Staff Conference Support Policy
Introduction
The Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) encourages the active participation of staff in national and international conferences which are directly relevant to their field of expertise or research.
Conference participation provides:
- Access to the latest information on research trends
- The opportunity to establish and renew contact with eminent colleagues in the field
- The opportunity to promote the GSE and its courses, in a targeted manner, to appropriate contacts
- The development of the GSE as an internationally recognised Environmental Institution
In order to encourage conference participation, the GSE will fund costs associated with travel, accommodation and sustenance according to the stated policy.
Whilst every effort will be made to provide the level of support indicated, a situation may arise where budget restrictions and high demand may mean that the maximum amount allowable must be reduced, with subsequent reduction in other entitlements.
Support will be provided only to staff who deliver a paper or poster or who are invited to chair a session, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year. Support will NOT be given to staff to attend conferences if they are not presenting a paper or poster, unless they have been requested to attend by the GSE.
Conditions
It is a condition of receiving financial support that conference attendees should actively promote the GSE by distributing advertising and promotional material at the conference.
Procedure
Obtaining conference support is a two step process:
- Submission of a conference support request
Applications for conference support are due annually by 30th April. Completed Conference Support Request forms should be submitted to the Executive Officer by the due date. All applications will be considered by a sub-committee of GSE staff.
- Claiming reimbursement of conference expenses
Use a Non-order payment form to claim reimbursement of your travel expenses. Staff in the ELS Centre can assist you with this process if necessary. If advance payment is required for conference registration or airfares, this can be done using a university credit card. If you need assistance with this please see the Executive Officer.
Identification
Any person receiving conference support is requested to take with them formal GSE business cards. If business cards are required, they can be ordered online at the university printery website. The proofs will then be electronically sent to the Executive Officer for approval prior to printing. Allow at least three weeks for production.
You are also requested to take copies of GSE brochures and other material promoting the GSE, to display and distribute at the conference.
Reporting Back
A short report on the highlights of your conference attendance is required on your return, for tabling at the monthly GAF (GSE Academic Forum) meeting. Submit your report to the Executive Officer within two weeks of returning from the conference. Access to subsequent conference support will be conditional upon compliance with the reporting requirement.