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Parallel sessions 3: Tuesday 17 June, 16:15-17:30

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.

303: Good Practice in Internal Review

Jennifer Shambrook, Co-Director, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
Steff Hazlehurst, Head of Research and Consultancy Services, Institute of Education, University of London

Winning research funding is becoming an increasing challenge for institutions worldwide with competition for limited funds growing all the time. However long-established and experienced they are in winning funding, research organisations need to find ways to increase their prospects of success in this environment. One approach which is widely accepted to be effective is the development of internal peer review of funding proposals before they are submitted to funders. This session examines the key features and functions of successful institutional peer review in different research organisations before going on to focus in detail on one particular model, the peer review group, an approach where each member of the group reads proposals individually before comparing notes and compiling a consensus feedback report to the proposer. The session will consider the conditions necessary to the success of such groups, including the training which may be required.

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.

305: Mentoring, or "how was it for you?" (panel discussion)

Simon Kerridge, Assistant Director (Research), Academic Services, University of Sunderland
Dr Mark Hochman, Director, Research and Innovation Services, University of South Australia
Lita Denny, Head of Research Operations, University of Manchester

This panel session is designed to give a practical insight into setting up a mentoring relationship, reflecting on experiences in different countries of the mentoring process itself, from both a mentor and a mentee perspective. Each member of the panel will give a short presentation to highlight some key points, and then the discussion will be opened up to the audience. The session will be of interest to those involved in a mentoring relationship and those interested in becoming involved.

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.

307: The UK Research Excellence Framework

Paul Hubbard, Head of Research Policy, Higher Education Funding Council for England

In November 2007 the Higher Education Funding Council for England published a consultation paper concerning proposals for the future assessment and funding of research. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) will consist of an over-arching framework for the funding and assessment of research that takes account of key differences between the different disciplines. Research income, research student data and a new bibliometric indicator of research quality will drive assessment and funding for the science-based disciplines. For the arts, humanities and social sciences (where quantitative approaches are less developed) the REF will use a light-touch form of peer review. The new framework will be phased in; it will inform funding gradually for the science-based disciplines from 2010. The light-touch peer review exercise for the other disciplines will take place in 2013. The new framework will drive funding for all disciplines fully from 2014. An analysis of the responses to the consultation exercise will be published in spring 2008. This session will provide an update on recent developments and next steps to be taken, and allow participants to debate key issues.

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

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.

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