What it Means to Become a Researcher Prof Tim Dolin, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Humanities

From student to researcher You’re not a “postgraduate student” you’re an HDR Solution of a problem guided by a team of supervisors Research training: intellectual, technical and personal development Immersion in a research culture and ‘HDR community’ HDR Production of a thesis examined by discipline experts

What is a researcher? Someone with: specialized knowledge or expertise; conceptual and intellectual capacities, such as the ability to identify and frame key problems, to think critically and analytically, and to generate and communicate interesting and original insights. academic skills the ability to produce scholarly work (books, research papers) with high-level arguments and the evidence to support them, written in specialist language to be communicated to a specialist audience. http://port.modernlanguages.sas.ac.uk/researcher

What is a researcher? Someone with: research skills the ability to use sources effectively, to gather and organize information, to analyze text, data and theory; personal attributes the ability to think and work independently to high standards to take initiative and responsibility, to be well organized and balanced in judgment, to collaborate well with others where appropriate to take on board and incorporate constructive criticism http://port.modernlanguages.sas.ac.uk/researcher

What is a researcher? Research apprenticeship You learn these skills and gain these attributes over time, in the research environment and culture lab field library classroom or supervisor’s office graduate hub, conference, Facebook, café, etc etc Academics are researchers, but researchers are not necessarily academics Academic skills only 1 of the 5 attributes/skills High demand outside academia for specialized knowledge and expertise, conceptual and intellectual capacities, research skills, and the attributes of a highly motivated, highly trained researcher

What is research? The creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative. (Australian Research Council)

What is higher-degree research? Graduates will have A substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of a field of work or learning, including knowledge that constitutes an original contribution Substantial knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning http://www.aqf.edu.au/

From a thesis examination report (2017) … The thesis submitted for examination is very well written and organised, and clearly demonstrates the candidate’s capacity to identify a viable problem and successfully carry out independent research. The study is original and provides a significant contribution to knowledge. The research was explicitly conceptualised and properly executed and provides valuable insights into … . This topic provides useful and insightful data about … .

Developing research skills: cognitive/disciplinary Develop understanding of theoretical knowledge Reflect critically on that theory and practice Evaluate existing knowledge and ideas Undertake systematic investigation and Reflect on theory and practice to generate original knowledge

Developing research skills: cognitive/disciplinary Read widely and critically identify areas of theoretical or methodological debate or disagreement, controversy or inconsistency read in a targeted way develop skills of critical appraisal and capacity to identify the objectives and arguments of those you are reading and to articulate their strengths and weaknesses Write early and write regularly Try out your ideas and your critical skills: give and get feedback

Developing research skills: technical The ‘rules of research’ – Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research Following appropriate protocols for data collection – ethics procedures Utilising lab equipment, software etc optimally Data management Authorship and publication protocols https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/r39.pdf?

Developing research skills: finding, organising, note-taking …

Developing research skills: training

Developing research skills: training

Developing research skills: training Authorship – Who Writes the Papers? Conflict Resolution for HDR Students Copyright, Plagiarism and Self-plagiarism Format My Thesis – The Essentials Human Research Ethics IP and Research Commercialisation for HDR students and their Supervisors Preparing the Candidacy Application and Research Proposal Publishing Tips and Strategies – Librarian’s Perspective Research Data Management Seven Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students, by Hugh Kearns Thesis Preparation, Submission and Examination Turbocharge Your Writing by Hugh Kearns

This feels like a long journey… but time flies! Especially if: You experience delays: ethical approval slow orders/imports equipment breakdown gaps between research stages (unsuccessful grant, failed experiments) You have domestic dramas: new babies sick relatives relationship problems child care problems financial problems visa problems You let your supervisors slack off You’re not organised

Keeping to your timeline Work efficiently during busy periods Use downtime to think, plan, write, publish, learn new skills Keeping to your timeline Time management skills For your research In your personal life Financial management skills Research budget Open communication with supervisors Consider extension/LOA ‘Own’ your research Access support systems

Keeping to your timeline Time management skills For your research In your personal life Financial management skills Research budget Open communication with supervisors Consider extension/LOA ‘Own’ your research Access support systems

Keeping to your timeline Time management skills For your research In your personal life Financial management skills Research budget Open communication with supervisors Consider extension/LOA ‘Own’ your research Access support systems

Developing as a researcher: opportunities Funding applications Early-career researcher awards Small grants Competitions 3-Minute Thesis Innovation awards Young xxx of the Year awards Dissemination Journal publications Conferences Industry/research partners

Developing as a researcher: opportunities Funding applications Early-career researcher awards Small grants Competitions 3-Minute Thesis Innovation awards Young xxx of the Year awards Dissemination Journal publications Conferences Industry/research partners

Developing as a researcher: opportunities Funding applications Early-career researcher awards Small grants Competitions 3-Minute Thesis Innovation/ comercialisation awards Dissemination Journal publications Conferences Industry/research partners

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