Early career newSletters
EDITORIAL: Mentoring Matters
Information and advice on mentoring
Funding opportunities and upcoming events
Science at the Shine Dome: a feast for the mind
Science meets Parliament
New initiative for postdoctoral fellows at CSIRO a success
Opportunity to explore a non-research career in science
Early- to mid- career researcher forum
News bulletin
Funding opportunities and upcoming events
Your comments
EDITORIAL
Mentoring Matters
Mentoring is a term that springs up everywhere, particularly if you are in the early stages of your career. Institutions of all kinds are talking about mentoring and implementing formal mentoring programs. Now is a great opportunity to finally bring this common practice into the open.
Senior colleagues will tell you that when they started their career there were no mentoring or career development programs to support them. So are we really that much luckier and better off now? My impression is that what we know today as mentoring has always existed, but was not yet identified as a key component of successful careers. We now understand that mentoring and being mentored are essential and almost inevitable in the process of developing a professional career.
The first time I was asked ‘Do you have a mentor?’, my first response was ‘Not particularly.’ However, when I later reflected on the role of mentors, I realised that I indeed had several mentors; I just did not refer to them in that way. My mentors are friends and/or colleagues whom I can easily approach, and whose opinion and advice I seek and treasure. Mentors are not found on demand; when you look for one intentionally you are unlikely to meet her/him. Mentorship is a relationship that requires time and is built on trust and competence.
Mentors do not have to be people that are senior to you, they do not have to be people you aspire to emulate, and they do not need to have all the answers. Very effective mentoring can come from a person at your same stage of career who is experiencing the same challenges as you are. Peer mentors can add value to your career simply by showing you another perspective on things through their ability to see your situation from an objective distance. For this reason, everyone can be a mentor, no matter how junior they are.
For example, the NECTAR group at the Australian National University represents an excellent opportunity for peer-to-peer mentoring. NECTAR is an independent space for early career academics that was initiated by a group of young academics eager to make a difference and contribute to the university community. NECTAR is a space where academics in the earlier stages of their careers, and from different disciplines, can exchange ideas and discuss issues with their peers.
I am convinced that mentorship is not a solution, but simply part of the process of growing your career. Mentors are there to support, to advise, to listen and to suggest possibilities. Even the best mentor cannot and should not make a decision for you. Good mentors cannot make a successful career for you but they can help you make a successful career for yourself.
Dr Daniela Rubatto
Associate Professor and QEII Fellow
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University
Information and advice on mentoring
Effective mentoring – advice for the mentor and the mentee
Dr Donald Castell reflects upon what he has learned after 40 years of academic mentoring and summarises his advice neatly using the acronym MENTORING.
www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v106/n5/full/ajg2010482a.html
Alison McCook explores how principal investigators can help their postdoctoral fellows make the most of their job search, and how this can be beneficial to both parties. www.nature.com/naturejobs/2011/110630/full/nj7353-667a.html
For more general advice on selecting a useful mentor to help you build your career, as well as tips on how to be an effective mentor, see the Sydney Morning Herald article ‘The magic of a mentor’. www.smh.com.au/executive-style/management/the-magic-of-a-mentor-20110726-1hxtk.html
The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own. – Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister 1874-80.
Mentoring discussed by Australia’s top scientists
Many of this country’s top scientists, interviewed as part of the Academy’s Interviews with Australian scientists project, have discussed mentoring and described the mentors who have influenced their careers.
Professor Frank Caruso, FAA, Physical chemist and materials scientist:
I think it is important for a scientist to have excellent scientific mentors and excellent colleagues, and also to be motivated and focused…It has been very helpful for me to have mentors throughout my scientific career, and also to benefit daily from being with fellow scientists who are highly motivated and very interested in what they are doing.
www.science.org.au/scientists/interviews/c/fc.html
Dr James Moody, Engineer and information technologist:
I've got quite a few mentors, but really I find that I take what I think is the best part (and this is all my opinion!) out of a lot of people around me. Everybody has something to offer – in that respect, everybody is a role model, everybody is a mentor. It's just a matter of identifying what it is about them that is so interesting.
www.science.org.au/scientists/interviews/m/moody.html
Dr Moira O’Bryan, Medical scientist
My two supervisors, Gordon Baker and Brendan Murphy, were excellent mentors, in that they were very kind men who really went out of their way to help me. They cleared a lot of paths and put me in contact with the right people. Perhaps they saw abilities in me that I hadn’t realised I had.
www.science.org.au/scientists/interviews/o/mo.html
For a full list of interviews conducted as part of the Interviews with Australian Scientists project, go to www.science.org.au/scientists/alphabetical.html
Science at the Shine Dome: a feast for the mind
More than 70 early career researchers from a diverse range of disciplines participated in the ECR program at the Academy’s annual event, Science at the Shine Dome held in Canberra from 4-6 May 2011. Tegan Dolstra shares her experience of the event.
