Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the September 2020 issue of the Sussex Researcher. We hope you all have been enjoying your summer so far.
We begin with the news that Dr Hayley Cordingley has recently left her role as Research Staff Officer to take up a new position as a "Research Metrics Analyst” within the Information and Systems Team based within R&E. We are very sad to see her go and thank her for all her efforts and contributions towards the research staff community, and wish her the very best with her future career.
In other news, the RSO are working hard to apply the finishing touches on the new Research Staff Development Series training programme, which will be launched later this month. There are already some courses for you to choose from below, and we hope to bring you news of the full training programme in the next newsletter.
Best wishes,
The Research Staff Office
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- Preparing for leadership & management
- Improving your communication & writing
- Personal effectiveness
- Career development
- Understanding the academic context
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Community events
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Dr Hayley Cordingley - moved on from the RSO to become Research Metrics Analyst We are very sad to announce that Dr Hayley Cordingley has officially left her post as Research Staff Officer and started the next chapter in her professional life taking on the role of “Research Metrics Analyst” within the Information and Systems Team (still based within RES). In her new role, she will provide expertise and high-level advice on the use of a range of research metrics (bibliometrics/altmetrics) to aid in the understanding and assessment of the quality of the University’s research. Additionally, as she embeds into the role, in tandem with colleagues in the Library, she will be reaching out and offering training / support to members of Faculty and Professional services alike regarding the “Responsible use of metrics”, the systems RES maintain at the University (SciVal and Altmetrics) and how these tools may be able to help them with their careers. We are very sorry to see Hayley go, and thank her for all her efforts and wish her every success in her new role.
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Register now for a return to campus webinar Have you returned to campus recently? Or will you be returning to campus work in the near future? If so, it may be a good idea to register for one of the series of webinars that are being introduced to allow staff to hear about plans for a phased return to campus and the health and safety measures the university has in place. To accommodate annual leave and different working patterns, several sessions have been scheduled in September so that there is a variety of dates and times to choose from. Professional Services colleagues will be available to share information on all aspects of the arrangements in place to allow our campus to be in operation for the start of term. The senior colleagues hosting the webinars will be:
- General Counsel and Director of Governance and Compliance, Bridget Edminson
- Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services, Robert Hutton
- Director of Human Resources, Siobhan O’Reilly
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More R&D funding to develop projects set to boost local economic growth across the UK Seventeen new projects that will harness research and innovation excellence to boost local growth have been given early stage investment from UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund. Covering a wide range of innovative sectors including healthcare, cyber security, construction and clean energy, the projects will also tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the UK today. The 17 consortia are spread across the UK and include central and southern Scotland, south Wales, Northern Ireland, England’s north-west, north-east, south-east, south-west and the Midlands. Their projects will build on local strengths in industry and research to create significant economic impact, drive local growth, provide skills training and create high-value jobs. This follows UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) announcement on 26 June 2020 of £186 million for seven R&D projects that will boost economic growth in their local areas. The 17 new consortia will receive up to £50k each to develop full-stage bids for funding similar projects.
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Opportunities / External events
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The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women in science: Challenges and solutions Date: September 9, 2020 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Venue: ONLINE EVENT This Conference is organised by women at EMBL in collaboration with outstanding women from different organisations and institutes across Europe, with the aim of highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women scientists and explore solutions to minimise the gender gap in academia. The conference will bring together a diverse group of women scientists from different research areas and at various professional stages to provide insight into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on their work and future prospects. Prominent scientific leaders will explain practical steps, solutions and actions that they are implementing at their research institutions, which could serve as the basis for the “new normal” in academia. This conference will take place virtually over zoom and is free of charge and open to the public (subject to registration prior to the event). For full details and registration, please visit the website
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Research Culture: A Selection of Articles by eLife There are growing concerns that the research system no longer benefits science or scientists. The pressures to publish and obtain funding, along with a lack of job security for early-career researchers, have created a working environment that values novelty and quantity over rigor and quality, sometimes at great personal cost. Research culture needs to be improved for the benefit of science and scientists. The eLife articles compiled in this selection explore a variety of topics within the broad area of 'research culture'.
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Research Funding
If applying for funding, remember to check funders' eligibility criteria carefully and discuss the opportunity with your host institution/department prior to preparing any applications.
Do look at Research Development webpages for guidance around applications
For more information about ECR Fellowships, check out our new webpage:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/researchstaff/funding/fellowship-opportunities
For Coronavirus information for research grant applicants & grant holders check out:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/development/covid-19 |
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Ramsay memorial fellowship
This enables early-career postdoctoral chemists to initiate a programme of original and independent research in the UK. The fellowship is normally tenable for two years, but can be exceptionally extended for a third year.
Deadline for Applications: 15th November 2020
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Future leaders fellowships
These enable early-career researchers and innovators to transition to or establish their research or innovation independence in any area supported by UKRI. Fellowships are tenable for up to seven years with a compulsory review in year four.
Deadline for Applications: 10th December 2020
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