ACDS Research Leaders Network About the Network The ACDS Research Leaders Network brings together research organisational leaders in Australia’s science faculties and schools. It is intended to promote the generation and exchange of ideas on managing and sustaining the research culture of science faculties and schools. It will strive to inform national consensus and national policy positions for development by the ACDS, that will help Australia’s science deans and Associate Dean’s Research maintain and expand the quality and influence of university science research in Australia. Commencing in 2020 the ACDS introduced Research Leaders webinars as a way of providing those with responsibility for managing research and research higher degree students, at faculty level, with an opportunity to share their experiences, challenges and innovations. In 2024 a program of Research Network Discussion Forums is being held for Associate Dean’s Research, Associate Dean’s Research Studies or equivalent of member universities. Recent discussion forums June 2024: The focus of this forum was “Assessing research quality and impact – how do different institutions assess these, and what metrics are used to calibrate “success”?”. The Forum included presentations by Professor Adrian Barnett (QUT) and Dr Shanthi Ramanathan (Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle). May 2024: The focus of this forum was “Building a Positive Research Integrity Culture – How is Research Integrity Managed in our Institutions?”. The Forum included presentations by Professor Belinda Ferrari (ADR, UNSW), and Professor Tania Signal (ADR, CQU) followed by an open discussion moderated by Professor John Bartlett – ACDS March 2024: The first discussion forum focussed on “Researcher development – how do we do it? How do we develop our ECRs/MCRs? What is our best practice? How do we train our staff to mentor people?”. Presenters: Professors David Coutts (Macquarie); Coral Warr (La Trobe); and Erik Wapstra (UTas), followed by an open discussion moderated by Professor John Bartlett – ACDS. Previous webinars: 2022 – The Chief Scientist, Cathy Foley addressed the Deans of Science on Friday 5th August 2022 on the topic “What might be the role and direction for university science in the light of new government policies”. Read a summary of the webinar here 2021 – Extending the Research Culture of Australian University Science June 25, 2021: Three DVC’s Research: Mark Hargreaves Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Collaborations and Partnerships), University of Melbourne; Rob Saint – DVCR, Flinders University and Rachel Parker – Director, Global Change Institute, University of Queensland chaired a panel discussion focussing on the Commercialising University Research Consultation paper that was released in early 2021 and the challenges and opportunities for Deans of Science. Brief summary notes from the webinar are available here April 30, 2021: Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley launched the webinar series. The purpose of the series is to allow those responsible for the conduct of Australian university science to explore the ideas and insights of key stakeholders on challenges and solutions for creating a research culture more inclusive of translational research. 2021 – Australian university science research The first Research Leaders Network Webinar for 2021 was held on March 19 with more than 30 Research leaders from 25 member universities. Participants included: Faculty Deans, Associate Deans Research, Associate Deans Research Studies and Associate Deans Industry Engagement, or equivalent. View the presentations: Data and Case Studies: Science Research in Australia and Planning for the inaugural Graduate Innovation Forum. 2020 – Covid 19 lockdown: its impact on Australian university science research In 2020 the ACDS held a series of webinars. The meetings provided those with responsibility for managing research and research higher degree students, at faculty level, an opportunity to share their experiences, challenges and innovations in the face of the COVID-19 lockdown. The Programs for these meetings are available: May 27th here. The Program for the meeting on May 13th is available here. The focus of the first meeting was – HDR student support, and the second Issues of research productivity in relation to them. The final meeting in this series focused on the “return to normal”.
