11 May 2021

CaRST eNewsletter

Cue the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®). 3MT is an annual international competition in which HDR candidates must condense their entire thesis into a three minute presentation geared to a non-specialist audience. Through the 3MT, HDRs are supported to convey their research to the wider community and develop important research communication skills. Registrations for the 2021 University of Adelaide Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition are now open. I encourage all HDRs to participate and then put what they learn through this process into practice.

The 2021 3MT competition will again be held in a virtual format with participants submitting a three minute video presentation about their research. Registrations close 18 June but video submissions are not due until 16 July. Further information about the competition and how to enter is detailed below.

Dr Monica Kerr
Director, CaRST

You've got 3 minutes and 1 slide to make an impact with your research. Can you do it?

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a national competition that challenges Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students to effectively explain their research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.

Entry is now open to all HDRs, however, only PhD candidates who have successfully passed their Major Review by the date of their first presentation are eligible to reach the final round.

Interested students are encouraged to attend an online 3MT Information Session: 12 May 2021. A recording of this session will also be made available following the event. Register here.

For more information, visit the University of Adelaide 3MT website or contact your Faculty Coordinator. Registrations will close 18 June 2021.

Training & Development Events

How to Plan your PhD

When: 12 May 2021, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Credits: 2.5 credits. Domain C
Delivery mode: Zoom webinar

A PhD is a major undertaking, yet many people spend more time planning a weekend away than they do planning the next three years of their life. If you want to finish on time and enjoy the process along the way then it is important to have a good plan. Presented by Hugh Kearns, this session will teach you how to develop your own PhD Planning Toolkit and guide you in how to use it to plan your PhD. Register here.

Statistical Comparisons using R

When: 13 May 2021, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Credits: 8 credits, Domain A (self-recorded)
Delivery mode: Zoom meeting, limited places

This hands-on training, presented by Intersect, will introduce key concepts of inferential statistics in R. Learn how to choose and use the appropriate statistical test for data such as correlation, contingency tables, ANOVA, chi-square and t-test. Open to all researchers. Register interest.

Flexing your Communication Style

When: 13 May 2021, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Credits: 1 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person, limited places

In this workshop you will identify your own preferred communication style and workplace preferences, reflect on how your preferences and communication style influence your workplace relationships, and learn how to “flex” your communication style to allow you to forge positive relationships with colleagues. Register on waitlist.

Writing the Introductory and Literature Review Sections for your Research Proposal

When: 14 May 2021, 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Credits: 2.5 credits, Domain A
Delivery mode: Zoom meeting

This session focuses on the successful communication and language aspects of the Introduction and Literature Review sections of the Research Proposal. In particular, it will focus on language for how to introduce and discuss your research and how to clearly express your "voice". This includes how to indicate critical evaluation of source material and how to conclude different points within the proposal text. Register here.

Data Manipulation and Visualisation in R

When: 17-18 May 2021, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Credits: Up to 6 credits, Domain A (self-recorded)
Delivery mode: Zoom meeting, limited places

R is quickly gaining popularity as a programming language for statisticians, data scientists and researchers. This CaRST course by Intersect teaches you how to manipulate, explore and get insights from your data (Data Manipulation using the dplyr package), as well as how to convert your data from one format to another (Data Transformation using the tidyr package). You will also explore different types of graphs and learn how to customise them using one of the most popular plotting packages in R, ggplot2 (Data Visualisation). Register on waitlist.

Communication Skills for Effective Relationships

When: 19 May 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person

In this second workshop in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, Jane Turner Goldsmith will discuss and demonstrate the basics of conflict resolution. These skills together provide a solid foundation for harmonious and productive relationships in your life as an HDR and beyond. Register here.

Handling Difficult Conversations Well

When: 19 May 2021, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: Zoom webinar

It sometimes seems that life is full of difficult conversations! They’re the ones that we put off, avoid or stumble our way through. But it is possible to handle them with greater certainty and confidence – and still get a good result with less emotional turmoil. Presented by Gary Edwards, this session we will look at how these conversations arise, how they differ from “normal” conversations and how you can use collaborative communication skills to build relationships, reduce conflict, increase learning and improve outcomes. Register here.

Media Training for Scientists

When: 25 May 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: Zoom webinar

Dealing with the media can be a challenge. In this workshop, the Australian Science Media Centre will explore how scientists can get the most out of working with the mainstream media. It will focus on making tricky science accessible, avoiding jargon, and how to communicate your message to a broad lay audience. Register here.

