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Environment Network (UPEN)

Great idea?

Make it happen

Background

The University of Portmouth Environment Network steering committee has been working on event ideas, partly to promote networking within the UPEN community. In consultation with UPEN members, we have settled on this internal event. Part of the objective will be to enable networking, but through the production of ideas, some of which we hope to be able to help 'seed corn' fund.

Event summary:

Submit great environment-related ideas for either i) learning and teaching, ii) research or iii) knowledge transfer.
Some ideas will be developed further at an event based loosely on an EPSRC sandpit format.
‘Seed corn’ funding will be available for some ideas. We will work hard to seek appropriate support for others.

Event details:

You are asked to submit ideas by Friday 27th May for consideration of inclusion to a sandpit-style event to be held on Friday 17th June.

Those ideas considered to be most appropriate will be developed further with groups of colleages at the event in June. Developed ideas will then be prioritised and provided with futher support as appropriate.

At this stage (ideas submission - deadline 27th May); we are not expecting fully completed project proposals. Instead you need only demonstrate the potential of your great idea in enough detail that the panel can recognise that it fits the criteria, and that your idea can be developed with others over the course of a day into a viable project. Those ideas that are considered to fit specific criteria most appropriately will be selected for inclusion in the main event.

The event is divided into three streams.

Learning and Teaching
Research
Knowledge Transfer

It is entirely feasible that some project ideas could cross streams.

Ideas need to be compatible with current University strategies. Find out more about submission guidelines

What is a sandpit?

We are modelling this one-day workshop loosely around RCUK sandpit events. "An interactive workshop involving 20-30 participants, the director, a team of expert mentors and a number of independent stakeholders". An essential element of a sandpit is a highly multidisciplinary mix of participants taking part, to drive lateral thinking and radical approaches to addressing particular research challenges....more

Applying to take part

The right mix of people will determine the success or failure of this event. We need people from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. They will also need to have the right mix of personal attributes. We are also seeking people who are at different stages in their careers: sandpits are not just aimed at those with senior academic posts...more

Get involved

You can register your interest in taking part in this event. This will ensure you receive any further correspondence regarding the event. You can register simply to take part, although we would prefer you to also submit an idea that you might like to pursue.