Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Independent Advisory panel – 10 th April 2014 Dr James West – Executive Director

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Agenda 0930Arrival 1000Introductions 1010Objectives and Terms of Reference – JW 1030Research Councils Update – AW/JS 1045Briefing on the goals and outcomes of SEPnet Phase 1 – JW/CH/VB 1130Briefing on the goals and milestones for SEPnet Phase 2 - JW 1200Lunch 1300SEPnet Phase 2 GRADnet – PMcD/PD 1340Employer Engagement - VB 1400Outreach and Public Engagement - CH 1420Diversity - AMcD 1440Impact – A McD 1500Roundtable Discussion 1530Break 1545 Private Panel discussion 1615Panel feedback 1700Finish

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Independent Advisory Panel Membership (a pool structure) – Scientists – Employers – Professional bodies – Employee bodies – Other regional networks – Other stakeholders Meet 1/year and as necessary

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Membership Ken Peach agreed to be interim Chair Ken Neville Oxford Yvonne Adrian John Avril Steve Dolores Alan ES Juliet Energy Peter Malcolm Jennifer Jessica Lampton School Alison Janet

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Role of the IAP provide strategic advice to the Independent Chair, the SEPnet Steering Board, Collaboration Board and the SEPnet Staff; The Panel has no decision making authority. provide oversight and scrutiny of the SEPnet Phase 2 activities in the network, to facilitate collaboration in areas of research and training that address national priorities, interdisciplinary research, employer engagement, Physics and STEM outreach, diversity and to identify potential areas of investment; help facilitate the development of a world class graduate training programme within the network that is an exemplar within the UK; review key activities and provide independent feedback for the consumption of the SEPnet Collaboration Board and Steering Board; Act as a “critical friend” to the network

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Phase One

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Background (circa 2007): – Long term decline in Physics UGs and financial weakness in Physics departments in SE England – Physics was vulnerable – Closure of Physics at Reading generated panic in others in a similar state Response: £12.5M from HEFCE to fund collective action to form a network of 6 physics departments in the SE to support the discipline regionally Focus: – Outreach: to boost demand and eligibility for UG Physics places – Employability: internship programme to address careers for Physics graduates – New Bologna compliant PGT offering (“Euromasters”) – Research: to underpin teaching and facilitate collaboration

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Outcomes of SEPnet Whole greater than the sum of the parts in Outreach and employer engagement 115% growth in UG population and 125% growth in applications (2015 vs 2007) New physics UG provision at Portsmouth and elsewhere Strong demand from employers and students for internships Increased research grant income and outputs Euromasters demand and enrolment disappointing

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Achievements so far Outreach – Activity with over 500,000 people: school students and public – Raised profile – local, regional national events Employer Engagement – Summer studentships, employers engaged Videoconference suites commissioned Graduate School – RDI Masters – EuroMasters (5 partners now running the programme) – NExT 21 Fellowships appointed 48 PhD studentships funded and filled Governance – Chair and Exec Director – Science and Employer Advisory Panels

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Achievements so far… Additional Institutions – Portsmouth joined SEPnet (and a new university offering Physics) – Hertfordshire and The OU joining Phase 2 Research Themes – RDI – Successful and now business as usual – NeXT well established and expanding – Astro: LOFAR-UK Commissioned and operational – ACM: Hubbard Centre established Evolving use of Web Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn SEPnet Undergraduate Numbers – Cohort size up ~115% 2013 versus 2007 Indirect benefits throughout each department – UG growth sustains the departments – SEPnet appointments spread the teaching loads and increases research capability

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Financial Data

Working together to promote excellence in Physics How the money was spent

Working together to promote excellence in Physics How the money was spent

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Undergraduate Trends

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Undergraduate trends

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Applications

Working together to promote excellence in Physics UG Intake

Working together to promote excellence in Physics UG Populations

Working together to promote excellence in Physics WP Profile First year UG Population Source: “Physics Students in UK Higher Education Institutions”, Institute of Physics March How do SEPnet Physics UG population compare?

