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Parallel sessions for new research administrators

The parallel sessions detailed below are particularly suited to delegates new to research administration and management in general, or to the topic being addressed, as speakers will assume no or limited prior experience of the subject. Please review the description of each session for further information about what it will cover.

For other sessions, see also:

101: Funding for Multidisciplinary Research

Pete Munday, Eureka UK National Project Coordinator, Technology Strategy Board
Oliver Flude, Project Manager (Science Links), British Council
Dr Anne Dean, Assistant Director, Leverhulme Trust

The speakers will outline the remit of their respective organisations including strategic priorities and funds available across all disciplines. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of the funding themes, the speakers will give details of current funding opportunities, and those which will appear in the near future. The British Council funds international activities and this section may be of interest to both UK and non-UK delegates.

102: Good Practice in Managing International Collaborative Projects

Prof Richard Higgott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Senior Scientist, GARNET Network of Excellence, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, University of Warwick
Eleni Tsingou, GARNET Programme Manager and Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, University of Warwick
Sandra Nordahl CRA, Manager, Sponsored Research Administration, San Diego State University Research Foundation

This session will address the challenges of managing international research networks and establishing good practice and long term sustainability. Drawing on the experience of the EU-funded GARNET Network of Excellence, the session will assess the usefulness of available management tools and techniques, evaluate the specific problems arising from cross-border collaboration and consider the importance of management transparency and accountability, taking into account the considerable costs of project management in an international context.

201: Knowledge Transfer and Impact

Fiona Nightingale, KTP Senior Advisor, Technology Strategy Board
Robert Heathman, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Kevin Moore, Deputy Head of Knowledge Transfer, Economic and Social Research Council

The speakers will outline the knowledge transfer opportunities of their respective organisations including strategic priorities and funds available across all disciplines. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. They will include examples of the impact of knowledge transfer from universities to other sectors.

202: International Funding Opportunities

Dr Jimmy Whitworth, Head of International Activities, Wellcome Trust
William F. Schweri, Director of Federal Relations, University of Kentucky

The session will address opportunities for international funding. The session will outline the remit of the relevant organisations with regard to opportunities they offer for international funding. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of funding themes, details of current funding opportunities, or those which will appear in the near future, will be covered.

203: Working with Industry

Colin Cooper, Assistant Director of Research, University of Liverpool
Dr Alison Hodge, Univesity Partnerships Director, QinetiQ

This session will provide views from a university and an industrial perspective:

  1. One of the fundamental activities of a contemporary university is to engage in collaboration with external bodies where both parties can use the generation of new knowledge to further their own core activities. This presentation will review how universities collaborate with Industry focusing on relationships, contractual arrangements and what makes for a successful collaboration.
  2. The UK Government wants universities to work more extensively with business and industry. However, the take-up is still not as high as perhaps wished for. Why? This presentation will explore some of the issues that influence business and industry in why and how they wish to interact with the academic sector. Topics to be considered can include the impact of full economic costs, the value of intellectual property both background and foreground, commercial and other sensitivities, freedom to publish and the availability of appropriate resources. Does industry expect too much or are we satisfied?

206: Managing academic research in universities or cat-herding for beginners? The case of the UK

Professor Rosemary Deem, Professor of Education, University of Bristol
Ewart Wooldridge, Chief Executive, Leadership Foundation for Higher Education

Academics are regarded as particularly challenging to manage, leading to descriptions of the process as being like 'herding cats'. The paper examines how UK universities manage their research through such roles as Pro-Vice Chancellors for research, and via the work of central administrative units which specialise in the management of research, consultancy and entrepreneurial/ enterprise activity. What are the possible consequences for academic research and researchers' identities and practices of the attempts to herd research cats? The paper draws on theories about the permeation of universities by new managerialism and the new governance of higher education well as theories about the complexities of strategic management in higher education.

301: Funding for Science and Engineering

Speakers to be confirmed, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council

The speakers will outline the subject remit of their respective organisations including strategic priorities and funds available. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of the funding themes, the speakers will give details of current funding opportunities, and those which will appear in the near future.

302: European Funding Opportunities

Pete Munday, Eureka UK National Project Coordinator, Technology Strategy Board
Amanda Crowfoot, Director, UK Research Office

The session will be broken down into two parts: the first part will focus on the EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP7), including the new European Research Council (ERC). An introduction to FP7 will be followed by a brief outline of the funding opportunities available in the 'Co-operation', 'People' and 'Capacities' parts of FP7. Organisations from outside Europe can participate throughout FP7 and this aspect of the programme will be highlighted. An overview of the ERC will also be covered and will include information on the funding schemes, and feedback from the first calls for proposals.

The second part of the session will outline the remit of and funding opportunities from EUREKA. EUREKA is a pan-European network for market-oriented, industrial R&D. It aims to enhance European competitiveness through its support to businesses, research centres and universities who carry out pan-European projects to develop innovative products, processes and services.

304: Ethical review in the Social Sciences: rebuilding the Tower of Babel?

