E-Research for Education

Recently (May 2007) the Australian Government accepted An Australian e-Research Strategy and Implementation Framework. This document outlines a general vision and strategic plan for the enhancement of e-research capacities in Australia over forthcoming five-year period. I think this document deserves some interest of academic research community too, particularly of those who work in education. This is my first thought about it.

Education for e-research

Overall, the Framework outlines 19 recommendations in 9 strategic areas. Eight of these recommendations are in the areas of "Skills development" and "Skills transfer". Some highlights from these recommendations:

• Introduction of undergraduate cross-disciplinary ICT electives for career pathways to e-research;
  
• Establishment of cross-disciplinary e-research Honours and Postgraduate scholarships (50 + 35 each year);
  
• Postdoctoral and Pathway Fellowships for early and senior researchers from various disciplines;
  
• Other smaller schemes for academics from various domains to enhance their expertise in e-research methodologies (e.g., teaching relief for 1 year);
  
• Workshops, visiting fellowships for overseas researchers and other development opportunities for academics.
  

The implementation of these recommendations will primarily fell on IT faculties. Nevertheless, thinking about the future, other disciplines (including “soft”) will probably need to integrate the key aspects of e-research methods in their research programs too. Not the easy task for “soft” disciplines. Nevertheless, this could be a great opportunity to enhance social research, particularly in education. How? We will write about this in this blog in the future. Your ideas are welcome already now ;).