COLLEGE OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Research Strategy Group
Meeting 28th September 2010
Present: Rolf Aalto (RA), Alan Binge (AB), Caroline Hampson (CA), Cath Haslam (CH), Andy Jones (AJ) (for Adrian Taylor), Kate Leyshon (KL), Allen Moore (AM) (Chair), Thomas Morton (TM), Helen Pisarska (HP), Dave Salway (DS), Dan Toy (DT)
Apologies: Adrian Taylor, Rick Titball, Tommy Tregenza
Reporting: Judith Muir (JM)
AM welcomed the group to the first RSG meeting. It was agreed that the group will meet twice a term (12/11/10 and 14/12/10).
1. In considering the role of a Director of Research (DoR), 3 key points were identified:
a) To work closely with Head of Discipline (HoD) to have overall view of where research is heading.
b) Recognise there is no single model, that different units work differently.
c) The distributed leadership needs to keep focus.
ACTION: ALL feedback to AM on how, specifically, disciplines have met KPI.
ACTION: AM to check with Mark Goodwin re distribution of the KPI document (taking into account that the document has already been distributed to Geography staff).
1.1 DoR’s need to decide how best to meet / exceed targets to reflect aspiration for the future and move up within the comparative group. AM suggested that RKT can help provide relevant information.
1.2 Following the ROM, DoR’s will feed back to Academic Leads (AL) who will then have 1:1 conversations with staff they’re responsible for.
1.2.1 This will be linked to PDR’s (March / April).
1.2.2 DoR’s need to be aware of what’s going on in each discipline be supportive of 4* work and build research of individuals.
ACTION: AM to provide general direction on:
· Evaluating / grading papers.
· Clearly defined work.
· Reducing double-dipping.
· Transparency.
1.3 DoR’s will sign off on grant fellowships. This will let DoR’s have an overview of research
direction.
2. The group discussed how the KPI document informs research strategy for disciplines:
2.1 Research Income per staff FTE – DoR’s should consider:
· Grants are becoming increasingly difficult to get.
· Need to maximise / overlap areas to increase grant income.
· Encourage high-flyers and spend more 1:1 time with staff who may be struggling.
· Identify areas where RKT could provide support.
· Ensure all applications / requests are justifies and efficiently costed.
· Sharing wisdom within College.
· Identify opportunities for funding.
2.2 Research Assessment Exercise :
· DoR’s should be promoting research rather than defending it.
2.3 PGR per Staff FTE – DoR’s should consider:
· Directing resources towards identified themes.
· Recognise what isn’t being done – small changes could make a difference and maximise potential.
3. To be discussed at next meeting.
4. It is anticipated that a disaggregated budget will be passed to DoE’s for teaching and DoR’s for research, taking into account pre-commitments.
5. AOB:
· AM invited the group to contact him with any queries.
· AM advised that the focus of the next meeting will focus on PGR and ROM.
· Two meeting dates have been confirmed 12/11/10 and 14/12/10.
Meeting closed 13:00.
Next meeting: 12 November, 13:00, Northcote House John Usher