FEAST Exploratory Workshops

FEAST has been established by the Australian Government and the European Union to catalyse the development of new collaborative research between Australian and European teams. Beyond the generic support to the research community provided by other FEAST activities, we intend to support a small number of workshops targeting important new research questions. The focus of the scheme is on opening up new directions in research or to explore emerging research fields with potential impact on new developments in ‘science’. The intent is that these workshops will be the first step in establishing ongoing, concrete collaborative activity.

Rationale

The dynamic developments in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries are changing the way knowledge is generated and research is performed. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the ‘science’ community and the funding agencies at both the national and international levels need to be aware of the likely direction research will take in the future, especially as traditional disciplines combine to produce new and exciting multidisciplinary areas of study. By looking ahead, researchers are able to establish the cusps of new knowledge, and organisations are able to plan their resources to meet possible future demand. Additionally, such “foresight” activities will help the development of approaches between national agencies as well as informing Australian and European institutions.

To achieve this aim requires bringing together the best ideas and capabilities. Such a gathering of Europe and Australia’s key research “actors” in any given topic must aim at producing an assessment and recommendations of the highest scientific quality to be accepted by their scientific peers. At the same time, this should not inhibit adventurous forward thinking and sometimes ‘thinking the unthinkable’, rather it should provide a means for exploring all ideas and new directions in research. A useful model to which to aspire is that used in the USA which has produced seminal monographs on key topics which have influenced the direction of research, the response of funding agencies and government institutions.

Such an activity needs to balance assessments of ‘state of the art’ with looking forward. The nature of research is that it is unpredictable but, within reason, a ‘Forward Look’ for the next 5–10 years should provide a useful guide for everyone concerned in monitoring the health of research in Australia and Europe.

In summary, therefore, the intent of the FEAST Exporatory Workshops is:

to identify and describe the cutting edge areas within the selected theme;
to identify the strengths of the leading organisations in Australia and Europe;
to define the research questions that could be addressed; and
to plan a collaborative research programme for say, the next 5 years.

Format

FEAST Exploratory Workshops are intended to be small, interactive and output-oriented gatherings following the format below:

A maximum number of 10 participants (including speakers and convenors) as balanced as possible between Australian and Europeans. No more than 2 participants may come from any one EU member state.
A fully residential format, ensuring discussion takes place in a relaxed atmosphere but over extended periods.
A usual duration of 3–5 days.
Ample time for discussion must be provided in the scientific programme.
A workshop shall conclude with plans for follow-up research activities and/or collaborative actions or other specific outputs within or outside the frame of FEAST (e.g. prepare the ground to develop a research project, a Research Networking Programme, a follow up workshop, or for example an application to the EC Framework Programme).

Participants should be selected on the basis of their scientific excellence and potential contribution. The aim should be to have wide participation from across Australia and Europe, with due regard also to age, gender and geographical balance. The involvement of scholars with leadership potential is encouraged.

Outputs

It is envisaged that each Exploratory Workshop will produce a report which can provide a reference for the future. Action Plans may also be expected in order to set research goals and means of implementation. The development of new projects to take actions forward should be considered as a further output of the exercise.

Conditions of Award

Convenors must be scholars from Australian universities or research institutes. Proposals must have co-Convenors from European countries.
The workshop must take place in Australia during the calendar years 2007 or 2008.
The workshop must comply with the profile of FEAST Exploratory Workshops as defined under “Format”.
The workshop should be financed mainly by FEAST; awards are not meant to contribute to or subsidise the funding of meetings mainly funded or organised by other organisations. However partnership funding arrangements are welcome.
The meeting must be clearly identified as a FEAST event, in particular by including the FEAST logo and announcing the meeting as a “FEAST Exploratory Workshop on:… ” in any advertisements, posters, websites, abstracts, proceedings, etc. Additional support from other organisations should also be acknowledged.
Participants should not be requested to pay a registration fee.
A concise report of the scientific/strategic output of the workshop, as well as a financial report on workshop expenditure and statistical information on the workshop participants, must be submitted within two months of the event. The scientific report will be submitted to the FEAST Secretariat and published on the FEAST website.

Level and Use of FEAST funds

The award will be up to a maximum value of (TBA).
The award will cover the costs of workshop activities and travel, accommodation and subsistence for participants.
Airfares will only be refunded to level of a standard economy ticket, irrespective of class of travel.
A preliminary budget must be provided by the Convenor to the Executive Director of FEAST for written approval before any invitations are issued or expense incurred. The budget should provide a clear indication of the intended use of funds showing the global breakdown of accommodation expenses, meals and estimated travel costs for each participant, as well as other costs if appropriate and use of co-sponsoring if applicable.
No local administrative costs or overheads will be paid by FEAST.
FEAST funds must not be used for the purchase of equipment.
Honoraria will not be paid by FEAST and the organisers of and speakers at FEAST exploratory workshops will not be remunerated.

Top of page