UP in ARMS - Issue 110

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ARMS

PRESIDENT'S UPDATE
September 2020

In any other year, this would be the Annual Conference edition of Up in ARMS – an opportunity to celebrate the presentations and reflect on discussions that had been shared. This year, of course, has not been typical and we will have to wait 12 months until we can attend the next Conference, in Perth.

Even though we are not meeting in person, the timing of writing this introduction to the newsletter has led to me reflecting on the power of communities. One of the real benefits from membership of ARMS is the opportunity to connect with peers from across the sector. Importantly this doesn’t mean that you find yourself surrounded by people that think and do exactly the same as you, but importantly it is about common bonds of respect and mutual cooperation. As such, I believe that these Communities of Practice allow us each to flourish.

“Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” — Etienne & Beverly Wenger-Trayner

The Wenger-Trayner’s are generally credited with originating the term communities of practice. A crucial part of their definition is that it is more than a community of interest. Rather, members of a community of practice are practitioners who are able to share their best practices through their experiences, stories, tools, and approaches to problem solving.

Even without having an Annual Conference this year, ARMS strives to provide these opportunities to members to support their development and learning. In addition to the Virtual Event at the end of November, the various Chapters and Special Interest Groups continue to be active and facilitate events for interested members to share and to learn. If you haven’t done so recently, I encourage you to visit the ARMS website to ensure that you are linked to those groups that you want to receive specific information about upcoming sessions.

We will also be running sessions about the individual current Special Interest Groups alongside the Virtual Event – including some that have been recently established.

Beyond sharing stories and knowledge, if we don’t have a community, then what do we really have? Well, it’d be pretty boring for sure. But supportive social networks have been found to protect us from stress and feeling like we belong somewhere is one of the key components of a meaningful life.

When it functions properly, a community can be a powerful way for people to feel accepted and validated. I think communities act as a great social blanket, allowing people to meet people they might never have met otherwise and hear alternative viewpoints.

No matter how big or small, a community can have a positive impact on your life. I hope that ARMS can continue to contribute to this through our various groups.

Dr Ross McLennan

ARMS President

WHAT'S UP in ARMS?

Update from the ARMS Board

We take this opportunity to acknowledge twenty-six (26) of our members who had recently completed all requirements for the Foundation Level Accreditation Program. These individuals now join a network of 500 graduates who share the post nominal Accredited Research Manager (Foundation) or ARMF. We congratulate our May 2020 cohort:

Adam Brotchie – Monash University

Alisa Lindfield-Pratt – The University of Queensland

Amanda Notini - Deakin University

Andrew Groth - University of Technology Sydney

Anna Vo - The University of Sydney

Ashley Golightly - Curtin University

Benjamin Breeds – The University of Sydney

Bethany Ayers - University of New England

Carla Venturin - Menzies

Catherine Karcher – The Australian National University

Danielle Thyer - The University of Sydney

Dee-Ann Dunsworth – James Cook University

Erica Fay – Telethon Kids Institute

Fiona Purkiss – Griffith University

Kanwal Baluch - University of Technology Sydney

Kim Hutchins – Murdoch University

Kirsty Turner – University of South Australia

Lowenna Holt - Individual

Priscilla Gundelach – The University of Sydney

Rose Faunce – The Australian National University

Sarah Cutfield – The Australian National University

Sarah Lonsdale - The University of Sydney

Sarah Taylor - The University of Sydney

Sebastien Lacrampe Cuyaubere Flieutete - The Australian National University

Shijia Qiu – GERI - Singapore

Zemi Zhao - The University of Sydney

A full list of ARMFs can be viewed on the ARMS website.

Latest News

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ARMS VIRTUAL EVENT 2020

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.

Click here for further information!

ARMS EVENTS SURVEY

ARMS is very committed to providing professional development offering to all members, despite the adverse set of circumstances that surrounds us. In this current climate, many organisations have had to cancel and/or postponed some of their professional development offerings including their flagship conference.

