REF2020 discussions identify staff needs

Posted on by

New upoads

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the national quality assessment process to measure research in UK universities. The assessment is reviewed every six years, the next is expected to take place in 2020. The REF results determine how much research funding is allocated to UK institutions and is key to ranking research quality in Universities. This makes the REF an important source of income and status for Staffordshire University, so it is vital to prepare well for each submission.
Nachi Chockalingam recently led a seminar to discuss what staff at the University need to enhance their submissions on the next REF. The session included Professor Ian Kitchen from the University of Surrey. University of Surreys 2014 REF ranking of 36 makes them an interesting institution to learn from. Professor Dave Billington from Liverpool John Moores, was also present. Liverpool John Moores also had a highly successful 2014 REF rank of 62, meaning there were interesting lessons to learn from both institutions. Below is a summary of the points discussed.
The percentage of time devoted to research was looked at. Current allocation of time equates to ½ a day per week. It was felt this is insufficient to produce four outputs at 3* rating over 6 years. Ian Kitchen and Dave Billington shared this view. It was felt that it should be at least 1 day per week. There was a preference for staff to have flexibility in using research time, with some individuals wanting blocks of time rather than ring-fenced weekly time.
In terms of support needed to improve research quality, the advent of the Graduate School was viewed very positively. A need was identified for a better strategy to be delivered at institutional level. Suggestions included investment in staff completing PhDs, sabbaticals, networking opportunities, teaching only contracts, reducing the internal hurdles to make external grant applications and mentoring.
The importance of research to personal career aspirations was discussed. Staff identified that they had a passion for their work, research could assist with promotion, inform teaching and provide personal job satisfaction. It was noted that research is what professors do.

Anyone interested in further information should contact Richard Gorton, Research, Policy & Governance Manager

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Next REF could be delayed beyond 2020

Posted on by

ref-logoNext REF could be delayed beyond 2020

The UK’s next Research Excellence Framework could be delayed beyond its original 2020 date, a conference on the REF was told.

Article based on Research Professional:

The delay to the second Research Excellence Framework is being attributed in part to uncertainty over who will administer the exercise, given planned changes to the role of the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

HEFCE has postponed a consultation for the next REF until after the spending review, due on 25 November. This is in response to a request from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which is in the midst of a major reorganisation of the UK’s research and higher education system.

Although HEFCE has a draft consultation document ready, this needs to receive the approval of the four funding councils of the UK. HEFCE is expecting to publish the final document after Christmas, with consultation starting in the New Year. It could be delayed further if BIS reduces HEFCE’s quality-related funding remit or if it asks the council to consider using metrics in the REF, which is being actively discussed in the department. The next REF could potentially still take place in 2020, but only if the consultation does open in early January, and if the department doesn’t add further, or more complex questions to the consultation.

Staffordshire University’s response to the consultation will be led by Prof Nachi Chockalingam in his capacity as Chair of the REF Planning Group.

Research Fortnight has learnt that the consultation will examine:

  • the frequency of REF exercises,
  • the appropriate number of panels and
  • whether impact case studies that continue to deliver impact could be resubmitted.

HEFCE is also understood to be considering allowing existing case studies with added value to be submitted again. The council is believed to be going to allow institutions to submit materials dated from 1 January 2014.

The Russell Group of research-intensive universities has publicly advocated a decadal REF, saying that this would significantly reduce costs. However, some smaller institutions regard a longer gap as detrimental to their interests, as they may have to wait longer for increased funding.

4.00 avg. rating (87% score) - 1 vote

New Call: China–UK research and innovation bridges competition

Posted on by

rcuk

 

Innovate UK, the Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Ministry for Science and Technology (MoST) China are to invest up to £16 million in collaborative research and development projects that propose new commercial solutions to critical challenges impacting the socio-economic growth and development of China in relation to energy, healthcare, urbanisation and agri-food.

