Please find a list of answers below to some of the questions we have received so far. If you have a question that we have not answered on this page, please do not hesitate to contact us.
1. Registration
Why am I being asked to register?
So you can access all the cool features of the site such as full details on research job/course vacancies, other users' research profiles and relevant research groups.
I am worried about spam. Will you pass on my email address to others?
No need to worry about spam, we can guarantee that will never pass on your email address to any third party organisations, and your email address will also not be passed on to any registered users or displayed on the site; all communications between users are done via the site itself. We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and are therefore legally bound to abide by the Data Protection Act of 1998. Our ICO registration number is Z12654690. The ICO is an independent authority that promotes public access to official information and in protecting your information. Its website can be found at http://www.ico.gov.uk/
2. Returning to Research is Cool
Do I have to register with Research is Cool every time I come back?
No, if you have already registered in the past you can log in directly to your account using the top right-hand corner with your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password you can use the 'forgotten password' option.
What if I have forgotten my password?
Don't worry, all you have to do is to click on 'Forgotten password' link on the login page and insert your email address (the one you registered with) - your password will be emailed to you straight away to the email address that you registered with.
3. Using the job/course search database
I am looking for jobs/courses in a specific subject area (e.g. organic chemistry) but cannot find it on the subject list. What should I do?
You can search for the broad subject category in which your specific subject area falls under (e.g. chemical sciences). If you cannot decide between two or more broad categories, select 'any' for the subject area. By the way, we are currently working on making the search facility much more specific, and will add an 'advanced search' option in the near future.
4. Using the Research Network (R-Net)
I've registered my research profile, now how do I find other people?
Finding other people on R-Net is really easy. Under the R-Net page click on the 'Select a subject' and choose the most relevant category; a list of registered users within that category will appear. If you are a registered user, you can then view individual profiles and send private message members using the site.
I have found someone on R-Net I'm interested in talking to, how do I get in touch?
To be able to email that person, you first have to send them an automatic invite to become a research fellow; as soon as they accept the invite they will appear on your 'research fellow' list and you'll be able to send them emails via the site.
What does Research is Cool mean by 'research fellow'?
We know that for many of our users the term 'research fellow' usually refers to someone at post doctoral level. On Research is Cool however it refers to someone who shares some of your research interests, whom you have added to your 'research fellow' list so you can keep in touch more easily. You can use your research fellow list in many ways, e.g. to ask one or more research fellows for help with a particular problem relating to your current research project. The list also allows other researchers to see who you are already in contact with when they view your research profile. Before someone becomes your research fellow, they need to agree to this first - you can send them a research fellow invite from your profile and as soon as they accept their name appears on your research fellow list.
How do I create a new research group?
To create a new research group you must first be a registered member. Once registered you can create a new research group by going to your profile page and selecting 'Create a New Group' from the options page. Or alternatively go to R-Net and choose the 'Research Groups' image, then click on the 'Create a new group' option; you'll have to register first before using this option.
I want to make a group on topic X, is that allowed?
Research is Cool aims to help early career researchers worldwide that have a specific research interest to find each other. We therefore have no restrictions on which groups can and cannot be created. If it's something research-related you have an interest in and want to discuss with other people then we encourage you to create a group on that topic and invite others to join that group.
6. How can I help out?
I am a student with a bit of free time, how can I help out?
If you have a few spare minutes and could help us out in one or more of the following ways we would really appreciate it if you could:
-Email any of your friends who might be interested Become a fan of our Facebook page and also a member of our Facebook group where we post all the information about our latest site features and tools - Print of our flyer and put it up around college on notice boards outside lecture theatres - If you write a blog write a review of how you've found the service and link it back to us · Mention us to people on any forums you may use. - If you have your own website add one of our banners to it - Mention our site to your supervisors and/or lecturers at university - Send us some lovely feedback using our feedback page as we can use to help promote the site in the future - Register your interest as being a PR contact for our future PR campaigns, just email info@researchiscool.com and we'll be in touch
I am an academic who would like to support the development of Research is Cool. How do I get involved?
If you would like to help us to grow, we would really appreciate it if you could help out in the following ways: ·Submit any job/course adverts targeted at early career researchers to us ·Recommend us to your colleagues, school administrators and HR contacts ·Send us feedback via our feedback form ·Register your interest in being a PR contact for future PR campaigns, just email info@researchiscool.com and we'll be in touch ·Print out our advertiser's flyer and put it in your staff room
7. Proposing something new
I can think of a service that would fit in well with Research is Cool, but which is not offered at the moment. What should I do?
We are continuously working on improving the functionality of the site, and would be extremely happy to hear of any new services we could provide in the future. Please contact us with any ideas you have.
