1. Research Workshop ‘Research Funding’ Dave Bustard 12 September 2001

2. Agenda Stepping back from the problem The way forward...

3. Systems Approach A broad, holistic approach to problem- solving, taking all relevant factors into account, and recognising the inter-dependencies that exist –Soft Systems Methodology (Checkland) –Organisational Learning (Senge) –… ‘Systems Thinking’

4. Change Model Target System Current System

5. Funding Goal? Bring in as much money as possible … individually, as an RAE group, and as a Faculty è OK?

6. 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?

7. Balancing the System Other Professional Activity ResearchTeaching Private Life

8. 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?

9. Sources of Funding Externally funded projects/activities/infrastructure Research strategy budget (block grant; project overheads, etc.) Faculty/School funds Research Office Short courses?

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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?

14. 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?)

15. Anything Else?