Research Workshop Research Funding Dave Bustard 12 September
Research Workshop ‘Research Funding’ Dave Bustard 12 September 2001
Agenda • Stepping back from the problem . . . • The way forward
Systems Approach A broad, holistic approach to problemsolving, taking all relevant factors into account, and recognising the inter-dependencies that exist – Soft Systems Methodology (Checkland) – Organisational Learning (Senge) – … ‘Systems Thinking’
Change Model Target System Current System
Funding Goal? • Bring in as much money as possible • … individually, as an RAE group, and as a Faculty è OK?
Revised Funding Goal? • • • Undertake research of international standing … measured against RAE metrics; … operating efficiently and effectively, … in balance with other activities; … obtaining and using funding as required è OK?
Balancing the System Teaching Research Other Professional Activity Private Life
Research Achievement Factors • Ability of staff & students (personal development; recruitment) • Motivation of staff • Time available to do research • Efficiency of approach (co-ordination; monitoring; avoiding waste) • Effectiveness of approach (being clever!) • Reputation (publicity; networking) è Role of funding?
Sources of Funding • Externally funded projects/activities/infrastructure • Research strategy budget (block grant; project overheads, etc. ) • Faculty/School funds • Research Office • Short courses?
Current Position • Reasonable income overall, but little from EPSRC and other research councils • Funding largely driven by a few individuals • Very little review of proposals, projects and outcomes (quality issue) • No overall tracking of applications (largely covert activity) è OK?
Vision • Most research funding needed by staff and students obtained from external sources • All staff, groups and centres developing annual plans, identifying funding needs and targets • Research applications largely group based • Everyone aware of funding opportunities • Funds requested and managed to good effect • All papers (and other outputs) tied to projects è OK?
Issues • How should RAE income be used? • How should research overheads be used? • What is (should be) the relationship between research centres, RRGs and groups? • How should funding be managed (for proposals and during projects)? è Others?
Way Forward • Appoint a Research Director (RD) • Consolidate research groups and centres • Develop clear funding plans for groups and centres • Develop policies and processes, e. g. , all research proposals approved by RD; all proposals reviewed before submission è OK?
EPSRC Funding Proposal: • Pursue all possible fast stream proposals with senior support • Prepare a relatively small number of proposals annually, determined at Faculty level (number? )
Anything Else?
- Slides: 15