David Hunter, Lecturer in Bioethics, Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster
Dr Ron Iphofen, Lecturer in Medical Sociology and the Sociology of Health, School of Health Care Sciences, University of Wales Bangor

This session explores approaches to and management of ethical review in social science research with specific reference to the UK as well as the wider European context. The speakers will draw on recent developments within the UK (the ESRC Research Ethics Framework, for instance) contrasting them with the development of the NHS National Research Ethics Service. Recent developments within the EU to establish pan European standards for best practice in social science research will be presented and there will be opportunity to discuss pros and cons and exchange experiences.

306: The S-cubed factor: emerging self concepts, structures and strategies for the professionalisation of research administration

Dr Edward Gabriele, Director, Educational Development, Office of Research Integrity, US Department of Health and Human Services

This session will explore the fundamental identity of research administrators as it has evolved since the middle of the last century. The session will propose a proposed conceptual structure for research administration offices and departments. The session will also explore a series of continuing education "signature pedagogies", originally addressed in current educational studies from the Carnegie Foundation, that may assist the ongoing professional development of research administrators, their departments, and the institutions that they serve.

308: The RCUK review of Full Economic Costing

Stuart Ward, Director of Resources, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Ian Carter, Director of Research, University of Liverpool

  • Theme(s): Policy and strategy/Research funding and funding opportunities
  • Target Audience: UK research administrators who may be involved in proposal costing, or in supporting the TRAC process
  • UK/International: UK delegates

    • UK higher education institutions have developed and implemented full economic costing (FEC) for all research over the past three years and Research Councils have been required to fund research projects on the basis of FEC, in order to help to address the sustainability of research. Its introduction has had numbers of effects within the sector. At the start of the process, the government indicated that FEC would be reviewed after three years. That review, by Research Councils UK, has now been initiated, to report by the end of 2008. This session will discuss some of the issues arising from the introduction of FEC, and the approach being taken in the review.

    401: Funding for Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities

    Frances Burstow, Associate Director, Research Grants Policy, Policy and Resources Directorate, Economic and Social Research Council
    Ian Broadbridge, Programme Manager, Arts and Humanities Research Council
    Dr Ken Emond, Assistant Secretary, Research Posts and Projects, British Academy

    The speakers will outline the subject remit of their respective organisations including strategic priorities and funds available. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of the funding themes, the speakers will give details of current funding opportunities, and those which will appear in the near future.

    404: How research administrators can effectively and sensitively foster ethical, responsible research: experiences of three universities

    Dr Michael Owen, Vice-President Research & Graduate Studies, Ontario College of Art & Design
    Richard Hudson, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Office, University of Sheffield

    The regulatory frameworks governing research continue to expand. One unintended outcome is that research ethics is increasingly perceived as contentious and frustrating; indeed as a block to innovative research. Furthermore, policy makers wrestle with how to effectively foster research integrity.

    Many universities focus on compliance and risk. This session considers how universities can proactively, positively and sensitively promote values and behaviours in research practice that encourage responsible research. The speakers will discuss the approaches of institutions in Britain and Canada (strategies, resources, benefits, challenges, role of research offices, outcomes). The direction of the regulatory environment will also be discussed.

    405: National and institutional policy perspectives on developing researchers

    Dr Iain Cameron, Head of Careers and Diversity, Research Councils UK
    Chris Hale, Policy Officer Universities UK
    Prof. Laetus O.K. Lategan, Dean: Research and Development, Central University of Technology, Free State

    The session will explore a variety of policy and practical issues for institutions, in respect of developing and supporting researchers, both within the UK and internationally. Key themes will include:

    • The demographic challenge - the supply of qualified researchers
    • International mobility and challenges for both emerging and developed research environments
    • Rise of the Tiger Economies
    • Training requirements definition
    • Lisbon and Bologna agendas in the context of the European Research Area
    • Building research capacity and capability, including international comparative perspectives
    • Examples of good practice and innovative approaches to 'whole career' research development for academic researchers, including provision for inter-sectoral mobility and links to knowledge transfer
    • Changing demands on PGR supervisors, with consequences for their training, including:
      • Changing nature of research - basic research versus applied research/blue-skies versus commercial/contract research (and consequences for research supervision)
      • Increasing emphasis on 'value-added' such as broader transferable skills
      • Changing supervisory practice
      • Different formats of research degrees

    407: Introduction to Knowledge Exchange

    Susan Adams, Executive Officer, Allan Wilson Centre, Massey University
    Dr Phil Clare, Associate Director, Research Services, University of Oxford

    No longer is research undertaken purely for the sake of research; funding bodies are requiring engagement with stakeholder groups from the public to fellow researchers. Continued funding may rely on active knowledge exchange. Yet researchers are sometimes reluctant to converse with, and develop relationships with, stakeholders. This session will outline the current policy drivers for knowledge exchange in the UK and New Zealand, and will consider strategies to ensure effective knowledge exchange with all stakeholder groups.

    501: Funding for Biomedical Sciences - Research Councils

    Dr David Cox, University Relationships Manager, Medical Research Council
    Dr Adam Staines, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

    The speakers will outline the subject remit of their respective Research Councils including strategic priorities and funds available. Details will be provided on the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of the funding themes, the speakers will give details of current funding opportunities, and those which will appear in the near future.

