ACADEMIC COUNCIL

RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE

Draft minutes for the fourth meeting of the Research & Enterprise Committee in the 2010/11 Academic Session, held on Wednesday 13th April, 2.15pm, QA075, Greenwich campus

PRESENT:

Prof T Barnes (Chair)Prof A Reed (Vice-Chair)Ms T Banton (Research & Enterprise)Prof C Bellamy (Greenwich Maritime Institute)Dr A Benati (Humanities & Social Sciences)Ms W Curran (Finance)Dr M Davies (Research & Enterprise)Prof E Galea (Computing & Mathematical Sciences)Ms M Hackett (Secretary)Prof D Isaac (Architecture & Construction)Dr J Jameson (Education)Prof P Maras (Health & Social Care)Mr R Mayor (Business)Prof J Orchard (Natural Resources Institute)Prof E West (Health & Social Care)Dr S Woodhead (Engineering)Dr D Wray (Science)

Guest speaker: Mervyn Bregonje, Elsevier B.V., The Netherlands

THEMATIC PRESENTATION‘An external perspective on the impact of research at Greenwich’Mervyn Bregonje, Elsevier B.V., The Netherlands

Prof Barnes welcomed Mr Mervyn Bregonje, Account Manager at Elsevier, BV.Mr Bregonje provided an overview of the Elsevier research tools, with particular focus on the Scopus database. Scopus is a multidisciplinary abstract and citation database which includes peer-reviewed research literature, over 18,000 titles, profiles of 20 million researchers, web sources, patents and more. Mr Bregonje also provided the Committee with an analysis of the University’s publications, citations and research strengths, based on existing Scopus data.

The Committee agreed that the database could be useful to the University in a number of strategic areas, including identifying potential research collaborators, supporting benchmarking exercises and developing the University repository (GALA).

Prof Barnes thanked Mr Bregonje for attending the meeting and informed the Committee that a follow-up meeting would be arranged in the near future.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCEProf C Bailey (Computing & Mathematical Sciences)Prof C Birch (Business)Prof S Golding (Research Ethics)Prof J Morton (Natural Resources Institute)Prof S Thomas (Business)Mr J Wallace (University Secretary)

2. ITEMS FROM THE CHAIR

2.1 Prof Barnes reminded the Committee that there is one centrally-funded Leverhulme Visiting Fellowship still available. Deans of School/DREs should send nominations to Prof Barnes as soon as possible. This should include a breakdown of costings and a programme of work.

3. MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE HELD IN 2010/11 ON THE 16TH FEBRUARY 2011.

The minutes of the Research and Enterprise Committee held on 16 th February were agreed by the Committee as a true and accurate record of the last meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

4.1 Update on Early Career Researchers (8.1.1.)

Prof Maras reported that two Early Career Researcher bids to the Leverhulme Fellowship fund had been chosen by the selection panel to receive central funding support, if successful. The panel provided feedback on the initial application forms, which were then amended and submitted to the Trust in early March. A number of applications supported by the Schools have also been submitted. Prof Maras and Prof Barnes commented on the high quality of applications that the panel had received this year.

4.2 Update on Early Career Researchers (8.1.1.) Prof Maras is currently developing a proposal for the introduction of an internal peer-review system, to support researchers in strengthening their funding applications. This will now be presented for discussion at the next Committee meeting (1st June 2011).

5. GREENWICH RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE

5.1 Research and Enterprise Financial Activity ReportsProf Barnes presented the Research and Enterprise financial activity report to the end of February 2011.

Prof Barnes commented that the University had generated revenues of £15m during the previous financial year (2009/10). Total revenue for the current year so far (1st Aug-28th Feb) is £6.6m, with an estimated total revenue of £14m by the end of the current financial year. This will be down on 2009/10 figures, but up on 2008/09 figures. Prof Barnes commented that last year had been particularly successful due to a £3.5m award to NRI, provided by the Department for International Development (DFID).

Prof Barnes also noted that the ‘contracting compared to money burn’ figures are becoming increasingly aligned as the year progresses.

5.2 Research and Enterprise Bidding Activity Report

Ms Banton presented the Research & Enterprise bidding activity report for the current academic session, from 1st August 2010 to end of February 2011.

