Researcher Development Unit
Researcher Development News
Edition 04
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Supporting research that makes an impact
With the Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes about to open for the 2025 for 2026 round, the Researcher Development Unit are excited to read applications from those who are doing excellent research and having impact on their discipline and beyond. We understand that it can take a lot of support to achieve that, and this is just one way to add some equity to the mix.
Whether your work has academic impact or impact outside academia, the Researcher Development Hub has a wealth of information to help you understand, plan for, track, and communicate research impact. Here is just some of what's online:
— Dimensions of research impact and The 'pathway' model of impact explain key concepts of impact to underpin your planning and impact communication.
— Write about your impact is where to start thinking about writing — and reading mock impact statements before that happens.
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Impact case studies
These words from Professor Emerita Phyllis Butow provide helpful advice those planning ahead for impact, and capture her journey to impact through engagement with key stakeholders even before applying for funding:
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We'd earlier developed the pathway, but we really needed to understand what was required to get this into routine care. Impact is absolutely critical, so we were thinking about this right from the beginning. And I guess we started with really trying to work out which of the stakeholders that might be interested in keeping this alive. And we did that in two ways. We looked at websites of organisations that we thought would be interested to see what their priorities were.
But also it really [began] a long time ago with our group putting effort and energy into engaging with those organisations, being on their committees, being on their boards, giving talks to staff, and really, being aware of what was of interest to them. Having identified those stakeholders, we were able to engage with them right from the beginning in terms of what they wanted and a number of their priorities around patient empowerment meant that we changed what we were thinking of doing in order to make sure that we would satisfy their requirements so that the grant was affected right from the beginning.
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| | OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT UNIT
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Research Excellence and Inclusion Prize - opens July 2
The Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes support the University of Sydney’s commitment to developing excellent researchers across a variety of disciplines and relative to opportunity. Applications for 2026 commencement open on Wednesday, July 2 and will close Wednesday, July 30, 5pm.
The Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes consist of three funding streams:
Laffan – for colleagues with disabilities
Brown – for colleagues with significant caring responsibilities
Thompson – for female academics seeking promotion to levels D and E.
This year, there are up to 10 Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes to be awarded, including one prize specifically designated to supporting an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant. Each awardee will be eligible for up to $55,000 of funding over a one-year period for research funding and/or teaching relief, and access to an academic mentor and a tailored researcher development program.
Find out more >>
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EMCR Training Grant Scheme - opens June 30
After supporting some very exciting initiatives for EMCRs over the last two rounds, we’re very excited to announce that the second round of the EMCR Training Grant Scheme will open on June 30.
About the EMCR Training Grant Scheme
The EMCR Training Grant Scheme will award up to $5,000 to EMCRs or EMCR communities to organise researcher development events or programs. The Scheme provides an opportunity for ECRs to build their own leadership capabilities through design and delivery of capacity-building activities for their peers within the research community.
Find out more >>
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| | EVENTS TO MAXIMISE YOUR IMPACT
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Half-day symposium to develop Early Mid-Career Academics skills in identifying and building equitable, balanced and effective research teams. Event enabled by a Researcher Development Unit EMCR Training Grant.
How to Leverage Your LinkedIn Profile
July 8, 1pm to 2pm
Join the University’s Marketing and Communications team to learn the best practices and opportunities when using your LinkedIn profile. For researchers and entrepreneurs.
Sustainability Research Forum
July 10, 10am to 4pmThe University of Sydney Sustainability Research Forum is an opportunity to bring together University of Sydney researchers who are working on a wide range of sustainability topics for a day of stimulating discussions, networking, and to help shape the University’s narrative on sustainability.
Cultural Competence in Research Symposium
July 15, 9:30am to 4pmThis symposium aims to build the capacity of EMCRs to integrate cultural competence into their research practices. Event enabled by a Researcher Development Unit EMCR Training Grant.
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| | NEWS FROM THE GRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOOL
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This online workshop provides HDR supervisors with a clear understanding of their role in supporting student wellbeing, recognising when additional support may be needed, and referring students to the appropriate University services.
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Help us spread the word on the Researcher Development Hub!
Please share the Researcher Development Hub in your internal channels to connect your researchers with tools and training from across the University!
In Researcher Development Hub Comms Material you can find lots of accessible comms material, including short and long copy and square images for your SharePoint or Intranet, plus banners for newsletters, digital screens for your common areas, and easily printable posters.
We appreciate your support!
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