11 September 2024

CaRST eNewsletter

The University final of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition was held on the 10^th September where 10 PhD students from across the University shared their research to a packed theatre.

Congratulations to all of our finalists for their thought provoking, entertaining presentations. Particular congratulations to our prize winners:

• University winner: Mabel Day from the School of Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences. "Light-Driven Degradation: A Brighter Future for PFAS"
• University runner-up: Jack Hetherington from the School of Economics and Public Policy. "Helping Little Miss Muffet to find a better 'whey'"
• People's Choice: Chan Hee Cho from the School of Medicine. "Predicting Hip Implant Failure"

Mabel will now compete in the 2024 Virtual Asia-Pacific 3MT Competition, with semi-finals kicking off on 8 October. Good luck Mabel!

Career Control for Researchers program - apply now!

Do you want to know what your career options are, how to make career choices that are right for you and create strategies for pursuing them? Career Control for Researchers will give you the tools, guidance and confidence to take charge of your career direction, determine your own priorities and accelerate your progress. CaRST is pleased to sponsor participation in this program for a limited number of eligible applicants.

What?

• 8-week program delivered online (1 - 1.5 hours per week)
• Live, web-based discussions with career specialists
• Self-paced modules
• Eligible for 13 CaRST credits in Domain B

Who?

• In your second year or beyond?
• Interested in exploring your career options?
• Committed to taking control of your career plan?

If you answered yes to all of the above then we welcome your application!

What did students think?

"I would also highly recommend it to other PhD students. I learned a lot, the goal-setting skills and modules are essential and well-structured"

"The program offered the right information to help me collect my thoughts about my career planning and aspirations, as well as to begin to get my career on track"

"The program helped me set a career path based on my personality, needs and interests. In addition, I have identified what skills I need to further develop in order to achieve my goals"

To register your interest in the course, please complete and submit the online Expression of Interest form by 23^rd September 2024. You will be advised by 24^th September 2024 if you are successful in gaining a place in the program.

Training & Development Events

Before registering for CaRST events, please review our no-show policy.

Early Career Research Funding – Maximising your Chance of Success

When: 12 September 2024, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Credits: 1.5 credits, Domain C
Delivery mode: Zoom Webinar

This webinar will provide early career researchers with practical advice on developing their track record and preparing to apply for research funding opportunities. Join us to hear from successful early career researchers regarding their career journey and experience. Register here.

AusSMC Smartphone Video Workshop for Researchers

When: 17 September 2024, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person - Barr Smith 2060

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then, at 25 pictures per second, video is a priceless tool for communicating in the booming online world. Fortunately, as demand for video has soared, it’s become easier than ever for researchers to produce footage – professional-quality film can now be created using a smartphone. But what kind of visual materials are the media looking for, and how can you use this knowledge to communicate your research to the public? Join us for this two hour training workshop to get the lowdown on video, hosted by Dr Joe Milton from the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC). The workshop will teach you useful skills such as using a smartphone to shoot professional-quality video, and how to edit your footage to put together a finished video package. Register here.

Working with your Supervisor (ABLE)

When: 18 September 2024, 2:00am - 4:00pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person - Schulz 307

The relationship you have with your supervisor is crucial in determining your PhD experience. But it can be difficult to know what to expect from the supervisory relationship. 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 ABLE

Working with your Supervisor (HMS)

When: 19 September 2024, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person - Barr Smith South 1062

The relationship you have with your supervisor is crucial in determining your PhD experience. But it can be difficult to know what to expect from the supervisory relationship. 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 Science and Medical Sciences

CaRST Information Session

When: 23 September 2024, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Credits: 1 credit, Domain C
Delivery mode: Zoom Webinar

Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) is a compulsory component of the PhD and Masters of Philosophy degrees. The CaRST Information Session provides an opportunity to learn about the program requirements, procedures and how to ensure you make the most of the program. The session will provide information on the following: CaRST requirements, eligible activities, using CaRST Online, milestone reviews, and advice from a student. Register here.

Learn 5 storytelling / presentation techniques from a pitch expert

When: 24 September 2024, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Credits: 3 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: In-person - Barr Smith South 2051

Why is it that good speakers can take average content and make it work? Yet, average speakers can take a great idea and make it boring? What would your content sound like if it was: (1) a conversation? (2) a choose-your-own-adventure? (3) an analogy? (4) a diagram? (5) a live demonstration? In this interactive workshop, you will be practicing 5x techniques that make your content more engaging. The presenter (Tom Hendrick from Talent Academy, ThincLab’s in-house pitch consultant) will also be sharing 5x free online tools to improve your presentations. This multidisciplinary workshop is suitable for all HDR students who want to improve the presentation quality of their research. Register here.

Stylish Academic Writing for Postgrads

When: 26 September 2024, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Credits: 2 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: Zoom Webinar

This workshop will cover some of the basics of Stylish Academic Writing and introduce to participants several ways that their writing can be more cohesive and creative. The participants will be invited to examine examples of academic writing that is punchy, witty, and insightful. Academic writing does not need to be boring or bland but can still contain creative elements that entice the reader. This workshop is designed for all disciplines and will showcase a variety of academic articles, books, and strategies to assist with thesis and publication writing.  Register here.

