Archive for April, 2008

External closing date is 6 June 2008; UNE internal closing date is 26 May 2008.
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/international_education/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/eu_australia_cooperation/default.htm

This fifth round of EU/Australia Cooperation in Higher Education and (VET) projects seek applications from consortiums of both Australian higher education and VET institutions to undertake student mobility projects between the European Union and Australia. EU/Australia Cooperation in Higher Education and VET projects began in 2003 with the aim to promote understanding between the peoples of the EU and Australia and improving the quality of their human resource development.
The EU and Australia in 2007 signed a Joint Declaration on cooperation in education and training which sort to further develop this key bilateral relationship for Australia.

These projects offer the opportunity for Australian students in higher education and VET to undertake a period of study at a partner institution in the European Union.
Proposals from the VET sector are particularly encouraged. Such proposals may include work placements and/or internships as part of a study period in the EU. Funding is also available for academics and administrative staff to visit partner institutions in the EU.

General objectives:
• promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the European Union and the partner countries including broader knowledge of their languages, cultures and institutions; and
• improve the quality of human resource development in both the European Union and the partner countries, including the acquisition of skills required to meet the challenges of the global knowledgebased economy;

Specific objectives:
• enhance collaboration between the European Union and the partner countries in the domains of higher education and vocational training;
• contribute to the development of higher education and vocational training institutions;
• contribute to individual participants’ personal development for their own sake and as a way to achieve the general objective of the Program; and
• contribute to exchanges between citizens of the EU and the partner countries;

Operational objectives:
• support collaboration between higher education and vocational training institutions with a view to promoting joint study programs and mobility;
• improve the quality of student mobility between the EU and the partner countries by promoting transparency, mutual recognition of qualifications and periods of study and training, and, where appropriate, portability of credits;
• support collaboration between public and private organisations active in the field of higher education and vocational training with a view to encouraging discussion and exchange of experience on policy issues; and
• support mobility of professionals between the EU and the partner countries with a view to improving mutual understanding, and expertise of issues relevant to the relations between the EU and the respective partner country.

External closing date is 30 April 2008; UNE internal closing date is 28 April 2008.

Harold White Fellowships - http://www.nla.gov.au/grants/haroldwhite/information.html
Are open to established Australian and international researchers or writers in any discipline in which the Library has strong collections. Successful applicants are generally senior scholars or writers with a strong publication track record, including publication of full length monographs.

Fellows are provided with:
• a return economy airfare to Canberra from their homes
• a grant-in-aid towards living expenses while in Canberra
• a furnished office at the Library, including a personal computer with Internet access
• access to the Library outside opening hours of reading rooms
• access to book stacks
• free photocopying and interlibrary loans.

Japan Fellowship – http://www.nla.gov.au/grants/japan/jpinfo.html
The National Library Japan Fellowship aims to promote the National Library’s collections as a national resource for the study of Asia. The Fellowship is intended to encourage research based on the Japanese collections and the production of publications based on them.
The Fellowship is open to established Australian and international researchers in Japanese studies. The fellowship offers the means and the time to work with the Library’s significant Japanese collections, consisting of books, journals, newspapers, maps and electronic resources in Japanese and Western languages.

Fellows are provided with:
• A return economy airfare to Canberra from their homes
• A grant-in-aid towards living expenses while in Canberra
• Office facilities at the Library, including a personal computer with Internet access
• Access to the Library outside opening hours of reading rooms
• Access to book stacks
• Free photocopying and interlibrary loans

External closing date is 22 August 2008; UNE internal closing date is 19 August 2008.
http://www.criminologyresearchcouncil.gov.au/applications/

The CRC process involves three approaches to funding research: general grants, specific topics and
specifically targeted research. These guidelines relate to general grants.
The Council is empowered by section 47(1) of the Criminology Research Act 1971 to make grants for……such purposes of, or related to, criminological research (including the dissemination of information and advice and the publication of reports, periodicals, books and papers in
connection with criminological research and the results of criminological research) as are
determined by the Council.

