REfocus@UoN

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a topic below to see answers to some of the more frequently asked questions by researchers.

New staff are joining my team
Getting started at the university
Mentoring and coaching
Networking
Research Training Officers
Support for Women Researchers
Covering the Costs of Development
Who can attend development at UoN

New staff are joining my team
There is a lot of support available for you and your new staff. New staff should attend a range of induction sessions – local Faculty, REfocus@UoN and the general induction offered by Human Resource Services. From there, they will have a range of support services open to them which they can access online or through Faculty or support services groups. If you, as the supervisor would like to know more please contact either your Human Resources Officer (HRO) or your key local administrator.

Getting started at the university
There is a lot of support available for you as a new researcher at the university. Each Faculty and Priority Research Centre will have its own way of welcoming you. In addition there are range of induction sessions – including REfocus@UoN and the general induction offered by Human Resource Services. From there, you will have a range of support services open to you which you can access online or through Faculty or support services groups. Each staff member has their own HROnline login and from there you will also be able to manage your own personal details, see your pay details and access training opportunities.

Mentoring and coaching
There are many different interpretations of mentoring and coaching. At UoN the current REfocus@UoN mentoring scheme takes the view that mentoring is undertaken by a person who has direct and deep experience in a professional field, who is well placed to advise generally and without aiming to promote a cause or person. Coaching is provided for a specific skills or knowledge set. At UoN the scheme encourages mentors and mentees to self select where possible, and to attend brief development sessions to support them. If you are looking for a mentor or coach you are encouraged to look for more than one person, and that your selection may change over time as you develop and your needs change. If you are an RHD student, for example, you may see your supervisor as a key mentor and/or coach in your development. If you are a contracted researcher, your Chief Investigator may be your key mentor.

Networking
Each Faculty and research area is different. It has its own local events and opportunities. It can be challenging for new staff to find out what is going on, when and where. Aim to attend REfocus@UoN networking sessions and ask your local Research Training Officer what special events may be available to you. You can subscribe online to local email lists and receive invitation to key events, and receive announcements about, for example, rounds of funding, calls for papers and visiting experts.

Research Training Officers
Each Faculty has one or more Research Training Officers. They can assist your development and you can access their current contact details from your Faculty Office.

Support for Women Researchers
Women@UoN is a professional development program for female staff of the University. It is an integral part of our overall equity strategy aimed at supporting women to achieve promotion and prepare for leadership roles.

Women@UoN values equality, inclusiveness, openness, flexibility, diversity, communication and cooperation. You can contact them at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/women-at-uon/.

Covering the Costs of Development
If you are employed as a researcher at the university, the costs for courses offered at the university are usually covered centrally. For example the sessions offered in the REfocus@UoN program are not charged back to you or your group.. The courses offered more broadly by Organisational Development are also without cost to you, your Faculty or Centre. If you wish to attend conferences, develop specialist skills etc which are not offered by the university you should speak with your immediate supervisor to determine the potential sources and availability of funds.

If you are an RHD student, not employed at the university, you may find that some skills development sessions are charged for by providers. However, fees are kept to a minimum and aim for cost recovery only.

Who can attend development at UoN?
Each advertised course or event should indicate the type of audience it is aiming to attract. In general, if you consider that the course or event adds value and increases your skills or knowledge, then you may be able to register. In Organisational Development for example we encourage researchers – from RHDs employed as casual staff to Emeritus staff and Conjoints to contact us. If there is room, we can often accommodate your interest.