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University of Portsmouth Research Conference in words and photos
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:15:00 GMT
This article contains the key points from the conference, the presentations and the thoughts of the delegates. Please click on one of these links to be taken to the appropriate section in the text.
Key points from the conference
The University of Portsmouth Research Conference kicked off with a great introduction from the Vice-Chancellor Professor John Craven. John highlighted that research activity is an integral part of the work the University undertakes and that without it the University is very much diminished.
Professor David Sweeney from the Higher Education Funding Council for England took to the podium.
Key points of David's discussion:
"Universities should pursue research excellence"? This is a question that needs evidence.
QR funding is there for informed vice-chancellors and universities to make their own research investment decisions.
REF Impact is about what you have achieved, looking historically and not to the future. REF Impact criteria should respect the work and make explicit the benefits. Each REF case study is confined to 4 pages, Universities need to show evidence, not write a dissertation.
Question and answer sessions focussed on the impact agenda driving research group formation, the need to clarify what critical mass means and how to raise the importance of applied research over the more traditional blue skies agenda.
Steven Hill from Research Councils UK took to the podium:
Key points of Steven's disussion:
Research Council funding has now returned to 1983 levels. Research Council funding ring fenced (2011-15) is a 10% cut in real terms. EPSRC, MMRC and STFC biggest budgets in the Research Council market. Global reports show that UK research best or near best in the world. UK most productive research base in the world.
Researchers in the UK are well travelled and their research base is wider than in most countries.
Looking forward: Open data; Open access to publications; People flow; public engagement; international collaboration will all be important.
Professor Robert Allison took to the podium:
In any research bid the most important aspect of success is appointing the right staff. His responsibility as the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) at Sussex is to create the right environment for research to flourish (commonly: giving people a little more time).
We already know 2* will not be funded through REF, how do we recruit? It's a key question.
Be a proactive institution - control the pitch and the agenda, be sure of your clarity of mission, know the limits of possibility, have the financial headroom and ensure a diverse research income.
Sussex pipeline all grant holders meet monthly with press team, innovation and grants team.
Engaging staff in research activities is popular and of enormous benefit. Regular tours are regularly overbooked led by the PVC. No more research committee, yearly research conference sets the agenda.
A fantastic impact presentation was displayed and viewed by delegates over lunch.
Now for the Director of Research, Professor Tara Dean
Tara looks to take the conference through the process and information leading to our draft research strategy.
REF portal now live on the website with all the information that the University has. REF Support Officer starts on 1st February 2012 to support this activity.
Tara talked about the Peer Review College data collection exercise.
Research Development Fund launched today, first deadline March 2012.
Graduate school success needs to be promoted by all researchers. Initiatives underway: Grant Hothouse; Mentors; Athena Swan award; PI Development programme; Peer review college. Summary, we will support the highest quality research and researchers.
There were then presentations from the University's five faculties, including:
Portsmouth Business School (Professor Andy Thorpe and Professor Gioia Pescetto)
Research Excellence and Relevant Research in the Business School
Doctoral students publish with their mentors, published in "Technovation". Peter White - Now head of BBC digital transformation (public lecture).
Technology (Professor Djamel Ait-Boudaoud and Professor Jie Tong)
Invest, Recruit, Engage and Collaborate: Working Towards Excellence
Djamel and Jie gave an overview of the schools and research centres, Technology faculty plan to submit to four UoAs in 2013 for the REF, ICG involved in multiple international projects. Mechanical research themes are important.
Technology to invest £1.5m of reserves to invest in the REF. Recruit research active staff
Science (Professor Paul Hayes and Dr. Alan Thorne)
Challenges and Opportunities: Building Research Excellence and Capacity in the Science Faculty.
We look at our research from three perspectives: Staff, Students, the Faculty and University.
Science gave an overview of their current approach to research.
Humanities (Mr Dave Russell and Professor David Andress)
Playing to Win: Current and Future Strategic Decisions in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies.
Humanities talked of the value of valuing research as something that belonged to their staff.
Creative and Cultural Industries (Dr. Simon Claridge and Dr. Jenny Walden)
What does research mean for the Creative and Cultural Industries.
Projects enrich the cultural community, critiqing and development enhance the cultural diversity of the world.
The conference ended with concluding remarks and a panel Q&A with the speakers.
Presentations to download
David Sweeney (HEFCE) - Available internally only
Steven Hill (RCUK) | Robert Allison (University of Sussex)
PBS | CCI | Humanities| Science| Technology
See what everyone else thought here.