I admit it. I attended Science at the Shine Dome purely to sate my appetite for celebrity and sustenance. There, I’ve said it. For me, the main drawcards of the AAS’s annual three-day conference were the Early Career Researcher workshop on media and science communication run by Dr Paul Willis (one-time student of prehistoric crocodiles, now better known for his slot on Catalyst) …and the food, of course.
I’m very pleased to say that Science at the Shine Dome exceeded my expectations in every way. My appetite for celebrity and food was duly sated, but I was unprepared for the calibre of the other events on offer.
All three days were jam-packed with talks encompassing what seemed like every current scientific discipline. During the new fellows and early career awards seminars we heard about some fascinating work on Komodo dragon venom from Bryan Fry and how particle physics underlies silver screen CGI from Joseph Monaghan.
The highlight of the daylong climate change symposium was a showcase of decarbonisation technologies by Curtin University PhD student Vanessa Rauland.
As Early Career Researchers we were treated to customised events. On the evening of day one we attended an informal dinner, a wonderful opportunity to make friends and network with science teachers, other researchers and Academy fellows.
Then, while everyone else was holed up in the Annual General Meeting, we divided up to attend a choice of workshops: media and communicating science, grant writing skills or building successful collaborations, all really useful and run by people who know their stuff.
I can certainly say that I returned home at the end of Science at the Shine Dome with my stomach and mind pleasantly full.
Tegan Dolstra
PhD student
School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Australian National University
Science meets Parliament
Science meets Parliament is an annual event organised by Science and Technology Australia (formerly FASTS). The Australian Academy of Science is a silver sponsor of the event and sponsored the attendance of four ECRs. To select attendees, we invited ECRs to tell us in 25 words or less: apart from the nature and potential of your own research, what would be your broader message to politicians about the value of public investment in research?
Here is a selection of our favourite entries:
Public research investment has generated world-class outcomes in science, medicine and engineering and is vital for sustainable advancement of Australian society on the world stage.
Mark Tingay, University of Adelaide
Beauty is not the sole domain of the artist. Scientists uncover secret realms and knowledge to expand the imagination and potential of all humanity.
Jennifer Clancy, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Investment in research is fundamental to maintain our vibrant, productive nation; a culture of inquiry and of critical appraisal underpins our prosperity.
Catherine Olsen, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Investment in research is investment in the ultimate future fund. Research initiated today directly contributes to the increased knowledge, capabilities, and wellbeing of tomorrow’s citizens.
Tobias Smith, University of Queensland
Dr Krystal Evans of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute was sponsored by the Academy to attend Science meets Parliament and shares her experience of the event held at Parliament House on 20-21 June 2011.
I’m an early career researcher interested in creating better linkages between scientists, politicians and people, and so I was excited to attend Science meets Parliament.
The first day was a series of workshops on science advocacy, communication and engagement. Discussions on ways to influence government and whether science could be a voting issue at the next election created a buzz of ideas in the room. Whilst the media may have considerable influence on Government, the point was raised that journalists still need content and that's where scientists can play a huge role.
In this current minority government situation it seems that the rules of advocacy have changed and that clever, unique approaches are the way of the future for engaging government. The recent campaign to save NHMRC funding from budget cuts was raised as a model of effective grassroots engagement, and that social media is an increasingly effective tool for engaging politicians. In fact, many delegates at Science meets Parliament used Twitter throughout the conference, which added an extra dimension to discussion and debate.
On the second day, I met with Federal Member for Pearce, the Hon Judi Moylan MP and had a terrific opportunity to talk about my research on malaria vaccines, and more broadly about Australian medical research in the context of public health in the Asia-Pacific region.
