ACEMS 2020: The Year Ahead

ACEMS is excited about the coming year and the various plans that have been made. In addition to creating world-class research and developing the next generation of outstanding mathematical scientists, the Centre’s efforts will be focused on continuing to be leaders in the Australian mathematical sciences community across a range of areas including equity and diversity initiatives, collaboration and stakeholder engagement, outreach and education, and media and communications. A brief overview of the Centre’s 2020 plans is below.

Research

  • Create world-class research at the frontiers of the mathematical sciences: see the 2020 plans within each research theme report for details
  • Complete the hiring and induction process for the Centre’s three new female-only research fellow appointments
  • Hire additional postdoctoral researchers at nodes where funds are still available
  • Support ACEMS Research Fellows and Associate Investigators, as well as increase cross-node collaborations, via the Research Support Scheme (RSS), Industry Collaboration Support Scheme (ICSS) and International Mobility Programme (IMP)
  • Expand and strengthen relationships with our Partner Organisations and Industry Affiliate Members through research collaborations with a view to the Centre’s legacy
  • Organise, sponsor and participate in research-focused workshops and conferences to showcase the Centre’s world-class research

National and international links

  • Organise at least one cross-node visiting fellowship for a prestigious international visitor
  • Host distinguished national and international visitors, including Scientific Advisory Committee members Professor Ruth Williams and Professor Iain Johnstone
  • Engage with existing national and international collaborators
  • Develop new links with national and international collaborators
  • Continue to strengthen existing links with other ARC Centres of Excellence, including in research, communications training, and professional staff development, and establish new connections with 2020 Centres

Communication

  • Produce and edit another season of The Random Sample podcast, ensuring it is topical and highlights the diverse strengths of the Centre
  • Produce and edit new video content in support of key Centre initiatives and activities, such as Women in Maths Day celebrations and MathsCraft
  • Provide opportunities to assist in enhancing the communication and presentation skills of all ACEMS members and provide invaluable experience in communicating research objectives and outcomes to end-users at all levels
  • Introduce a new regular series of online communications catch-ups for members designed to: share social media tips and tricks; share success stories of what’s working for them on social media; discuss challenges they’re facing with social media; share papers and/or pre-prints (for others to share on their social media); pass along any names of people who they should be following on Twitter or LinkedIn
  • Identify and mentor members looking to improve their career path through use of communications
  • Reinforce existing links with other ARC Centres of Excellence by continuing to deliver shared communications training workshops
  • Continue to produce personal stories about Centre members and their research and achievements
  • Continue to grow the Centre’s audience on social media

Mentoring

  • Continue with the Centre’s successful cross-node mentoring program
  • Offer additional mentoring opportunities such as virtual drop-in group sessions and small-group mentoring circles, using online platforms so that these activities can be cross-nodal
  • Increase mentoring for postdoctoral researchers and professional staff with a strong focus on career development for life post-ACEMS
  • Offer more online mentoring seminars broadcast across the nodes
  • Provide vacation scholarships and interact with existing vacation scholarship schemes
  • Identify opportunities for ACEMS HDR students and ECRs to engage with the international research community
  • Facilitate greater cross-node interaction through the promotion of visitor and travel schemes, and cross-node supervision and mentoring

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Welcome the Centre’s new Stakeholder Engagement Officer (SEO), Angela Dahlke, who will commence in early 2020, replacing current SEO Jessie Roberts while the latter is on maternity leave
  • Introduce Angela to Centre members and collaborators with an SEO tour of the nodes in March 2020
  • Host Emily Dodwell, from Partner Organisation AT&T, in early 2020 with a visit to multiple nodes
  • Appoint a new Partner Investigator for Partner Organisation Sax Institute following the December 2019 departure of Mark Bartlett
  • Further expand the Industry Affiliate Program, welcoming new Industry Affiliate Member organisations as opportunities arise
  • Host engagement-focused workshops
  • Host research planning meetings with Partner Organisations and Industry Affiliate Members

Outreach to schools

Outreach to the general public

  • Develop and expand the National Science Quiz for an online audience in collaboration with The Royal Institution of Australia
  • Expand the ACEMS Public Lecture Series with contributions from high profile international visitors
  • Organise and participate in National Science Week events

Outreach within the mathematical sciences research community

Equity and diversity

  • Review the 2019 Climate Survey detailed results to establish a set of recommendations that ACEMS can implement over the remaining years of the Centre
  • Conduct the third annual climate survey to continue tracking the Centre’s progress across key areas
  • Deliver three new Equity and Diversity workshops
  • Sponsor relevant workshops, conferences and events via that make an impact in equity and diversity
  • Promote the Centre’s various support schemes to continue to grow participation, including the Carer’s Provision Fund, the Student Parental Leave Scholarship, the Student Support Scheme, the Research Support Scheme, Industry Collaboration Support Scheme, and International Mobility Program
  • Organise the fourth annual women’s lunch, to be hosted by distinguished visitor and ACEMS Scientific Advisory Committee member Professor Ruth Williams of the University of California, San Diego

Governance and operations

  • Promote and implement the recommendations of the Equity and Diversity Committee
  • Closely engage with the Scientific Advisory Committee about the Centre’s research with a focus on the Centre’s legacy
  • Closely engage with the Governance Advisory Board in the lead up to the Centre’s conclusion with a focus on legacy and finances
  • Closely monitor the Centre’s finances to ensure all planned activities are achievable and that the Centre’s various budgets are fully expended – but not overspent – by the end of 2021
  • Expand the Centre’s reporting systems in the lead up to preparing the Centre’s Final Report

Succession planning

  • Consider the career prospects of all ACEMS postdoctoral staff and provide appropriate mentoring and opportunities with a view to expanding their experience in anticipation of their next role
  • Offer professional staff additional mentoring and training opportunities with a view to expanding their skill sets and planning for their next role after the Centre concludes
  • Encourage all members to participate in different facets of the Centre’s operations, including serving on committees, so that a broader group of members obtain valuable leadership experience

Other activities

  • Nominate people for prestigious awards
  • Organise the Centre’s Student and ECR Retreat
  • Organise the Centre’s mid-year ECR Retreat
  • Organise the Centre’s Annual Retreat for all members