The UK investment has been made possible through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills-managed Newton Fund

The aim of the competition is to bring together companies (small to medium-sized companies and/or larger businesses), research organisations, academics and other collaborators from China and the UK for the joint research and development of new solutions to key socio-economic challenges, in the form of innovative products, processes or services. The principal market a project must consider is China.

Projects must be collaborative, involving both UK and Chinese participants, with both a UK lead partner and a Chinese lead partner. On the UK side, projects can be led by either a business or a research organisation. The lead partner should be able to demonstrate a clear route to commercialisation of the proposed product(s) or service(s), and should have a primary focus on the translation of research and/or knowledge.

We expect to fund mainly industrial research projects. For UK participants, small or micro businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-sized businesses 60% and large businesses 50%.

We expect total UK project costs to range in size from £800,000 to £1 million (although we may consider project costs outside this range), and for projects to last for up to 24 months.

The UK lead partner must submit an application on behalf of all UK participants in the project to Innovate UK. The Chinese lead partner will submit their application for the same project to MoST or MoST’s executing agency.

This is a 2-stage competition that opens for applicants on 16 November 2015. The deadline for stage 1 applications is at noon UK time on 30 March 2016. UK applicants must register by noon on 23 March 2016, one week before the application deadline.

Click here for further details

https://interact.innovateuk.org/competition-display-page/-/asset_publisher/RqEt2AKmEBhi/content/china%E2%80%93uk-research-and-innovation-bridges-competition

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Annual UK Research Office (UKRO) visit on December 9th

Posted on by

UKRO-logoOur annual UK Research Office (UKRO) visit by our representative Blazej Thomas is on December 9th. This year’s visit will be focused on the European mobility actions of the Horizon 2020 programme.

book your place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-research-office-ukro-marie-skodowska-curie-event-tickets-19058994967

 You are warmly invited to attend the UKRO session, at the Ashley Centre LT 114/116 on December 9th, from 1.30pm – 3pm

Blazej will be presenting details of the Marie Curie Skladowska Actions (MCSA) fund which provides opportunities for academic mobility across the EU.

The MSCA aim to equip researchers with the necessary skills and international experience for a successful career, either in the public or the private sector. The programme responds to the challenges sometimes faced by researchers, offering them attractive working conditions and the opportunity to move between academic and other settings.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) provide grants for all stages of researchers’ careers – from doctoral candidates to highly experienced researchers – and encourage transnational, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary mobility. The MSCA enable research-focused organisations (universities, research centres, and companies) to host talented foreign researchers and to create strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide.

The MSCA are open to all areas of research and innovation, from primary research to market take-up and innovation services. The areas of research and innovation are chosen by the applicants.

MSCA supports the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which promotes positive working conditions for researchers and open recruitment. Equal opportunities are also supported at the level of researchers and project decision makers.

This is an open invitation to all academic colleagues across the university.

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

New Call: Cross-Platform Production in Digital Media

Posted on by

Innovate_UK_logo

Innovate UK is to invest up to £4 million in collaborative R&D projects that stimulate innovation in the UK’s creative industries.

This competition aims to support projects that address convergence in digital media technologies. It covers film, television, online video, animation and video games, and includes pre- production, production and post- production processes, particularly for visual effects technologies.

Projects must be collaborative and led by a business. We expect to fund mainly industrial research projects. Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium- sized businesses 60% and large businesses 50%.

We expect projects to range in size from total costs of £300,000 to £750,000, although we may consider projects outside this range.

This is a two-stage competition that opens for applicants on 9 November 2015. The deadline for expressions of interest is at noon on 6 January 2016.

There will be a briefing event for potential applicants in London on 11 November 2015.

Scope

Production is at the heart of this competition, and successful applications will address the technical challenges of producing creative content across a range of media and devices, and on different platforms. With consumers accessing content in an increasing variety of ways, we are interested in applications that address the fragmentation brought about by new devices and networks, as well as the fresh contexts in which content can be consumed. This competition also encourages exploration of the production opportunities arising from new digital technologies in audio and visual effects production.

