AARE DECRA Seminar Series

The Australian Association for Research in Education would like to invite you to participate in a series of seminars about Australian Research Council (ARC) Discover Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme (Details available here).

The DECRA scheme is a separate element of the Discovery Program. The DECRA scheme provides focused research support for eligible early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

The objectives of the DECRA scheme are to:

  • support excellent basic and applied research by early career researchers
  • support national and international research collaboration
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas
  • advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways
  • enable research and research training in high quality and supportive environments

This series of seminars will focus on preparing and applying for a DECRA. The workshops are open to anyone, but will be of particular interest to ECRs and HDR candidates, as well as researchers who are mentoring potential DECRA candidates.

For further information, please contact Professor Anna Sullivan, anna.sullivan@unisa.edu.au (AARE Research Development Co-ordinator), Dr Ellen Larsen, ellen.larsen@usq.edu.au (AARE Early Career Researcher Representative) or Natalie Downes, natalie.downes@canberra.edu.au (AARE Postgraduate Student Representative).

2022

‘Thinking about applying: What makes a successful DECRA project?’ Seminar One

16 June, 4:30-5:30 EST

In this seminar, we first discuss what a DECRA is and why early career researchers (ECRs) aspire to be a successful applicant of this funding opportunity. We then explore key considerations when planning a research project for a DECRA from the compelling research problem, innovative methodology, developing the focus and scope of the project, and how these may link to Australian Government research priority areas.

2022

‘Setting yourself up for DECRA success: What does the ARC expect?’ Seminar Two

4 July, 4:30-5:30 EST

The DECRA is a prestigious and highly competitive research grant involving significant planning and preparation on the part of the researcher. Applicants are assessed not only on the quality of the potential project, but also, on their research performance and capability. In this seminar we discuss what researchers need to do to set themselves up for success for a DECRA application. This includes the importance of, and strategies for, developing your research track record and program of research. The session will focus on discussing the DECRA assessment criteria.

2022

‘Presenting yourself as a successful researcher: How to write your Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE)’ Seminar Three

26 July, 4:30-5:30 EST

A crucial component of an ARC DECRA application (and any ARC application) is the Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) statement. This is a statement where applicants can identify the opportunities they have had in their career, and how they have maximised these opportunities to develop their research, including outlining their record of high quality research outputs appropriate to the discipline/s. In this seminar we explore how to write a ROPE to present yourself as a successful researcher.

2022

‘DECRA success: Advice from successful DECRA candidates’ Seminar Four 

9 August, 4:30-5:30 EST

In this session a conversation will be held with a panel of DECRA fellows. The panel will discuss their reflections on:

  • how they successfully secured a DECRA,
  • how they built their track records,
  • how they knew they were ready to submit a DECRA application, and
  • how they went about planning and preparing their research design and application.

They will share their insights and advice on the application development and submission process, and what successfully achieving a DECRA has meant for their research careers.