Researcher Development Unit
Researcher Development News
Support, training, opportunities
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Happy New Year to our researcher community
Announcing Research Funding Insights for ECRs
We are kicking off 2026 with the release of Research Funding Insights, a video series of conversations with experienced University of Sydney academics that uncover practical, behind-the-scenes perspectives for ECRs on how funding success is created in practice.
Getting funded is often a key challenge for ECRs, with many lessons on strategic choices, collaboration, persistence and patience along the way.
List of episodes
1. Defining your funding goals
2. Planning a pipeline of funding
3. Collaborating for funding success
4. Smart scheme selection
5. Strategically building your track record
6. Preparing a competitive application
The series features generous insights from Associate Professor Christina Abdel Shaheed, Professor Stephen Bartlett, Dr Olga Boichak, Professor Alex Broom, Professor Yuan Chen, Professor Rachel Codd, and Dr Mouna Sawan, who reflect on their own funding journeys and the strategies that have supported their research programs.
Whether you’re an ECR starting to shape your funding direction or looking to strengthen and scale your research program, these videos offer concrete advice, inspiration, and practical ways forward. Watch them all on the Researcher Development Hub and spread the word among your researcher networks.
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Researcher Development Unit programs –
applications closing soon
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Mid-Career Researcher Program
When you reach mid-career as an academic, you may notice there is a shift in scale, people, and complexity that can mean your current ways of working need a rethink. The Mid-Career Research Leadership Program has been designed to help you work through this. The program will enable you to develop practical skills to strategically plan your research program, lead teams and collaborations, manage research at scale, and navigate the realities of influence, power and purpose in academia.
You can apply for as many of the program's five half-day workshops as suit your needs. You’ll get the opportunity to build your skills and connect with other mid-career researchers facing similar transitions.
— Tuesday 24 February 2026: Thriving as a Mid-Career Researcher
— Tuesday 17 March 2026: Communication for promoting a positive research culture
— Tuesday 31 March 2026: Navigating power and purpose in academia
— Tuesday 21 April 2026: Planning and leading your research strategy
— Tuesday 5 May 2026: Research management in practice
In-person, Camperdown
Open to academic staff at Levels B, C or D who identify as mid-career, are 8+ years post-PhD (accounting for career disruption), and are beginning to take on greater research leadership responsibility.
Places are limited to 25 participants. Applications are brief and will be reviewed as they are received.
Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 28 January
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Design your Life and Career Program
Based on the popular Design Your Life movement from Stanford University, this one-day workshop will introduce early career academics to tools that help you take ownership of your future in a way that aligns with your values and aspirations.
Tuesday 17 February 2026
10 am-4 pm
In-person, Camperdown
The program is targeted at postdoctoral or early career researchers (Levels A and B) who are exploring their career pathway and the options available to them.
Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 27 January
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NIDA Presenting with Impact
Thursday 19 February
9 am-5 pm
In-person, NIDA Studios (Kensington)
Build your confidence and impact as a presenter in this practical one-day course delivered by the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).
More dates through 2026 are available.
EOIs open now
From Book Proposal to Published
Thursday 4 June 2026
11 am-2 pm
In-person, Camperdown
Have you ever thought about turning your research into a scholarly book but don’t know where to start? Join this interactive workshop with a Palgrave Macmillan editor to explore how academic books differ from journal articles, understand the publishing process, and learn what editors look for in strong book proposals — from first pitch to published book.
EOIs open now
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| Events on the Researcher Development Hub
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ARC Linkage Projects 2026 (LP26) – Information Session
Tuesday 20 January, 12 pm–1:30 pm
(Virtual)
The Pipeline and Pre-Award team presents an information session for researchers intending to apply in the upcoming ARC Linkage Projects round.
AEA Ignite Round 3 – University of Sydney Information Session
Thursday 22 January, 10 am–11:30 am
(Hybrid)
Gain insights into AEA Ignite Round 3, including perspectives from the AEA Priority Manager and the University of Sydney’s Business Development, Commercialisation and Submissions teams.
Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) – Information Session
Thursday 29 January, 12 pm–1:30 pm
(Virtual)
The Pipeline and Pre-Award team presents an information session for researchers intending to apply for a Discovery Early Career Research Award.
Academic Headshots
Multiple dates
Get ready for your new Sydney Profile with a refreshed photo. Sessions take 10 minutes.
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| Help design what comes next.
What offerings would support your research career? Tell us. Our short survey takes just a couple of minutes, and your feedback will directly shape what we build.
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| News from the Researcher Development Hub
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Supporting the next generation through internships
The Researcher Development Unit was lucky to have Megg Tomczynski intern with us last year. She shared her reflections on learning researcher development from the ground up, and the beauty of teamwork.
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SEMCAN Co-Chair EOIs — open now
Expressions of interest are closing on 31 January for two new co-chairs to lead the Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN). This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain leadership experience and develop meaningful connections across the University.
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Resource Roundup
— Funding Planning Workbook
Follow the workbook to develop your funding strategy and actions to plan for success. Produced by the Researcher Development Unit.
— Research planning workbook
Follow our step-by-step guide to planning a research project or program. Use your answers for funding applications, interviews, or annual planning meetings. Produced by the Researcher Development Unit.
— Internal Funding Opportunities
See what's available at the University of Sydney.
— Leading a funding bid for a Centre or Program
Discover the skills and capabilities you need to successfully lead a funding bid for a Centre or Program.
— Leading as Centre Director after award
Discover the skills and capabilities you need to successfully lead in the role of Centre Director after a successful funding bid.
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Sydney Profiles: Get ready for public launch
Is your Sydney Profile ready to go public?
The University's new academic profile platform, Sydney Profiles, will launch publicly on Thursday 29 January. From this date, Sydney Profiles will be available for anyone to view and search. If you have a Sydney Profile, the link to your existing Academic Profile Online (APO) will redirect to your Sydney Profile from launch day.
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