Kari Lancaster, Kerryn Drysdale and Katherine Kenny selected for the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Mentoring Scheme

Kari Lancaster, Kerryn Drysdale and Katherine Kenny from the Centre for Social Research in Health have been selected to attend the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Mentoring Scheme programme. This scheme is fully funded by the Australian Research Council and is a part of Professor Joy Damousi's ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship. It will be offered annually for the next 5 years. The aim is to attract outstanding early career female researchers who have completed their PhDs within the past 10 years in the humanities and the social sciences to an intensive mentoring programme. All travel and accommodation costs to Melbourne will be covered.

"It is wonderful to have these talented researchers recognised by this award which provides a tailored program to further develop their skills," says Professor Carla Treloar, director of CSRH.

The focus of the programme is on research leadership and conducting best practice in research activity. It will involve workshops on all aspects of developing a research career: preparation of publications such as articles and books; writing grant applications; developing networking opportunities; honing presentation and public speaking skills; and conducting ethics in research. It will involve participants presenting their research; commenting and providing feedback on drafts; and exposing participants to a variety of speakers who would share their own experiences. In addition to these practical activities and direct mentoring of their own research projects, this programme will also offer participants an exploration of a range of skills such as developing career strategies and enhancing career progression.

Over five days, the participants will gain insight into these aspects of career advancement and cover the following themes: focusing on issues confronting women researchers; identifying career opportunities; engaging in national and international research environment; managing institutional change and developing time management skills. The programme aims to reach outside of institutional boundaries to develop broad professional supportive networks that will assist those committed to fully developing their research career.