29 bids were submitted in February, with a total value of £4m. In the last quarter (Nov 2010-Jan 2011) 89 bids were submitted with a total value of £13.9m.

In 2010/11 187 bids were submitted with a total value of £21.7m. During the same reporting period in 2009/10 (1st Aug-28th Feb) 166 bids were submitted with a total value of £16.9m.

Data on bidding activity by funding source for the reporting period (1 st Aug-31st Jan) shows that an increasing number of bids are being made to European funders. 42% of the research bids were submitted to European Union funders, 10% to overseas funders, 9% to UK Central Government, 19% to the Research Councils, 3% to UK industry and 18% to UK charity.

Ms Banton commented that for every £1 applied for, the University’s rate of return is currently being awarded 27p.

Prof Barnes commented on the increase in EU bidding and awards. The Committee agreed that whilst the EU bids can be time-consuming in terms of developing viable costings, University researchers should not be prevented from applying.

5.3 KTP and funding priorities - updateDr Davies provided an update on KTP funding. Further to the presentation provided by Dr Linda Hyder at the previous R&E Committee (16th February), the TSB will not progress with its proposal to restrict the type of companies, organisations and projects that will be considered for the KTP scheme. The new thresholds for ‘impact, innovation and challenge’ will be upheld.

It is not yet clear what impact these thresholds will have on the type and number of projects that will be funded. Dr Davies commented that in the short-term it is likely that regional consultants will be conservative in their assessment of what projects are eligible for the KTP scheme. However, once the system has been in place for 6 months or so it is predicted that the number of funded projects will increase.

Dr Davies commented that the above amendments place the University’s KTP work in a better position than originally feared.

5.4 GREAT 2011 - update Prof Barnes provided an update on the GREAT initiative and thanked Committee members for their input so far. Thanks also went to Mr Neil Cormack-Bissett, GRE, for his role as GREAT 2011 coordinator.

All Schools have submitted their workbooks to GRE, with the exception of GMI. All Output Statements, Impact Statements, Case Studies, and Environment Statements should now be recorded in the workbooks and submitted to GRE by 23rd May. The R&E Committee REF subgroup will assess the trial submissions from 30 May-17 June.

Dr Woodhead raised concerns that some outputs could not be submitted for the GREAT process, as work that is likely to be submitted in REF 2014 has not yet been published. Prof Barnes reassured the Committee that all four outputs are not required for GREAT 2011. It is important to provide supporting statements for as many outputs as possible, in order to make GREAT a valuable exercise, to help staff gain experience in writing statements, and to assist with some pre-selection for REF 2014.

Prof Galea raised concerns that GREAT 2011 was raising expectations amongst researchers that they would be included in REF 2014. Prof Barnes commented that this should be seen as a positive exercise. Many researchers who assumed they would not be submitted in GREAT have been, and are gaining valuable experience in the research assessment process. Prof Barnes added that he would be happy to discuss REF submission decisions with any members of staff who are unhappy with the final outcome.

Prof Barnes emphasised the importance of keeping GALA updated, not only for the purposes of GREAT but also, given that it is a publicly-available repository, to raise the profile of the University. The Committee raised concerns about data input mistakes on GALA. Prof Barnes emphasised that any mistakes found should be referred to the GALA team, who will make the necessary amendments. Dr Davies confirmed that the ‘under review’ note linked to certain outputs refers to checks that need to made by the GALA team prior to publication regarding copyright issues, and does not mean ‘review’ in the academic sense.

The Committee commented that it may be too soon for GREAT as all REF guidance has not yet been published. Prof Barnes responded that the guidance may not be published until a year prior to REF, which would be too late to set-up and run a practice exercise.

The Committee confirmed that the HEFCE allowance for the number of case studies per Unit of Assessment will be as follows:1 case study per UoA plus additional 1case study per 10 membersie up to 19 members per UoA = 2 case studies20-29 members per UoA = 3 case studies etc

ACTION: Prof Bellamy to contact Neil Cormack-Bissett, GRE, if GMI requires advice on completing the workbook.

ACTION: All Output Statements, Impact Statements, Case Studies, and Environment Statements to be submitted to GRE by 23rd May.

5.5 Proposal on the introduction of peer-panel review systemThis item will be presented at the next Research and Enterprise Committee meeting (1st June 2011).

