Location: NEC, Birmingham
Presentations
Professionalising Research Management – Opportunities for development and career progression Dr David Langley, Director, Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol
Joining up the Dots – Managing the Research Portfolio Professor Mike Smith – Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Sheffield Hallam University
Managing the REF – A Case Study from Bangor University Claire Davis – REF Manager, Bangor University
Summary
This workshop examined how Universities can meet the needs of their Research Managers and Administrators through guided discussions, exploration of case studies and sharing good practice. It also considered how the sector could come together to provide a framework for supporting research administrators and managers in their professional development and career progression. Topics covered included:‘Joining up the Dots – Managing the Research Portfolio’, ‘Managing the REF – A Case Study from Bangor University’ and ‘Professionalising Research Management – Opportunities for development and career progression’. Delegates spent time discussing the issues with colleagues from other institutions and considerable good practice was shared.
Key points of discussion:
- Acknowledgement that research management is not just confined to Universities but takes place in the NHS and in Industry as well. Recognition and agreement that Universities and organisations such as ARMA, need to work with these other types of organisations to develop a framework for the professional development of Research Managers.
- Which organisations/bodies should be responsible for developing a framework for the Professional Development of Research Managers? Should this be an accredited framework? If yes, should it be at Masters level, Bachelors level, NVQ level?
- How should institutions prefer for the REF? What elements of Research Monitoring would/should Research Managers continue to undertake if we didn’t have the REF or RAE?
Evaluation and outcomes:
This workshop provided focused discussion and information sharing on best practice and experiences amongst Managers & Administrators. It was a new direction for the UKCGE, which has tended to focus on issues relating to doctoral studies, Rather than research Management.
It was evident that the sector has not yet identified who should be responsible for managing the Professional Development of Research Managers. Whilst there was agreement amongst participants that a framework for professional development is required, there was not agreement about who should take this forward, or if those bodies who might be expected to undertake this kind of activity were in a position to do so.
Report authors: Hannah Rundle & Kathryn Brown
Date: November 2009
