Sydney Policy Lab announces seed funding for nodes
The Sydney Policy Lab is seeking expressions of interest from University of Sydney researchers (pdf, 62KB) to establish the first research nodes at the Lab.
Breakthroughs on complex policy challenges happen when researchers share understanding and relationships across disciplinary lines.
"Nodes are designed to nurture the connections that lead to breakthroughs," said Sydney Policy Lab Directory, Dr Kate Harrison Brennan.
"Each node will a group of academics and community members with a shared interest in a specific public policy area or methodology that can transform lives." Nodes join the Lab’s existing portfolio of research projects and collaborations.
With Lab support and seed funding, node members share existing work, create space for collaboration and nurture future full-scale Lab research projects. For academics, nodes are an opportunity for leadership, connection with peers and access to the benefits of Lab membership.
Benefits of establishing a node
Each node will receive:
- annual seed funding – $5000 in 2024 – and other funding opportunities
- advice on public and political engagement for policy impact
- priority access to Lab spaces and events
- support for collaborative grant applications
- connections with community, government, policymakers and peers in the Lab policy network
- multidisciplinary leadership opportunities and Lab affiliation.
What can nodes do?
The Lab takes an exploratory approach to design and delivery of community-led, multidisciplinary policy solutions and supports each node to do the same.
Nodes can, for example, instigate research, convene people with lived and academic expertise in the Lab’s collaborative space, test novel policymaking methods or work with Lab leadership to identify opportunities to influence decision makers.
The Lab invites University of Sydney researchers to submit expressions of interest by 9 October, and to contact the Lab with further questions.