EURAXESS Dr Claire McNulty Acting Director Science, British Council 9th March 2012 www.euraxess.org.uk

Outline British Council Overview Internationalising Higher Education EURAXESS EURAXESS-UK Looking forward

British Council work We are the UK’s international cultural relations organisation, and have been working for more than 75 years to forge links between people in the UK and other countries Our main purpose is to build engagement and trust through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide We have 218 offices in 109 countries around the world Operating under a Royal Charter, we have been working for nearly 75 years forging links between people in the UK and other countries. Our long term experience has enabled us to build strong relationships with generations of government leaders, policy makers, senior advisors and the wider general public. Our brand attracts the most dynamic and innovative practitioners in their sectors, ensuring them maximum exposure to new audiences and the media.We are a trusted partner by government departments and cultural institutions and our events attract guests and participants of the highest calibre. We frequently have access to exciting, high profile locations and venues for our activities. Business too can share in these gains. With our in-depth knowledge of local networks and organisations we can advise you on the best way to make an approach, and the most effective ways of working together. 3

Charitable purposes Our Royal Charter sets out the purposes for which we are established. These are to: promote cultural relationships and the understanding of different cultures between people and peoples of the United Kingdom and other countries; promote a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom; develop a wider knowledge of the English language; encourage cultural, scientific, technological and other educational cooperation between the United Kingdom and other countries; or otherwise promote the advancement of education

Who do we work with? Policymakers in research and higher education Leading researchers, innovators, research administrators, science communicators and science educators Early career researchers, students, wider public

Why? Help individuals improve their career prospects Build scientific links Foster environment for science and innovation Bridge science and society

Research is an international career In the UK, around 40% of the academic staff at researcher grade are from overseas Highly mobile researchers are also more productive Time spent researching abroad can bring lots of benefits: Access to facilities and expertise Improved career prospects Broaden horizons It can also have drawbacks: Practical difficulties (managing finances, family issues, tax etc) Cultural differences Language barrier The top three preferred destinations for study by UK students are: 1st USA (33.0%), 2nd France (9.9%) and 3rd Canada (8.3%), indicating the associated problem of language skills Closer to home, if the UK is to meet the ERA target of 20 per cent of EU doctoral candidates working outside their home country, then further cultural change is required. The UK lags well behind most other European countries. While a rising 2.6 per cent of EU27 students spent at least part of their studies in another EU member state in 2006, the UK has a lower 0.7 per cent of students studying abroad. BIS report – researchers who return to the UK after time spent abroad are significantly more productive that those who stay in the UK

What does British Council do to help? Internationalising Higher Education Programme Web-based resources EURAXESS-UK The top three preferred destinations for study by UK students are: 1st USA (33.0%), 2nd France (9.9%) and 3rd Canada (8.3%), indicating the associated problem of language skills Closer to home, if the UK is to meet the ERA target of 20 per cent of EU doctoral candidates working outside their home country, then further cultural change is required. The UK lags well behind most other European countries. While a rising 2.6 per cent of EU27 students spent at least part of their studies in another EU member state in 2006, the UK has a lower 0.7 per cent of students studying abroad.

Our new Internationalising Higher Education programme Services for International Education Marketing Global Policy Dialogues Global Partnerships International Student Mobility and Alumni

Global Policy Dialogues Going Global International Education Conference London, March 13-15 Includes aspects linked to research Bilateral or Regional policy Dialogues E.g. Policy workshop on Researcher Skills Training, France, Feb 2012 Going Global has grown from a bi-annual event in the UK to an annual event that alternates between the UK and a different international location. Each year it attracts over 1000 delegates from across the further and higher education sectors and a variety of other industries with perspectives on international education. Eg from going global: The Middle East - a centre for international research collaboration. Dream or reality? 14 March 2012 - 13:30 Governments across the Gulf Cooperation Council are taking steps to diversify their economies away from oil and towards those which are knowledge-based and founded on information and skills. Research and intellectual collaboration are being prioritised as a way to do this. Several countries across the Gulf now have active, and extremely well-funded, research foundations and councils to drive both the strategy and the practice of research. Other countries are paying for high-level, international Research Chairs and looking for Nobel prizes; while still others are setting up research institutes with the latest and the best equipment that money can buy. Read more Professor Michael Worton Vice-Provost, University College London United Kingdom

