The AFIRC Research Fellowship – General Information for Applicants

The AFIRC in partnership with the Screen Cultures Lab at RMIT University's School of Media and Communication is pleased to announce the 2014 AFIRC Research Fellowship.

The AFI Research Collection (AFIRC) is an essential resource for Australian film and television scholarship. Its holdings reflect a diversity of materials (screenplays, production stills, press kits, and soundtracks) associated with film and television production in Australia. These unique and specialized collections are supported by comprehensive holdings of books, journals and industry publications from Australia and overseas. 

The AFIRC invites proposals from scholars wishing to undertake research that utilises the Collection’s resources and promotes the AFIRC. The fellowship is designed to showcase the unique holdings of the AFIRC, which include special collections from Henry Mayer, Wayne Levy and Crawford Productions, as well as film stills, newspaper clippings and other significant artefacts from the Australian film and television industry.

What fields of research are eligible?

The AFIRC Research Fellow may use the Collection as a resource for a research project investigating film and television production in Australia, or as a research object itself, e.g. an archival research project. The Fellowship is intended to promote the AFIRC through research that results in a published outcome, which may take the form of a book, a journal article, a film or digital project.

Who may apply?

The AFIRC Research Fellowship is open to established researchers and audiovisual practitioners. These may include international and Australian applicants (resident citizens and expatriates) who have achieved eminence as academics, scholars, researchers, writers, audio and audiovisual practitioners, artists and archive professionals.

What support is available?

Depending on the requirements of the applicant, the Fellowship may be awarded for a period of between two and six weeks. The start date, duration and the actual period of the Fellowship will be negotiated prior to commencement. The Fellowship will include the following in-kind-support:

•	open access to the AFIRC’s holdings and databases  
•	access to DVD-viewing facilities within the AFIRC

AFIRC staff will not serve as research assistants to the Fellow. The AFIRC Librarian will conduct an orientation tour and staff will be on hand to answer questions, but it is expected that the AFIRC Research Fellow will conduct their research independently. 

The Fellowship provides a stipend of up to $5,000 (AUD).

What are the requirements of and outcomes from the AFIRC Research Fellowship?

Preliminary outcomes will be discussed during an introductory interview and can be modified, with mutual agreement, during the course of the Fellowship. In general, the AFIRC Research Fellow will be required to:

•	undertake a significant piece of research for publication, presentation, performance or exhibition 
•	spend most of the time associated with their research at the AFIRC or within the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University
•	present at least one public lecture and/or seminar to staff of the AFIRC and School of Media and Communication and invited guests
•	enhance AFIRC records, where relevant to the research project
•	notify the AFIRC of publications, presentations and other activities that relate to their AFIRC research period
•	make themselves available to publicize their research, and promote the benefits of having access to the AFIRC and the Fellowship program
•	acknowledge the support of the AFIRC in any publication, performance or presentation resulting from the research
•	upon acceptance of the Fellowship, sign an agreement which includes negotiated outcomes
•	make their own arrangements for personal insurances
•	notify the School of Media and Communication management of any potential risks, health issues and so on

At the conclusion of the Fellowship, the AFIRC Research Fellow will be required to:
•	prepare a report of their research outcomes
•	provide the AFIRC with a copy of any research outcome
•	complete an evaluation of their time at the AFIRC

When can I apply?

Applications for the AFIRC Research Fellowship in 2014 will close on Friday 25 July 2014. 

What are the selection criteria?

Whilst acknowledging that each type of research may entail different approaches, the School of Media and Communication will assess each Fellowship application according to the following criteria:

•	originality and innovation
•	relevance and significance
•	contribution to knowledge
•	the capacity for the transfer of knowledge to the benefit of the AFIRC and the School of Media and Communication, in terms of education and industry engagement

The School of Media and Communication will also assess each proposal according to

•	the likely level of resourcing required for each proposal, in both financial and human support terms
•	an evaluation of the risks, both strategic and operational, inherent in each proposal
•	the need for the project to be monitored and the governance issues that may need to be applied
•	the capacity for the success of the project, in terms of likely published outcome.

In some instances, the School of Media and Communication may consult external referees or peers to assist in assessing applications. 

In assessing applications for the AFIRC Research Fellowship, the School of Media and Communication will take into account the following:

•	qualifications of the applicant
•	research experience and demonstrated quality of that research
•	record of completing research/creative projects within a given time frame and publishing/producing the results of that research/project, as confirmed by referees.

To assess the quality of each research project, the School of Media and Communication will evaluate how

•	the proposal has been created by preliminary investigation of the AFIRC’s catalogue and special collections
•	the project activity intends to make use of the AFIRC
•	the research question or artistic concept has been defined and mapped out with clear research methods
•	the results of the research will be made available (in publications, productions, performances, exhibitions, technical/scientific advances, or by other means) and how those results will promote awareness of the AFIRC
•	each project will contribute to enhanced knowledge in its field

Please complete and return the application form (available from http://afiresearch.rmit.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014_AFIRC-Research-Fellowship-Application-Form.doc), along with:

•	a detailed research proposal
•	a current curriculum vitae, including a list of major publications and/or productions
•	if relevant, a DVD show-reel and samples of audiovisual projects as MP3 files.

The Fellowship can only be awarded once to any individual. Unsuccessful applicants from past years are welcome to reapply.
For further information about the AFIRC Research Fellowship please contact:

Dr Stephen Gaunson
School of Media & Communication
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476
Melbourne, VIC, 3001
AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 3 9925 9553

Email: stephen.gaunson@rmit.edu.au

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information contained in this document is provided for general information purposes only and does not have any legal effect. Specific terms of engagement will be negotiated with successful applicants.