Researcher Development Unit

Researcher Development News

Edition 08

December, 2025

As we close out 2025, we want to thank our researcher and research support community for another year of energy, generosity, and engagement.

This year, the Researcher Development Unit welcomed more than 600 attendees across the University to its training events. Through our flagship internal funding schemes, the Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes and EMCR Training Grants, we also supported 58 researchers and research teams to build their research careers, pilot new initiatives, or foster stronger researcher communities by delivering events for the broader EMCR community.

A major milestone for us this year was the launch of the Researcher Development Hub in March. Designed as a comprehensive home for career development advice, opportunities, tools, and community stories, the Hub has grown rapidly, with more than 13,000 unique users exploring its pages since launch. We’re excited to continue expanding this resource with your contributions, insights, and feedback in 2026.

Collaboration and commitment to supporting one another is what makes this community thrive, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We look forward to working with you in the new year!

Researchers in session at the Universitas 21 ECR Workshop in Nottingham, UK

Reflections on building networks and collaborations

Here at the Researcher Development Unit, we are lucky to be able to engage closely with the research community at the University of Sydney and across the globe, and join our researchers at dynamic workshops to build our knowledge and hone our offerings. The News and Insights section of the Researcher Development Hub is our home to share these insights as we build a thriving network of researchers and researcher support staff who enable EMCRs to do what they do at their best.

In this article, our team takes you through the key ingredients to spark inspiration and interdisciplinary collaboration in the workshop environment after attending the Universitas 21 Early Career Researcher workshop in Nottingham, UK.

More from our growing library of news and insights from the EMCR community

D esigning a winning poster

by Dr Adam Poulsen, winner of the 2025 Brain and Mind Centre's EMCR Poster Award Competition

Creating change: reflections on impact

by Dr Jedidiah Evans, Lecturer in English and Writing

Communicating for research impact

by Rachel Pevy, Communications and Training Manager, Commercialisation Office

Three mindset shifts to help researchers bring ideas to market

by TJ Laurino, Portfolio Investment Manager, Venture Investments

We welcome contributions from researchers and our research support community. Read the guidelines, then email us to get started.

OPPORTUNITIES FROM

THE RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Design your life and career

Tuesday, February 17 2026
In-person, Camperdown

Are you a post-doc or Early Career Researcher (ECR) who is either at a crossroads in your career or seeking more balance in your life? If so, join us for this one-day workshop with the Researcher Development Unit, where you’ll gain insights and learn tools created through the popular Design Your Life movement from Stanford University to help you take ownership of your career in a way that aligns with your values and aspirations.

EOIs are open now

NIDA Presenting with Impact workshop

Thursday, February 19 (other dates, TBC) 2026
In-person, NIDA, Kensington

Develop your confidence in presenting and learn how to engage your audience in this practical one-day course tailored for academics and delivered by the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

Sessions run throughout the year. To express your interest in attending, please complete the online form including the date(s) you are available to attend.

EOIs are open now

Mid-Career Research Leadership Program

February—May 2026
In-person, Camperdown

This dynamic series of workshops enables researchers at the mid-career stage to progress in this phase of their career with increased confidence and clarity.

Over five half-days, participants will explore topics including communicating for a positive research culture, navigating power and purpose, strategic research planning, and practical research management.

Apply now

Help us plan for 2026

We invite members of the researcher and research support community to share your feedback on your experiences with the Researcher Development Unit's offerings and what you would like to see in the new year. Please fill out this brief survey and help shape our future initiatives for researchers across the University.

Share your feedback with us!

SEMCAN Co-Chair EOIs — open now

Expressions of interest are now open for two new co-chairs to lead the Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN).

As a co-chair, you will:

Set SEMCAN’s strategic priorities and oversee its annual plan
Lead bi-monthly Steering and quarterly Advisory Committee meetings
Work with University leadership to influence strategic planning for EMCRs
Coordinate the network’s events and communications, including web, newsletters, and Yammer
Prepare key reports for the DVC-R and Steering Committee
Foster strong relationships with Faculty EMCR reps and senior leaders
Advocate for EMCR needs, opportunities, and recognition across the University

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain leadership experience and develop meaningful connections across the University.

Read our Q&A with one of the outgoing co-chairs, Associate Professor Andrew Grant, and learn how to apply.

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.

Guided sessions, 1:1 appointments (for help claiming research identifiers and outputs) and headshot registrations are available to help you prepare. If you do not wish your profile to become publicly visible on launch day, please submit a Privacy Request Form by 5pm Thursday 8 January. You can easily change your profile visibility settings anytime after public launch.

For links and further information, visit the Sydney Profiles intranet page.

See you in 2026!

After a well-deserved rest for us all, we are looking forward to bringing you more content and development opportunities in 2026, including:

Our Research Funding Insights video series, six episodes featuring advice from some of the University's leading researchers
A suite of workshops and programs to build your research career
The next round of the EMCR Training Grants Scheme
Many more articles and contributions from the EMCR community

Until then, we wish our community all the best for the weeks ahead.

Keep in touch

Copyright © 2025 The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
Phone +61 2 9351 2222 ABN 15 211 513 464 CRICOS Number: 00026A

Please add researcher.development@sydney.edu.au to your address book or senders safe list to make sure you continue to see our emails in the future.

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

Disclaimer | Privacy statement | University of Sydney