AGM 22 September 2006
President's report
Secretary's report
Minutes of The UWA Researchers’ Association AGM 2006
22 September 2006
Will be put on the website soon
AGM 19 September 2005
President's report and Powerpoint presentation
Secretary's report
Treasurer's report
Minutes of The UWA Researchers’ Association AGM 2005
19 September, 2005
President’s Report
Sarah Dunlop described the nature of UWA Researchers’ careers and the development and aims of the UWA Researchers’ Association. She then described the progress of the Association on Enterprise Bargaining gaps, Safety Net for researchers, classification of researchers, maternity leave, travel grants, salary packaging and a directory of researchers.
Moved Stuart Hodgetts, seconded Anne Barden that the President’s report be accepted – Carried
Vice-President’s Report
Vera Morgan discussed her representation of research interests on UWA committees and Senate. She described the setting up of a working party (Project for the Advancement of Research Careers – PARC) which will examine many issues relating to Researchers’ conditions including: Short term contracts; Salary shortfalls; Safety Net Scheme; Superannuation; Leave and entitlements; Tenure; Identifying research staff at UWA; General versus academic classification; Titles; Participation in university decision making; Performance management; Training; A “one staff” approach. Sarah welcomed this development and explained that she had contacted Prof Margaret Seares to say the
Association looks forward to contributing the PARC.
Moved Louise Winteringham, seconded Stuart Hodgetts that the Vice-President’s report be accepted – Carried
Safety Net report
Anne Barden summarized the results of the survey sent out to UWA researchers on the Safety Net Scheme. Among the 57 respondents there was poor awareness of the scheme (60%), and inconsistent support from Schools/Faculties. Of those who had received support from the Safety Net, most subsequent grant applications were successful.
Treasurer’s Report
Stuart Hodgetts presented his report of $0 income and $0 expenditure, with a balance of $0. He confirmed that no membership fees would be charged for 2005-2006
Moved Sarah Dunlop, seconded Leslie Mathaba that the Treasurer’s report be accepted – Carried
Secretary’s Report
Jackie Kent reported:
1. There are currently 52 registered members (46 full and 6 associate)
2. There are 488 researchers on the mailing list. The original list was provided by Elaine Barnes, and all researchers listed on The University of Western Australia website were added. 88 were removed when emails were returned as undeliverable or requested to be ‘unsubscribed’
3. Since the launch there have been 6 meetings, with an average attendance of 19.
Committee Structure.
3 members elected
2 new members were co-opted
Dr Livia Hool, Research Fellow Physiology (School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences), and
Dr Louise Winteringham, Research Fellow, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) / WAIMR (Perth Campus)
Moved Stuart Hodgetts, seconded Anne Barden that the Secretary’s report be accepted – Carried
Election of Office Bearers
Nominations:
President: Sarah Dunlop Nominated Leslie Mathaba Seconded Jackie Kent
Vice-President: Vera Morgan Nominated Anne Barden Seconded Trevor Mori
Treasurer: Stuart Hodgetts Nominated Louise Winteringham Seconded Vera Morgan
Secretary: Jackie Kent Nominated Sarah Dunlop Seconded Anne Barden
Committee:
1. Anne Barden Nominated Trevor Mori Seconded Louise Winteringham
2. Trevor Mori Nominated Anne Barden Seconded Louise Winteringham
3. Louise Winteringham Nominated Trevor Mori Seconded Anne Barden
4. Leslie Mathaba Nominated Sarah Dunlop Seconded Jackie Kent
5. Livia Hool Nominated Anne Barden Seconded Sarah Dunlop
All the nominees were elected unopposed
Wine and cheese (kindly provided by OSDS) were enjoyed, followed by:
Forum on Research Mentorship
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Prof Doug McEachern introduced the forum, discussing the importance of support for grant applications, styles of leadership, and sustaining collaboration.
