CONFIDENTIAL
SCHOOL OF FASHION & TEXTILES
RESEARCH AND HIGHER DEGREES COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting 4/2011, held Thursday 9 June 2011, 2pm, in 511.01.06
Chair: Dr Rajiv Padhye
1.
1.1
ATTENDANCE
Present: Dr Rajiv Padhye (Chair), Keith Cowlishaw, Dr Jenny Underwood, Chris Clark, Jane
Conway, Antida Liistro, Claire Beale, Tina Guglielmino, Kent Williamson, Dr Lijing Wang, Kate
Kennedy, Fiona Gavens (Minute secretary)
1.2
Apologies: Patrick Snelling, Dr Olga Troynikov
1.3
Welcome
Keith welcomed Emma, Kent, Claire, Lijing and Kate to their first meeting, giving a
brief overview of the development of the committee and its role.
He emphasised the need to further develop the research profile of the school, in
terms of completions, publications, income and collaborations.
2.
*2.1
CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA
Notice of Agenda Items
Reference
No agenda items were raised or withdrawn from discussion.
*2.2
Starring of items
Items were starred for discussion.
It was resolved that all unstarred items be received or approved as appropriate.
*2.3
Order of Business
The order of business was changed by agreement.
2.4
3.
Papers circulated with the agenda
Attachment 1 – Minutes of the May 2011 meeting
Attachment 2 - Research Master database report
Attachment 3 - Improvements for ERA 2012
Attachment 4 - Research Integrity
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The Committee resolved that the Minutes of meeting 3/2011 held 11 May 2011 be
received as a true and accurate record.
4.
5.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
It was agreed to invite Denise Meredyth, the new Deputy Dean of Research,
DSC to address issues related to ERA.
Valentina Verbni has applied for Leave of Absence for a year and is approved
Jenny Underwood has applied for registration as a HDR supervisor.
The School Policy for External Funding Applications has been circulated, no
comments to date, hence the policy has been approved as it is.
Arrangements are nearly finalised for Patricia Brien to have Lyndal Jones as
first supervisor (at no cost to the school) and Jennifer Craik as second
supervisor.
Most of the research students have agreed to attend the 3 Minute Thesis
training workshop at the end of June.
*5.1
Research Master database report
There are not many outstanding issues, as Progress Reports have been received
and are with Keith for signature.
Minor problems with listing of supervisors are being resolved, but some students
are still without second supervisors, partly because more supervisors need to be
registered.
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Attachment 1
Rajiv
Attachment 2
CONFIDENTIAL
*5.2
Important changes to supervisor registration
Second supervisors are no longer required to hold the same level of degree, it can
be one level lower, and other qualifications/experience may be allowable in
exceptional circumstances. Adjunct Professors are now eligible to be senior
supervisors.
More second supervisors / consultant supervisors need to be recruited,
suggestions are welcome. Dr Rex Brady was nominated by Lijing.
Remuneration was discussed – at present senior supervisors are paid $4,000pa
but second supervisors aren’t paid, their work is acknowledged in publications.
However exceptional cases can be presented for consideration.
5.3
Mid Year Scholarships
This item was noted without discussion.
*5.4
Improvements for ERA 2012
Two important changes are being introduced for ERA 2012. The number of
citations and frequency of publication of journals will be used for ranking instead of
ERA ranking of journals. This acknowledges change in the nature of journals, as
many good new journals are being developed. It is important to keep publishing in
higher-ranking journals as this is likely to lead to more citations.
Lijing advised on web links which can be used for tracking down publication
Citation Records and Journal Impact Factor:
- Citation Record http://www.isiknowledge.com/WOS
- Journal Impact Factor
http://admin-apps.isiknowledge.com/JCR/JCR?RQ=HOME
Early career researchers need to refer to the list of ranked journals and
conferences that is on the shared drive under Research.
Conferences are not included in the ranking at present. IFFTI is not a fully
reviewed conference, so is not highly ranked. Tina advised that this is being
worked on.
*5.5
Research integrity
RMIT researchers need to follow the guidelines and work is being done on
compliance. Feedback on the report is invited, and can be directed to Rajiv or
Fiona Gavens.
6.
OTHER BUSINESS
6.1
Equipment
Jane advised that new sampling equipment is due to be installed in August.
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Breakdown of equipment in the sustainability lab has been a major issue. Jane
and Geraldine are following up with the suppliers to resolve these issues, including
the involvement of RMIT Legal in one dispute.
6.2
6.3
6.4
Fashion Future Network
It was confirmed that the Fashion Future Network will be meeting in Queensland in
early August, and that consideration needs to be given to how many people attend.
Drawn Out Conference, London 2012
Keith advised that the University of Arts, London and RMIT will be running a
conference before the Olympics in London next year. 50 RMIT staff will be funded
to attend, so Keith encouraged all staff to submit proposals.
Research funding
Keith advised that Kent is working on research proposals through Testing
Services. There are a number of prospects but not many are finalized as yet.
Rajiv added that this year we are on track and will achieve our research budget
target
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Keith/Tina
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CONFIDENTIAL
6.5
Sustainability awards
Everyone wished the Textile Design team good luck at the Premier’s Sustainability
Awards which are to be presented that evening.
6.5
Ranking of creative work
It was acknowledged that the difference between creative and written final works
needs further discussion.
Rajiv encouraged everyone to submit agenda items for discussion by sending
details to him a week before the meeting.
NEXT MEETING
Next meeting of the School Research Committee – Thursday 14 July 2011
Meeting closed at 3.00pm
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