NECTAR Events and Initiatives

NECTAR provides a professional development program aiming to enable ECAs to be successful. This includes:

  • skill-building workshops
  • networking opportunities aimed at fostering peer-to-peer support and collaborations across and beyond campus
  • opportunities for direct collegial discussions with the University Executive to inform strategic directions of ANU.

In addition, NECTAR runs a career development Mentoring Program for EMCAs.

Never miss a NECTAR event and subscribe to the NECTAR mailing list to receive our monthly Newsletter and the occasional update via email.

 

NECTAR Events Calendar 2022

We are currently working on our program for 2022 and will update this list as events get confirmed. Note, family members are welcome at all NECTAR events.

Please click here to see a list of 2021 events. Please give feedback here.

 

TUE-WED

8-9

Feb
 10am-3pm
NECTAR Policy Impact Workshop
Venue:Acton Campus
Early career academics are often being asked to engage with policy makers and demonstrate the influence of their research in the "real world". Join this workshop to learn about the necessary skills and tools that are needed to engage with and influence decision-makers to achieve real world impacts from your research.
NECTAR is organising this workshop in collaboration with Dr Chris Cvitanovic from the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science. Register here.

This workshop will be delivered as a 2-day workshop and the participants are expected to attend for both days.

PAST EVENTS

TUE

2

Nov
 10am-12pm
Influencing with integrity - Leadership workshop for NECTAR - Part2: Influencing Change in the University Context
Are you keen to see positive change in the institution, your discipline or beyond? Are you prepared to lead as part of a team? Are you keen to make a difference, and build your leadership skills in the process? Join NECTAR in a leadership workshop with Linda Hort and material from Geoff Mortimore.

Registrations for this event have closed.
WED

3

NOV
 10-11am
What is stopping you from being successful?
VC asked what immediate issues impeding early-career academics from being successful now? NECTAR will send an issues report to the ANU VC about every 6 months and the second report is due next month. What are your issues?
Join us for a virtual morning tea to meet others and brainstorm ideas.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

26

OCT
 10am-12pm
Influencing with integrity - Leadership workshop for NECTAR - Part1: Influencing people
Are you keen to see positive change in the institution, your discipline or beyond? Are you prepared to lead as part of a team? Are you keen to make a difference, and build your leadership skills in the process? Join NECTAR in a leadership workshop with Linda Hort and material from Geoff Mortimore. You can register for these two sessions separately, but we think you will get most out of doing both.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

14

OCT
 11-12.30pm
Translate your skills into a career
We think about ourselves as academic experts, when in reality we are multi-talented, highly trained researchers. After this session, you will better understand the skills you have and how they translate (or not) into a range of jobs inside and outside of academia. You'll also be introduced to PostAc, a tool to help you see and search the job market for researcher talent outside academia and help you design a search strategy that matches your career goals.

Registrations for this event have closed.
WED

13

OCT
 10-11am
Statistical support for DECRA applicants
The Statistical Support Network is available to provide advice and input to the statistical aspects of your DECRA application. Join the Lead of the network, A/Prof Alice Richardson, for a workshop on zoom, with time for discussion.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

12

Oct
ANU NECTAR 10 year Anniversary Forum
ANU Executive has sustained funding to support NECTAR continuously for 10years! Come and celebrate the successes and discuss what is next with ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt and much more.
Part 1 - 10-11am
Round table with the VC Professor Brian Schmidt and the Dean of HDR Professor Ann Evans - Discussions on what early-career academics will get in the next four years are underway in the ANU Executive, come and have your say. Celebrate 10 years of NECTAR!
Part 2 - 11am-12pm
What is success in academia, in the post-pandemic mess? - Join the discussion.
Speakers include:
Catriona Jackson - CEO Chief Executive Universities Australia, leading the peak body who advocate for the value of higher education and university research, Catriona has insight into the high level of how Australia retains research talent.
Full speakers list here.
Part 3 - 12-1pm
Engaging with outside of academia: How to use your transferable skills as a researcher? - In all disciplines, early-career academics are being told to gain impact, engagement, societal change or even 'get industry funding', but what is that? How do you achieve that? Where can that take you?
Speakers include:
David Ireland – Co-Founder and Director of: Radian Energy, The Growth Drivers, PentaQuest, Board member NSW Circular, Governor WWF, Adjunct Professor innovation and Entrepreneurship - University of Queensland, Entrepreneur, Angel Investor. Mentor in the ANU Nectar Mentoring Program

Full speakers list here.

