In-person attendance at UQ was complemented by interstate members joining in via the new online meeting tool Kumospace
The 2021 Idea Factory challenged 36 early career researchers to write more effective grant applications, and learn to effectively communicate the value of their research to varied audiences.
The workshop concentrated on developing researchers’ ability to pitch their research – and get funded, primarily:
- improving grant writing skills and confidence, customising grants for different funding bodies
- distilling key messages about a research project for target audiences
- communicating the value of the research.
These key transferrable skills will be valuable regardless of which career paths the researchers follow, whether academia, industry government or elsewhere.
The Idea Factory brings early career researchers together to develop their skills in a fun and collaborative workshop. In 2021 the event ran online, taking advantage of that format to bring in Dr Merryn McKinnon from the ANU Centre for Public Awareness of Science to provide expert coaching on effective communication of science. Senior research mentors came in at strategic point in each group’s preparation of their grant application to provide advice and support.
With covid restricting interstate travel, FLEET and EQUS members from NSW and Victoria joined via the customisable online networking tool Kumospace, which allowed them to view presentations, follow in-room discussions, and network with others. Throughout 2020-21 FLEET has continued to trial new online platforms, to maintain communication within the Centre.
In-person at UQ
Teams received feedback on their pitch from a mock panel, and practiced pitching their research in shorter and shorter forms – one minute, then 30 seconds, then 15 seconds – to distil what was really the most impactful information.
The Idea Factory is a joint Centre of Excellence initiative involving the Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and FLEET to provide training and networking opportunities to early-career researchers.
Post-event evaluation reinforced the value of the skills learned to participants, with 86% indicating the experience was valuable and that they had gained confidence in their abilities.
“It was a great chance to learn about writing research grants.”