ACTION: Prof Maras to present paper on peer-panel review system at next R&E Committee meeting (1st June 2011).

6. ITEMS FROM SCHOOLS

6.1 Directors of Research and Enterprise Presentations on Successes, Opportunities and Challenges in Research and Enterprise activities in each School

6.1.1. School of Architecture & Construction Report

SUCCESSES

The research group AVATAR (Advanced Virtual & Technological Architectural Research) has

had recently recruited Rachel Armstrong from UCL and she is engaged now on a series of public

lectures in India. She with Neil Spiller has recently produced a prestigious guest edition of

Architectural Design on Protocell Architecture.

In the Sustainable Built Environments Group, the following recent activities have been reported:

1. Bid to British Academy for sustainability research in China by Gesche Heubner (£2K).

2. FLASH project – collaboration with the Institute for Sustainability who are funding workshops

(£3K each) and collaborating with joint funding on two existing sustainability projects (£40K).

3. Enterprise funding has been used to found a consultancy in building sustainability (£30K) to

capitalise on the delivery of the FLASH workshops.

4. Noha Nasser is developing a range of 1 day CPD course in the area of Urbanism and Localism

for delivery to the professional market.

5. Recent publications include a major international text on real estate valuation (David Isaac and

John O’Leary). Mark Mulville has a contract to revise a major construction text Ching’s

Construction Illustrated.

In the Architectural History and Theory Group, Mehrdad Shokoohy will publish his paper The

Zoastrian Towers of Silence in the Portuguese colony of DIU in the Bulletin of the Asia Institute

(the top American Journal on Asia art and architecture). Alan Powers has two recent articles

published in Country Life and given two public lectures in New York (to the Society of

Architectural Historians and the American Institute of Architects) and a further lecture to the

Twentieth Century Society. He is currently editor of Twentieth Century Architecture, the

Twentieth Century Architects series for the RIBA and for a forthcoming book on Inter-war

British Architecture. Ed Frith has founded a Body Architecture Movement Group and has just

had a paper accepted for Alvar Aalto conference in Finland. Adriana Cobo has collaborated with

the Colombian Embassy on a key exhibition at the RIBA on Columbian Architecture which was

part of the London Festival of Architecture.

In the Sustainable Landscapes Group, Benz Kotzen has two applications for European Science

Foundation COST funding for dew research and desert restoration. Tom Turner has just

completed a major text: European Gardens: History, Philosophy and Design and recently

delivered a keynote lecture to the Chinese Society of Landscape Architects in Wuhan, his blog on

Gardenvisit.com has a daily readership of 750.

OPPORTUNITIES

More staff are becoming research active and putting in bids for funding. Our trawl for GREAT is

now up to 25 members of staff compared to only 8 existing staff who were in the last RAE.

CHALLENGES

As for the previous report, although there is a School-wide initiative to encourage additional

research activity, this still has to create the funding and outputs necessary for further progress and

so in recent recruitment activity emphasis is being put on employing new staff with research

output/potential.

The School’s research and enterprise strategy has now evolved and is based on two groupings

and four subgroups that will develop research capacity, earn research and enterprise income,

publish, and develop postgraduate/CPD programmes. These groups are:

Sustainable Built Environments:

Sustainable Built Environments

Sustainable Landscapes

Design:

AVATAR (Advanced Virtual & Technological Architectural Research)

Architectural History and Theory

This clear grouping now represents research and academic interests across the school and by

proper leadership and mentoring within the groups we have a good opportunity to capitalise on

individual research aspirations and activity.

6.1.2. Business School Report

SUCCESSES

Two Flash workshops delivered. Income estimate £3000 per workshop. Paul Stoneman,

Victor Newman, Chris Birch.

Contract signed with Actavis Training for consultancy, value £6000 to Greenwich

OPPORTUNITIES

Bid submitted to British Academy for mid-career fellowship for Denise Hawkes. Worth

£92,000 to Greenwich

Small grant application to British Academy for Indigenous Business Networks,

Sustainable Livelihood and Tourism. Value to Greenwich £6900. Jithendram

Kokkranikal

Small grant application to British Academy for Poverty Seminar. Value to Greenwich

£8500. Paola Tubaro

Small grant application to British Academy for Eating Disorder conference (jointly with

Humanities). Value to Greenwich £7500. Paola Tubaro and Caroline Smith

CHALLENGES

None at present

OTHER ACTIVITIES

30 members of the Business School attended a meeting organised by Canmei Tao to discuss

changes to the funding landscape, especially with research councils and also to discuss ways to

stimulate greater research efforts.

6.1.3. School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences Report

SUCCESSES

FSEG – GETAWAY, Transport EU FP7. Project completed negotiation stage. Value to UoG:

€572,500, expected start date late 2011/early 2012

FSEG – INDIRA, Security EU FP7. Project completed negotiation stage. Value to UoG:

€840,100, expected start date late 2011

FSEG – SEDA FUNDING. Project with local SME concerning fire modelling, expected

completion date end July 2011. Value to UoG: £8,000

FSEG – Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society for the best paper to appear in their peer

reviewed journal in 2010. The paper was entitled:

"Fire and Evacuation Analysis in BWB aircraft configurations: computer simulations and large-

scale evacuation experiment", authors are: E.R.Galea, L.Filippidis, Z. Wang, and J.Ewer.

CMRG- DGA/DSTL feasibility study investigating reliability of next generation semiconductor

technology for defence/aerospace environments (£56,000).

OPPORTUNITIES

FSEG – ACES, IP, Security EU FP7. Project proposal in preparation. Value to UoG: ~€800,000,

expected submission July 2011.

FSEG – Security EU FP7. Several other opportunities exist in the draft call which may be

pursued if time available.

FSEG – Kazakhstan Oil Refinery, Consultancy. Expected follow-on project following successful

completion of pilot stage project. Value to UoG: ~ £150,000, expected last quarter of 2011/first

quarter of 2012.

FSEG – US Federal Rail Administration, research project, follow-on project from almost

completed project. Value to UoG: ~ £50,000, expected start date last/first quarter 2011/2012.

FSEG – Korean building evacuation research. Collaborative project with Kyumgmin College

and Korea Institute of Construction Technology. Value: £17,000, project proposal submitted.

Richard Anthony: SBRI Assistive Technology Competitions, Making waves: gesture-based

communication system, Value 76, 000

CMRG: 4 Proposals to latest IeMRC call, Value (£176,000, £190,000, £218,000, £185,000)

CMRG - KTP Proposal with Medway Queen in advanced stages (Outline proposal submitted)

CMRG – EU-FP7: – GRELMAT proposal with number of EU partners (Value to Greenwich

206,000 euros)

CMRG – EU-FP7: SMART-EM proposal with number of EU partners (Value to Greenwich

600,000 euros)

CHALLENGES

Inability to retain newly completed PhD students as post-docs due to immigration

restrictions. This is a major concern.

Cuts in UK government spending reaching crises point – threatening existing contracts

and potential dry up of future research contracts with UK Government. Also potential

cuts in RAE and SRIF funding.

Difficulty in finding good PhD students to be worsened through proposed PhD fee

structure, with significant implications for upcoming REF.

No clear procedure on visiting academics (per-diems, honorariums, accomm, etc).

Difficult to run short courses (lack of labs at suitable times of the year).

Joint award of PhDs between Greenwich and other institutions (i.e. Grenoble, Nancy,

Munich, Hong Kong, Imperial College…). No clear procedure – loss of good PhDs for

REF!

6.1.4. School of Education Report

SUCCESSES

• The Chief Executive of the British Educational Research Association (BERA) thanked

Dr Jill Jameson and Sheila Kearney, Head of Research at LSIS, for successfully

negotiating LSIS funding for UK-wide large group membership of BERA for c. 60 new

LSIS Educational Research Development Fellows (RDFs) working on research projects

in education in the lifelong learning/post-compulsory sector.

• Dr Ewa Sidorenko, Dr John Smith, Dr Jill Jameson, Dr Heather Brunskell-Evans of the

School of Education and Mr Will Calver, Access and Widening Participation Unit, were

successful in conference paper proposals for the DPR10 Education Research Conference.

• Dr Mary Clare Martin was invited to present a paper on ‘Girl Guide Ephemera’ for a

conference at the Cotsen Children’s Library, Princeton, in February 2011.

• Dr Mary Clare Martin was invited to deliver a keynote lecture at a conference in Queen

Mary, University of London on March 26th with the History of Education Society,

Voluntary Action Society, and the British Association for Sports History.

