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Parallel sessions

Systems and operations

The parallel session detailed below have been identified as falling under the theme "Systems and operations". Most sessions have this as their primary theme, but for some it is a secondary theme. Please review the description of each session for further information about what it will cover.

For other sessions, see also:

103: Practitioner Reflections: The theory and practice of designing, implementing and maintaining Electronic Research Administration systems (panel discussion)

Ian McCormick, Director of Research & Business Services, University of East Anglia
Alan Bates, Senior Consultant H.E sector, Baum Hart & Partners, UK
Serena Cooper, System Manager, Science and Technology Facilities Council
David Downton, Research Operations Officer, University of Leicester, UK
Robin Drennan, Executive Director: GMSA, National Research Foundation, South Africa
Yvonne Fox, Research Support Manager, University of Lancaster, UK
Ian McCormick, Director of Research & Business Services, University of East Anglia

This panel session is designed to give a practical insight into the design, implementation and maintenance of electronic research administration systems from the perspectives of research organisations, funders and commercial suppliers. 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.

107: Capacity building and managing research in emerging research environments

Prof Adelani Ogunrinade, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lesotho
Prof Ishekumba Kahwa, Head, Department of Chemistry, University of West Indies
Dr Hans Hagen, Senior Manager, International Grants, Royal Society

  • Target Audience: Delegates from research organisations in developing countries and from universities elewhere with a limited research profile
  • UK/International: Not geographically specific
  • Experience Level: Any

This session will focus on capacity building from the perspective of a UK funder, and of institutions in developing countries.

Newly emerging universities and research institutes, as well as established ones, in developing countries face a plethora of problems arising from lack of human and material resources, lack of research infrastructure, lack of mentors and role models often categorised as a 'lack of research culture'. The presentation will focus on how to get things done from scratch, often with little money but a lot of ingenuity and creativity, involving case studies on kick-starting and managing research in these institutions.

The second presentation will address approaches to supporting capacity building, including a discussion of reconciling the different needs and deliverables from the sponsor's and recipient's perspective, which will include support for both research and post-graduate training.

403: Comparative case studies of the management and organisation of research support

Tim Quigg, Associate Chair for Administration and Finance, Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kathy Heinze, General Manager, Contract Administration, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
David Langley, Director of Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol

This session will provide three examples of the review and re-organisation of research support offices. The three examples are University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the CSIRO, and Imperial College London, and will illustrate the isues and the different approaches that can be taken.

502: The auditor and the audited: reflections on quality assurance processes employed by Research Councils in the UK

Gareth MacDonald, RCUK Head of Assurance, Research Councils UK
UK university speaker to be confirmed

  • Target Audience: Research administrators in departments and in central administration functions (of particular relevance to new and emerging research organisations in any location)
  • UK/International: Not geographically specific
  • Experience Level: Intermediate

This session will give an overview of the UK Research Councils' current quality assurance processes (Funding Assurance Programme, formerly known as "Dipstick Testing") from the perspective of the Research Councils and an institution which has been visited. It will cover the accommodation of the recent implementation of "full economic costs" (fEC) requirements for Research Council funding in the UK. The session has been designed to accommodate an international audience.

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.

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

  • Target Audience: Administrative managers at all levels within an institution (of particular relevance to new and emerging research organisations in any location)
  • UK/International: Not geographically specific
  • Experience Level: No/basic experience

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.

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: