SRA International eConnections
December 2010 Issue
PDF version here
Table of Contents
Educational Meetings & Events
- SRA International Virginia Chapter Meeting, Friday, January 14, 2011
- New to Research Administration? SRA Basics of Research Meeting in Charleston, SC, January 24-25, 2011
- Northeast/Southern Section to Meet in New Orleans, LA, March 27-30, 2011
- Western/Midwest Sections Joint Meeting in Long Beach, CA, May 14-18, 2011
SRA Section News
SRA News and Announcements
News in the Field of Research Administration
International News in the Field of Research Administration
The Career Center
Educational Meetings & Events
- SRA International Virginia Chapter Meeting, Friday, January 14, 2011
- New to Research Administration? SRA Basics of Research Meeting in Charleston, SC, January 24-25, 2011
- Northeast/Southern Section to Meet in New Orleans, LA, March 27-30, 2011
- Western/Midwest Sections Joint Meeting in Long Beach, CA, May 14-18, 2011
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SRA International Virginia Chapter Meeting, Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Mason Inn Conference Center
The 2011 meeting of the Virginia Chapter of the Society of Research Administrators will be held in Fairfax, Virginia, at The Mason Inn Conference Center on the George Mason University Campus Friday, January 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Your Virginia Chapter Officers and Program Committee are finalizing the program with presenters and topics from key areas of Research Administration. The theme this year is "Through the Lens of Research Administration: The Foundation of Research Development, Compliance, Integrity, Discovery, & Service Excellence."
The registration fee this year will be $110 if you register on or before December 31, 2010. This fee includes all sessions and meals. Click here to register today!.JPG)
NIH Campus Tour
The Virginia Chapter is also offering a tour of the NIH Campus taking place on Thursday, January 13 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. For more information on the NIH Tour, please click here.
To RSVP for the NIH Tour, click here.
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New to Research Administration? SRA Basics of Research Meeting in Charleston, SC, January 24-25, 2011
The SRA Basics of Research Administration: Essentials for Excellence meeting will take place in downtown, historic Charleston, South Carolina, January 24-25.
To those new to the field, the many facets of Research Administration can be quite daunting. If you are just starting out (or know someone that could use this course!), check out this two-day intensive conference that will discuss all aspects of Research Administration.
Registration is now open.
- After completing this program, you will be able to:
- - Describe the nine (9) fundamental parts of the research enterprise.
- Identify the process, funding types and sources of the four (4) major components of the research enterprise.
- Understand the seven (7) parts of the Pre-Award process, including the main parts of a proposal and key tips for building a budget.
- Explain the five (5) parts of the Award Acceptance process and Post-Award Administration.
- Depict the five (5) parts of administrative management.
- Explain the fundamentals of responsible conduct of research and compliance.
Click here for a preliminary agenda
For more information about the conference program, hotel information and registration, visit the conference Web site or www.srainternational.org. Reserve your room today at the Francis Marion Hotel.
See you in Charleston!
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Northeast/Southern Section to Meet in New Orleans, LA, March 27-30, 2011
The Northeast and the South will meet March 27-30, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA). Reserve your room today at the beautiful Royal Sonesta Hotel. Photos from the August site visit completed by the Presidents and President-elects of both sections can be seen by clicking here and registration links appear a little further down in this message.
We are offering 3 complete certificate programs at this meeting:
- Leadership
- Research Law
- Introduction to Research Administration and Management
To see the full descriptions of these certificate programs, visit: http://www.srainternational.org/sra03/template/tntbcp.cfm?id=864
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Western/Midwest Sections Joint Meeting in Long Beach, CA, May 14-18, 2011
"From the Heartland to the Western Seaboard: Diving into Research Administration"
Reserve your room at Westin Long Beach today!
SRA - Where the West meets the Midwest
This year the Western and Midwest Sections will meet together in Long Beach, California for five days of educational offerings specific to the needs of research administrators.
Great Professional-Educational Opportunities
Increase your research administration market value by enrolling in one of the three SRA certificate programs offered in its entirety at this meeting:
Financial Management
The financial research administration series is designed for new and intermediate administrators responsible for providing financial support on a pre- or post-award basis. The program content is also applicable to mid- and upper-level administrators who assume oversight responsibility for financial management of sponsored program activity and to support staff responsible for developing financial and compliance management systems. The certificate provides an understanding of the regulatory foundation for the direct and indirect costing of sponsored program activity, financial management decision-making and system development. Its curriculum consists of one half-day workshop, four required sessions and three elective sessions.
Grantsmanship
This certificate provides instruction in developing the project plan for the grant application, using the review criteria to structure the application, and minimizing the potential post award compliance issues. The curriculum integrates the art and science of grantsmanship with numerous examples and scenarios designed to provide a meaningful "hands-on" learning experience, such as participating in a Mock Panel Review for an agency, evaluating goals hypotheses, and specific aims for accuracy and measurability, and budget design. The program is designed for the research administrator who wishes to assist faculty or investigators in pursuing external funding sources. Research administrators will also learn from proven examples designed to help them create a more supportive environment to assist faculty in writing more and/or better proposals, locating appropriate funding sources, writing short proposals for private or internal funding support.
The Practice of Research Administration and Management
The Practice of Research Administration and Management provides intermediate level exploration of many of the key areas of research administration, including leadership development, research integrity, financial management, faculty development, regulatory compliance and the role of the research administrator.
For questions about this meeting, please contact:
Jennie Amison, Western Section President
Dara Little, Midwest Section President
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SRA Section News
Midwest Section News
Midwest Section Awards Call for Nominations
Dick Canaday Travel Award
Dick Canaday, a former president of Midwest Section of the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) International, was one of the Midwest's best-loved leaders. Dick died of cancer in June of 1996. To honor his memory, SRA's Midwest Section offers this award each year to an individual who would like to participate in an SRA section or annual meeting, but is financially unable to do so.
The goal of the Dick Canaday Travel Award is to encourage attendance at the Midwest Section Meeting by research administrators who do not have institutional resources to pay the full cost of attending. This award will reimburse your hotel sleeping room cost up to a maximum of $500. One award will be given for an individual to attend the Midwest Section meeting held in
Spring 2011.
Midwest SRA New Member Award
This award has been established to recognize new research administrators who have contributed positively to SRA's Midwest Section. The Award will be presented annually at the Spring meeting of the Midwest Section.
Founders Award
The award has been established to recognize members of SRA's Midwest Section whose services have benefited the Section. The Award will be presented annually at the Spring meeting of the Midwest Section.
For more additional information, including the criteria for each award, please go to the
SRA International website at: http://www.srainternational.org/sra03/uploadedFiles/MWSectionAwardsb.pdf
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2011
Submit materials (email, mail or fax) to:
Domenica G. Pappas, CRA
Illinois Institute of Technology
Office of Sponsored Research & Programs
3300 S. Federal Street, MB 301H
Chicago, IL 60616-3793
Fax: 312-567-6980
pappas@iit.edu
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Northeast Section News
Have FY10 Money That Can Still Be Spent? Why Not Register Early For The 2011 Northeast/Southern Joint Section Meeting?
More details about the program will be added as they are finalized. Click here to register and find out how to apply for one of two $350 Travel Award Scholarships.
Questions? Contact: schalled@mskcc.org. Don't forget you can also follow the meeting updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SRA2011NOLA
NE Will Meet With the West in 2012
The Northeast section will pair with the Western section in the Spring of 2012. Understandably there is a large geographic expanse between us, so site selection discussions are ongoing - do we stay east or go west? Cities currently under consideration include: Portland, OR, San Francisco, CA, Boston, MA, and Providence, RI. Look for more information about how we decide in this issue of eConnections. If you have another great (i.e., easy to travel to and reasonably priced) site suggestion that can accommodate at least 150 participants, send Stephanie Endy an email at: STEPHANIE.ENDY@lehman.cuny.edu
The NE is Looking For a Few Good Leaders
Ever thought of running for office? You too can be an SRA leader! We will be looking for candidates for President-elect and Treasurer - term starting after the 2011 Section meeting in NOLA. Contact Kate McCormick, Past President and Nominating Committee chair at kmccormick@hms.harvard.edu for more information.
Looking forward to continuing the conversation…
Best,
Debbie
Debra Schaller-Demers, MSOM
President, Northeast Section
schalled@mskcc.org
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SRA News and Announcements
SRA Executive Director Position Posting
The Executive Director of SRA International is responsible for the overall management of SRA International operations and reports directly to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Society.
SRA International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 and headquartered in Falls Church, VA. SRA International is governed by a Board of Directors, whose 10 members are elected by the membership. The Society has approximately 4,000 members in the fields of research administration at hospitals, institutions of higher education, nonprofits and government entities.
The Executive Director manages the varied functions of the organization including overall supervision of the SRA International headquarters staff, communication between and among the Society's various constituencies, outreach to external partners and groups, member services, and the financial oversight of the Society's finances. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with shared decision making and the concept of "servant leadership."
The complete position description and application information can be found at: http://www.srainternational.org/sra03/template/tntbAB.cfm?id=4072
The Society of Research Administrators International is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate, in hiring or promotion on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services.
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All 2010 SRA Webinars Now Available for Purchase! Discounted rates available for Bundles from Topics such as Pre and Post Award, to Research Ethics, Clinical Trials and More!
SRA Webinar recordings are an easy, efficient, and affordable way to train your staff and keep relevant information stored at your fingertips! Purchase a recording and you will receive a PDF file of the presentation and a link hosted via the Internet, which will be available through December 31, 2011. Set a projector up in your conference room and train the entire staff!
Click on an individual Webinar title to order it on-line: $50 members/$75 non-members
OR
Order a group package on-line: $150 members/$300 non-members (comes with a one-year SRA membership)
Pre and Post Award Package
2010 SRA Annual Meeting Live Webinar:
What Goes on During Grant and Contract Negotiations
Marcia Landen, Director, Grant Services Bloomington
Mike McCallister, Assistant Director, Research Ethics, Education and Policy
Indiana University
2010 SRA Annual Meeting Live Webinar:
Revising and Resubmitting Unsuccessful Proposals
Marjorie Piechowski, Director of Research Support
Michelle Schoenecker, Senior Technical Grant Writer
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
National Science Foundation Proposal Preparation Basics Parts 1, 2
(3.0 hours)
Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management; Division of Institution & Award Support
National Science Foundation
Budget Development: Techniques & Tips
Rene Hearns, Consultant
Managing Re-charge Centers and Research Service Facilities
James Wrenn, President and CEO, IT Works
Place an on-line order for all 5 Webinars in this Package
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Package
National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health Discussion on Requirements for Responsible Conduct of Research
Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support National Science Foundation
Rod Ulane, Training Officer and Director of the Division of Scientific Programs in the Office of Extramural Programs, National Institutes of Health
Interpretation and Implementation of the National Science Foundation's Requirement to Facilitate the Ethical Conduct of Research
Peggy Fischer, Associate Inspector General for Investigations
National Science Foundation
Dena Plemmons, adjunct faculty, SDSU and UCSD
Camille Nebeker, Director of Division of Research Affairs, SDSU
2010 SRA Annual Meeting Live Webinar:
Ethical Issues in International Human Research Protections
Daniel Vasgird, Director, Office of Research Compliance
West Virginia University
Developing Effective Responsible Conduct of Research Trainings
Tony Onofrietti, Director of Research Education, University of Utah
Designing and Implementing an Effective RCR Course
Debra Schaller-Demers, MSOM, Director, Research Outreach and Compliance RCR Course Director, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Place an on-line order for all 5 Webinars in this Package
Research Law and Compliance Package
2010 SRA Annual Meeting Live Webinar:
Ethical Issues in International Human Research Protections
Daniel Vasgird, Director, Office of Research Compliance
West Virginia University
Compliance and Ethics Programs and Liability Under the False Claims Act
Jill Williamson, Associate and Elizabeth Gill, Associate
Patton Boggs, LLP
Protecting Sensitive Research Data
Susan Wyatt Sedwick, Associate Vice President for Research and Director
Office of Sponsored Projects, The University of Texas at Austin
Intellectual Property Issues in International Collaborations
Lacy Kolo, Associate, Patton Boggs, LLP
Clinical Trial Agreement Indemnification Clauses
J. Michael Slocum, President, Slocum & Boddie, PC
Place an on-line order for all 5 Webinars in this Package
Clinical Trials Package
Marketing & Business Development for Clinical Research Sites
Kevin Ketels, Wayne State University
Clinical Trial Agreement Indemnification Clauses
J. Michael Slocum, President, Slocum & Boddie, PC
Clinical Trial Billing - Not for the Faint of Heart
Bruce Steinert, Administrative Director, Clinical Trials Center Research Institute NorthShore University HealthSystem
Protecting Sensitive Research Data
Susan Wyatt Sedwick, Associate Vice President for Research and Director
Office of Sponsored Projects, The University of Texas at Austin
2010 SRA Annual Meeting Live Webinar:
Ethical Issues in International Human Research Protections
Daniel Vasgird, Director, Office of Research Compliance
West Virginia University
Place an on-line order for all 5 Webinars in this Package
For Complete Webinar recording descriptions and to find out more about SRA Webinars, click here.
