EMCR Forum resources

The EMCR Forum produces occasional resources for the use of EMCRs for professional development purposes. In addition they produce public statements and discussion papers on topics affecting EMCRs. The Australian Postdoctoral Survey aims to understand and track the demographics of the EMCR community in Australia and understand the issues affecting them.

NEW: Impacts of COVID-19 for EMCRs survey

In May 2020, the EMCR Forum conducted a national survey to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on EMCRs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Australia. 333 EMCRs participated in the survey.

The Forum developed a report (PDF, 377 KB) presenting the key findings of the survey and highlighting recommendations for relevant stakeholders in the STEM sector to support EMCRs during the pandemic.

Read the media release.

Increasing diversity in prizes and awards

Through a series of facilitated workshops at Science Pathways 2018 and Science at the Shine Dome 2018, the EMCR Forum worked with EMCRs across Australia and identified a number of barriers existing in award schemes and solutions to address these.

The EMCR Forum developed the Increasing diversity in prizes and awards best practice guide and the one-page summary as a resource that can help awarding organisations improve their practices and increase diversity among the applicants and recipients of their prizes and awards.

Kindness in science

At Science Pathways 2018: Diversity your thinking the EMCR Forum Executive ran a workshop on how to foster kindness in science. It was based on the kindness in science movement started in New Zealand and many EMCRs wanted to replicate the workshop in their own workplaces. To enable this, we have provided a presentation and a how to guide for EMCRs. We hope it helps you bring more inclusiveness to your workplace.

Kick-starting collaboration

Kick-starting collaboration is a selection of resources and case studies aimed at promoting collaboration and understanding between the different sectors which make up the research and innovation environment in Australia. It includes resources for EMCRs and others working at universities, in industry or business, and within the research landscape outside these two.

Gender equity

• Gender equity: current issues, best practice and new ideas
  The EMCR forum presents a platform of initiatives (PDF, 177 KB) that can be used in universities, research institutes and laboratories across Australia to ensure that men and women have equal chances to pursue a successful career in science.
• See also the 2014 update (PDF, 320 KB).
• Gender equity in Australian science—update from the National Health and Medical Research Council
  In this position statement, the EMCR forum congratulates the NHMRC’s ongoing commitment to gender equity in science (PDF, 171 KB).
• 'Where do EMCR's stand on addressing gender equity issues?' Professor Jenny Martin, ARC Australian Laureate Fellow from the University of Queensland and campaigner for gender equity, weighs in here. 

Science communication

• Ahead of the Science Pathways 2015: Effective Science Communication for EMCRs Associate Professor Joan Leach describes ‘5 reasons why EMCRs should think about science communication’.
• The 2015 Science Pathways conference was Effective Science Communication for EMCRs. Following the conference the EMCR Forum executive put together a quick How To Guide to Science Communication for EMCRs. If you are looking for something more in depth, read the full conference report.

Best practices for postdoctoral progress

• In a policy document (PDF, 209 KB) the EMCR forum aims to assess the climate for Australian postdoctoral researchers and launches an early- and mid-career researcher survey to find national examples of best practices for career progression.

Grant selection process

Every year researchers spend many hundreds of hours compiling their grant applications, but with only 15-20% of proposals being funded, and the return rate on budget funding sitting around 65%, the details of the selection process is particularly important. EMCR Forum Executive Dr Michael Crichton gets an exclusive look into the Australian research Council (ARC) grant selection processes.

Australian Postdoctoral Reference Survey

• Report on the 2013 Australian postdoctoral survey
  In 2013 the EMCR forum ran a survey to understand postdoctoral environment, opportunities, and challenges in Australia. The survey had 953 responses. Here is the summary report on the 2013 Australian postdoctoral survey (PDF, 319 KB).
• The Second Australian Postdoctoral Reference Survey ran from late 2014 to early 2015. The results were published in Palgrave Communications. An article in the conversation also describes the results: Australia can get a better return on its investment in PhD graduates.