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Prof Sarah Dunlop suggested that mentoring should be both sought and offered, and suggested that the ‘Raising Researchers’ program be revived.
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Prof Shelda Debowski led the subsequent discussion on participants’ experiences of mentoring, and promotion and enhancement of mentorship opportunities.
Meeting 22 June 2005
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1. EB GAPS
There is no news following the meeting betweeen UWARA representatives and Professors Doug McEachern and Margaret Seares. To be followed up.
2. SAFETY NET SCHEME
A questionnaire on the Safety Net Scheme will be circulated to all members. The scheme will be discussed with each Head of School, and their signed support will be sought. The scheme will then be brought up for discussion with Pro-VC Research. Information on the Safety Net Scheme needs to be distributed widely.
3. RESEARCH QUALITY FRAMEWORK
There is a workshop on 7th July on UK Research Assessment Exercise.
OSDS has planned a forum for October 14th on the Research Quality Framework. It will run for 2 hours in the afternoon. Doug McEachern and Belinda Probert will be there. There will be places for 25-40 attendees max.
An NTEU briefing forum before the October forum may provide UWARA members with information to better participate at the October forum. To be followed up.
4. STAFFING ISSUES: RESEARCH FELLOWS
There is confusion in Human Resources as to the definition of research fellows, and this affects entitlements. Points for discussion at next meeting will be drafted.
5. CELEBRATION OF FIRST YEAR AND AGM
19th September 3.30-6.00pm. Includes wine and cheese.
University Club, Banquet room booked (will seat about 100 people)
Possible speakers and topics to be discussed further
It was agreed that voting for the Executive Committee should be by show of hands.
6. NEXT MEETING
3 August 2005, 8.30 a.m.
Where: Biomedical and Chemical Sciences Bldg, Rm G35
New grey building with the chimney stacks between the Biological Sciences Library and old Chemistry. Come up the stairs or ramp and in through the glass doors to the ground floor. G35 is on the right (north side) of the atrium.
Meeting 11 May 2005
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1. GUEST SPEAKER
Prof. Stuart Bunt, from the NTEU gave a talk on “The NTEU and Issues of Interest to Research Staff”. The Powerpoint overheads for the talk by Stuart Bunt may be downloaded here.
Powerpoint file: Talk by Prof Stuart Bunt
Comments arising:
* That UWARA could work more closely with the NTEU. The early role of Teresa Borwick (NTEU Industrial Officer) in supporting the Researchers Network was noted.
* Research Quality Assessment (RQA) raised a great deal of interest.
* Office of Staff Development will be asked about the possibility of a Researchers Forum workshop to discuss the RQA and related issues
2. SAFETY NET SCHEME
Anne, Trevor and Louise have met with various individuals and proposed that we develop a less confrontational but more effective, long term proposal. Issues for discussion and development prior to meeting with PVC-Research, Prof Doug McEachern:
* Scheme’s financial contribution has halved since 2003
* UWA to put aside a set amount of funding each year that can be carried over if not spent
* The scheme is unlikely to get support unless there is matched funding from Schools. But how does the university convince Schools to put this money aside?
* Selection of recipients should be made at the Faculty level and put forward to ProVC-Research
In the meantime, UWARA needed to gather good information on recipients and applicants who did not receive funding. To this end, a questionnaire will go out to the UWARA email list.
3. ENTERPRISE BARGAINING (EB) GAPS
Vera Morgan, Nigel Laing, Sarah Dunlop, Livia Hool, Leigh Simmons met with Professors Doug McEachern and Margaret Seares. They presented them with documentation on Enterprise Bargaining (EB) gaps at UWA and with deeds of agreement between UWA and grant bodies (both have been circulated to UWARA members). A summary statement of the issues raised and the outcomes from that meeting are available here. There will be a follow-up meeting with Doug and Margaret in a few weeks.