 

Please click here for full details https://interact.innovateuk.org/competition-display-page/-/asset_publisher/RqEt2AKmEBhi/content/cross-platform-production-in-digital-media

If you are interested please let n.arblaster@staffs.ac.uk know ASAP

 

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Personalised Diabetes Education and Care Plan – a systemic approach

Posted on by

A new Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition is being launched by the Scottish Government and Scottish Diabetes Group, in association with Scottish Enterprise, Innovate UK and NHS Scotland, to find innovative new solutions focused on diabetes education and mobile health.

The competition will have two phases.

Award: Up to £150,000

Opens: 19 Oct 2015, 00:00

Registration closes: 30 Dec 2015, 12:00

Closes: 06 Jan 2016, 12:00

Phase 1 is intended to show the technical feasibility of the proposed concept. The development contracts placed will be for a maximum of 6 months and up to £30,000 (inc. VAT) per project. A total of up to £150k (inc VAT) is allocated to phase 1.

Phase 2 contracts are intended to develop and evaluate prototypes or demonstrators from the more promising technologies in Phase 1, and it is anticipated that funding will be up to £150,000 (inc VAT) per project. A total of up to £300k (inc VAT) is allocated to Phase 2 . At this stage contracts will be let for Phase 1 only.

Phase 2 is dependent upon successful completion of Phase 1 and may be awarded to selected Phase 1 contractors.

Applicants should state their goals and outline plan for Phase 2, as an explicit part of the path to full commercial implementation, in their Phase 1 proposal.

Click here for the full competition brief https://interact.innovateuk.org/competition-display-page/-/asset_publisher/RqEt2AKmEBhi/content/personalised-diabetes-education-and-care-a-systemic-approach

If you are interested in this call please contact: n.arblaster@staffs.ac.uk

 

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Erasmus + Deadlines Announced

Posted on by

ALERT!!! 2016 application deadlines announced

The European Commission has released the 2016 application deadlines for Erasmus+.

All the deadlines and information on the types of activities you can apply for are contained in the 2016 Call for Proposals document and the 2016 Programme Guide both of which you can download from our Key Resources page.

The Call for Proposals is an overview document containing all the deadlines for 2016, while the Programme Guide contains all the detailed information on how to apply for Erasmus+ funding. You will need to read both documents when planning an application. Please note that as of 20 October 2015, there is a discrepancy between the Call for Proposals and the Programme Guide in terms of the deadline for Strategic Partnerships applications for education and training projects. We are seeking clarification from the European Commission on which is the correct date, and will update our website once the date is confirmed.

We would also recommend that you bookmark our funding deadlines page which will be kept up-to-date with any changes in the coming weeks.

Please contact us for further information on how we can support your Erasmus + application. Email us at: researchservices@staffs.ac.uk

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Information sessions for Erasmus+ newcomers

Posted on by

New to Erasmus+? Register for an information session

The UK National Agency are pleased to announce a series of information sessions on the Erasmus+ programme in the UK. The purpose of these events is to provide an overview of the funding opportunities available under Erasmus+ and is intended for newcomers to Erasmus+. There is no charge to attend but places are limited.

Who should attend?

The sessions are for any organisation in the UK working in the sectors of education, training, youth or sport. They are aimed at organisations new to Erasmus+, including anyone who has not yet applied for funding but would like to know more about the range of possibilities under the programme. If your organisation has applied before, we advise that you look out for our application support events, including webinars.

The agenda is designed to give a general introduction and overview of Erasmus+, followed by a closer explanation of the types of funding opportunities available and next steps. There will be the opportunity to meet UK National Agency staff and network over refreshments.

When and where?

We will be holding information sessions in six venues across the UK, all of which are half-day events finishing around 12.30pm.