Conducting Research Interviews

When: 10 October 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Credits: 1.5 credits, Domain A
Delivery mode: In-person - Barr Smith South 1063

Research interviews are a fantastic way to build a rich, nuanced data set that may not be available through other research methods. In this workshop you’ll be given tips and techniques to structure your interview, engage respectfully with your interviewees to get the best outcomes, and manage and analyse your data. You’ll also have a chance to practice your interview skills with your fellow students. This multidisciplinary workshop is suitable for all HDR students who are planning to use interviews as a research methodology. Students should come prepared with a topic (preferably non-academic) to be interviewed about – maybe your favourite movie, sporting team, or holiday. Register here.

Other Training & Events

PYTHON206: Introduction to Machine Learning using Python: Classification

Machine Learning (ML) is a new way to program computers to solve real world problems. It has gained popularity over the last few years by achieving tremendous success in tasks that we believed only humans could solve, from recognising images to self-driving cars. In this course, we will explore the fundamentals of Machine Learning from a practical perspective with the help of the Python programming language and its scientific computing libraries. You can record this session for 6 credits in Domain A for CaRST. 19-20 September 2024 9.30am-12.30pm. Register here.

Introduction to systematic searching for non-health subjects

Systematic reviews have their origins in the discipline of Health and Medical Sciences, but are increasingly being carried out in other areas. There are also other types of systematic literature reviews which make use of systematic search techniques. Join the Liaison Librarians to learn more about developing an appropriate search strategy for this kind of review. You can record this session for 1 credit in Domain A for CaRST. 26 September 2024 11.00am-12.00pm. Register here.

PYTHON207: Introduction to Machine Learning using Python: SVM & Unsupervised Learning

Machine Learning (ML) is a new way to program computers to solve real world problems. It has gained popularity over the last few years by achieving tremendous success in tasks that we believed only humans could solve, from recognising images to self-driving cars. In this course, we will explore the fundamentals of Machine Learning from a practical perspective with the help of the Python programming language and its scientific computing libraries. You can record this session for 6 credits in Domain A for CaRST. 19-20 September 2024 9.30am-12.30pm. Register here.

R101: Learn to Program: R

R is quickly gaining popularity as a programming language of choice for statisticians, data scientists and researchers. It has an excellent ecosystem including the powerful RStudio development environment and the Shiny web application framework. But getting started with R can be challenging, particularly if you’ve never programmed before. That’s where this introductory course comes in. We teach using RStudio, which allows program code, results, visualisations and documentation to be blended seamlessly. Join us for a live coding workshop where we write programs that produce results, using the researcher-focused training modules from the highly regarded Software Carpentry Foundation. You can record this session for 6 credits in Domain A for CaRST. 3-4 October 2024 9.30am-12.30pm. Register here.

Open Access Publishing

This webinar will cover the updated University Open Access Policy, the different types of Open Access (OA) publishing currently available and what options are available for publishing your own work Open Access, OA licensing and copyright, and things to look out for in Open Access publishing agreements. You can record this session for 1 credit in Domain D for CaRST. 14 October 2024 10.00am-11.00am. Register here.

Data Management Planning Essentials

What makes a good data management plan and why is it important? Join us for this session where we’ll look at the benefits of data management planning, your data management planning obligations at the University of Adelaide, and how a well thought out data management plan can help to make your life as a researcher easier. You can record this session for 1 credit in Domain C for CaRST. 15 October 2024 11.00am-12.00pm. Register here.

Neurodiversity Mentoring 2025

The Disability Support Unit will be launching a Neurodiversity Mentoring Program in 2025 to support neurodivergent students. Mentors will assist their neurodiverse mentees and provide advice around study habits, executive functioning, academic skills, and managing studying whilst neurodivergent. Please visit the Neurodiversity Project webpage to learn more about this pilot program and how to become a mentor. We are also asking students to kindly fill out this survey on future neurodiversity support. You can claim up to 7 credits in CaRST for completion of the program and training

Paid Opportunity: Course Builder

The Learning Enhancement and Innovation team are recruiting for several casual positions to develop online content for the new Adelaide University. This is a chance to boost your experience with online learning environments, and to help shape the new Adelaide University. HDR students are encouraged to apply, and part-time hours compliant with scholarship conditions are possible for the right candidates. Find out more and apply here (closing 22 September). Please note, as a paid opportunity, this activity isn't eligible for CaRST credit.

To ensure your attendance is recorded correctly, double check that you’ve entered your University ID correctly when registering (aXXXXXXX). If you leave early, you may receive only partial credit. If you think your attendance has been recorded in error, contact us at carst@adelaide.edu.au and we’ll be happy to double check our records.

About CaRST

Located within the Adelaide Graduate Research School, 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.