EB meeting outcomes document
4. NEXT MEETING
22 June 2005, 8.30 a.m.
Where: Biomedical and Chemical Sciences Bldg, Rm G35
New grey building with the chimney stacks between the Biological Sciences Library and old Chemistry. Come up the stairs or ramp and in through the glass doors to the ground floor. G35 is on the right (north side) of the atrium.
Topic: Discuss UWARA issues at greater length
Meeting 30 March 2005
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1. COMMITTEE:
Louise Winteringham has been coopted onto the Committee
2. INVITED SPEAKER:
Professor Mark Randolph from the School of Civil and Resource Engineering spoke on Staffing Categories and Awards. His School is funded 35-40% by DEST, with the remainder coming from ARC and industry funding. Where the School has previously relied on terminology that suggests there are ‘real’ (academic) and ‘non-real’ (research) staff, it now has the following objectives:
a. A single stream for academic and research staff, leading to Associate Professor and Professor levels, under a single industrial award
b. Sustained research contracts, where 70% of salary comes from the primary research grants, and 30% from teaching or other research grants. Research staff will do some teaching, with appropriate recognition, in order to build up their CV. Three research staff now have a teaching load of approximately 30%.
c. A structure with Head of School above a flat line of all staff
Mark is happy for his School to be used as a model for other Schools and is having discussions with the University.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
a. Safety Net scheme
The link to criteria for the Faculty of Medicine is unavailable at this time.
Committee members will continue discussions with senior staff in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and then present a case to UWA senior management.
b. Membership database
Names of research staff on the websites of all schools have been added to the database, but it was pointed out that the website for the School of Medicine and Pharmacology is about 5 years out of date.
c. 20% Pay Rise and Research Grants
Sarah Dunlop, Vera Morgan and Livia Hool will meet on May 3rd with Professor Margaret Seares and Professor Doug McEachern. Some researchers reported that the first part of the pay rise had been paid. An email had been received suggesting that the EB gap in one case was to be funded by the research grants office.
d. Prioritising Issues
The list drawn up by Leslie Mathaba and modified by the Committee has been circulated as a Priorities Document. The major recurring theme is that of the overall lack of job security. However, research is driven by high levels of competitiveness and, by its very nature, a career in research will inherently lack security. However, our best strategy bet is to do and publish research that is outstanding, as well as to write outstanding, and therefore highly competitive, grants. One of the Association’s missions is to ensure that we are supported to the extent that we can remain competitive. Remaining competitive requires a number of areas to be addressed. These form the basis of the public Priorities Document.
4. OTHER INITIATIVES:
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Professor McEachern has offered to read grants and provide feedback and people have taken advantage of this.
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The Association should undertake a Leadership role and offer to be mentors as well as to read grants and provide feedback before submission.
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Regarding infrastructure costs, it has been said that the amounts received from the funding bodies do not actually cover the real costs of research. This needs to be clarified.
Meeting 16 February 2005
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1. Welcome and previous minutes
2. SAFETY NET SCHEME
Professor George Yeoh (Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine and past NH&MRC Principal Research Fellow) spoke on the Safety Net scheme that he had initiated in the Faculty of Medicine 5 years ago. The Faculty of Medicine budgets for $60-70,000 per person per year for 2 researchers, to support chief investigators whose grant applications are unsuccessful and whose salary is dependent on a grant. A committee considers applications and the criteria for application are defined.
The University currently has a university-wide Safety Net Scheme in which it will match funds from the Faculty. Details of the amounts awarded by School in the past are:
2003 AWARDS:
Biomedical & Chemical Sciences $40 k Academic
Plant Biology $20 k Academic
Population Health $37 k Academic
Earth & Geographical Sciences $15 k Academic
Centre for Medical Research $16 k General
2004 AWARDS:
Centre for Neurological Disorders $32 k Academic
Psychology $36 k Academic
Anatomy & Human Biology $35 k Academic
2005 AWARDS:
Computer & Software Engineering $34 k Academic
Physics $40 k Academic
UWARA will draft a structured submission to The University on its Safety Net Scheme. Some issues for consideration include:
- A one-line annual budget from the University, including provisions to roll over funds from year to year should an award not be made
- Full funding from The University rather than a scheme such as the one at present matching University and Faculty funds
- Well-defined criteria, with awards decided by a Committee
- The funding not limited to Chief Investigators only
- Limitations on conditions attached to funding to be removed so that researchers can maximize their chances of winning their next grant
3. MEMBERSHIP DATABASE
UWARA will follow up with the Office of Staff Development on how best to keep its list of researchers updated.
