Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash Over the last decade, we’ve written a lot of words about how to get research funders to say ‘yes’. I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about who can say ‘no’ to you applying for a grant. I want to talk about the people who can stop you from applying. First, a caveat: your mileage may vary – I’m writing this based on my experience in Australia. I am aware that different cultures and jurisdictions will handle things very differently. So please filter this advice through your own situation and experience. Refusal versus discouragement Before we begin, I’d like ..read more

Photo by note thanun on Unsplash My job is to help people get funding. I occasionally get requests from friends and family to help them with a funding application. I love these requests – I get to show them what I do, and help them with something that they need. It reminds me that different types of funding need different approaches, but that there are also some things that stay the same. Recently, I offered to help out an artist that I know. He isn’t attached to a university or any large organisation. He works for himself, making art. It’s a tough gig, so I’m happy to help where I can. This ..read more

Illustration by Dr. Kate Carruthers Thomas The limited diversity of the research profession is a global problem, with those who are minoritised on the basis of gender, race, caste, ability, class and socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and citizenship status (among other reasons) facing systemic disadvantages in becoming a research professional. Limited diversity in the research profession means not only that the wider ‘body’ of researchers fails to represent and reflect the societies we serve, but our society is robbed of the knowledge that a more diverse community of researchers would ..read more

Photo by Tim De Pauw | unsplash.com We are writing this end-of-year piece as yet another COVID wave besets Victoria, Australia (where the Research Whisperers live). Doesn’t COVID realise that it’s, like, so 3 years ago? Unfortunately, it is very much still with us. Definitely like someone who invited themselves over to your place and just won’t leave. Discussing what our theme might be for this post, Jonathan almost immediately said, ‘Exhaustion’. Jonathan  I suggested exhaustion as a theme both because I feel tired and because it keeps coming up in conversations at work. I feel like the ..read more

We recently published a book, Getting research funded: Five essential rules for early career researchers. This post provides excerpts from chapter 5: Have time on your side. Until the end of 2023, you can buy the book for 20% off by using the code AFL03 on the Routledge website. Image from Noor Younis | unsplash.com Attracting research funding is part of the job at most universities. As such, you need to allocate some of your working time to do that job. But how much time is needed for writing applications? In 2009, Karen Mow estimated that Australian academics spent, on average, 30–40 days pe ..read more

Figure 1: Microscopy images with issues highlighted, as supplied by the author. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many industries by enabling machines to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. The research community is just one of the groups exploring the benefits of AI in analysing content, organising data and more. However, as with any new technology, there are ethical considerations we must consider when using these tools. AI is influencing the way we conduct and share research. Firstly, AI is excellent at analysing complex datasets and id ..read more

We recently published a book, Getting research funded: Five essential rules for early career researchers. This post provides excerpts from chapter 4: Get the project right. Until the end of 2023, you can buy the book for 20% off by using the code AFL03 on the Routledge website. Image from Pablo Zuchero | unsplash.com For many funding agencies, your readers will usually fit into one of two categories: The reviewer is usually a subject specialist. They are being asked to comment on the substance of your proposed research. The panellist usually has a significant profile in the field. They won’t ..read more

State Library of Victoria. Photo by Benjamin Ashton on Unsplash The word ‘epistemic’ comes from the Greek for ‘relating to knowledge’. Knowledge is usually thought and spoken of as something neutral, but the way knowledge is used is often far from neutral. Knowledge and its use – or misuse – can contribute to justice or injustice, freedom or subjugation, violence or peace. The concepts of epistemic injustice, epistemic violence and epistemic freedom have been around for decades, yet are still not widely known or understood. Professor Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni describes epistemic freedom as ‘fund ..read more

We recently published a book, Getting research funded: Five essential rules for early career researchers. This post provides excerpts from chapter 3: Get the team right. Until the end of 2023, you can buy the book for 20% off by using the code AFL03 on the Routledge website. Image from Gaetano Cessati | unsplash.com An essential element of a grant application is your description of yourself. How people describe themselves differs markedly across cultures and depends on their audience. You won’t know exactly who will read your application and there will be different audiences through the appli ..read more

We recently published a book, Getting research funded: Five essential rules for early career researchers. This post provides excerpts from chapter 2: Be the funding body. Until the end of 2023, you can buy the book for 20% off by using the code AFL03 on the Routledge website. Image from Towfiqu Barbhuiya | unsplash.com Funders can seem a little like the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece. For four centuries, supplicants approached the Oracle, seeking wisdom and hoping for prophecies of good fortune. No one was entirely sure how she arrived at her decision. All were slightly fearful. None look ..read more