Researcher Development reflects a university-wide commitment to provide development opportunities for early-, mid- and senior-career researchers (ECRs, MCRs, SCRs) to thrive in their research careers. It also aims to enhance employability and support capacity-building of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates through the award-winning EDGE program.
Aimed at supporting researchers at all stages, Researcher Development provides strategies for advancing personal, professional, and research goals.
Conceptualised in 2021, Researcher Development aligns with Academic Enterprise Plan section 1.7, with the aim of providing researcher development opportunities for HDR candidates and staff throughout their careers.
The Researcher Curriculum Working Group, followed by the Researcher Development Action Group, undertook foundational and collaborative work to identify and develop best-practice, evidence-based learning, and development opportunities, leading to the programs offered today. This work also confirmed the capability framework, principles and learning philosophies that underpin UniSA Researcher Development.
The Researcher Development project is now rolling into an ongoing program with continuing work on building development opportunities, tools, and systems to provide enhanced researcher skills across all career stages. We are excited to share the range of targeted activities on offer, including Writing Retreats, Action Learning, Researcher Education activities for HDRs and supervisors, Leadership, and ECR Academy.
The Researcher Development project (2021-2024) is sponsored by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO. The project is overseen by the Research Development Action Group (RDAG), chaired by Professor Susan Hillier as an academic champion. The Terms of Reference are available here. The project team based in the UniSA Research Office can be contacted by email at Researcher.Development@unisa.edu.au
