1. ARC Rejoinder Session
Professor Doug McEachern Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
4 July 2008

2. ARC Rejoinder Session Discovery projects
Started 1 July due ARC 14 July
Internal deadline 10 July
NHMRC
Between 14 June and 4 July (?)
7 working days to respond

3. ARC Rejoinder Session Why Are There Rejoinders?
An interpretation of administrative law
A right to respond to ‘the evidence’ to be considered by those who will make judgments

4. ARC Rejoinder Session Who is the rejoinder written for?
It is not a reply to the assessor
It is not read by the assessor
It is only relevant to the committee assessing the application
Hence – no point in being angry, hurt, offended, scornful or any of those emotions in dealing with criticism in the assessment

5. ARC Rejoinder Session Points about rejoinder text
Be cautious about criticising the choice/competence of the assessors
Assessors chosen by the committee considering the application
A reason for the choice which may not be obvious to you

6. ARC Rejoinder Session More Points …
Keep a sense of perspective – the most important evidence the committee has at its disposal is the application
Be temperate in your response and language (think what would persuade you in reading the rebuttal of criticism you have made of another academic’s work)

7. ARC Rejoinder Session More Points …
Do not make claims about what you intend to do which are not supported by what you say in the application
If an assessor identifies a fault in the application, acknowledge that and provide a correction or alternative way forward

8. ARC Rejoinder Session More Points … Rejoinders can make a difference
If no assessments, do not make a rejoinder
Remember, sometimes the assessor is right!

9. ARC Rejoinder Session Key Messages
Track record – outcomes and impact of previous research
Importance of method
Importance of the problem
Innovation in the solution proposed
Be positive and argue the case for funding

10. ARC Rejoinder Session Basic Details Rejoinders are submitted online
Rejoinders are submitted through the Research Office
Discovery Projects – internal deadline Thursday 10 July
Due dates for Linkage Projects rejoinders - via RA [Research-Announcements]