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Submit a Presentation Proposal for the 2011 SRA International Annual Meeting in Montreal Today
It only takes a few minutes to submit a new presentation or an idea! Share your experience and knowledge by speaking at the 2011 SRA Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada, October 22-26.
This year we are looking for sessions and workshops in the following tracks:
- Financial Management
- Sponsored Programs
- Management & Operations
- Professional Development
- Research Ethics
- Research Law
- Sponsors & Agencies
To meet the needs of members from the various fields and components in research administration, we are asking presenters to indicate which thread component identifies with their topic. We are increasingly looking for topics/dimensions with an international component. Click here for a list of thread descriptions.
Prior to submitting an abstract, please review the submission instructions and required fields. Doing so will help you collect the required information prior to beginning the submission process. Items denoted by an asterisk (*) are required.
· To submit an abstract, please go to: http://precis.preciscentral.com/User/UserLogin.asp?EventID=eed5af6a
· To review submission instructions, please go to: http://www.srainternational.org/sra03/template/tntbAM11.cfm?id=3919
Once you connect to the abstract submission page, you will be prompted to register. Please register as a new user by noting your email address and creating a password. This system is not connected to SRA's database, so you may enter any 6-16 character password of your choosing. (If you submitted a proposal for the 2008 or 2010 Annual Meeting, you might find that a password has already been selected for you.)
To submit a proposal, click on "Enter New Submission" under the Manage Submissions heading.
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Northeast And Western Section Members - Vote Today For Your 2012 Meeting Location
The Northeast and Western Section will come together for a joint meeting in 2012. The leadership each nominated several cities in their section and you have until Friday, December 31 to cast your vote for:
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- San Francisco, CA
- Boston, MA
All Northeast and Western Section members are invited to vote for the 2012 Northeast/Western Section Meeting location! Vote online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NortheastWestern2012
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News in the Field of Research Administration
Deadly Medicine
Prescription drugs kill some 200,000 Americans every year. Will that number go up, now that most clinical trials are conducted overseas-on sick Russians, homeless Poles, and slum-dwelling Chinese-in places where regulation is virtually nonexistent, the F.D.A. doesn't reach, and "mistakes" can end up in pauper's graves? The authors investigate the globalization of the pharmaceutical industry, and the U.S. Government's failure to rein in a lethal profit machine.
;;By Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steeleo
Photo illustration by Chris Mueller
January 2011
TAKE TWO ASPIRIN
More and more clinical trials for new drugs are being outsourced overseas and conducted by companies for hire. Is oversight even possible? Photographs © Imagebroker/Alamy, from Image Source/Jupiter Images, © Vincent O'Byrne/Alamy (skulls); © Jason Salmon/Alamy (capsule).
Read more: http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2011/01/deadly-medicine-201101
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Guidance on IRB Approval of Research with Conditions
OHRP has posted on its website a finalized guidance document entitled, "Guidance on IRB Approval of Research with Conditions." The guidance document provides OHRP's first formal guidance on this topic. The guidance document finalizes the draft guidance that was made available for public comment through a notice in the Federal Register on November 6, 2009 (74 FR 57486).
The finalized guidance document is available on the OHRP website at:
http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/conditionalapproval2010.html or URLs
http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/conditionalapproval2010.pdf.
The Federal Register notice announcing the availability of this new guidance document can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-30201.htm or
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-30201.pdf.
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NASA Names Waleed Abdalati as Agency's New Chief Scientist
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has named Waleed Abdalati the agency's chief scientist, effective Jan. 3. Abdalati will serve as the principal adviser to the NASA administrator on agency science programs, strategic planning and the evaluation of related investments.
Read the entire announcement here: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/dec/HQ_10-332_Chief_Scientist.html
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Former NIH Chief Zerhouni to Lead Research at Sanofi-Aventis
Former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Elias Zerhouni finally has a full-time job: head of research and development for Sanofi-Aventis, the French pharmaceutical giant.
Zerhouni is a radiologist and inventor who spent most of his career as a researcher and administrator at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he's still on the faculty. As NIH director from 2002 to October 2008, he dealt with tightening budgets and launched programs to speed the translation of basic lab discoveries into drugs. Responding to congressional concerns, he also banned paid consulting for drug companies by NIH campus scientists.