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Widening Participation

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet WP Source: HESA All Physics and Astronomy (all years) 2007/82008/92009/102010/112011/122012/132009/10 SEPnet National Gender (Women) 21%20%21%23%22%21% BME 14%16%17%19%18% 11% Non- Managerial/Professi onal 40%38%40% 41% 36%

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Juno and Athena-SWAN Athena- SWANJUNO Hertfordshire Supporter Kent The OU Practitioner Portsmouth Supporter QMUL Practitioner RHULSilverChampion Southampton Supporter Surrey Supporter Sussex Supporter

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Outreach

Working together to promote excellence in Physics What we have been doing… Aim: Increase the pool of young people interested in and qualified to pursue physics at degree level. Key Audiences: - GCSE The SEPnet GCSE Programme - A-LevelRecruitment messages - Work with a significant proportion of schools in the South East - Support schools without physics specialist teachers - Provide a knowledge base for partner departments about schools and school education - Raise the profile of the partner departments

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Achievements

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Achievements Contact Group Schools Unknown Teachers Unknown Students ,362 26,000 (approx) Unknown General public 48,206 inc festivals (approx.) 147,952 inc festivals (approx) 53,076 +festivals 12,776Unknown Total number of contacts: Approx. 88,797 Approx. 196,511 Approx. 235,977 Approx. 39,000Approx. 18,000

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Achievements Contact Group KS5 Post , KS4 GCSE ,53211, KS3 Early secondary , KS1 and 2, and unidentified

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Outreach Timeline: Sept 08Programme starts. Officers recruitment begins. May 09Director appointed. Officers in place. Sept 09Reporting starts. Steering group established. May 10GCSE Project redesigned. Joint activity grown. Sept 10Detailed reporting in place. May 11Joint activity optimised. Oxford on board. Sept 11New projects started. May 12Steady state… Sept 12New steering group established. Delivery and working protocols documented. May 13All projects stable and deliverable in new environment. Evaluation standard.

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Strategy VISION: SEPnet Outreach High profile departments, supported by the wider community, selecting a diverse group of students from large pool of talented and interested young people GOALS Sustain the high quality and effective programmes from phase 1 Promote physics and physics qualifications more widely Provide support for physics teaching through strategic partnerships Engage the public with SEPnet research activities OBJECTIVES Maintain network of officers and practice sharing Strengthen links with central WP departments to offer physics activities to partners schools Work with external organisations (eg Generating Genius, SPN) to offer pupil activities Develop links with education departments and ITT providers Maintain and develop network knowledge of Impact and Public Engagement Maintain joint activity and delivery for cost effectiveness Promotion of non- traditional routes into physics to wider public Strategically engage with primary schools through WP departments Closer links with Science Learning Centres, ASE, IOP and CPD providers Provide training for PhD students through Public Engagement Modules in GRADnet Promote SEPnet activities through open meetings and conferences Monitor numbers of under-represented groups taking part in activities Develop all department staff awareness of WP issues, in conjunction with SEPnet diversity Provision of knowledge top up courses/activities including IOP Updates Provide engagement training for researchers & support for Pathways to Impact bids Annual stakeholder meetings to monitor progress Engage with parents of under-represented groups to promote physics Physics careers information and role models embedded in activities Improve evaluation of long term impact

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement Aims Increase awareness of the links between Universities and businesses Survey and assess current trends and requirements of employers, e specially SMEs Achieved Summer internship programme, placing over 165 undergraduates with 37 regional employers Established network of employers, via internship programme and employer advisory panel

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Summer Placements SEPnet Summer Internship Scheme No registered for placements No of placements *

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement The internship scheme is growing year-on-year.

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement Key successes Engagement of consortia of businesses and associations, such as LEPs, Chambers of Commerce, Skills Councils An estimated 5000 businesses in the South East received some kind of communication from SEPnet over the last 12 months Since 2009, over 165 undergraduates have been placed with 37 regional employers Established network of employers, via internship programme and employer advisory panel Excellent relationships with institutional Careers Services across the network SME engagement has rocketed in past 12 months

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement What hasn’t worked so well One staff member covering seven sites means that we have a good regional picture but lack resources on the ground The employers relationship is with SEPnet rather than institutions Lack resources to build on relationships with employers on a local level Employers unwilling/unable to fund students in a subject-specific, geographically-restrictive programme Large companies prefer to have a national/international outlook across a range of disciplines Smaller companies are keen to engage but lack funds

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research Themes Astrophysics Atomic and Condensed Matter Physics Particle Physics Radiation Detectors and Instrumentation

