October - December 2009

A national action plan to encourage the best brains into research careers and attract them to the UK has been published.

Rethinking the values of higher education - the student as collaborator and producer? Undergraduate research as a case study

The Science and Technology Facilities Council have announced a five-year £2.4 billion investment strategy in world-leading multi-disciplinary science and technology, designed to deliver maximum scientific, societal, international and economic benefit for the United Kingdom in the current tougher financial environment.

Teaching performance is not consistently included in the promotion criteria for academics at UK universities and colleges – and is often completely absent – a new report shows.

Community invited to participate in survey.

The issue of researchers’ access to research information content must be addressed if the UK research community is to operate effectively, producing high-quality research that has a wider social and economic impact, says a new report by the Research Information Network.

A new EUA study analysing and comparing university autonomy and governance across 33 European countries highlights that universities still lack genuine autonomy.

HEFCE and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have issued a joint response to the recently published review.

The UK Council for Graduate Education is looking to appoint a proactive and dynamic individual to support us in enhancing our engagement and dialogue with our membership.

Although a recent report applauded the fact that the number of foreign students attending American colleges and universities hit a new peak in 2008, a disaggregation of the data reveals worrisome underlying trends in undergraduate and graduate student numbers.

Based on submissions Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has received to date, six areas have been identified where further evidence would be helpful.

Ground-breaking university research depends on block grant funding.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched a consultation on the details of a proposed investment of over £1M in a new farm-scale research facility at North Wyke Research in Devon. North Wyke Research is part of Rothamsted Research. Rothamsted Research is an institute of BBSRC and is the oldest research station in the UK.

Heather Fry has been appointed Director of Education and Participation at HEFCE, succeeding John Selby who retires at the end of April 2010.

Consultation on postgraduate skills needs for the environmental science sector.

The Council launches the programme for the forthcoming workshop on Meeting the Needs of... Doctoral Examiners

A task group is to be created in response to the recommendations of the review into Full Economic Costing (fEC).

Results from a comprehensive survey of current and former Fellows funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the three national Academies have been published.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) have made £750K available to kick-start research projects in the field of systematics and taxonomy.

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has reported that there was no growth in first time enrolment of International students at U.S. graduate schools from 2008 to 2009. The zero percent change follows four years of growth.

Universities in the UK now generate £59 billion for the UK economy putting the higher education sector ahead of the agricultural, advertising, pharmaceutical and postal industries, according to new figures published.

A new report by the British Library and the Research Information Network on research patterns in life sciences reveals that researcher practices diverge from policies promoted by funders and information service providers.

The Government has unveiled a new framework for the future success of higher education, setting out the important role universities will play in securing the country’s economic recovery and long term prosperity.

This consultation is seeking views on the proposed new Researcher development framework for researchers in the UK.

The results of the Higher Education Academy’s 2009 postgraduate taught experience survey (PTES) and postgraduate research experience survey (PRES) are now available.

News is welcomed by EPSRC Chief Executive, Dave Delpy.

Following the results of the 2009 Surveys earlier this month, registration for the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2010 is now open.

Impoverished Australian researchers are hoping to receive a massive injection of federal money following a government decision to accept key recommendations from an inquiry into Australian research and research training.

RCUK has published a new framework setting out their vision for the future.

The UK Council for Graduate Education is seeking nominees from its members for election to the Executive Committee.

Following Lord Mandelson’s announcement of a postgraduate review in July, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has issued a call for evidence from all those with an interest in this important topic.

The sponsorship management system (SMS) is now available to Tier 4 sponsors, enabling them to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) for the first time.

Research Councils UK have announced changes to the annual adjustments applied to research grants and studentships, following a fall in official forecasts of inflation.