Example of research partnership initiative: BIRAX Regenerative Medicine Initiative Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership Five-year programme Funding for teams in UK and Israel to carry out joint research Maximum funding £400,000 over 3 years Associated fellowship scheme for early career researchers to undertake research visits. www.britishcouncil.org/israel-education-birax.htm Supported by Pears Foundation, UJIA, BIS, FCO, Ministry of Science and Technology (Israel)

Other research partnership projects India (UKIERI) Turkey Russia Central South Asia (Inspire project) Under development: UK-US-3rd Country UK-Brazil Opportunities will be disseminated through the Euraxess Newsletters, and on the website

British Council Online Resources EducationUK www.educationuk.org Guide to studying in the UK EURAXESS-UK www.euraxess.org.uk Practical information for mobile researchers. Includes a searchable database of international funding opportunities. CUBED www.britishcouncil.org/science-cubed.htm Magazine highlighting UK breakthroughs in science and innovation Talking Science www.britishcouncil.org/talkingscience.htm Science communication website, with information about science festivals, science in the media, and links to useful resources. European RTD Insight www.ukro.ac.uk/insight We sponsor this monthly online publication which provides the latest news on European Union policy; research; education, training and culture; external collaboration; events and awards; new publications and online resources

EURAXESS

Background EURAXESS is an initiative, launched by the European Commission, to promote research careers and facilitate the mobility of researchers across Europe EURAXESS plays a key role in the implementation of the European Partnership for Researchers and Innovation Union commitments Talk briefly about why the initiative was set up – Lisbon Agenda, Barcelona summit, high-level working group investigating obstacles to mobility, resulted in adoption of mobility strategy for the ERA, aiming to increase the number of scientists in Europe, strengthening the ERA etc. Aimed at researchers of all nationalities, and all types of funding. Two main initiatives, first is ERACareers…. Started in 2005 European Partnership for Researchers; Innovation Union

Why should you get involved with EURAXESS? Are you looking to recruit junior or experienced researchers from around the world ? Would you like to explore research funding opportunities? Do you help your international researchers with practical issues ? Do you want more visibility on an international level ? Would you like to help your researchers moving to another country with housing, local social security, etc... ? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then EURAXESS is here to help you.

EURAXESS EURAXESS Jobs - Information on job opportunities, funding opportunities, grants, employment, etc. EURAXESS Services - Practical assistance for researchers EURAXESS Rights - Information on the European Researchers’ Charter and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers EURAXESS Links - a networking tool for researchers outside Europe. Operating in USA, China, Japan, India and Singapore

EURAXESS Jobs Central jobs and funding portal for Europe Free of charge Can advertise jobs and search CV database (18,000 CVs) As of March 2012, more than 7000 organisations from across Europe are registered on EURAXESS Jobs Around 35,000 unique visitors per month 6,700 vacancies currently available, 400 from the UK Nature Jobs postings imported to EURAXESS Jobs All European research organisations are being encouraged to use the EURAXESS Jobs portal to advertise their research positions As part of the new ‘Partnership for Researchers’, all European organisations are being asked to publicise their jobs through EURAXESS-Jobs 170 UK organisations registered including several from scottish universities 207 jobs were from the UK in 2009, but in first 3 months of 2010, 162 jobs were from the UK 18,000 active CVs loaded up

EURAXESS Services Around 200 centres in 38 countries Offer customized assistance to researchers and their families

EURAXESS Services Practical assistance for researchers and their families before, during and after their move abroad Web portals Each country runs their own national portal (e.g. British Council runs the EURAXESS-UK portal) Helpdesks (phone or email) Service Centres Walk-in centres providing personalised assistance to all researchers Local Contact Points Offices within universities etc giving assistance to incoming staff/students

EURAXESS-UK - managed by the British Council and funded by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills ‘The EURAXESS-UK website will be promoted as the key information portal for researchers’ Jan 23rd 2012. Joint press release from RCUK, Higher Education Funding Councils, Learned Academies and Universities UK.

Information on UK and International Funders UK Jobs websites, Euraxess Jobs feed, career development (link to Vitae) Information on UK and International Funders Healthcare, family, social security, entry regulations, tax, accommodation, finance, language etc Research landscape, Research in England, Scotland, Wales, NI, Intellectual Property, Research in Industry Working in Europe, outside Europe Downloadable pdf of Guide for researchers Euraxess Local Contact Points, Order hard copy guides International funding search – by career stage, discipline and region 22

EURAXESS-UK Searchable Funding database 200 funding schemes in database, from travel grants for conferences, to longer term partnership funding 23