Since leaving the government, Zerhouni has served as a U.S. science envoy to the Middle East and a senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and has run a consulting company. He's also been a scientific advisor to Sanofi-Aventis CEO Christopher Viehbacher since February 2009.
Read more: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/12/former-nih-chief-zerhouni-to-lead.html?rss=1&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
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We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us
Opinion: Research Redesign
We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us: A Scientist Proposes a Redesign of the US Biomedical Research Enterprise
There is a crisis in American biomedical research. Severe competition for federal research funding jeopardizes the careers of both new and established scientists. The fundamental problem is not the amount of government funding, but rather the unrestricted expansion of the research enterprise. With every funding increase, deans' eyes widen, buildings sprout, and the biomedical establishment expands well beyond what the increase can sustain. The net result is diminishing support per investigator, and an inexorable downward spiral of the attractiveness of biomedical research as a career.
We scientists can do better for ourselves, our trainees, and the biomedical research enterprise itself, which is an important contributor to the physical and economic health of our nation.
Ending the boom-bust cycle of NIH funding requires rationally planning the number of NIH-supported investigators and trainees. Here, I suggest extending the model of the NIH intramural funding system to the entire NIH funding system.
Read more: Opinion: Research redesign - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57801/#ixzz186xt3AkG
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The Checklist: A Research Administrator's Best Friend
by Theresa Hollister
I just finished reading Dr. Atul Gawande's bestselling book "The Checklist Manifesto," which is an interesting and thought-provoking look at how something as simple as a checklist can help to reduce errors, increase efficiency, and effectively manage the complexities of the 21st century. While the book primarily focuses on the use of checklists in fields such as medicine, aviation, construction, and finance, it does introduce some solid ideas for research administrators to consider.
Checklists are no stranger to research administrators. In a world of complex tasks and never-ending deadlines, many of us have come to depend on checklists as a way to manage our workloads more effectively and efficiently. In the book, Dr. Gawande makes the point that our lives have become filled with too much information and, regardless of our profession, "every day there is more and more to manage and get right and learn" (page 12). He goes on to say that "the volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefit correctly, safely, or reliably" (page 13).
Read more: http://hobnobia.net/content/content/checklist-research-administrators-best-friend
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Self-plagiarism Debate at Queen's
Professor found to have duplicated his own research
A Queen's University professor is at the centre of a controversy over "self-plagiarism." The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences recently retracted three papers from Reginald Smith, a professor emeritus of mechanical and materials engineering at Queen's over concerns of academic misconduct. In particular, Smith is alleged to have recycled research from articles published earlier in his career. A fourth article in another journal by Smith was also pulled.
"Titles and authors' names on the papers change, but large chunks were duplicated in papers co-authored" by the 80-year-old scientist, Postmedia reported after an extensive investigation into the matter including the retrieval of several documents from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) through freedom of information requests.
Read more: http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2010/11/30/self-plagiarism-debate-at-queens/
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UCL Finds Researcher Deliberately Engaged in Misconduct Over Paper
A former University College London researcher falsified data and sabotaged colleagues' experiments to cover his tracks, an investigation has concluded.
Jatinder Ahluwalia worked in the laboratory of Anthony Segal, Charles Dent professor of medicine at UCL, before leaving in 2007. He is now a senior lecturer in pharmacology at the University of East London.
In 2008, Professor Segal wrote to UCL's director of academic services alleging that Dr Ahluwalia had committed research misconduct while at the university.
The claim came in the wake of two papers reporting a failure to reproduce the results of a 2004 Nature article, of which Dr Ahluwalia was the first author; its authors were all from three UCL laboratories.
Read more: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=414459&c=1
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International News in the Field of Research Administration
Panel on Research Ethics (Canada)
Navigating the Ethics of Human Research
In 2001, Canada's three federal research agencies, CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC, jointly created the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) as part of a collaborative effort to promote the ethical conduct of research involving human participants.
The Panel develops, interprets and implements the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS).
Release of the 2nd edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, or "TCPS 2" (December 2010)
"Introducing TCPS 2" with the Tri-Council Presidents and Chair of the Panel (3-minute video)
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India, US Top Science Fraud List
Experts say study shows need for research regulatory body
India tops this list relating to scientific research narrowly ahead of America, but don't start feeling proud yet.
The two countries' scientists appear to lead all others in perpetrating fraud in scientific papers and having them retracted, a new study of research misconduct suggests.