• Dr Jill Jameson was invited to deliver a keynote presentation on ‘Trust and Toxic

Leadership’ for the MBA Summer School, University of Surrey, in July, 2011.

• Prof Carole Leathwood, SRHE HE Policy Research Network, invited Dr Jill Jameson

and Dr C Whitchurch, Institute of Education, to provide two keynotes on 'Organisational

identities, cultures and practices in a changing policy context in HE’ in Oct, 2011.

• In April, 2011 Education colleagues Ken Marsh and Dr Jill Jameson will do an invited

presentation to senior managers of the Professionshøjskolen Metropol (Metropolitan

University College) in Copenhagen on the design of National VET Leadership.

• A gradual increase in R&E mentoring, publications, presentations and bidding activity

across the School is continuing, building on the R&E Strategy.

OPPORTUNITIES

• The School received £12,000 internal GRE funding for consultancy and mentor support

for bid-writing, to be allocated and spent by July, 2011.

• Anna Kilderry and colleagues in Early Years have an opportunity to retender for EYPS

funding from the CWDC in the next round spring/summer 2011 (previously successful).

• Dr Mary Clare Martin is working on an AHRC bid application on Girl Guide Ephemera

and a possible KT scheme on “religion and play”.

• Through her work as the UALL university representative, Dr Jill Jameson was invited to

participate in an NCCPE UK REF and Public Engagement workshop on Impact and the

REF. This will liaise with REF Sub Panels on the developing concept of ‘impact’.

The Enterprise Associate Scheme, School Innovations working group and Urban

Renaissance Institute Localism and Education groups are carrying out productive work

identifying opportunities for R&E bids and developing School-wide R&E capacity.

CHALLENGES

• Key issues continue to be to accelerate the number, range and quantity of bids and ensure

accurate identification/recording of what ‘counts’ as R&E.

• Staff work overloads and lack of admin staff remain the most significant barrier to time

for R&E activities and bids.

6.1.5. School of Engineering Report

SUCCESSES-

Over £1.3M of new contracts have been secured so far for 2010/11, including most

recently:

£270k grant from EPSRC (Prof Li);

£250k contract from FP7 Marie Curie Programme (Mr Farnish);

£4k consultancy from NIC Ltd (Dr Wetherall);

OPPORTUNITIES

Extensive press coverage of the NIC KTP project (BBC Radio, BBC Web site, IET, The

Engineer) (Dr Woodhead).

£147k bid submitted to the EPSRC (Prof Gao);

£100k First Grant bid submitted to EPSRC (Dr Owodunni);

£80k First Grant bid submitted to NERC (Dr Dussiliant-Jones);

£65k bid submitted to the NERC (Dr Dussiliant-Jones);

£49k bid submitted to Norsk Hydro (Prof Bradley);

The Business Innovation Group (BIG) has an ongoing events schedule for the year;

Discussion ongoing with Rio Tinto on strategic technical support (Prof Bradley);

A marketing-focussed update of the School’s R&E website is underway.

CHALLENGES

None to report at this time.

6.1.6. Greenwich Maritime Institute Report

SUCCESSES

Bid successful - Leverhulme Foundation - to employ one new post-doc for one year on Modern

Piracy value to GMI £25 K. Form 2 being completed.

OPPORTUNITIES

EU Intelligent Energy call (IEE). Have been in discussion with Prof Harvey of SoS and agreed

to take UoG lead in bid for a three year project to publicise and disseminate the value of glycerol

as the green fuel of the future. A proposal was largely completed last year but could not be

submitted because one of the (foreign) partners did not deliver on time. Prof Harvey is anxious

that we should re-cast the bid and has agreed that GMI, with its public face and expertise in

dissemination, should be the \UoG lead. Deadline for bid 12 May 2011.

Two major bids to AHRC Compassion and politics value to GMI £289 K and Thames

Governance Value to GMI £183 K - results still awaited (as in February report).

Possibility of working with CMS on Technology to Counter Piracy and also to provide

Continuing Professional development courses for barristers and solicitors on Maritime Law

issues.

CHALLENGES

FP7 bid in concert with SoS (UoG lead) unsuccessful.