EURAXESS UK Local Contact Points So far 11 UK Universities have signed up as local contact points: University of Durham University of Huddersfield University of Leicester University of Liverpool Newcastle University Northumbria University Plymouth University Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh University of Dundee University of Edinburgh University of West of Scotland These offer customized assistance to researchers coming to their own institution before, during and after their move

How can you get involved? 1. Make researchers more aware of the EURAXESS initiatives 2. Encourage use of EURAXESS-Jobs to advertise research positions 3. Badge your institution as a EURAXESS Local Contact Point academic professionals who are responsible for planning, directing and undertaking academic teaching and research within HE institutions

What should a EURAXESS-LCP do? Act as first point of contact for international researchers coming to your institution Provide advice and assistance on matters relating to mobility – often a matter of knowing who to refer questions to Set up dedicated email address (e.g. euraxess@dundee.ac.uk) Link to Euraxess-UK national portal Not limited to EU countries; EURAXESS member countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, FYRO Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom Contact: jacqueline.mccarthy@britishcouncil.org

Benefits of being a EURAXESS-LCP Demonstrates commitment to international researchers and to the European Research Area. Higher visibility across Europe and beyond Closer linkage to counterparts throughout Europe Access to training and networking events Simple to do; very little bureaucracy Not limited to EU countries; EURAXESS member countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, FYRO Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom Contact: jacqueline.mccarthy@britishcouncil.org

Future direction Further development of EURAXESS-UK website Building up network of EURAXESS-UK LCPs Support/training/networking for LCPs – e.g. on visas, social security, attendance at conferences, Nature Jobs Fair etc (via Network Call May 2012) Stronger focus on promotion outside Europe

Any Questions?

Visas for International researchers What can Euraxess-UK do to help?

Visa routes for researchers ACTIVITY PAID IN UK? ENTRY OPTIONS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Researcher sponsored by Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the UK Varies. Researchers under Points Based System (PBS) Tiers 2 and 5 do not necessarily have to be paid here. Tier 2 sponsors must guarantee the salary as stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Tier 5 employment must accord with UK employment law. Tier 2 (General) Tier 5 (GAE)* For Tier 2, the individual must be a skilled worker (e.g. a well qualified academic), meet the Resident Labour Market Test and the minimum salary threshold of £20,000 pa – can be pro-rated for shorter stays. The maximum stay under Tier 5 (GAE) is 2 years. The GAE scheme for researchers sponsored by HEIs permits Tier 4 licence holders who hold a Tier 5 GAE licence to directly sponsor researchers. Researcher where sponsor is not a HEI As above Tier 5 GAE As above, except that the Tier 5 (GAE) scheme is not for non-HEI sponsored researchers. BIS is working with Research Councils UK on a scheme for these researchers. Visiting Lecturer No Business Visitor Business visitors may give one-off, unpaid lectures at non-profit making events only – they may receive expenses. Collaborative researcher - UK and overseas university Varied scenarios – not paid, paid here, paid abroad As for researcher sponsored by HEI plus Academic Visitor if unpaid Academic visitors may take part in a formal research exchange provided they do not receive payment here. Expenses may be paid. Must be well qualified academic. Maximum stay is 12 months. * Government Authorised Exchange

Visa routes for researchers Coming to the UK to do research for more or less than 12 months? <12 months >12 months Points-based system – Tier 2 (General) or Tier 5 sponsored researcher Academic Visitor visa or Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsored No Will be paid in the UK? Will be paid in the UK? No Yes Yes Points-based system – Tier 2 (General) or Tier 5 sponsored researcher Yes Sponsored by a UKHEI? Sponsored by a UKHEI? Points-based system – Tier 2 (General) or Tier 5 sponsored researcher Yes No No Points-based system – Tier 2 (General) Points-based system – Tier 2 (General) Yes Sponsored by public/private research organisation? Sponsored by public/private research organisation? Yes No No Highly qualified researcher looking for research opportunities in the UK Highly qualified researcher looking for research opportunities in the UK Yes Yes Points-based system – Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) Points-based system – Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) Points-based system Tier 5 sponsored researcher Max stay: 2 yrs. Must be under Government authorized exchange Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) Max stay: 3yr 4m; possibility to extend for extra 2 yr Tier 2 (General) Max stay: 3yr 1m; possibility to extend extra 2yr

Are visas a problem for international researchers? Have you noticed any reduction in the numbers of international researchers coming to your institutions because of visa issues? Do you have any frequently asked questions which we should include on the website? Have you had any requests from researchers in European countries, with an EU scientific visa, who want to come to the UK for a short period?