Focus on Danielle Penn
Danielle Penn – SPH’s ‘bibliometrics guru’
Danielle Penn is a woodworker, a potter and a blacksmith, but in the School of Population Health, she’s the bibliometrics guru.Her role as Research Development Co-ordinator, which she took up in May last year, is focused on development of a robust system for analysing and evaluating the research journey – from application to publication. Thanks to Danielle, the School is leading the way in this area.
She said bibliometric analysis or research evaluation is central to this.
“I am looking right back to 2001 for a history of what was funded, what wasn’t and why, as well as checking on citation counts (the number of times published papers are cited by others) – basically the research productivity of the school,“ Danielle said.
This assists in planning of research strategies in the School by highlighting areas where new researchers could be recruited and more effective development of grant applications is needed.
Danielle’s role also involves participation in the early stages of grant development. She says her previous experience in program development and evaluation with the The Cancer Council Queensland “led to an appreciation of the value of robust research methodology”.
“I assist academics within the School by identifying funding opportunities, critique of grant applications by clarifying the purpose of the research, the aims and hypotheses and providing bibliometric information on their track record to support the application. A robust approach to methodology is important to give the application a chance to be funded and add to the body of knowledge in the research area. Effective applications avoid waste of researchers’ time and motivation,” she said.
“The process of applying for funding is time consuming, challenging and sometimes frustrating – so well planned and innovative projects are essential to achieve substantial funding.”
Danielle said access to funding was keenly contested. Unsuccessful applicants typically outnumber successful applicants by at least five to one. Success now requires supplementary information about an applicant’s track record – publications (and citations) and grants obtained, which Danielle has been able to source and provide to academics.
“It’s really neat when grants I’ve assisted with get funded. I feel like I’ve been funded personally!” she said.
The artist in Danielle likens the grant application process to producing a piece of artwork.
“Starting with the raw clay, wood or iron, you build it up from scratch and finish with a unique creation“.
Danielle brings what she describes as an eclectic mix of knowledge to the role, drawing on her studies in biomedical sciences, public health and science. She has worked in research and clinically-based roles in the not for profit, university, public hospital and private pathology sectors in Brisbane and Sydney and retains an academic appointment at the University of New South Wales in the Centre of Primary Health Care and Equity.
She will take up some teaching duties within the School, teaching “Delivery of Healthcare in Communities”, jointly with Program Co-ordinator Fran Boyle.
Despite being in the busiest time of year for grant writing - or perhaps because of it - Danielle has been living up to her office nickname of “Betty Baker”. Carrot cakes, scones and choc chip biscuits have been appearing in the office with regularity in recent weeks.
“It’s a de-stress thing,” Danielle admits, “plus a bit of a spin off from my Italian heritage – wanting to feed people en masse!”
As well as baking her way through the grants application period, Danielle has been busy qualifying as a Justice of the Peace. The qualification means she can personally certify the academic transcripts required for grant applications. With some amusement, she also reveals she can certify wills and powers of attorney, issue search warrants and deal with requests for bail!
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