Time for Research

When: 26 May 2021, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Credits: 2.5 credits, Domain B
Delivery mode: Zoom webinar

As a busy academic do you feel like you never have enough time to get to your research, particularly the writing part? This workshop shows you how to guarantee you spend high quality time on your research outputs. Join Hugh Kearns as he covers prioritising, goal setting and managing competing demands in a university context. Register here.

Working with your Supervisor – Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

When: 27 May 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person

The relationship you have with your supervisor is crucial in determining your PhD experience. They are your primary source of guidance as you undertake an individual research project and even the best student/supervisor relationships can experience periods of strain through the ups and downs of research. In this workshop you will learn what you can do to establish a positive working relationship with your supervisor and ultimately get the most out of your HDR experience. Register here.

Please note: This session is for Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences students only. Sessions for other faculties are coming soon.

Getting Started with HPC using Slurm

When: 27-28 May 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Credits: 6 credits, Domain A (self-recorded)
Delivery mode: Zoom meeting, limited places

High-Performance Computing (HPC) allows you to accomplish analysis faster by using many parallel CPUs and huge amounts of memory simultaneously. This CaRST course, presented by Intersect, provides a hands-on introduction to running scripts on HPC infrastructure. Open to all researchers, online via Zoom. Register here.

Improve your Confidence with Improv

When: 31 May 2021, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain B
Delivery mode: In-person, limited places

Is there a performer inside you, dying to get out? Want to improve your public speaking skills or feel more comfortable when put on the spot? If you answered yes, or you just want to have a truckload of fun, improvisation is for you! This workshop presented by On The Fly Improv uses theatre games to create a fun way to help you to build confidence and improve your communication skills. Register on waitlist.

Other Training & Development

JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program

The JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program (CSRTP) enables participants to learn how to conduct robust systematic reviews of different evidence types in order to provide the strongest possible evidence to inform decision making or clinical guidelines in healthcare. A one, three or five-day program, depending on your research needs or areas of interest. 10-15 May 2021; 9:00am - 5:00pm. Further information.

JBI gLocal Solution Room 2021

The JBI gLocal Solution Room is a FREE event designed to provide pragmatic solutions to challenges in getting evidence into practice in local settings. This event will feature an esteemed panel of experts that will provide 'real-world' insights during their presentations which are focused on evidence implementation. As a 'think tank' the experts will then respond directly to participant questions around challenges in getting research into practice during an interactive panel discussion. The aim is to provide practical solutions for getting evidence into practice in unique clinical settings. Further Information.

News

Seeking capable PhD students for casual eResearch Trainer positions

Intersect (www.intersect.org.au) is looking for exceptional PhD candidates based in Adelaide to join their Training team as casual eResearch Trainers. The position will deliver and/or assist in research-oriented training courses on digital tools and technologies used for data analysis, data management, programming, and research computing. Further information and how to apply.

Online Training

Statistical Methods for Research

Statistical Methods for Research is a foundation programme in statistics, providing HDR students with the practical, transferable skills needed to conduct statistical analysis at postgraduate level and beyond. This self-paced course is completed via MyUni, and is available to HDR students in five discipline streams. Eligible for 12 credits in Domain A. Further information.

Undertaking a literature Review

The Research Methods in Literature Review online courses support doctoral and postdoctoral researchers undertaking independent research. The course aims to assist you in developing a sound understanding of the literature review process. Examples are taken from many different disciplines and will be relevant to all researchers, regardless of academic field. This self-paced course is completed via MyUni, and is available to HDR students. Eligible for 3 credits in Domain A. Further information.

Principles of Research Methods

Principles of Research Methods aims to give doctoral researchers a sound understanding of core theoretical principles that underpin research methods across all disciplines, exploring available methodologies, and supporting interdisciplinary approaches and mixed method approaches. Examples are taken from many different disciplines and will be relevant to all researchers, regardless of academic field. This self-paced course is completed via MyUni, and is available to HDR students. Eligible for 3 credits in Domain A. Further information

Research Methods in Practice

This course aims to develop an awareness of the practical and conceptual skills that support effective independent scholarly research in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The end goal is to help researchers to understand the issues involved in making an informed choice about the methodology and approach most suitable for their own specific project. This self-paced course is completed via MyUni, and is available to HDR students in three broad discipline streams. Eligible for 3 credits in Domain A. Further information.

Endnote Essentials

As your research becomes more complex, the number of resources you need to manage and track increases. EndNote Essentials is an online course to help you learn the skills you need to get up and running with EndNote. Completing the self-paced online course will give you an understanding of the functions of Endnote and how it can be a tool to support you in your studies. Enrol in Endnote Essentials through MyUni.

About CaRST

Located within the Adelaide Graduate Centre, CaRST is a specialised training and development program for HDR students at the University of Adelaide. For further information on CaRST visit the CaRST website.