Faculty of Science and Engineering Post-Graduate Research Fund (PGRF) Workshop A/Prof Tracy Rushmer Associate Dean Higher Degree Research FSE Welcome! http://web.science.mq.edu.au/for/ higher_degree_research_candidates/
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• Add value to your research thesis • Enhance your PG research experience • Learn from the grant writing process (eg. it is competitive!) • PGRF is for value-added HDR project expenses 3
• How the proposed activity would add value to the candidate’s thesis? • The quality and professionalism of the PGRF application. • How does the activity enhances the postgraduate research experience? • Appropriateness of timing of activity in relation to candidature progress. • New – How does it fit in with MQ’s Research Framework (link provided in application form) 4
Applications include: 1.Conference travel – communicating your research is essential This is the most typical request 2. Research costs beyond those provided by the Faculty (e.g cost of new aspects of your project, small items of equipment) 3. Research Visit This can be the sole reason of the application or an item that adds value to your MQ research (not to look for a post-doc). 5
What we are funding: 1. Up to $5,000 1. Additional $500: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Commendation Prize which recognises outstanding applications. - These applications show deep understanding and commitment to your chosen field of study and are written with skill and professionalism
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• You need to adhere to the PGRF form guidelines and submit it by the closing date: Before 4pm, Friday 14 August 2015 (more details later) • Your supervisor has submitted her/his report by the closing date 8
Eligibility and Compliance • Single-sided; 12 point font; no staples; within word length limits - Supporting documents attached - Acceptance of paper/poster if available - Quotes for everything you are requesting funding for (flights, etc. - University Annual Progress Reports - Day by day itinerary if travelling - Copies of invitations to visit research facilities -Expenditure requested is within the guidelines 9
What makes a good application great?? Be enthusiastic and excited by your research and let that shine through! And challenge yourself!! 10
Dr Adèle Thomas HDR Learning Advisor, FSE
#4 Thesis project summary • 100 words of plain English – No acronyms – Avoid jargon (readers are not experts in your field) • Make sure your sentences flow • Reader should be able to read, not puzzle • Don’t leave reader with questions
#4 Thesis project summary • Identify your main aim , it’s significance and the expected research outcomes • State your research aim succinctly • Explain what makes your research significant and innovative • Research outcomes ≠ published papers
#4 Thesis project summary • 5 sentences • One or two sentences on the following: • Background • Gap • Aim • Outcomes
Project Summary – Example 1 “It is imperative to develop new, more effective tools to “ It is imperative to develop new, more effective tools to monitor the effects of pollution in marine ecosystems monitor the effects of pollution in marine ecosystems gap because anthropogenic inputs into the marine because anthropogenic inputs into the marine environment continue to increase. My project uses environment continue to increase. My project uses proteomics (the study of proteins produced by cells proteomics (the study of proteins produced by cells under particular environmental conditions) as a way to under particular environmental conditions) as a way to identify new biomarkers of pollution in Sydney rock identify new biomarkers of pollution in Sydney rock aim oysters. Potential protein biomarkers of pollution will be oysters. Potential protein biomarkers of pollution will be identified by using proteomics to analyse oysters after identified by using proteomics to analyse oysters after laboratory-based exposure to heavy metals. These laboratory-based exposure to heavy metals. These putative biomarker proteins will then be tested in field putative biomarker proteins will then be tested in field samples to assess their effectiveness as bio-monitoring samples to assess their effectiveness as bio-monitoring tools.” tools .”
Project Summary – Example 2 “Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) is critical to most “Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) is critical to most background Australian mining operations, but a common focus on Australian mining operations, but a common focus on compliance with legislation means that the outcomes of compliance with legislation means that the outcomes of CHM assessments are often of little value to Indigenous CHM assessments are often of little value to Indigenous gap Traditional Owners. We aim to apply a research-based Traditional Owners. We aim to apply a research-based framework to CHM on the Rio Tinto Alcan (Weipa) framework to CHM on the Rio Tinto Alcan (Weipa) bauxite mining leases that will provide Traditional bauxite mining leases that will provide Traditional aim Owners with a comprehensive understanding of how Owners with a comprehensive understanding of how their ancestors responded to changes in resource their ancestors responded to changes in resource availability brought about by environmental change. availability brought about by environmental change. Enhancing understanding of the past will lead to a Enhancing understanding of the past will lead to a outcome better basis for negotiation between traditional owners better basis for negotiation between traditional owners and mine operators regarding management of cultural and mine operators regarding management of cultural heritage .” heritage.”
Cut the Clutter! • Remove “dead weight words and phrases” As it is well known It has been shown that It should be emphasized that • Remove long words and phrases muscular and cardiorespiratory performance = fitness!! • Remove repetitive words / phrases Successful solutions Combined together Absolutely necessary Manually by hand
Cut the Clutter! • Long words / phrases that can be shortened Many A number of Most The majority of Less frequently occurring Rare Give rise to Cause Affect Have an effect on Are known to be Are Has been suggested to May
Examples of cutting the clutter protect against Anti-inflammatory drugs may be protective for the occurrence of Alzheimer's Disease. Clinical seizures have been estimated to occur in 0.5% to 2.3% of the neonatal population. newborns
Thinking about the Flow • Establishing a clear connection of ideas is important to help your reader follow the text • Use connectors (however, furthermore) • Repeat key terms • Progression of old to new information “old” information at the start provides – content connection backwards – forward content link, establishing context for the “new” information
Thinking about the Flow Caffeine reduces sleepiness and can lead to better academic performance since students can spend more time studying. Despite its effectiveness in counteracting sleepiness, caffeine can have a negative impact on subsequent sleep.
#7 Thesis progress • Don’t use bullet points • ½ page maximum • What have you achieved? • What do you still want to achieve? Include: – Milestones – Discoveries/breakthroughs – Training courses – Conferences/seminars presented – Papers / chapters written • Write it clearly • Be convincing
Thesis Progress – Example 1 Progress 1. Sampling complete over 2,000,000km 2 – resulting in 874 individual tissue samples. 2. DNA extracted for all samples. 3. MtDNA ND4 gene has been extracted and sequenced for all samples. 4. MtDNA dataset complete for 874 individuals 5. 454 sequencing for new primers completed 6. 20 additional microsatellites .... ..... ...... ....
Thesis Progress – Example 2 I have completed observations of 60 sources thought to contain the 25 GHz methanol maser series. I have identified these masers in all my sources and can confirm that the majority have strong emission from four of the eight different maser transitions. I am in the process of identifying whether the physical parameters in all sources are the same i.e. the same excitation mechanisms are responsible for the masers in all 60 sources. The next stage will be to determine ...... ..... .... .....
Which Thesis Progress Example is Correct?
#9 Conference attendance • Why this conference? – Importance? – Relevance? • Why this year and not next year? – How does it add value? hear latest research? learn new techniques? networking opportunities? feedback on your results? meet leading establish a name for yourself researchers
Ms Jane Yang HDR Manager, FSE
#10 Value added to conference travel Visits to laboratories, libraries, research facilities or seek collaboration opportunities, etc. within conference travel route. How the visits will add value to your thesis Attach invitation letter or correspondence confirming your visit **If the visit is for more than 3 days, the schedule of the day to day activities must be included in the invitation letter or with a supporting/confirming Memo from your supervisor.
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