When:Thursday, 18 February 2010, 9 am - 12 pm

Emeriturs Professor John McKenzie, former DVC (Research) at the Melbourne University, will be our guest speaker at the forum and will discuss the characteristics of successful researchers and how mentoring can be used to further your research career.

The forum is particularly targeted at the Mentor Scheme participants yet is open to all VU Researchers.

Please RSVP with Katrina Newnham at katrina.newnham@vu.edu.au by Friday, 12 February 2010.

Date: Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Location: Footscray Park, G370 Lecture Theatre

The Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, announced on 26 February 2008, will assess research quality within Australia's higher education institutions using a combination of indicators and expert review by committees comprising experienced, internationally-recognised experts. VU is currently actively preparing for our 2010 ERA submission due 6 August 2010.

Ms Leanne Harvey, ERA Manager from ARC, has accepted our invitation for presenting a general overview of ERA from a national perspective. In addition we have also allowed significant time for the audience to university specific topics and/or questions. To facilitate the university specific topics and/or questions, could you please send your contribution to Dr Melanie McGuire, ERA Project Officer, VU Research Office at melanie.mcguire@vu.edu.au.

RSVP and further enquires, please contact melanie.mcguire@vu.edu.au.

ARC has announced the submissions to the full ERA will begin in June 2010. Full details is available in http://www.arc.gov.au/media/releases/media_28Sep09.htm

Charting a Course for a Successful Research Career: A Guide for Early Career Researchers Professor Alan M Johnson AM M.A.(Hons), M.Ed.Mgmt., B.App.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.

The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) has finalised the revised list of schemes to included on the Australian Competitive Grants Register (ACGR) for 2009 (to cover funding provided in 2008). The additional five schemes included in the ACGR are:

• Diabetes Australia Research Trust – Awards and Research Grants
• Australian Antarctic Division – Australian Marine Mammal Centre (AMMC) Grant Scheme
• Australian Research Council – Special Research Centres
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet – Research Support for Counter Terrorism Program
• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies – Research Grants Program

The revised 2009 Category 1 ACGR list is available here

Staff and students wishing to be informed about news and events relating to research at VU including funding opportunities should subscribe to the 'Research-info' list. Go to lists.vu.edu.au or contact Neale Yates to subscribe.