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Applied Research and Innovation Project

Workshops and Events

Explore upcoming workshops, research training sessions and networking events designed to strengthen applied research capability across Victorian TAFE and industry partnerships.

Strengthening applied research capability

Our programs empower Victorian TAFE staff with the skills to lead and deliver high-impact applied research.

2026 initiatives include:

  • Professional development workshops: Targeted training across four key research streams.
  • Community of practice: A collaborative network for peer support and knowledge sharing.
  • Resource library: On-demand access to guides, webinars, and research podcasts.

Upcoming workshops and sessions

Register via the links below or contact us at appliedresearch@holmesglen.edu.au. 

Foundations and frameworks (April)

Focus: Setting the stage for rigorous, ethical inquiry

Date: 15 April 2026

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Dr Harrison Burgin and Deniz Akin

Overview: A practical guide to the ethics process. Learn how to write a project plan that the committee can approve without the usual back-and-forth delays.

What you will learn:

  • Choosing the best framework for your project. 
  • Aligning your protocol with consent forms and information sheets to ensure a smooth submission. 
  • Identifying missing elements and spotting errors in research aims and objectives
  • Applying practical methods for version control and secure data storage. 
  • Consolidating your new knowledge by navigating practice-based ethical scenarios

Register

Data collection and ethics in practice (May/June)

Focus: The "how-to" of fieldwork and technical ethical requirements

Date: 13 May 2026 

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Dr. Ross Digby

Join us to discuss how to successfully manage industry partnerships. We will focus on the value proposition of your collaboration and strategies for maintaining ethical, professional, and sustainable relationships.

What you will learn:

  • Practical strategies to define and articulate your value proposition
  • Guidance on navigating transparency and disclosure
  • Techniques for balancing shared goals and managing conflicts

Register

Date: 20 May 2026

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Dr Paramjit Tyndall and Deniz Akin

What you will learn:

  • Applying for ethics approval: Prepare your ethics application expertly and forego potential hurdles by determining the appropriate risk level of your research
  • Obtaining informed consent from participants: Using data from existing surveys vs. conducting your own survey
  • Leveraging survey data for your research: Extract data for maximum research impact and how to get additional data when using an existing survey

Register

Date: 27 May 2026

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Denz Akin

What you will learn:

  • Question design: Developing non-leading, open-ended questions that elicit rich, qualitative data
  • Focus group dynamics: Practical techniques for managing dominant voices and encouraging quieter participants to share
  • Field ethics: Simplifying the informed consent process

Register

Date: 3 June 2026

Time: 10.30am – 12pm

Facilitator: Deniz Akin

Overview:

Expanding on our Community of Practice insights, this roundtable aims to translate our shared understanding of complex navigation pathways into tangible, staff-led documentation.

We will examine how to collaboratively develop practical, user-friendly ethics guidance created by staff for staff. The goal is to bridge the gap between high-level policy and the unique, boots-on-the-ground reality of individual TAFE environments.

Key areas for discussion:

  • Navigating daily dilemmas: Identifying common ethical issues in teaching, student interaction, and industry partnerships
  • Accessible resources: Designing tools that are easy to find and use

Register

Date: 10 June 2026

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Deniz Akin and guest speaker (TBD)

What you will learn:

  • Audience Mapping: How to pivot your tone between academic peers, industry partners, and TAFE leadership.
  • Data translation: Turning raw qualitative and quantitative findings into clear insights
  • Addressing the "So What?": Structuring project insights or reports to highlight practical recommendations and real-world impact
  • Plain English mastery: Cutting the jargon to improve readability without losing professional depth

Register

Date: 16 June 2026

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Facilitators: Dr Lily Su and Deniz Akin

What you will learn:

  • Reflecting on positionality and bias: Reflect on your own identity as a researcher, the biases you may bring to your project and learn how to share them transparently
  • Ensuring students feel safe to speak: Create an environment where students know that they can be honest, remain anonymous and say “no” without negative consequences
  • Applying neutral probing techniques: Get genuine and rich answers without leading participants in predetermined directions

Register

Podcast episodes

Episode 1 - From shelves to scholarship: A TAFE librarian’s journey into applied research

Guest: Christopher Meeking, TAFE Librarian

Episode overview: We sit down with Chris, a Holmesglen librarian turned researcher, to explore how embedding library support into TAFE courses can boost student outcomes through stronger information literacy and research skills.

Listen now

Important dates

Stay on track with key milestones for the Victorian TAFE research community:

  • Grant reporting deadlines: Refer to your funding agreement
  • ARI Research Symposium: Dates to be announced mid-2026

Join our 2026 Communities of Practice (6-weekly series)

Connect with colleagues through our active Communities of Practice. These groups provide a collaborative space to share experiences, troubleshoot challenges, and build professional networks across our TAFE community. 

2026 meeting dates:

All sessions are held online at 1:00pm to ensure accessibility for both metropolitan and regional TAFE staff. 

  • 30 April 
  • 11 June 
  • 23 July 
  • 3 September 
  • 15 October 
  • 26 November 
  • 10 December (End of year reflection) 

Please email appliedresearch@holmesglen.edu.au to sign up for the sessions.

 

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For general inquiries or to receive direct registration links for upcoming workshops:

Contact us at: appliedresearch@holmesglen.edu.au