Beyond the Program Guide: Empowering Researchers to Succeed in the new SSHRC Architecture

Butler Background and Objectives Anatomy of a Successful Application Supporting Researchers on Their Journey Perspectives on Strengthening SSHRC Applications Discussion Session Overview

Butler Independent researcher mentor, advisor, facilitator, midwife, doula, sherpa Helped researchers in arts, social sciences and humanities researchers secure over $50M from SSHRC, Canada Research Chairs, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, Canada Council Background

Butler Present ideas, tools, approaches and perspectives regarding SSHRC application development Present ideas, tools, approaches and perspectives regarding SSHRC researcher support Enhance CAURA member SSHRC researcher support and facilitation processes Objectives

Butler Dr. Tom Strong, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Education University of Calgary Discipline: Psychology 2011 Insight Grant Application Anatomy of a Successful Application

Butler Dr. Patrick Finn, 2012 Insight Grant application Discipline: Midwifery

Butler Dr. Patrick Finn, Faculty of Arts University of Calgary Discipline: Drama 2012 Insight Grant Application Anatomy of a Successful Process

Butler Researchers do not have to change any aspect of their approach apart from: i) placing their research in a broader context beyond academia ii) communicating to a broader audience Perspective: Researchers do not need to change research fundamentals

Butler Applications to all programs are more complex communications pieces than before Focus on application development as a communications exercise, not a “figuring out the research “ Encourage the development of a research plan well in advance and separate form the writing exercise Perspective: Application as a complex communications exercise

Butler Assess Context Identify Current Status Strategize Next Phase Apply to Application Development Perspective: Strategic Planning

Butler Include explicit summaries of: Underlying research, training, collaboration, community engagement, knowledge mobilization models Each model is clearly phased and staged with outcomes feeding into subsequent phases How outcomes of research phases integrate to meet objectives Perspective: Underlying Models

Butler Lead characters: new knowledge, research push, community pull Bring researcher to foreground: authoritative voice, authentic voice (narrator), third (objective) and first (subjective) person Plot: the stages of the research journey from knowledge from generation to impact. Program framework for activities Summary is overture to main proposal Perspective: Character

Butler Narrative continuity and clarity of integrating detailed and birds eye view Bring research program to foreground: third (objective) and first (subjective) person Bring researcher to foreground: authoritative voice. program framework for activities Bring new knowledge to foreground: research push, community pull; momentum Summary is overture to main proposal Perspective: Narrative Elements

Butler Approach Sections and Narrative Structure Warp and Weft

Butler The science of a SSHRC application relates to assessing the strength of how each section addresses the instructions The art relates to the birds eye view, assessing how the narrative threading throughout the proposal addresses the evaluation criteria Strategic review focuses on assessing narrative structure, flow of knowledge form generation to impact Perspective: The Art and the Science

Butler Craft text with a focus on the application as a communications exercise conveying complex ideas to a broad audience Analogies: Application as art: emotional response Application as educational tool Application as music score Application as a tapestry Perspective: Application as Art

Butler Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavour: originality, significance and expected contribution to knowledge; appropriateness of the literature review; appropriateness of the theoretical approach or framework; appropriateness of the methods/approach; quality of training and mentoring to be provided to students, emerging scholars and other highly qualified personnel, and opportunities for them to contribute; and potential influence and impact within and/or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community. SSHRC Evaluation Criteria: Challenge 40%

Butler Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence: probability of effective and timely attainment of the research objectives; appropriateness of the requested budget, and justification of proposed costs; indications of financial and in-kind contributions from other sources, where appropriate; quality of knowledge mobilization plans, including for effective knowledge dissemination, knowledge exchange and engagement within and/or beyond the research community; and strategies and timelines for the design and conduct of the activity/activities proposed. SSHRC Evaluation Criteria: Feasibility 20%

Butler Capability—The expertise to succeed: quality, quantity and significance of past experience and published outputs of the applicant and any team members relative to their roles in the project and their respective stages of career; evidence of contributions such as commissioned reports, professional practice, public discourse, public policies, products and services, development of talent, experience in collaboration, etc.; and potential to make future contributions. SSHRC Evaluation Criteria: Capability 40%

Butler Thank You Discussion