The term “criminological research” is defined in the Act to mean:
Research in connection with:
• the causes, correction and prevention of criminal behaviour, and
• any related matter.

Policy relevance may arise out of the following, or other, matters:
a) Contributes to knowledge of crime trends which could be used for planning and resource allocation by government agencies.
b) Explores an under-researched topic
c) Topic of relevance to a current or emerging serious criminal justice issue.
d) Findings will be of benefit in developing new policies or procedures for dealing with the crime problem in question.
e) Findings will be of benefit in devising crime reduction strategies.
f) Findings will assist in developing police policies or practices.
g) Findings will be of benefit in devising legislative reform proposals.
h) Findings would support and assist in the development of existing work by government agencies.
i) Findings would inform training activities for criminal justice personnel.
j) Findings will assist victim support activities or services.
k) Findings will assist in offender support activities or services.

Applicants proposing to conduct research with human subjects or on ethically sensitive topics must present evidence of compliance with appropriate ethical guidelines for the conduct of such research.
A proposal, that requires Ethics Committee approval, may be considered by the Council if approval is still pending at the time of the Council’s meeting, in which case any grant will be conditional upon Ethics Committee approval being obtained.
Applicants should take into account the time required for obtaining Ethics Committee approval in framing timelines for projects

Dangerous climate change: Is it inevitable?

http://www.science.org.au/sats2008/index.htm

Science at the Shine Dome provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to learn about the research
findings of colleagues across a range of disciplines. There are also a number of social activities providing
young researchers with the opportunity to network with Academy Fellows, symposium speakers and science
teachers, as well as their peers.

The 3 day conference includes:
Session 1: Defining ‘dangerous climate change’
Chair: Dr Graeme Pearman, AM, FAA, FTSE
Sustainability Science, Monash University

Session 2: Earth system challenges to avoid dangerous climate change
Chair: Professor Amanda Lynch
School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University

Session 3: Institutional challenges to avoid dangerous climate change
Chair: Professor Michael Dopita, FAA
Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University

Session 4: Avoiding dangerous climate change
Chair: Dr Geoff Love
Director of Meteorology, Bureau of Meteorology

Information Seminar
Presented by
Professor Warwick Anderson, CEO of NHMRC
(National Health & Medical Research Council)

This invitation is to all those interested in NHMRC funding now and in the future.

Hear directly from NHMRC about their current research support outcomes and the forthcoming challenges in health and medical research in the 21st century.

The seminar:
• The Chancellery, Ground Floor of Booloominbah
• Tuesday April 22nd 3pm to 5pm

A wide range of issues will be discussed, including:
* 2007 success rates;
* Improving peer review;
* Supporting our health and medical researchers;
* Commercialisation of research;
* Supporting biomedical, clinical, public health and health research services;
* The rising costs of research; and
* An analysis of NHMRC supported research achievements.

There will be time after Professor Anderson’s presentation for questions.

RSVP 21st April 2008
Belinda Snell
Phone 6773 2890
Email bsnell2@une.edu.au
(Please reply as soon as possible as there is limited seating in The Chancellery so an alternate venue will need to be organised if the maximum number is exceeded)

External closing date is 30 June 2008; UNE internal closing date is 22 June 2008.
For more information email: jkimpton@bigpond.net.au

The Creswick Foundation was established in 1952 to facilitate study in Australia into emotional, social and psychological conditions affecting children and adolescents and to give guidance to those involved in treating or preventing such conditions.

Applicants are invited from practitioners and researchers who are experienced in working in this field for Fellowships to further their knowledge by study in an approved centre overseas for a period of up to 3 months.

Applicants will be expected to have contributed in some aspects in this field, be able to indicate how they wish to extend their knowledge and how they plan to use this experience in training, teaching or other appropriate practical way on their return.

The Foundation will pay the overseas living expenses of successful candidates for up to 3 months, which will cover a budget submitted to the Trustees and approved by them, and will pay the return economy airfare.