Follow the links below to register online:

Tuesday 20 October 2015 The Studio, Birmingham Register your place
Monday 2 November 2015 Westminster Conference Centre, London Register your place
Wednesday 4 November 2015 The Studio, Manchester Register your place
Tuesday 10 November 2015 IET, Glasgow Register your place
Monday 23 November 2015 Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Register your place
Thursday 26 November 2015 The MAC, Belfast Register your place

If you have any questions about the information sessions, please email the Erasmus+ events team on eplusevents@ecorys.com.

The team in Research Business & Employability Services (RBES) manage the Erasmus + proposal process for Staffordshire University, please let us know if you wish to attend or are interested in Erasmus + funding. You can reach us at our email researchservices@staffs.ac.uk or call Josephine Beech on 01782 294149.

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

UK Research Office (UKRO) – Marie Skłodowska-Curie event

Posted on by

UKRO-logo

 

 

We are looking forward to our annual UK Research Office (UKRO) visit by our representative Blazej Thomas. This year’s visit will be focused on the European mobility actions of the Horizon 2020 programme.  

 You are warmly invited to attend the UKRO session, at the Ashley Centre LT 114/116 on December 9th, from 1.30pm – 3pm

 Blazej will be presenting details of the Marie Curie Skladowska Actions (MCSA) fund which provides opportunities for academic mobility across the EU.

 The MSCA aim to equip researchers with the necessary skills and international experience for a successful career, either in the public or the private sector. The programme responds to the challenges sometimes faced by researchers, offering them attractive working conditions and the opportunity to move between academic and other settings.

 The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) provide grants for all stages of researchers’ careers – from doctoral candidates to highly experienced researchers – and encourage transnational, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary mobility. The MSCA enable research-focused organisations (universities, research centres, and companies) to host talented foreign researchers and to create strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide.

The MSCA are open to all areas of research and innovation, from primary research to market take-up and innovation services. The areas of research and innovation are chosen by the applicants.

 MSCA supports the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which promotes positive working conditions for researchers and open recruitment. Equal opportunities are also supported at the level of researchers and project decision makers.

 This is an open invitation to all academic colleagues across the university.

 How to book your place:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-research-office-ukro-marie-skodowska-curie-event-tickets-19058994967

 

 

 

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes

Great Opportunity Coming Soon! Researcher in Residence Programme with the Digital Catapult

Posted on by

rcuk

Coming Soon! Researcher in Residence Programme

Research Councils UK and the Digital Catapult Centre will soon invite applications for their researcher in residence programme. The next call will open in October. The following information is subject to change.

This enables researchers to spend time at the Digital Catapult Centre within one of the following two residency schemes:

  • junior residencies, which are based at the centre or a relevant user organisation full or near full-time and enable early-career researchers to develop their existing research interests within a user-led project in conjunction with the centre, whilst also feeding back user experience to the digital economy research community;
  • Senior residencies, which are based at the centre on a full-time basis or via a series of short secondments and enable researchers with a significant track record in relevant areas to shape projects, provide thought leadership, and drive the creation of new activities.

Projects must address one or more of the catapult’s current challenge areas, namely closed organisational data, personal data, creative content and the internet of things.

Applicants must have a contract of employment at a UK university or be PhD students who have submitted their thesis by the closing date, Sunday 6 December 2015.

Residencies provide a budget of up to £25,000 each to cover expenses, including travel and accommodation.

Timeline: The closing date is 23:59 on Sunday 6 December 2015, with decisions due by the end of February 2016. Successful applicants are expected to commence their residencies within three months of award. The programme will run for three years, with two funding calls each year. The next round will open for applications in the autumn.

(Areas of interest  include: anonymization, differential privacy, re-identification and homomorphic encryption; trust and identity; distributed ledgers and Blockchain; distributed or privacy preserving architectures for personal data exchange; semantic data models; user profiling; IoT – architectures, security, data visualisation; business models for personal data exchanges and for the IoT; evaluation and measurement of economic impact for marketplace interventions)

Please contact Naomi Arblaster, n.arblaster@staffs.ac.uk if you are interested

0.00 avg. rating (0% score) - 0 votes