Higher Degree by Research Admissions and Completions (elective module) -  The module covers two critical stages of HDR candidature – the start (from application to enrolment) and the end (thesis submission, examination and graduation) of candidature. These two stages are of critical importance for enhancing the candidate experience and the reputation of the HEP.  The purpose of this module is to provide an insight into the current and evolving practices around the management of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate admission and examination.
  • Research Ethics – Human and Animal (elective module) – covering requirements of AHEC, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review and the role of ethics administrators in supporting these Codes.
  • Research Integrity (elective module) - covering the emerging international Responsible Conduct of Research Codes, the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research - examining institutional requirements of education, implementation, compliance and monitoring.
  • Research Information and Reporting (elective module) – includes management information systems, reporting, repositories, use of data to support strategy implementation and the emerging role of impact assessments.
  • Working with Industry (elective module) - This module examines different research drivers for industry and public research organisations; will examine the institutional strategies and parameters that build a culture of collaboration and will examine the role that the Research Office can play in ensuring industry collaborations are effective and beneficial to all parties - elective module.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING FELLOWS – FOUNDATION MODULES - REVIEW

Successful nominees will be required to periodically review the Foundation module content within Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, or Singapore as required. Generally, each module listed above, will receive a light review at least yearly with major revisions being undertaken as advised by the ARMS Accreditation Council.

In addition to those above, ARMS currently has seven (7) online modules which are offered via the ARMS Moodle LMS.  These modules include:

  • The National Research and Innovation System in Australia (compulsory module in Australia) – covering the role of government, business and higher education in the national research and innovation system, funding mechanisms, codes and current issues – compulsory module for Australia.
  • The National Research and Innovation System in New Zealand (compulsory module in New Zealand) – covering the role of government, business and higher education in the national research and innovation system, funding mechanisms, codes and current issues – compulsory module for New Zealand.
  • The National Research and Innovation System in Singapore (compulsory module in Singapore) – covering the role of government, business and higher education in the national research and innovation system, funding mechanisms, codes and current issues – compulsory module for Singapore.
  • Legislation as it Affects Research in Australia (compulsory module in Australia) – covering the most common legislative frameworks affecting research in Australia issues – compulsory module for Australia.
  • Legislation as it Affects Research in New Zealand (compulsory module in New Zealand) – covering the most common legislative frameworks affecting research in New Zealand – compulsory module for New Zealand
  • Legislation as it Affects Research in Singapore (compulsory module in Singapore) – covering the most common legislative frameworks affecting research in Singapore – compulsory module for Singapore.
  • Understanding Research and Researchers (compulsory module in all regions) – the only "soft skills" module in the Foundation level program - should cover models of research, what drives researchers, how to understand and relate to researchers – compulsory module for all regions.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING FELLOWS – MASTER CLASSES - DELIVERY

Successful nominees will be required to present Master Class content to participants across the broad remit of ARMS, including Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, or Singapore as required. Delivery may be in person or via a virtual meeting platform.

Training Fellows will be required to deliver quality presentation(s) and will be recognised by other scholars and practitioners in the field as “knowledge experts” in the following topics:

  • Costing and Pricing of Research Master Class - The purpose of this module is to provide researchers, research administrators and commercial managers with an advanced understanding of research project and costing across Australian and international funding schemes. The target audience includes researchers, research administrators and research commercial managers involved in the costing and pricing of research projects.
  • Fundamentals of Project Management Master Class - The module provides participants with an introduction to the fundamentals of project management, and how these are implemented in a research organisation. The module takes an approach of describing project management activities for research administrators; however, some sections provide information which is specific for the management of research projects and programs.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING FELLOWS – MASTER CLASSES - REVIEW

Successful nominees will be required to periodically review the Master Class content as it applies in Australia.  Additional basic knowledge on the costing and pricing of research in New zealand and Singapore would be beneficial. Generally, each Master Class listed above, will receive a light review, at least yearly with major revisions being undertaken as advised by the ARMS Accreditation Council.

 

RENUMERATION

At the ARMS Board meeting of 3 February 2023, the Society approved the introduction of an honorarium payment of AUD$500 each time a workshop is delivered by an authorised Training Fellow (conditions apply).  The honorarium payment is not a commerical rate and the intention is that it is a small payment which recognises the time needed to prepare and deliver a workshop by an authorised Training Fellow. The payment may also be used to support the Training Fellow to undertake additional professional development of their own requirements. 

While it is intended that many of our workshops will continue to be delivered to our members online, there may be opportunities to deliver workshops in-person (on a needs basis).  In the event that an authorised Training Fellow is scheduled to deliver a workshop in-person and outside of their own local state jurisdiction, the Society will also cover any additional expenses relating to reasonable standard economy class travel, accommodation and transfer costs in accordance with our Travel and Accommodation Guidelines.  This is over and above the honorarium payment made to the authorised Training Fellow. 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Nominees will be required to complete an ARMS Training Fellow  EOI Form and submit a recent CV. Please note that LinkedIn profiles are not considered an adequate substitute for a CV.

One EOI form may be used for an expression of interest to deliver and review multiple accreditation offerings.

Completed nomination forms must be filled in electronically and signed (an electronic signature is preferred) and submitted along with a recent CV to the ARMS Administration Officer at ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au. Within eight (8) weeks of submission, the application will be reviewed by the Accreditation Council and applicants will be notified of the outcome. 

 

APPLICATION NOMINATED REFEREES

Nominees are required to identify two referees who are aquainted with the nominee’s knowledge of the selected research management topic area, their presentation skills, and their ability to effectively train others. Nominees are advised to discuss their application with their referees prior to submission to act as a referee and provide a verbal report to the Accreditation Council, if required.

Any information provided by the referees to the Accreditation Council will be kept confidential and will only be accessible to members of the Accreditation Council.

 

Please contact the ARMS Accreditation Officer to obtain a Training Fellow  EOI form or be considered for addtional activities.

 

FURTHER QUESTIONS

Any questions relating to the completion of this form can be directed to: ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au or by phone: 08 8201 5592.

 

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