Registrations for this event have closed.
WED

29

SEP
 2-3pm
Statistical support for DECRA applicants
The Statistical Support Network is available to provide advice and input to the statistical aspects of your DECRA application. Join the Lead of the network, A/Prof Alice Richardson, for a workshop on zoom, with time for discussion.

Registrations for this event have closed.
WED

15

SEP
 10-11.30pm
Collaboration Across Boundaries 2021
Are you a researcher? Listen to the stories of how other researchers who have been part of incredible research collaborative teams. How did they make it work? Has it helped in their career success? Join the discussion.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

14

SEP
 10.30-11.45pm
An introduction to Auslan and communicating with deaf people
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language of Australia’s deaf community. This workshop will bust some myths about Auslan and sign languages in general. It will also give you some practical tips on how to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
This workshop will be delivered by Lauren Reed, who is a signed language linguist at ANU and a hearing user of Auslan since childhood.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

2

SEP
 10.30am-12pm
HDR Supervision Troubleshooting Forum – NECTAR special edition
Are you new to HDR supervision or keen to improve your supervision skills? Join this interactive and frank Q&A with early-career supervisors, NECTAR and the HDR Supervision Development Team. We will share insights and tips, and attempt to answer your questions about HDR supervision challenges. If you have any questions about participation in this Forum please contact the HDR Supervision Development Team (hdr.supervision@anu.edu.au) or NECTAR Co-Chair Hieu Nguyen (nectar@anu.edu.au).

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

26

AUG
 12.30-1.30pm
Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshop – jointly presented with the HDR Supervision Development Team
Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshops are open to supervisors of ANU HDR students. These workshops are directed at those new to supervision, but all HDR supervisors are welcome. Participation in a Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshop is a required component of initial ANU HDR Supervisor registration for those new to supervision.This workshop will be delivered via Zoom by the HDR Supervision Development Team.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

19

AUG
 11.30-13.30pm
NECTAR Annual General Meeting
Have you ever attended a workshop or social event with NECTAR? Have you benefitted from NECTAR and its initiatives? Are you curious what NECTAR has been up to in the last 12 months? Show your support by coming to NECTAR's AGM. Agenda here.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

10

AUG
 12.30-1.30pm
Crash course in rapid networking, over BYO lunch
To be successful in our careers we need connections across and beyond our research fields. Dr Merryn McKinnon from The Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), will lead activities to fast-track our research network and network-building skills.
Meet other ECAs and find out where your interests intersect. This will be face to face event while ANU is at the Blue-alert level, but if we have to go online we will meet on a WonderMe networking platform. Light snacks will be provided. BYO lunch.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

13

JUL
 10am-11am
Writing Pomodoro - quiet, uninterrupted writing time
You are invited to write with us. This informal community of practice will set quiet writing time into your schedule. It will give you the opportunity to connect to others who are also writing and practice using structured writing and editing processes. Okay let's write!

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

24

JUN
 12.30pm-2.30pm
Creating engaging content – Write a publication in a month, part 2
Revise your own manuscript draft and get feedback. You will need to bring a draft along. Second in a two-part workshop series with academic writing coach Malini Devadas. You don't have to come to both parts. This workshop will be delivered via Zoom for a limited number of participants

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

10

JUN
 10.30am-12pm
Writing your Education Fellowship Scheme (EFS) application
Already familiar with the EFS? This workshop is designed to help your writing process. As well as learn more about the dimensions of the Professional Standards Framework, which underpins the EFS, you will have mapped out your full application, by the end of the session.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

8

JUNE
 9am-10am
Writing Pomodoro - quiet, uninterrupted writing time
This will be a quiet writing time activity on zoom.


Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

8

JUNE
 11am-11.50am
Get teaching experience and engage the public sector
Are you looking for teaching and or outreach experience? Would you like to try teaching your research to a public audience?
Guest speakers:
Brian Cooke, Director Centre for Continuing Education, ANU CCE, is looking for teachers to pitch new course proposals. A great opportunity for you to try out-of-the-box teaching and build your network across sectors.
Helen Kaye, ANU Extension Coordinator, is recruiting speakers to present to promising up-and-coming students, a great opportunity to promote your courses and recruit great students playing the long game.
This event is also suitable for the spouse/partners of ANU Staff and HDR candidates.
All NECTAR events are open to all ANU Staff, HDR Candidates, PARSA members, Vising Fellows, and all spouses/partners thereof.


Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

27

MAY
 10.30am-12pm
EFS information session
Start your Education Fellowship Scheme application with NECTAR to gain recognition for and develop your teaching. This session will provide you with the confidence and knowledge to get started on your own application. An EFS Coach will guide you through the application process, show you how to get started, and answer any questions you may have. Come and join us.

Registrations for this event have closed.
WED

26

MAY
 10.30am-12.30pm
Getting the story right – Write a publication in a month, part 1
Get skills in how to write a good draft efficiently. This workshop will be delivered via Zoom for a limited number of participants. This is the first part of a 2-part workshop series with academic writing coach Malini Devadas.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

20

MAY
 2-3.30pm
HDR Supervision Troubleshooting Forum – NECTAR special edition
Are you new to HDR supervision or keen to improve your supervision skills? Join this interactive and frank Q&A with early-career supervisors who will share their insights and tips, and answer your questions about HDR supervision challenges. This event is a collaboration between NECTAR and the HDR Supervision Development Team.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

13

MAY
 10.30am-12pm
EFS workshop series - NECTAR special edition
Start your Fellowship application with NECTAR to gain recognition for and develop your teaching. We are forming a peer group to complete this together starting with these three events:
First workshop: Introduction to the EFS - Thursday 13 May, 10.30am-12pm
In this workshop you will hear from fellow ECAs on why they think becoming an EFS Fellow is a worthwhile endeavour and what drives their passion for teaching. The EFS team will be on hand for questions.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

6

MAY
 1.30-3.30pm
Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshop – jointly presented with the HDR Supervision Development Team
Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshops are open to supervisors of ANU HDR students. These workshops are directed at those new to supervision, but all HDR supervisors are welcome. Participation in a Foundations of HDR Supervision Workshop is a required component of initial ANU HDR Supervisor registration for those new to supervision.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

4

MAY
 12.30-1.30pm
Resilience and managing uncertainty
What is resilience? How can we strengthen it and manage change and uncertainty? For University Mental Health Day, one of the clinical psychologists of ANU, who is a mid-career academic, Dr Jo Lane, will present on “Resilience and managing uncertainty”.

Registrations for this event have closed.
TUE

23

MAR
 11.30am-12.30pm
Meet NECTAR – An open forum for ECAs
ANU staff, associates and HDR candidates are invited to come along to meet the NECTAR Co-Chairs, staff and active volunteers of NECTAR. This is an opportunity to table issues you are currently facing, share experiences, connect with other ECAs and make requests from NECTAR.

Registrations for this event have closed.
THU

11

MAR
 11.30am-12.30pm
Business engagement Q&A with CBRIN
Come along to this Q&A with business engagement gurus Irene Zhen and Craig Davis from the Canberra Innovation Network and have a chat about practical ways to engage with business from your research area. See if they can convince you it can be a meaningful activity, and less scary than you think. Can this be an avenue for you? Share experiences with other ECAs from across all disciplines.

Registrations for this event have closed.

Please click here to see a list of 2020 events.