1.3 Your research strategy
If you understand the road ahead, you are less likely to get lost or side-tracked.
Your research strategy is likely to emphasise several key areas of activity: publishing, undertaking research (particularly with the assistance of funded grants), and collaborating with other researchers on new initiatives. The discipline/s in which you operate will have a strong influence on the mix of priorities that you emphasise. In the sciences, grants and refereed papers in highly cited journals are critical outcomes. In some fields patents are highly desired, while others may see creative works and exhibitions as more critical. With the growing cross-pollination of research disciplines, it is important to be open to different ways of viewing your research and thinking about possible research interchanges that will complement the skills other researchers possess. While some disciplines have seen themselves as largely removed from the grant cycle and its associated publishing focus, this is becoming less typical. For example, many medical and science-based projects seek the skills of arts and humanities researchers to achieve the necessary translation of their research into the broader community. Skills in gaining and managing research grants are now seen as fundamental capabilities of any researcher.
Your strategy is likely to include a continuous focus on attracting grants. If you are on a 3-year grant (as an example), it would not be wise to wait until the grant money has been exhausted and you have completely finished your project before applying for your next grant. You need to seek new funding around the second year of your first grant. Of course, this can be more difficult if you are at an early stage of your career and applying to the ARC, as they will be concerned about your track record. If this is the case, you may need to consider a different approach, as we discuss in Topic 2. One good strategy is to document your thinking on a research project or funding opportunity at the time it appears, even if you have to put it aside for the future.
Be wary about any possible limitations which may be contained in research project agreements. For example, if you are a member of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), then you will be limited to holding only one other Discovery Project. For a successful researcher able to effectively balance numerous projects, this could seriously restrict your flexibility and income-producing ability, and you would need to have considerable compensation to make this worthwhile. It can be useful to seek a diversified portfolio of grants to ensure you have several strands operating. (Obviously, if you win a $10M NHMRC grant, this may be a different scenario, but the need for long-term planning remains.)
To have a longer-term successful research career, it is essential to integrate short and long-term goals. In the short-term you need to respond to current opportunities and circumstances, developing projects and creating a sound track record of research performance and delivery. Publishing the outcomes from your research is critical. At the same time, keep a longer-term view of 5 or so years, and monitor the success of your strategy in moving toward that goal. Don’t be afraid to ask advice from mentors, role models, and successful researchers.
As an effective researcher, you will need to have a progressive approach to the work that you want to undertake. As you know, all plans have a number of steps and will normally be laid out in a sequential manner. However, as we said above, if you’re on a short-term grant, it’s not wise to wait until you have finished your project before applying for the next grant. You should be doing something about new grants around the second year of a 3-year grant. Of course, this can be more difficult if you are at an early stage of your career and applying to the ARC, as they will be concerned about your track record. If this is the case, you may want to consider a different approach, as we discuss in Topic 2.
The main thing to remember is that if you understand the bigger picture, you have a better chance of 'exploiting' it. A conscious research strategy is an important way of acting on these opportunities.
Modules