New initiative for developing future research leaders

Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The Developing Research Leaders Program is currently being introduced in the Faculty of Business and Law as the first step towards creating a number of linked research mentoring programs that will operate across all Schools, Faculties and Research Institutes. This is an exciting new development aimed at broadening the base of Deakin’s research performance and creating a dynamic, highly supportive and collaborative research culture within the University.

The Developing Research Leaders program is a structured mentoring and networking initiative for high potential researchers at the mid-career stage. Each program will run for 18 months. Participants will be matched – on the basis of their specific research objectives – with a senior researcher from the same or different School, Faculty or Institute who can assist them in meeting their objectives and furthering their research career. As well as mentoring, the Program will offer a range of seminars and workshops with visiting speakers on research issues and strategies. These activities will be structured to increase opportunities for participating mentees as well as mentors to network and develop new collaborations and research partnerships across the University.

The program is being coordinated by Dr Maree Gladwin, the Director of Staff Research Development. Dr Gladwin has been working in close consultation with senior staff in the Faculty of Business and Law to shape and implement the Program. Consultations have also been taking place in preparation for introducing the Program in the Faculty of Arts and Education towards the end of 2008 and in the Faculties of Science and Technology and Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences in the first half of 2009.

Academic staff who would like further details about the Program can contact Dr Gladwin by email at mgladwin@deakin.edu.au or on 9246 8113. Further information will be available on the University's Research website in the near future.