It was suggested that UWARA have representation at Organisational and Staff Development Services induction days to ensure new staff were aware of UWARA.
4. 20% PAY RISE AND SALARY GAP FOR STAFF PAID OUT OF RESEARCH GRANTS
UWARA has written a letter to the Vice-Chancellor and will pursue discussions with The University regarding the recent 20% pay rise and the salary gap for staff paid out of research grants. The use of infrastructure funds to fill the gap will be raised. It was also suggested that The University request support from NHMRC and ARC. The question of the funding of maternity leave for research staff was also raised. A meeting with senior management will be scheduled.
5. PRIORITISING ISSUES
UWARA is still in the process of setting its priorities
UWARA will also have discussions with Office of Staff Development to see if there is an administrator available who could source information for UWARA as required, and be an advocate for the group.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
- We will invite some-one to speak on the classification of research staff and issues arsing from the academic-general distinction
- A paper comparing the infrastructure funding policies of UWA and the University of Queensland was circulated: BUTLER, L. (2003). Explaining Australia's increased share of ISI publications - the effects of funding formula based on publication counts. Research Policy 32:143-155
- There has been interstate interest in our Association
Next meeting:
Wednesday 30th March 8:30
Meeting 17 December 2004
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1. Welcome and previous minutes
2. Presentation by Christine Richardson, FNAS, on UWA Infrastructure Model
Powerpoint file - UWA Infrastructure Model
3. Feedback on representation at Discipline and School Meetings
Report on Faculty of Medicine.
Research staff have representation at Faculty, School and Unit level. Full Faculty, School and Unit meetings are open to academic staff at research fellow level and above. There are two representatives of research staff who attend Faculty Board meetings.
Next meeting: Report on School of Plant Biology / Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
4. UWA Safety Net Scheme
The safety net scheme comprises part salary for one year if a researcher falls into a funding gap between grants and is deemed essential to the School. The Faculty and/or School also contribute. There are a number of discretionary elements, and some recipients have found that additional demands have been made of them. To be followed up with presentation at future meeting. A working party may be set up in future. See UWA link here.
5. Prioritising members' issues - ongoing.
Meeting 5 November 2004
SUMMARISED MINUTES
1.Welcome
2.Acceptance of minutes of last meeting.
3.Attendees introduced themselves, their discipline and source of funding.
4.Priorities of the Association were discussed
a) Short-term
Infrastructure funds and their distribution
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Transparency of disbursement was considered important. To be followed up.
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Disbursement within Faculties, Schools and Units is thought to be more variable. Individuals are encouraged to find out which Committees at the Faculty, School and Unit level are involved in disbursing the funds.
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Representation by individual members of the Association at these meetings is encouraged if members are to be party to the decisions made. Members are asked to investigate what happens in their Faculty/School/Unit.
Enterprise bargaining salary gap between Funding Agency and Institutional support.
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This may be a particular issue for, for example, NH&MRC grant holders for which the funding body provides Support Packages to do the work, not support for individuals. As a result of the gap, grant holders can be compromised.
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The issue is likely to worsen with the projected ~20% salary increase for UWA staff over the next few years.
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To be pursued further.
b) Long-term
Foster the big picture and lobby to help improve larger scale research funding, for example, from the State Government.
General versus Academic appointments
5. Issues of concern raised on membership forms to be collated. | 