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research Themes Atomic and Condensed Matter – Hubbard theory consortium impressive and an exemplar on what can be achieved collaboratively (Kent, RHUL, RAL) – CM leadership at QMUL – Strengthened Surrey, Southampton and Sussex links LOFAR – SEPnet played critical role in both UK and region. Key to SKA leadership NExT – led to strengthened EPP and TPP research in Soton, RHUL, Sussex and RAL RDI – successful collaboration with Surrey and Sussex, leading to collaborations with RHUL and RAL

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Background – to Themes Astro Space Materials ACM Particle Physics Photonics Q. Optics Radiation RDI Theoretical Physics Kent ✔ ✔ ✔ Ports ✔ QMUL ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Royal H ✔ ✔✔ So’ton ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Surrey ✔ ✔✔ ✔ Sussex ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔ RAL ✔ ✔ ✔

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Kent QMUL Sussex Portsmouth Southampton Oxford RAL Surrey RHUL PhD Joint Supervision links

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research Income trends 1 QMUL large STFC Consolidated Grants in one year Kent £1,182K£1,249K£1,469K£1,442K£1,194K£1,192K£1,201K Portsmouth £970K£1,212K£1,389K£1,507K£1,482K£1,516K£1,201K QMUL £1,991K£3,572K£5,225K 1 £2,657K£2,726K£5,090K£4,682K RHUL £2,400K£2,039K£2,153K£2,304K£2,629K£3,226K£3,033K Soton £2,797K£3,220K£3,723K£3,392K£3,437K£3,969K£3,725K Surrey £2,338K£2,819K£2,426K£2,865K£2,813K£2,893K£2,970K Sussex £2,022K£2,168K£2,495K£2,173K£2,735K£3,161K£3,272K Total £13,700K£16,279K£18,880K£16,340K£17,016K£21,047K£20,084K

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research Income Trends

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SAP Feedback There are a lot of positives about SEPnet. It has laid the foundations for collaboration; collaborations are happening and it must now keep the momentum going and apply this to the emerging funding environment where SEPnet will have a head start as an existing collaboration. SEPnet has the potential to transform the physics performed at the participating institutions and the region and must build on the established foundations to exploit its transformational potential. The institutions must resist the temptation to retreat into their core strengths as the funding environment changes and, instead, use SEPnet as the vehicle to set the agenda for physics in the region.

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Euromasters

Working together to promote excellence in Physics MSc in Physics (Euro-Masters) In SEPnet: A unique combination Bologna-accord in spirit and letter: 2-year programme, 120 ECTS Wide recognition across Europe Physics Departments at 6 Universities in the South-East of England Structure: year-1: taught, year-2: research project Mobility between SEPnet partners Possibilities for external research projects: eg Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, CERN, Diamond, NPL etc SEPnet scholarships: full and ‘fees-only’

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Intake Very disappointing in 2009 (3 at Sussex) Better in 2010 (3 each Surrey, QM, 1 Sussex) 100 applicants in 2011 and partners successfully run the programme But very few EU applicants (the target market) Many overseas applicants and UK ones – Overseas have visa and possibly quality issues – UK ones mainly hedging bets on PhD places Survey indicates significant barriers for EU students – Preference to stay at home – UK fees – No real advantage in being taught in English – Tutors unlikely to recommend to their best students But Students on the course like it

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Future Continue to target EU students but not expect high numbers Re-focus on Overseas – China – USA – SE Asia UK students Opposite of SEPnet business plan! Let each partner continue as they wish and use SEPnet branding

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Institutional Benefits Kent: Growth in UG numbers, Investment in Planetary Science, SCM Theory Group connections with RAL, Portsmouth: Super Computer; LOFAR, Applied Physics Degree QMUL: Condensed Matter Staff, Astro Lectureship, NExT RHUL: SEPnet Lecturers, Hubbard Theory Consortium, Particle Physics, Video technology, Euromasters Southampton: Growth in UG numbers, LOFAR investment, lectureships, NExT (QMUL, Sussex & RHUL) Surrey: Growth in UG numbers, MSc RDI course, Astro Group Investment Sussex: TPP grant with RHUL; NExT and RDI Collaborations; LOFAR; Atomic, Molecular and Optical collaborations