A personal highlight was Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb’s address at the National Press Club. In his inspiring speech he said that science is too important to be left at the periphery of decision making, that it needs to be front and centre. He also spoke of the need to promote science as an investment, not as a cost, as the benefits of science are everywhere, and to make sure that the work of scientists isn't taken for granted.
Science meets Parliament was a terrific opportunity for professional development, and I learnt an amazing amount about the parliamentary process. The other important aspect for me was the opportunity to engage with like-minded scientists from other disciplines, and it was encouraging to discover many researchers share the same challenges, ideas and vision for the future of research in Australia.
Dr Krystal Evans
Postdoctoral Fellow
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
New initiative for postdoctoral fellows at CSIRO a success
CSIRO hosted the first Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals (MMM) Group Postdoctoral Conference at the organisation’s Clayton site in Victoria on 23 to 25 March 2011. The conference brought together 63 postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) from the MMM Group’s two Divisions – CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, and CSIRO Process Science and Engineering. The conference gave attendees the opportunity to showcase their research to peers and senior colleagues and participate in discussions about postdoctoral life.
A large proportion of the two and a half day event was devoted to presentations, and prizes were awarded based on peer voting. Postdocs were challenged to tailor their presentations to a diverse set of researchers — a valuable skill, and one which influenced the voting.
Equally valuable were the complementary activities. Postdoc attendees who might otherwise never have met had the chance to discuss postdoctoral life and attend tours of laboratory facilities at Clayton. In one particularly popular session, attendees quizzed two patent attorneys from a prominent law firm throughout their interactive presentation on intellectual property.
Perhaps the most important sessions examined life as a postdoc at CSIRO and beyond.
Via an anonymous pre-conference survey, postdoc attendees answered questions about what they want and value in their role as a postdoc, and how well they believed CSIRO was meeting their expectations. At the conference the survey results were revealed, and postdocs had the opportunity to discuss ideas, questions and concerns with peers and senior colleagues. This initiative highlighted the issues on postdocs’ minds, such as desires to take on more responsibility, and to discover the best way to set themselves up for a great career.
Future career pathways were covered in a presentation advising postdocs on career development. A key attribute of the presentation was its realism; presenters provided actual career case studies and made a point of representing a wide range of possible career paths, both within and outside of CSIRO.
This inaugural event was an initiative of the MMM Group’s Postdoc Committee, which was established six months earlier, and it enjoyed strong support from key MMM group personnel. Plans are in the works to make the conference will become an annual event.
Dr David Verrelli
Postdoctoral Fellow
CSIRO Process Science and Engineering
Opportunity to explore a non-research career in science
Have you been considering a science based career outside research? If you would like to explore such an option and write about your initial experience, the Australian Academy of Science would like to assist you with a view to publishing your experience in Early Days.
Send us the name or describe the person you would like to discuss career options with and what questions you would like to ask them about their career for the chance to take them out for lunch on us. For the next three issues we will select one ECR.
Possible careers include science journalism, science communication, patent attorney, science policy, public service, biotechnology company and industry to name only a few.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact hannah.french@science.org.au before 25 August.
Early- to mid- career researcher forum
The Australian Academy of Science has always argued strongly for the implementation of national policies that will strengthen Australian research, in terms of excellence both of the scientific outcomes and of the researchers. An integral part of our science policy is arguing that early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) should have a chance to contribute to Australia’s research effort, offering the best scientists a clear path to appointments that allow some level of security and reward, whether in the university system, CSIRO, research institutes, or industry.
However, as an Academy, while we always push for more resources and a better career structure for EMCRs, we have to admit that this has often been ‘behind the scenes’. The Academy’s Council has decided to ask EMCRs whether they can suggest a more open structure where early and mid-career researchers create a Forum, a small committee that can feed ideas to the Academy Secretariat and Council. It might be possible to combine this with a meeting of early career researchers every two or three years that discusses policy and assesses whether progress is being made.
