The importance of supporting emerging researchers Perspectives from

The importance of supporting emerging researchers: Perspectives from across the Commonwealth Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General The Association of Commonwealth Universities

The ACU: Who we are… OUR MISSION To build a better world through higher education OUR VISION A world in which higher education transcends borders, strengthens societies, fosters innovation, and lifts the lives of people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.

The ACU across the Commonwealth 500+ member universities 66% in low and middle income countries 5% in small states Africa: 109 members (20%) Asia: 261 members (50%) Americas: 36 members (6%) Australasia and the Pacific: 32 members (7%) Europe: 90 members (17%)

Priorities for higher education in the Commonwealth • Higher education’s critical contribution to meeting the SDGs • Access and inclusion, including gender equity • International mobility and recognition of qualifications • Employability and the 4 th industrial revolution • Growing research capacity through N-S, S-N and SS partnerships • Universities’ role in building respect and understanding

We have created new networks Peace and Reconciliation Realising the modern vision of the Commonwealth “Kenya came to Melbourne to engage with Canada about indigenous experience. ” Climate Resilience Supporting universities to develop resilience to climate change “Universities should be a resource to the community and the society around them. ” The Earth Sciences Garden at Monash

We are creating life-changing opportunities

Issues in emerging researcher support Science Papers published – 2016 Source: worldmapper. org

Global Ph. D production Over 75% of Ph. Ds graduate from OECD countries (UNESCO) Source: https: //www. weforum. org/agenda/2017/02/countries-with-most-doctoral-graduates/

Transformed teaching practice • • Uneven quality of supply and demand Students more demanding of quality New and disruptive technologies New pedagogies and delivery mechanisms (ODL, online, blended, flipped, etc…) • Greater emphasis on quality assurance and assessments of teaching effectiveness

Imbalance in supply & demand Growth of Kenyan HE sector Student enrolment increased x 11 in 12 yrs 6 public universities 31 public universities 50% of academics teach at more than one university Minimal growth in academic staff numbers acute shortages

Experience of returning scholars • Promoted too quickly into management and administrative positions • Passed over for promotion in favour of less qualified or more junior peers • Swamped with heavy teaching loads – it’s ‘their turn’ to ‘pay back’ Ph. D scholarships are a significant investment in your staff. ROI needs to be managed and protected.

Suggestions for change The Nairobi Process 2009 2011 2016

Research funding: changing landscape • • • Interdisciplinarity More competitive Greater emphasis on collaboration More complex publication landscape Greater emphasis on impact Greater accountability and transparency required by funders

Skills to be an effective researcher

ACU responses Developing the next generation of researchers 2 -4 April 2019, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Strengthening institutional support In 2015… 6 / 31 institutions had policies and/or strategies to support professional development 5 / 31 institutions offered mentoring to early career researchers

Strengthening institutional support By 2018… 19 / 31 institutions have policies and/or strategies to support professional development 17 / 31 institutions offered mentoring to early career researchers

We are meeting demand Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL) • Addresses academic staff shortages in east Africa • Enables universities to share teaching resources • Degree courses delivered through blended learning • Bridging the gap where universities don't have capacity to run courses in certain disciplines

Additional training during the Ph. D • • • “the skills developed in our students will be relevant and valuable to industry and society at large” • • • 23 partner organisations including: The ACU Amazon Web Services Alan Turing Institute British Library BT Ericsson Ernst & Young IBM Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime Royal Mail Samsung Electronics Vodafone

Split-site Ph. D Scholarships • 487 split-site Ph. Ds since 1998 (70 to RSA) • 12 months in the UK in 1 or 2 blocks • Links and co-supervision between home & UK institutions builds collaboration & partnerships • Scholar remains integrated in dept research • Ongoing contribution to teaching & engagement • Greater retention • Cheaper than a traditional scholarship

Commonwealth collaborations Top ten Commonwealth collaborations (2013 -2017) Source: Elsevier/Sci. Val in Times Higher Education (February 2018) Top collaborations with South Africa – proportion of total output (%)

Options to develop the capacity of early career researchers: • • Support teaching & learning Enrich Ph. D training accordingly Increase split-site Ph. D provision Assist unis to develop their support offer & embed CPD in institutional structures • Promote networking and int’l mobility • Facilitate mentoring