II. Goals:
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III. Action:
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1. To give Neuroscience researchers at Sydney University
a sense of unity with common goals. To "brand"
Neuroscience at Sydney University. To give it an identity.
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a. To set up a communication network and a database to
disseminate information amongst Neuroscience researchers
at Sydney University about research, new facilities, procedures
and techniques. To organize symposia and workshops.
b. To Sponsor an "establishment conference"
and members of each major laboratory be invited to present
a brief overview of the work going on.
c. To Sponsor the development of and maintenance of a
database of ongoing neuroscience research at Sydney University
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2. To increase the number and value of nationally competitive
grants for Neuroscience research.
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a. To provide "top-up" grants to Neuroscience
investigators who just missed out on NHMRC or ARC grants
(using NHMRC and ARC cut-off information).
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3. To attract high quality, internationally competitive
researchers to Neuroscience
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a. To Provide short-term research support to recently
appointed neuroscience investigators especially to help
them to bridge the interval before full grant support
can be won.
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4. To attract high quality research students to Neuroscience
and improve the level of financial support for students
in Neuroscience.
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a. To top up research student allowances.
b. To fund students to go elsewhere in Australia or overseas
for short intervals (eg 3 or 6 month “research placements”)
to learn relevant techniques or to work in laboratories
conducting research related to their own PhD.
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5. To improve research facilities for Neuroscience; to
ensure that facilities are up to date.
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a. To provide support for major instrument facilities
for use by several laboratories (e.g. animal PET, confocal
microscopes)
b. To sponsor Visiting Professors for targeted visits
to provide information about new results/techniques etc.
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6. To keep all Neuroscience researchers informed about
Neuroscience research at Sydney University
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a. Update the communication network via a webpage and
a regular SUN newsletter.
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7. Education. To explain to the general public the direct
benefits for patient well-being, treatment, diagnosis
and understanding and Neuroscience research. To publicize
the achievements of Neuroscience at Sydney University.
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a. To sponsor “dual level” symposia on Neuroscience
matters of wide community interest – e.g. Alzheimer’s,
pain etc. Speakers to present detailed research results
at one session and simplified versions at a separate session
for the general public/media.
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8. To assist in the publication of results in high quality,
international scientific journals
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a. Offer “in-house” peer-review comments on
grant applications and manuscripts.
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9. To develop skilled neuroscientist spokespeople trained
to communicate to the general public about their research.
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a. Sponsor conferences, and Visiting Professors. Ensure
that new students have a major role in organization and
present.
b. Interchange of information about research in Neuroscience
laboratories working in Neurosciences by Newssheets.
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10. To encourage the presentation of Neuroscience research
at major overseas conferences especially b y postgraduate
and early postdoctoral students.
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a. To provide travel funding for postgraduate students
to major conferences (e.g. US or European Neuroscience
meetings). This is especially important since University
funding for such travel has been curtailed or removed
altogether.
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11. To provide a building for housing the Neuroscience
Group.
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