Several mid-career researchers have been helping with this, including James Tickner, Sandra McLaren, Maggie Evans-Galea, Krystal Evans, Marnie Blewitt and Nicole Webster. If you have any suggestions, please contact one of them, or me. To express your interest in the initiative so you can be updated on progress, please contact Hannah French at hannah.french@science.org.au
Bob Williamson, Secretary for Science Policy
r.williamson@unimelb.edu.au
News bulletin
Academy welcomes roadmap for Australian research infrastructure
In May, the Australian Academy of Science provided a submission for the 2011 Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure, which will serve to inform the Government on where Australia should make future strategic infrastructure investments to further develop its research capacity and improve research outcomes. Following the public consultation, an Exposure Draft of the Roadmap was released for comment in June, to which the Academy also submitted a response. The Academy welcomes the broad scope of the 2011 Strategic Roadmap with its focus on research excellence and on providing major national (and international) facilities that integrate with areas where Australia already has strength and which are important for the future. It also welcomes the focus on interdisciplinary approaches and the principle of holistic funding. The latter will ensure that funding will not only provide equipment and buildings, but also skilled technical support staff to operate and maintain the infrastructure that has been identified. The Academy’s submissions can be viewed at www.science.org.au/reports/
WiSE summit final communiqué available
The final communiqué arising from the Women in Science and Engineering Summit held at Parliament house on 11 April 2011 has been released. The communiqué outlines the commitments made at the summit by research funders, leaders and employers, which will help to remove the barriers to retaining and promoting women in careers in science and engineering. The document can be accessed at www.scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/what-we-are-doing/women-in-science/
Respect the Science
On 20 June, Science and Technology Australia launched a public campaign, endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science, urging Australians to ‘respect the science’. The campaign was established in response to reports of threats against leading climate change scientists. The aim of the campaign is to build a broader understanding within the community of the way science works, highlighting the rigorous peer review process, and to showcase the expert opinions of leading scientific experts. www.respectthescience.org.au/
Funding opportunities and upcoming events
Visit to National Institutes Of Health in the USA for a junior scientist
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 2 September 2011 for travel in 2012
The Australian Academy of Science invites expressions of interest from junior scientists who are no more than 30 years of age at the time of application, to visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States of America. Proposals in any health-related field of natural science will be considered. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia living in Australia at the time of application are eligible to apply. At the time of application, applicants should be either:
• in the first two years of a PhD degree or equivalent, or
• have completed a Masters or a Bachelor with Honours degree, or
• be in the first semester of the final year of a Masters of a Bachelor with Honours degree.
Under this scheme applicants are expected to be undertaking PhD study in an Australian institution or intend to enrol in PhD study at an Australian institution. Applicants can request travel support to access the international leading-edge research facilities and staff of the NIH. The proposed visit should initiate long-term collaborations and facilitate the development of the applicant’s career.
Further information and application forms are available on the Academy’s website www.science.org.au/internat/americas/berry.html
Geoengineering The Climate? A Southern Hemisphere Perspective
This symposium is to be held at the Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra on 26 and 27 September 2011. PhD students receive a significant discount on the registration fee. For further details and registration information, please see www.science.org.au/natcoms/nc-ess/documents/GEsymposium.pdf
Women in Chemistry at Parliament House
The Australian Academy of Science invites those with an interest in women in chemistry to join science broadcaster Robyn Williams for an afternoon discussion with senior women in international science, to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry. To be held at Parliament House in Canberra on 25 August, participants will hear about the scientists’ lives, work and passions, and have the opportunity to ask questions in an interactive forum-style session. For further information, please see www.science.org.au/events/lectures-and-speeches/documents/WomeninChemistry2011.pdf
Your comments
In the last issue we asked:
What measures do you think could be instigated to make your institution more family friendly?
Dr Colleen Elso of the St Vincent’s Institute wrote:
As there are many early career researchers who have young babies, support for breastfeeding your baby while returning to work is an important way an institution can be family friendly. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and St Vincent's Institute have both given me great support for this when I returned to work after having children. The Australian Breastfeeding Association has an initiative called the 'Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace' program. It is a consultancy service and provides practical resources and information for companies looking to support their employees to maintain breastfeeding. There is also an accreditation program, which recognises and promotes best practice in meeting the needs of breastfeeding women in paid work. Information can be found on www.breastfeedingfriendly.com.au
What is your experience of building mentoring relationships (either as mentor or mentee)? How do you make it work?
We invite you to submit your opinions, ideas and comments on this question. Selected responses will be published in the next issue of Early Days. Please email your response before 1 October 2011 to hannah.french@science.org.au