The study analyzed the origins and authors of 788 scientific papers that were listed in PubMed, a database of medical research literature, and retracted between 2000 and 2010. It found that the US had the largest number of retractions but came second to India when the proportion of papers retracted because of fraud was considered. (See chart)
Read more: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101130/jsp/nation/story_13238575.jsp
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Marketing for Top-Level Research Made in Germany
Four major research organisations join forces to promote their country
Four major German research and funding organisations have developed a joint marketing strategy to increase the international visibility of their country's top-level research. In a pilot project - funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research - the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will advertise Germany, both nationally and internationally, as a research location and raise its profile in the global science market.
The purpose of this joint effort is to spark interest in cooperation, stimulate research collaboration, promote international mobility, and strengthen innovation potential, thus ensuring the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the German research system.
Read more: http://www.dfg.de/en/service/press/press_releases/2010/pressemitteilung_nr_71/index.html
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Research Council Announces AUD $30 Million In Infrastructure Funding (Australia)
The Australian government announced in excess of AUD $30 million in funding on 1 December for 78 research infrastructure projects at sites across the country.
The money is being provided through the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme. The projects include improving the Parkes radio telescope to allow it to better detect objects in space and a facility intended to develop clean energy materials.
"Groundbreaking research starts with creative and bright ideas. High-quality tools and facilities help our researchers turn these thoughts into reality," said Kim Carr, the innovation minister. "The 78 projects I am announcing today will also strengthen research partnerships at home and abroad. As part of these projects, our researchers will partner up with other higher education, industry and government organisations in Australia and as far afield as Chile, Denmark and Korea," he added.
Read more: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lief/lief_outcomes.htm
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UK Businessman Jailed For Theft of Framework 6 Funds
A company director from the United Kingdom who was investigated by the European Commission for stealing research funds worth nearly 300,000 euros has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Elmo Mohan Emmanuel, the former director of Implants International Ltd, was also disqualified from acting as a director for 15 years. He was found to have misused research grants worth 284,000 euros, which should have been paid out to other companies participating in a Framework 6-funded project.
The company retained the funds for the director's own purposes and pulled out of the project, which covered research into the lifespan of orthopaedic devices, in 2002. The first case brought against Emmanuel was launched by the European Commission in 2005, and was pursued by the Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
In a statement the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) told how, after an unsuccessful appeal, Emmanuel tried to escape conviction by letting the company go bust and stepping down from his post. He then bought back the companies assets and transferred them to a new company he had set up in the meantime.
Following this incident, OLAF opened an investigation, which was subsequently referred to the UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills. BIS and the European Commission worked together on gathering enough evidence for a court case.
A civil investigation was opened in 2007, and OLAF transferred the case to BIS in 2008, which resulted in a criminal investigation. Emmanuel was sentenced on 3 December at Newcastle Crown Court, the Commission announced on 7 December.
"The effective cooperation between OLAF and BIS has resulted in a victory for EU citizens," said Nicholas Ilett, the director general of OLAF.
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India, France Sign Agreements In Education Sector
India and France Monday signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the field of education, focusing on academic collaboration and research.
The French Minister for Higher Education and Research Valerie Pecresse had met Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Kapil Sibal, here on Monday.
A large delegation of senior academics and scientists accompanied the French minister including President of UTT University Christian Lerminiaux. The Indian side consisted of Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Ashok Thakur, Addl. Secretary (MHRD), Amit Khare, Joint Secretary (MHRD), IIT-Bombay Director Devang Khakhar and Govindan Rangarajan, Head of the International Division of IISc, Bangalore.
Read more: http://www.indiaedunews.net/Today/India,_France_sign_agreements_in_education_sector_13077/
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Cape Verde Islands To Invest In Energy And Agro-Research
Cape Verde's higher education department hopes to create a specialised research agency next year, which will focus on improvements in renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, environment and health.
Jorge Arnaldo Mendes de Brito, director of the country's General Directorate of Higher Education and Science (Direcção Geral do Ensino Superior e Ciência or DGESC), spoke to Research Africa by telephone from Praia, the capital of the archipelago.
The senior governmental official said his department has already drafted a proposal for the creation of the research agency.
"Cape Verde is betting on creating a central structure to coordinate and promote scientific and technological research in the country," de Brito said.
Read more: http://www.researchresearch.com/index.php?option=com_news&template=rr_2col&view=article&articleId=1014057
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The Career Center
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