Qantas boost for research travel

Friday, 11 November 2005

Qantas and the University of Adelaide have joined forces for an exciting new scheme that gives emerging researchers the opportunity to travel internationally to increase their knowledge and skills.

The Qantas Researcher Travel Support Scheme will enable Early Career Researchers (academics within their first five years of receiving their PhD) at the University of Adelaide to travel overseas to attend important conferences and/or collaborate with international researchers in their field.

As a part of the University's commercial arrangement with Qantas, Qantas will provide funds for up to 35 international airfares to successful applicants in the coming year, with similar support anticipated in the next two years.

Convenor of the University's Research Career Development Committee, Professor Julie Owens, says she is delighted by Qantas' support for the scheme, particularly as the funds have come as a result of the University's use of the carrier as a preferred supplier.

"Early Career Researchers have limited opportunities to attend and participate in international and other major conferences overseas, and to visit and collaborate with overseas researchers," Professor Owens says.

"The generous support of Qantas will now make this possible for these researchers at the University of Adelaide. It is the first initiative of many our committee is developing to support researchers in their career planning and development, in partnership with the five University Faculties, its research commercialisation arm (Adelaide Research and Innovation) and other areas in the University."

Chair of the University's Early Career Researcher Taskforce, Dr Nicole Morcom, says the scheme is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to further their careers and boost their international research profile.

"Early Career Researchers are the next generation of research academics and this is clear evidence of the importance that the University and Qantas place on fostering our best and brightest," Dr Morcom says.

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