Bid to TK Foundation to employ post-doc for three years initially unsuccessful. May be

opportunity to reapply, possibly for a shorter period – one or two years instead of the three in our

initial bid.

6.1.7. School of Health & Social Care Report

SUCCESSES

1. Bid won by P. Maras (~320K Euros to UoG)

2. NSPCC commission for evaluation planning from Centre for Applied Social Research

(£5K)

3. ECR award to D. Luke (5K)

4. PhD student T. Oshodi on an international programme (EANS)

5. PhD viva: A. Rehal (total of 3 successful PhDs this year to date)

6. Two projects coming to a successful conclusion: SOS Bus and SECC

7. Three new staff members: PRF, Olympic Challenge Fellow and BDM

8. School Research Day April 5th reflects continued growth in research

9. Bid pipeline (£841K) + 3 bids soon to be submitted (£52K)

OPPORTUNITIES

1. Important funding bodies are changing their strategies and we are monitoring these

changes in the TSB, ESRC, NIHR. There is a growing emphasis on analysing existing

data, merging datasets and on long term conditions. We are developing staff skills in the

former and have a applied for a new blood post to fully develop our work on LTCs.

2. Publicising information about and encouraging bids to smaller agencies, such as Esme

Fairbairn, Guys Hospital, DUK, BHF.

3. Partners in Practice Day will be on July12th—has been an important source of new

partnerships and research funding in previous years.

4. A second Sexual Health Conference is being planned building on previous successes

5. A draft Research and Enterprise Strategy for the School is currently out for consultation

with members of the RSC

6. HEIF Funding obtained for a Compassion Summit to be held at end of June as basis for

further development of CPD.

7. Forming new partnerships with, for example, NSPCC

CHALLENGES

1. Changing NHS environment affects all our activities

2. NHS contract is reduced from previous years

3. Funding sources contracting e.g. end of ESRC under 100k grants

4. Lots of short-term researchers contracts will be coming to an end in July

5. External events difficult to organise because room bookings will not release rooms until

all teaching commitments are fulfilled

6. Teaching load continues to be a major obstacle to research and enterprise activity

6.1.8. School of Humanities & Social Sciences Report

SUCCESSES

Media research group:

Karantonis Pamela (2011): published a book, Opera Indigene: Re/presenting First Nations and

Indigenous Cultures, Ashgate.

Sue Golding was awarded UCL-Slade School of Fine Art Fellow: Untimely Meditations (on Art,

Science, Philosophy): 10 lectures (Jan-May, 2011).

English research group:

John Morton: nominated Deputy Editor of the Tennyson Research Bulletin.

Applied Linguistics research group:

Book series in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (edited by Alessandro Benati) to publish

first book, The metalinguistic dimension in instructed L2 learning (by Karen Roehr & Gabriela

Adela Ganem-Gutierrez, University of Essex), Continuum Publishing.

Pettit, Zoë (2011): published a chapter in a book, Translating Tsotsi for the screen. In Adriana

Serban, Anna Matamala & Jean-Marc Lavaur (eds) Audiovisual translation in close-up: Practical

and theoretical approaches. Bern: Peter Lang, 75-91.

Cecile, Laval (2011): published a chapter in a book, Secondary and Cumulative Transfer-of

Training Effects of Processing Instruction on the Acquisition of French as a second Language. In

Lee james (Ed.) Advances in Processing Instruction. Benjamins publishing.

Consultancy for a Language Project (12K) has been secured.

OPPORTUNITIES

JISC bid (23K) for an interactive animation series exploring concepts in political theory /

political philosophy using an e-learning tool

British Academy Conference Grant (£20K) will be submitted by end March for conference,

Photo-lexis, in collaboration with University of Tel Aviv, Durham University and Goldsmiths. 

British Academy International partnerships (10K) with University of Edinburgh and British

University of Dubai. A project on Arabic language teacher training.

British Academy Conference Grant (6K) “Uncivil Bodies”. A multi-disciplinary project

conducted by the applicants in order to explore current notions around eating disorders in social

science and humanities perspective.

British Academy’s Small Grant (5K) scheme seeks support for a two-day, collaborative

workshop to be held at the University of Greenwich in April 2012 on ‘Cultural Histories and

Legacies of the Imperial Military’

Daiwa Foundation Small Grant (3K) to support a conference on ‘Grammar Acquisition and

Language Teaching in Japanese.