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Emerging Risks Undergraduate fees – Demonstrating the value of Physics – Disincentive for: Any fee paying PGT course PGR programmes when faced with large debts Reduce the pipeline of qualified PhD students Student Number controls – “AAB+” and change to “ABB+” and from 2015/16 no caps – Contestable places at the low fee end – Likely to produce a “squeezed” middle Research Council funding – Fewer PhD places (and algorithmic funding) – Concentration of the remaining PhD places – Also impacts middle sized/specialised departments Transition to EBacc – Further turbulence in the sector Impact: – On the medium/long term research and teaching pipelines – Fewer PhDs and Masters level students entering industry

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Phase Two Dr James West – Executive Director

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Phase Two SEPnet Phase Two should build on this with new activity in three areas: – A SEPnet strategy for enhancing Research Impact – A SEPnet strategy for Diversity in Research to strengthen the Research Environment – A SEPnet programme for developing research students into the leaders of the future (The SEPnet Graduate Network) And continue the SEPnet 1 programmes in an expanded network

Working together to promote excellence in Physics GRADnet SEPnet 2 will develop a regional Graduate Network (GRADnet) built on the strength of current SEPnet research collaborations and Graduate programmes. The primary objectives of GRADnet will be to: – develop and deliver an exemplar programme of PhD transferable and leadership skills training delivered flexibly, on-site and on- screen, to create employment-ready physics doctoral graduates for the economic benefit of the UK; – increase employer engagement with HEIs including PhD internships, visiting studentships, industrially-sponsored CASE studentships and Knowledge Transfer fellowships; – enhance the impact (types, reach and significance) of SEPnet’s research via a clear, collaborative impact strategy; – enhance research environment diversity through engagement with Athena SWAN or the IoP’s Project Juno. – The skills and experience of the expanded network will be marshalled to these goals. The inclusion of the Open University and the University of Hertfordshire broadens the range of postgraduate research in the network.

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employer Engagement and Outreach SEPnet 2 will expand its employer engagement and internship programmes, widening the range of work experiences available to enhance undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) employability and progress to research degrees. The new partners offer increased scope for employer networks across the region. SEPnet 2 will build upon the success of its Outreach Programme, incorporating resources and experience from the OU and Hertfordshire, to disseminate this best practice, apply it to Widening Partcipation and to develop and disseminate effective practices to increasing diversity in the physics UG and PG populations.

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Commitment from the SEPnet partners To the long term provision of physics teaching and research builds upon the success of SEPnet Phase One to deliver quality and accessibility of Physics provision in the region as a strategically important subject for the UK science base and economy. It will offer stability for physics provision through a turbulent period for HEIs (and build on the opportunities that such turbulence may create eg through physics becoming a more popular subject choice for students). It will offer regional, and ultimately, national sustainability. Open University and the University of Hertfordshire committed to join, Reading will join as an associate Collectively they are Contributing £10.3m cash and inkind contributions over 5 years (which needs to be accounted for)

Working together to promote excellence in Physics The partners have agreed to contribute: Maintenance of the current Outreach officers and their programme costs (~£15K/year each) Committed A defined number of Summer UG internships for the employability programme each year. This proposal advises that the partners contribute to a pool of £50,000 per year to fund internships (£54K Committed) Maintenance of the Academic, Technical and Administrative positions Committed At least one PhD studentship per year for the SEPnet Graduate School (with 2 requested from the larger institutions) 1 PhD per partner Committed Share of the SEPnet Central costs Committed (Average of £30K per year over the 5 years)

Working together to promote excellence in Physics HEFCE have agreed to contribute: The SEPnet Graduate Network (£885K) PG Student Representative Body (£50K) SEPnet Research Collaboration, Public Engagement and Knowledge Transfer (£275K) SEPnet Diversity, for enhancing the research environment (£250K) SEPnet Employer Engagement, for graduate employability (£510K) SEPnet Central and shared Costs (£450K) Network expansion to broaden and deepen the reach and impact of the network (£330K) £2.75m over 5 years Matched by ~£10.3m from the SEPnet partners

Working together to promote excellence in Physics SEPnet Phase Two

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Expanded Network Gr SEPnet Phase 2 Subject Knowledge Outreach Research Employability Graduate Network Expanded Network SEPnet Governance Prize PhD Studentships Workshops and Conferences Placements and Exchanges Diversity Public Engagement Impact Diversity Employer Workshops and training Mentoring Placements and Exchanges Alumni Advanced Taught PhD Programmes Broad Programme Taught Masters Staff Development Knowledge Exchange

