Scholarly Project Advisory & Research Consulting (SPARC)

Introduction

SEA is pleased to announce the formation of the SEA SPARC, a new version of the Research Advisory Program, designed to support SEA members in advancing their early-stage scholarly ideas toward publication. This initiative will provide personalized guidance and advisory support to members, offering the expertise of a dedicated team of experienced consultants. The program is tailored to meet the unique needs of each member, empowering them to refine their research and strengthen their scholarly pursuits.

SPARC Co-Leads

Dr. Rachel Moquin

Dr. Fei Chen

 

Scope of Service

This service is open to all SEA members who seek guidance on their research projects. To access the service, members can simply submit a request through the SEA website. Once a request is received, members will be paired with a consultant who will provide tailored advice based on the member’s specific needs and goals (specific advisory requests can be made at the time of application).

Submit Your SPARC Request
Consultation Expectations:
  • Tailored Guidance: We will focus on providing high-level advice to help members refine their research ideas, address challenges, and explore publication possibilities. Our goal is to help them move their projects forward with clarity and confidence.
  • Authorship: If the advisor's contribution fulfills the requirement of the authorship (Defining the role of authors and contributors, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors), the advisor's participation should be listed as authorship. This decision should be mutually agreed upon between the advisor and the advisee.
  • Acknowledgement: The acknowledgment of the SEA SPARC program should be made on any scholarly products generated by the advisee.
  • Survey participation: Annually, consultants and advisees may receive a feedback survey request to help us iteratively improve the program and evaluate our impact. Participation in these surveys is requested.
  • Not a Manuscript Editing Service: This service is distinct from traditional manuscript editing or writing assistance. We will not be editing drafts or writing sections of the manuscript. Instead, we will help members understand the broader academic process, define their research questions, and determine the next steps in their projects. Additional support may be provided, as determined by the consultant and advisee.

Process Overview:

  1. Request Submission: Members seeking consultation will submit a request via the SEA website, providing a detailed description of their early-stage scholarly ideas. This submission should include the following components:
    1. Project Description: A brief overview of the research or scholarly idea, outlining the current stage and key challenges or areas for development.
    2. Relevant Materials: Any documents, data, or drafts that are pertinent to the consultation (e.g., research outlines, preliminary findings, or specific issues they wish to address).
    3. Goals and Expectations: A statement of the specific goals the member hopes to achieve from the consultation. This will help the consultant tailor their advice and focus on areas that are most valuable to the member.
    4. Consultant Preference: If the submitter has a preference for a particular consultant, they will have the option to indicate this on the request form. While we will do our best to accommodate preferences, please note that consultant availability may vary, and we may need to match the request with the most appropriate consultant based on expertise and scheduling.

      Additionally, members should be aware that matching with a consultant may take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on consultant availability and the complexity of the request. We encourage submitters to plan accordingly, keeping in mind any deadlines or time-sensitive needs for their projects.

  2. Notification & Consultant Assignment: Upon receiving a request, Rachel and Fei will be notified. We will then identify an appropriate consultant from the SEA Scholarship Committee to meet with the requesting member, and connect via email. This will be based on the consultant’s area of expertise and the specifics of the request. If a preferred consultant is unavailable or if there is a delay in the matching process, we will inform the submitter and work to find an alternative solution.
  3. Consultation: The initial consultation will typically last about one hour and will be conducted via Zoom. During this meeting, the consultant will provide feedback, suggest potential avenues for development, and offer general guidance tailored to the member’s project. If further discussions are necessary, additional meetings can be scheduled.
  4. Document Submission: If the member has not provided relevant project materials in their request, we will ask them to send these documents ahead of the first meeting to facilitate a productive discussion.