We value the input of our members and ask that you complete a 5-minute survey around virtual event delivery options. This feedback will help us to better structure our virtual events to meet your specific requirements.

We thank you in advance for taking time in completing this survey.

Complete ARMS Events Survey Here

- SAVE THE DATES -

PD Sessions @ Zoom are scheduled between 12 pm and 1 pm AEST 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 13th - Tuesday
NSW Chapter

“Grantsmanship on a shoestring: a time-efficient approach”

Presenter(s): Dr Thorsten Kostulski and Dr James Walsh, UTS Research Capability and Development Team

October 22nd - Thursday
ARMS EO

'Paradox, dilemma & uncertainty: shaping an ‘academic me’

Presenter(s): Dr Joanna Cobley, Research Development Coordinator, University of Canterbury

October 27th - Tuesday

QLD/NT/PNG Chapter

The Regional University Experience

Presenter(s): TBC

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.

Writing a Strong Job Application for The Research Administration Sector

On the 26th of August, we hosted an ARMS PD Session @ Zoom which focussed on “Writing a strong job application for the research administration sector”. This was presented by Dr Regina Magierowski, the Associate Director of Research Performance and Analysis at the University of Tasmania.

This session drew in a virtual crowd of close to 200 people. The session detailed strategies for writing a more targeted job application and tips and tricks for writing an application that would stand out from the crowd. Dr Magierowski used menti.com to engage the audience on key questions and this resulted in truly collaborative and interactive space, with participants able to not only ask questions of the presenter but to share advice and opinions with the entire audience.

Attendance and engagement were high indicating that this is an area of great and increasing relevance to the sector

Mental Health Management for Research Administrators and Managers

As organisers and hosts of the Health and Medical SIG PD session in September we were very pleased with the number of members who were able to attend the session and hope that the it provided some discussion points and guidance for working in to the new normal.

The open discussion format saw Dr Denise Riordan, ACT Chief Psychiatrist answer questions placed by the panel and participants. Her free style and willingness to share personal experiences provided a relaxed atmosphere in which to work through and address some of the real situations we find ourselves in. Items discussed included ways of normalising in a disruptive environment, the toleration of uncertainty and how to support others by making sure we are feeling strong by looking after ourselves well.

Being able to listen to concerns and provide quality information on resources available to help is key to developing a trustful relationship with our colleagues and families. Understanding that everyone is likely to experience the disruption caused by Covid-19 differently and react differently and by virtue of this require different support.

Further advice included maintaining structure in the day, building time in to your day to exercise, such as using usual travel time to get out and set the headspace for the day and making sure that lunchbreaks are taken, it is very easy to work through a day and realise you forgot to stop. Other suggestions included the group web morning teas, glasses of wine and the like.

If you have any ideas for our next session, please contact the SIG leads.

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

The purpose of this webinar is to open the discussion on organisational strategies to support research impact and to gather insights into how this is being rolled out or planned within several institutions.

The webinar will showcase three different perspectives on the management and support mechanisms for research impact. Our three panel members represent different universities and work at different levels bringing a range of perspectives on what types of roles and support are being provided.

Each panellist will outline their role and provide broad oversight of what is happening within their institution to support and promote research impact. We will discuss the different elements outlined by the speakers and open up for questions and discussion from the attendees.

Date: Friday 9 October 2020

Time: 12.00pm - 1.30pm AEDT

This event will be hosted via Zoom Meeting Platform, access details to be provided once registered.

Click here to register

NSW Chapter

The NSW Chapter Committee is pleased to welcome three new members. Hayley See, Tanya Karliychuk and Stephan Waibel joined in August and take over from long serving members Yordanka Krastev, Emily Brenan and Annette Harris. Yordanka, Emily and Annette have served 4 years on the committee and have contributed to many of the successful initiatives led by the NSW Chapter. On behalf of the Chapter, we thank them for their valued contribution and wish them all the best.

Yordanka also steps down the role of co-convenor. James Walsh (UTS) has taken on the role of co-convenor of the Chapter, joining Stephanie Macmillan (UNSW).

