Research

In 2011, DASSH established a Network of Associate Deans Research (ADR), to support excellence in research. The network had its inaugural meeting at the 2011 DASSH Conference in Townsville 28-30 September.

As part of DASSH’s Discipline Strategy, this network will complement the work of DASSH and its members. The network aims to provide professional skills development, knowledge sharing regarding current issues and good practice as well as an engaged collegial support network. DASSH encourages the ADR network to take a leadership role in advocating and influencing higher education public policy regarding research issues affecting the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH).

Projects
It was decided at the inaugural meeting to initially focus on seven short projects over the six months up until March 2012. The projects are:

• To create a general network values statement. 
• To develop a broad definition of research productivity in ASSH disciplines.
• To establish a network Community of Practice for future collaboration.
• To develop a statement of strategies and protocols for publishing with students to encourage a change in culture in our disciplines.
• To share resources about: selection of criteria for creative works (proxy measures for reporting); strategies for staff capacity building; Research plans in workload models; and the support of HDRs.
• A special project into 2012 – the sustainability of Research Institutes and Centres.
• To form a discussion group on issues about ERA 2012.

Future Meetings
The next network meeting will be in Melbourne on 9-10 February 2012 and hosted by RMIT. More details. The network will also meet at the DASSH Conference in Canberra 12-14 September 2012.

More Information
Please contact 2012 Network Chair, Professor Sue McGinty or DASSH Executive Officer, Fiona Doyle.