The Trustees have supported proposals for bringing people of knowledge, experience and expertise in the Foundation’s areas of interest to Australia from overseas. Proposals in this regard are welcome.

For further information, email jkimpton@bigpond.net.au for a application pack.

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EUREKA PRIZES ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY MAY 2

Entries and nominations are now invited for the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, Australia’s premier science awards rewarding excellence in the categories of Research & Innovation; Leadership; School Science; and Science Communication & Journalism.

· Environmental Research
Sponsored by The Sherman Foundation and awarded for research in any field of the biological, physical, mathematical or biomedical sciences leading to the resolution of an environmental problem or the improvement of our natural environment.

· Environmental Sustainability Education
Sponsored by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change and awarded for excellence in the design, implementation and evaluation of an innovative, leading edge program that has contributed to behavioural change among individuals and organisations and has led to changed practices and environmental improvement.

· Ethics Research
Sponsored by the Australian Catholic University and awarded for the investigation of theoretical or practical ethical issues that contributes to an integrated body of work represented by a book, monograph or a series of related articles that contribute to the understanding and development of ethical standards.

· Innovative Solutions to Climate Change
Sponsored by the Insurance Australia Group and awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for work that demonstrates a commitment to pursuing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.

· Medical Research
Sponsored by the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research and awarded to an individual or research team for outstanding, groundbreaking medical research in multiple sclerosis.

· Research that Contributes to Animal Protection
Sponsored by Voiceless and awarded to an individual or team for scientific research that has contributed, or has the potential to contribute, to animal protection.

· Science in Support of Defence or National Security
Sponsored by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding science and/or technology that has developed or has the potential to develop innovative solutions for Australia’s defence and/or national security.

· Scientific Research
Sponsored by the University of New South Wales and awarded to a researcher(s) for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research.

· Taxonomic Research
Sponsored by the Australian Biological Resources Study and awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding research in naming, identifying, classifying or describing Australia’s fauna and flora that has provided, or has the potential to provide, innovative or positive outcomes for industry or the environment.

· Water Research and Innovation
Sponsored by Land & Water Australia and awarded to an individual, team or organisation for research and innovation that has made or has the potential to make an outstanding contribution to the sustainable use and management of Australia’s water resources.

Presented by: Professor Warwick Anderson, CEO of NHMRC

Hear directly from NHMRC about their current research support outcomes and the forthcoming challenges in health and medical research in the 21st century.

The seminar:
• The Chancellery, Ground Floor of Booloominbah (depending on numbers)
• Tuesday April 22nd, 3pm to 5pm

A wide range of issues will be discussed, including:
• 2007 success rates;
• Improving peer review;
• Supporting our health and medical researchers;
• Commercialisation of research;
• Supporting biomedical, clinical, public health and health research services;
• The rising costs of research; and
• An analysis of NHMRC supported research achievements.

There will be time after Professor Anderson’s presentation for questions.

RSVP 14th April 2008
Belinda Snell
Phone 6773 2890
Email bsnell2@une.edu.au
(Please reply as soon as possible as there is limited seating in the Council Room so an alternate venue will need to be organised if the maximum number is exceeded)

External closing date 15 April 2008.
http://www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=Program

Opportunity for entry into the 2008 Riversymposium Young Water Scientist Award is now open to any young scientist currently undertaking postgraduate research on water through any recognized institution within Australia.

This award promotes excellence in the development of young scientists who are capable researchers, communicators and innovative thinkers.

To recognise postgraduate water researchers who demonstrate these characteristics, the International Riversymposium in partnership with GHD and the Water Forum CRCs will present an award to a Young Water Scientist at the 11th International Riversymposium held in Brisbane, Sept 1 – 4, 2008.

The International Riversymposium is now managing this prestigious award to provide opportunities for researchers throughout Australia to enter. The award was an initiative of the Water Forum CRCs.

Postgraduate research students (PhD) who are either in the final stages of their projects or who have submitted their theses since 1 March 2007 on research topics relating to water are invited to apply to the International Riversymposium organisers NOW!