The NSW Chapter is planning some fun networking events for members over the coming months. Watch this space for more details as they are confirmed.

We also encourage members to save the date for the next NSW-led PD @ Zoom event on Tue 13 October.

WA Chapter

In your research management careers, I am sure you would have come across scenarios where you need to explain to research academia what indirect costs are and why they are important to universities.

Join Tara McLaren (Head Research Development, Telethon Kids Institute) and Dhruv Shah (Research Consultant, Curtin University) at a round table discussion on how best to capture infrastructure costs and provide consistent information across the sector in WA as to what they are, why they're needed, and ways to better implement them!

From this discussion, the group will seek opportunities to work collaboratively to address issues relating to the communication and implementation of indirect costs.

Date: Thursday 15 October 2020

Time: 3.00pm - 4.00pm AEDT

This event will be hosted via Zoom Meeting Platform, access details to be provided once registered.

Click here to register

Accreditation, Professional Development and Training

ARMS Foundation Level Accreditation 2020 Program

Compulsory Modules

ARMS is pleased to announce that Module 1.1-Aus: The National Research and Innovation System in Australia is now offered as a complete online course using the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) and open for registration.

Modules 1.2-Aus: Legislation as it Affects Research in Australia and 1.3: Understanding Research and Researchers are on track to be offered as complete online LMS modules in October 2020. Please check the ARMS website regularly for the most up to date information.

Electives Modules

ARMS wishes to advise that the following electives are currently open for registration, 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

Date

Registration Status

Module 5.1: Research Information and Analytics

30 September 2020

2 Spaces left

Module 1.2-SING: Legislation as it Affects Research in Singapore

15 October 2020

Open

Module 6.1: Working with Industry

20 October 2020

Open

Module 3.4: Higher Degree by Admissions and Completions

04 November 2020

TBC

Module 4.1: Research Ethics - Human and Animal

09 November 2020

TBC

Module 3.3: Higher Degree by Research Candidature Management

12 November 2020

TBC

Module 5.: Research Information and Analytics

18 November 2020

TBC

Module 2.3: Research Finance

19 November 2020

TBC

Module 4.2: Research Integrity

24 November 2020

TBC

2020 Case Study Assessment - Next Cohort to Commence in October!

ARMS is currently organising the next case study for eligible candidates to commence in the latter part of October 2020. Invitations to participate in the next case study will be emailed to all potential candidates by COB October 2nd.

If you have not received your invitation to participate in the case study, and believe that you qualify, i.e. have successfully completed 3 compulsory and two elective modules (5 in total), please email the Accreditation Program Administrator - arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au

Job Board

For details of the below positions, visit the ARMS Job Opportunities webpage.

Corporate members can post available positions on the site at no charge by contacting the ARMS Executive Office.

Organisation

Position

Closing

Griffith University

Team Leader, HDR Admissions and Candidature

05 October 2020

From the ARMS Executive Office

ARMS acknowledges the generous support of our corporate partners:

ARMS Executive Office Contacts

Maria Zollo

ARMS Chief Operating Officer

Phone: +61 8 8201 2525

Brett Dobson

ARMS Management Accountant

Phone: +61 8 8201 2610

Sophie Zervas

ARMS Conference and Major Events Coordinator

Phone: +61 8 8201 2911

Chelsea Parker-Menzies

ARMS Administration Officer

Phone: +61 8 8201 2911

Dana Watts

ARMS Accreditation Program Administrator

Phone: +61 8 8201 5592

Email the ARMS Executive Office

arms.adminofficer@flinders.edu.au

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Guide on how to join a SIG & ARMS Chapter

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Newsletter Content and Release Dates for 2020

See below dates for the submission of content and distribution of the e-newsletter for 2020.

Edition No.

Content Request

Content Due

Distribution

111

112

06 Oct 20

01 Dec 20

12 Oct 20

07 Dec 20

Week of 16 Oct 20

Week of 11 Dec 20

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