As one of the Graduate Scholars at the International Conference on the Book in Toronto last October, I was approached to pullb together a monograph for publication based upon several keynotes delivered since 2007.

In 2012 I am hoping that an online journal (refereed international) will allow a special issue written by, edited by and referreed by PhD scholars. I have requested that if there was enough interest, it could be dedicated to Creative Industries scholars from Australia.

The Research Workforce Training Strategy workshop for so called "less research intensive Universities" today was fantastic. So perfectly focused and targetted. Many HASS organisations could learn from the program the immediate areas of "evidence-based" research and data requirements to strategically position disciplines, faculties and even Institutions in the current period of policy change and flux.

I ALWAYS come away with so many potential academic collaborations and this time two possible edited monographs ( I'm not stupid, I can't write the whole two books with a PhD to pull in).

And as usual my 'enthusiastic' or 'performative'style of presentation angered at least one attendee. How can one actually prove one's contentions in a 15 minute slot, when the actual paper is to be 5,000 and blind refereed for publication subsequent to the actual presentation, which I see as a 'taster'or forward promote as is used in the media industry.

Copyright or copywrong? How journals control access to research

Frustration with copyright restrictions placed on scholarly work in many journals has helped fuel the Creative Commons and Open Access movements. Flickr/TilarX

Explainer: Open access vs traditional academic journal publishers

A growing number of academic institutions are building free online databases of their scholarly output. But publication in a big name academic journal still holds cachet for most academics. Flickr/mandiberg

One of my favourite Friday readings:

http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Friday-dilemma-Why-dont-academics-answer-the-phone/

And another:

Despite arriving late today to the Postgrads Workshop, I would like to thank the Lecturers who gave so willingly of the time and expertise. Every year I attend I learn something new. Big thanks to Ken Gelder for words to the wise re: post doctoral life , and huge thanks to Tony Birch.

Unsure if you can still squeeze in for Conference; Wed through to Fri but give them a quick email.

Details:

http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/asal2011/

I have a list of Conferences and training opportunities across NSW & Qld thanks to the postgrad network at Southern Cross Uni and their wonderful online newsletter CRUX... highly recommended if you can access it, but as CAPA national policy research officer I will endeavour to keep the communication flowing in case anybody misses anything and you are all busy... I know what the PhD is like, hence some six months leave to earn some income and have a mental break!

First opp:

Pleased to tell everyone that I am now the National Policy Research Officer working at Council for Australian Postgraduate Associations here in the NTEU head office in Melbourne. We have the responsibility for looking at Research Workforce career pathways and needs (inside and outside the University sector). The research is funded by Deptartment of Industry Innovation Science and Research with the final report due mid 2012.