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Diversity and Impact We have agreed 0.5 FTE additional assistance from HEFCE for Diversity & Impact Lead(s), especially to achieve Physics widening participation goals – enhance research environment diversity through engagement with Athena SWAN or the IoP’s Project Juno – to research issues of underrepresentation with IoP and other interested parties – Identify and disseminate best practice within the network – Create a gameplan to address short and long term actions and deliver via the network – enhance the impact (types, reach and significance) of SEPnet’s research via a clear, collaborative impact strategy – Support all departments submitting for or renewing an award by 2016 Agreed funds: £50K per year for 5 years Plus: access to £20K per year for Knowledge Exchange (£100K)

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Employability Contribute to the SEPnet employer engagement programme – Each partner contributes to the central Employer engagement Director position an amount of the costs divided by the number of partners – Each partner funds a number of Summer UG Internship placements with employers. These would typically cost £1.5K for each internship. The existing partners provide a fund of £50,000 per annum (£54K Committed) – Each partner provides at least one research summer placement per year to the scheme. Costed: £3K each – Each partner allocates a named resource to join the employer engagement network – We have negotiated additional support from HEFCE to develop the employer engagement strand further in SEPnet 2 (£510K) Around 0.5FTE each for ~2.5 years £180K each in years 1 and 2; £100K in year 3; £50K in year 4 Will be a key foundation of the Graduate Network proposal – Address UG and PG student opportunity for employability Director to initiate hiring of staff and development of a deliverable plan

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Research Continuation of the SEPnet Research network – Facilitated by £50K per year to run thematic workshops – £175K total: £50K each years 1,2,3; £25K year 4 Each partner allocates at least one PhD studentship per year to the network’s system of SEPnet collaborative PhD studentships. – Use to attract more and better applicants for ALL PhD places – GRADnet Director will manage the recruitment and allocation processes in conjunction with each node Expanded role for Public Engagement linked into Outreach and Knowledge Exchange linked to Employability – £20K per year for Knowledge Exchange (£100K) Facilitated under the umbrella of the Graduate Network

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Graduate Network We have obtained support from HEFCE for the establishment of a regional cohort based Graduate Network of collaborative teaching for Physics PGT and PGR students This is meant to provide a core subject and skills Graduate programme for all SEPnet Physics Grad students Comprehensive focus on employability skills and attitudes A SEPnet wide programme to attract best PhD applicants for all PhD places Use as a platform to obtain CDTs within the network £885K over 5 years – £195K for first 3 years; £100K year 4; £50K year 5 – Training modules: £75K y1; £50K y2; £25K y3 PG Student Representative Panel: – £20K years 1 and 2; £10K year 3

Working together to promote excellence in Physics PG Student Representative Panel the creation of a cross-institutional postgraduate student panel to gather students’ feedback on teaching and courses provide advocacy for the student population on the GRADnet oversight panel and with the Management Group (Heads of Department body), ensuring the student voice is heard in decisions on the curriculum and delivery of the graduate programme and in the operational management of the network. Budget: £50K for 3 years

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Steering Board PVCs/Deans Strategy Employer Engagement Director Veronica Benson Team Collaboration Board (HoDs) Independent Advisory Panel Scientists/Employers Outreach Director Clare Harvey Team GRADnet Directorate Peter McDonald Dawn Duke Pam Denicolo Cristobel Soares-Smith Diversity & Impact Lead(s) Averil MacDonald Independent Chair Bill Wakeham Operations Board Executive Director James West PG Student Panel Informal Structures

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Governance PVC Steering Board – Meet 2/year HoDs – 4/year Operations Board – Monthly Independent Advisory Panel – 1/year

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Issues Problem of sustaining costs as HEFCE contribution tapers down Sustainability of: – Research workshops, KE External funding? – Conferences Recommend rotating around network – Employability Absorb into careers offices (but likely to lose impact) – Student Panel Subscriptions? – Grad Network Director Merge role with other SEPnet roles and/or top slice fees We will defer closure of this risk until before the 3 year review point (but start agreeing it from Spring 2014)

Working together to promote excellence in Physics Summary SEPnet is to continue and expand The priorities are agreed – Outreach, Employability, Research, Graduate Network, Diversity Graduate Network needs us to converge on a plan to implement The longer term funding environment remains uncertain – SEPnet 2 provides a stable anchor for 3-5 years