    503: Joint University/Hospital Research Support Offices

    John Westensee, Director of Research Support, Aarhus University Hospital
    Mary Perkins, Research and Development Manager, United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust

    Researchers in the medical sector in a given city or region, whether employed by a university or a hospital or even by both, very often cooperate across institutional boundaries. This also affects the kind of service they expect from the Research Support Office. It should be seamless and no matter where the researcher is based, they should receive the same level of support. Consequently, there might be a case for setting up joint hospital/university research support offices. This session will consider ways of cooperation explored in a UK survey on approaches to joint structures in the UK. Experiences from Denmark will cover issues like background for cooperation, structure of support organisation, decision-making structures, development over time, strengths, weaknesses and future development.

    504: International Governance of Research Integrity: a comparative view

    Dr Glyn Davies, Director of Policy and Resources and Deputy Chief Executive, Economic and Social Research Council
    Dr Tina Boesz, Inspector General, National Science Foundation
    Prof Ben Martin, Professor of Science and Technology Policy Studies, SPRU, University of Sussex

    This session will include three presentations examining approaches to investigation of cases of research misconduct, drawing on examples from the UK, EU and USA.

    In recent years, UK universities have established a range of internal codes designed to promote research integrity and prevent research misconduct. However, more recently there has been a school of thought that a body independent of universities, should be established to oversee matters relating to research integrity and to review the increase in reported cases of misconduct. The first presentation will examine this debate.

    The second presentation will describe the US focus on responsible conduct of research and what steps are taken when plagiarism and data fabrication/falsification are suspected. Case study examples will be used to illustrate the process and the findings. A description of the goals and preliminary recommendations of a project being undertaken by the Global Science Forum of OECD, exploring how to investigate allegations of misconduct in international research collaborations, will also be presented.

    Participants will also have the opportunity to hear of a recent case of serious research misconduct spanning the EU and the US and the particular issues and challenges that the investigation and its reporting posed to research integrity with reference to the US and the developing situation in the UK.

    505: Career Development Options for Administrators

    Guy Gregory, Personnel and Staff Development Director, University of Bristol
    Sandra Nordahl CRA, Manager, Sponsored Research Administration, San Diego State University Research Foundation

    The provision of effective support to the academic community in a cost effective way is a challenge in a modern university. Often traditional structures, roles and culture present a barrier. This session will consist of two parts. The first will explore how Bristol University is looking to overcome these barriers by releasing the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism within "communities" of support staff. The second will reflect upon experience from the United States of the Body of Knowledge as a personal growth tool and a resource for new administrators. Experience of the US Certified Research Administrator (CRA) programme will also be discussed.

    506: Supporting Global Partnerships: the Research Manager's Role

    Dr John Kirkland, Deputy Secretary General (Development), Association of Commonwealth Universities
    Ann Anderson, Controller and Associate Vice President, University of Washington
    Lawrie Robertson, Director of Finance and Administration, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington
    Additional speakers to be confirmed

    This session will look at the administrative infrastructure challenges for research managers in supporting global partnerships with a particular focus on research collaboration with developing country institutions. The session will aim to bring together views from research administrators in the US, EU and a developing country and also include a donor perspective to highlight the issues, describe initiatives being undertaken and suggest potential good practice.

    601: Funding for Biomedical Sciences: Charities

    Simon Denegri, Chief Executive, Association of Medical Research Charities
    Speaker from the Wellcome Trust, to be confirmed
    Dr Simon Vincent, Head of Personal Awards and Training, Cancer Research UK

    The speakers will outline the subject remit of the their respective organisations including details of the current strategic plans and funds available. Details will be provided of the eligibility criteria for applicants, allowed costs, and the application processes. As well as giving a broad overview of the funding themes, the speakers will give details of current funding opportunities, and those which are planned for the near future.

    604: Managing overseas ethics: a practical experience

    Prof Bobbie Farsides, Professor of Clinical and Biomedical Ethics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
    Dr Melanie Newport, Reader in Infectious Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
    Jimmy Whitworth, Head of International Activities, Wellcome Trust

    This session will explore the issues and challenges of setting up and managing the ethical aspects of overseas clinical trials and other research studies. The speakers, who will include a Professor of Clinical and Biomedical Ethics, a Principal Investigator, and a major UK based funder of overseas research, will draw on a real case study based in Ethiopia to illustrate the particular issues discussed.

    608: The funder and the funded: the lifecycle of a UK Research Council award

    Kate Nimmo, Grants Manager, University of Glasgow
    Kenna Bishop, Grants & Awards Manager, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    Simon Kerridge, Assistant Director (Research), Academic Services, University of Sunderland
    Dr Adam Staines, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

    This session will look at the lifecycle of a research grant from inception to final report, highlighting some of the issues that commonly arise along the way. Particular reference will be made to the UK Research Councils and their electronic application/management system JeS (Joint Electronic System). The perspectives of administrators in the funding organisation and the funded organisation will be highlighted to provide a platform for an increase in mutual understanding and better working relationships. The session will conclude with an opportunity for Q&A with participants - numbers have been restricted to encourage in-depth and inclusive discussion.

    See also: