UQ’s School of Tourism is helping early career researchers to reach their potential with the creation of a new mentoring scheme.
The school launched the W James Whyte Visiting Research Fellowship program on May 6, with Oregon State University professors John H Falk and Lynn D Dierking the first to be appointed.
The two experts were quick to get to work, taking part in a visitor research forum at UQ the following day.
They have also been acting as mentors to early career researchers at the school, working on joint projects with Nigel Bond and Dr Karen Hughes.
Grant applications have been submitted and research projects started with Head of School Professor Roy Ballantyne and senior research fellow Dr Jan Packer.
Professor Falk has an interest in identity while Professor Dierking has been studying family influences on “free-choice learning”, which involves all forms of learning outside of workplaces and classrooms.
Mr Whyte, himself an Oregon State University graduate, donated a sizeable sum to set up the fellowship, with UQ, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, and the School of Tourism each contributing to double this amount.
Professor Ballantyne said the fellowship would attract international leaders in their fields to the school and ensure world-class mentoring for early career researchers.
This would help the school in its pursuit of quality research and publication of its study findings in top research journals, he said.
Visiting professors would establish partnerships with staff for joint projects and research papers, conduct workshops on their areas of expertise and share their experience in writing grant proposals.
Dr Packer said funding bodies looked for a demonstrated track record and reputation for quality work in a field of study, which the two visiting professors could easily satisfy.
“They are very well known around the world. It is exciting for us to have the chance of working with them,” she said.
“We had people from Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney at the visitor research forum. John and Lynn being there made it all the more attractive for them to attend.”
UQ has a mentoring policy which encourages “mutual learning” in a relationship allowing for a confidential, non-judgemental and non-directive environment.
Media: Erik de Wit (0417 088 772)
