Action Plan 1997 - 1998

The Women's Research Development Office produces an annual Action Plan. It is recognised that such a plan cannot be set in stone, because of the nature of the task. Frequently, situations arise that demand immediate attention, and these frequently take priority over planned actions. However, the Action Plan is used to guide the work of the WRDO. The 1997 - 1998 Action Plan is included here for your interest. If you wish to contribute to this plan in any way, please contact the Women's Research Development Officer.

Objective 1:
Monitor and strengthen the current research profiles of women at UNSW, and clarify and propose directions for change.

Activity 1.1:

University wide forum, to be presented in First Session 1998, on 'Implications for women of the recommendations of the Working Party Report on Research Policy and Strategy and in relation to UNSW 2000'.

Activity 1.2:

Forum (in conjunction with the Research Office) on the nature, content, purpose and preparation of 'Research Development Plans' (as proposed in Recommendation 29, Working Party Report on Research Policy and Strategy).

Activity 1.3:

In consultation with the Research Office, locate and access a funding source, either internal or external, to ensure the ongoing nature of the Women's Research Development Officer position.

Activity 1.4:

Interact with the Women in Research Committee, Deans, Heads of Schools, and Faculty managers to develop quality management processes to

1. support the participation of women in research management committees and other decision making bodies concerned with research funding at the Faculty and School levels

2. increase the number of women undertaking postgraduate supervision

Performance Indicators for Objective 1:

1. Evaluation of feedback from people who attend the forum
2. Report on the forum and outcomes
3. Submission in response to the Working Party Report on Research Policy and Strategy, including in relation to: -
   1. Recommendation 29, on the submission of 'Research Development Plans' by 'new researchers'
   2. Recommendation 31, addressing the 'Research Incentive Scheme'
   3. Recommendations relating to the establishment of Faculty and University Research Committees
      
4. Monitor implementation of gender equity by proportion on Faculty and University Research Committees
5. Success in securing ongoing funding for the Women's Research Development Officer position
6. In conjunction with the Research Office, contribute to the development of guidelines on the preparation of 'Research Development Plans', to assist new and potential researchers
7. Increased number of women applicants, on a yearly comparative basis, for external and internal grant funding

Activity 2.1:

Establish Women's Research Website, including: Homepage Chat Site Links (Local and International) On line forums with successful women researchers

Activity 2.2:

Support the Professional Development Centre in the presentation of a series of seminars and self led workshops for women who are new and potential researchers, on some or all of the following topics: Introduction to research at UNSW: support mechanisms, expectations, profiles of some successful researchers, funding sources etc Planning and Implementing Your Research Career Project Management (including how to use research assistants, ownership and intellectual property, management of resources, planning etc) Time Management (including juggling family, career and community responsibilities; teaching versus research; student support and supervision etc) Preparing research grants Planning and preparing for SSP Writing Bees (where women researchers work together on writing up research that has already been completed)

Activity 2.3:

Maintain the Vice-Chancellor's Childcare Fund for Women Researchers, and increase the number, and broaden the seniority profile, of women applying for this money.

Activity 2.4:

Maintain and expand the Women in Research Network, and use the network to encourage women to further develop their research profiles.

1. Website established by March 1998
2. Monthly on-line forums from April 1998
3. Monitor number of hits at internet site
4. Present paper at international conference - 'Winds of Change: Women and the Culture of Universities', to be held in Sydney in July, 1998
5. Publication in refereed journal, describing and analysing the website initiative
6. Increased number of applications to the Vice-Chancellor's Childcare Support Fund for Women Researchers
7. Greater proportion of women in junior positions applying for assistance from the Vice-Chancellor's Childcare Support Fund for Women Researchers
8. Increased membership of Women in Research Network
9. Weekly email broadcast to all Women in Research Network members
10. Within 48 hours, respond to requests from women for assistance, or refer such requests to appropriate personnel
11. Human interest article in Uniken illustrating how the Vice-Chancellor's Childcare Support Fund for Women Researchers is successfully contributing to the development of research profiles of women within UNSW.

Activity 3.1:

Liaise with WINU and the Professional Development Centre on the analysis of the 1995 survey of teaching and workloads of academic staff Specifically examine how relative responsibilities are distributed within four Departments or Schools, to determine the nature of best practice. Compare the quantitative and qualitative data to gain an overview of possible concerns and future directions and solutions.

1. Publication in a refereed journal
2. Discussion paper to Faculties presenting the results of analysis
3. Information included in data bases

Activity 4.1:

Interview active women researchers within UNSW to determine keys to success. Interview women who are not maximising their research potential within UNSW to determine barriers to success Compare the results of (a) and (b) to assist in future planning processes, and to provide an understanding of the differences between the two groups and the development of strategies to overcome barriers

Activity 4.2:

In collaboration with Equity and Diversity, conduct and/or analyse exit interviews with women who have left, or are planning to leave, UNSW.

1. Present the results at an international conference
2. Publication in a refereed journal

Activity 5.1:

Liaise with universities and other institutions that are currently undertaking mentoring to gain information on processes, policies and practices.

Activity 5.2:

Article in Uniken on the nature of mentoring, including its values, problems, concerns that staff members have raised, and procedures for implementation. The article will present concrete examples of successful mentoring.

Activity 5.3:

As mentioned in Activity 2.2, in conjunction with the Professional Development Centre, run a workshop on mentoring, for both staff who are seeking a mentor, and staff who are willing to be mentors. (This workshop would be open to both male and female staff.)

1. Development of a list of staff members who are seeking mentor support
2. Development of a pool of confident, willing and aware mentors that can be drawn on to support new, developing and potential researchers
3. Regular 360 degree evaluation of the success of the mentoring program.

Accountability

The Women's Research Development Officer is officially accountable to Professor Chris Fell, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and International). However, the WRDO also works as part of a team with the Women in Research Committee, which is an informal committee established and run by women of The University of New South Wales to foster and promote women as researchers within the University. The WRDO also works closely with the Research Office, the Professional Development Centre and the Equity and Diversity Unit, as well as with Deans of Faculties and Heads of Schools, where appropriate.

Contact details

Dr Genée Marks, the Women's Research Development Officer, is located in Room 237 of The Chancellery. This room is quite easy to find. Go up the main staircase of The Chancellery, to the second floor, turn left, and when you see the men's loos, turn right. Genée's office is directly in front of you. Alternatively, if stairs are problematic, take the lift from the lower ground floor, near Printery. (Enter from the door near the Vice Chancellor's Meditation Garden.) The lift door closes very rapidly, but the lift itself is very slow. Speak nicely to it, and it won't jam! Travel to the second floor. Turn left when you leave the lift, and then right almost immediately. Genée's office is several doors down on the left.

Genée can also be contacted
by telephone, on: (02) 9385 1388
or by email, at: genee.marks@UNSW.EDU.AU