A Debrief on Schemes and Moving Forward Dipti Pandya Director, IRCHSS Presentation to VPs for Research, Irish Universities Association 5 June 2008

Agenda About us IRCHSS Research Schemes Coming up

Who? Council Members Dr. Maurice Bric, Chairman IRCHSS, UCD Professor John Brewer, University of Aberdeen Dr. Josephine Browne, IADT Dun Laoghaire Professor Angela Chambers, UL Professor Vincent Comerford, NUI Maynooth Professor Michael Cronin, DCU Professor Sheila Greene, TCD Professor Áine Hyland, UCC Dr. Sean Ryder, NUI, Galway Dr Anthony Walsh, Institute of Bankers

Who? Executive Dipti Pandya, Director Fiona Davis, Programme Manager Sorcha Carthy, European Projects Officer Kathryn Kozarits, Executive Officer Barry Dixon, Intern

Schemes (to May 08) Postgraduate Research Scholarship Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Fellowship Senior Research Fellowship

European Opportunities NORFACE ERA-NET

International Assessment Focus on funding excellence International Assessment Boards  15 to 25 member boards  Generally Professors with extensive and current research backgrounds  Experienced evaluators with international evaluation experience  As broad a disciplinary spectrum covered as possible Provision of full & constructive feedback

Evaluation Process Four/Five-phase approach : 1. Eligibility and Adherence to Terms and Conditions 2. Independent International Peer Review (PD and SRF_RF) 3. Pre-meeting evaluation by Board Members (3 readers) 4. International Assessment Board meeting 5. Post-meeting follow up and feedback

Ineligibility Eligibility criteria are strictly enforced. Applications to schemes will not be assessed if they are incomplete, or have been received in the IRCHSS office posted after the advertised closing date. Common reasons for ineligibility  incorrect documentation Original letters, copies, electronic submissions, institutional signature, certificates, funding requirements, internal referee  Outside Council/Scheme remit Terms and conditions must be diligently followed.

Peer Review College Database of Humanities and Social Sciences experts to contribute to national and international evaluation practices. International discipline experts to participate in national scheme evaluations. National discipline experts to contribute to the work of the IRCHSS in consultations, reviews of existing awards progress committees, and potential nominations for international assessments (as an when required).

Awards (to May 08) Year2008/ / / / /2005 Scheme AppsAwardsAppsAwardsAppsAwardsAppsAwardsAppsAwards Postgraduate Scholarship Postdoctoral Fellowship Research Fellowship Senior Research Fellowship Projects XX Annual Total Success Rate 33%28%22%27%30%

Figures For Schemes SCHEMEELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS INELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS AWARDS MADE POSTGRADUATE SCHEME POSTDOCTORAL SCHEME96931 RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP SCHEME 2178 SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP SCHEME TOTALS

Success Rate Table INSTITUTIONPOSTGRAD SUCCESS POSTDOC SUCCESS RESEARCH SUCCESS SENIOR SUCCESS TOTAL APPLICATI ONS TOTAL AWARDS TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN NUI GALWAY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK NUI MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY SPC DRUMCONDRA WATERFORD I.T MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE IADT DUN LAOGHAIRE OTHERS TOTAL

Assessment Feedback 08…1 Administrative issues:  Eligibility criteria strictly followed  Irish translations – translated by non-academic  Lack of adherence to word count Application form:  Use of jargon free/non-specialist language especially in short description  Choice of institution – very important and generally not treated as such  Lack of consideration of ethical issues  No resubmission – 2 attempts only and feedback must be addressed  Impact on teaching was generally ignored  Value for money - high costs condemned by panel  Costing - some added up wrong!  Typos!

Assessment Feedback 08…2 Methodological concerns:  Project not PI  Provision of detailed project plan  Feasibility of plan, value for money and approach to be taken – overambitious vs under ambitious  Description of methodological approaches were weak, lacking focus and theoretical foundations  Lack of innovation in dissemination Increased quality overall:  Better promotion of PD scheme particularly to non-Irish HEIs  Issues of whether this is research or not – no infrastructure, not just seminars etc.  New researchers and institutions are very welcome

Coming up

VPs for Research issues Payment of non-EU fees for PGs Monitoring of projects:  Working together  Scientific and financial auditing  Delays on project start-dates  Project Management Workshop with PIs HSS Community Group

Projects Better management of queries:  HSS Community group  Improved FAQs  Improved and informative website Improved applications process:  Streamlining of schemes  Review of Terms and Conditions  Electronic Applications process Closer monitoring of funded projects:  Scientific audits  Project management workshops  Provision of detailed costings First Destination Reports:  SRF, RF, PD, PG Council sub-committees