Confucius Institute to promote educational, economic, and cultural ties between England and

China.

Exploring a consultancy for a project with Coutts & Co.

CHALLENGES

None to report

6.1.9. Natural Resources Institute Report

SUCCESSES

Capacity strengthening for agriculture research (DFID, £800K).

Tsetse Control Phase II. Vector Based Control of Human African (Gates Foundation, £366K).

Platform for African - European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development (EC,

£200K).

Evaluating Ethylene Removal Strategies for Broccoli (Agriculture and Horticulture Development

Board, £90K).

2 proposals for pear and apple storage research (Horticulture Development Company, £81K).

Bambara nut research (McKnight Foundation, £109K).

OPPORTUNITIES

Epidemiology & Ecology of Lassa Fever in Sierra Leone (Welcome Trust, £400K, £100K

retained

Controlling Human African sleeping sickness (£436K, £116 K)

Tackling Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Threats (MRC, £136K retained)

Research on Value Chain Governance (Danish Social Science Research Council, £45K retained)

Capacity Building on Plant Health (EC Europaid, £43K)

Pathways to Impact (ESRC, £35,000 retained)

Rural Territorial Dynamics in Northeast Brazil (ESRC, £36,000 retained)

Developing root and tuber value chains (EC, £87,236 retained)

CHALLENGES

None to report

6.1.10. School of Science Report

SUCCESSES

On the 5th & 6th of April Drs Tim Acott and Julie Urquhart successfully organised a conference

at the Greenwich campus titled It's Not Just About The Fish, the conference explored how

countries can protect declining stocks of fish while also preserving the livelihoods of fishermen

and the prosperity of coastal communities

Dr Debbie Bartlett convened the Southeast Dormouse Conference on the Medway Campus in

mid-March.

Dr Paul Amuna chairs the organising committee for the Diabetes Spring Conference and

Wellness Day to be held in mid-April on the Medway Campus.

Prof John Nicholson has been awarded 4 days of beam time at the Rutherford-Appleton

Laboratory, this time to study details of setting of glass-ionomer dental cements.

Prof Alfonso Jimenez has won a research contract with the Fitness Industry Association UK, to

create the FIA Institute at Greenwich. 3 years contract for a total value of £90,000

(£30,000/year).

Prof Alfonso Jimenez has won a consultancy contract with Technogym company, based on the

development of evidence-based clinical exercise programmes. Total value of the project £7,500.

Prof Alfonso Jimenez has a research contract with Technogym company, based on the

contribution in equipment from the company for the new Clinical Exercise Centre in the Nelson

lab (N023), which will include additional funding for research activities. This equipment will be

supporting as well the new MSc in Strength & Conditioning. The total value of this contribution

is about £120,000.

We have 310 items under review in GALA

OPPORTUNITIES

Dr Francis Zotor has submitted a bid to the World Food Programme, Bangladesh for USD

$27.5k.

We have submitted 5 bids to the Leverhulme Trust for Early Career Fellowships.

CHALLENGESAs usual at this time of the year: teaching, marking, project students.

7. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH MATTERS

Postgraduate Research Students - Tuition FeesProf Reed presented a paper on post-graduate tuition fees, including a review of the

University’s current position and proposals for future directions. The paper was made available to members prior to the meeting.

Prof Reed emphasised that the University is currently subsidising postgraduate activity at a significant level. Based on current postgraduate numbers the University’s potential total tuition fee income is £1.85m. Figures show that the actual fees collected amount to £0.38m. Prof Barnes commented that this level of subsidy is no longer sustainable.

Prof Galea raised concerns that the introduction of this proposal could shrink research, particularly in CMS which had a large number of full time bursary students.  Within FSEG alone, just one research group within CMS, there are 11 PhD students currently on bursaries. Prof Galea also raised concerns about the enforcing of a three-year completion limit. He commented that this may result in an increased number of withdrawals or submission of inferior work, requiring a greater number of corrections. Prof Galea added that a reduction in the number of PhD students would be detrimental to the quality of the research work produced by CMS as a whole.

Prof Bellamy requested clarification that these changes would be phased in and that those currently on bursaries would be allowed to complete. Prof Barnes confirmed that this would be the case.

Prof Barnes also emphasised that the paper recommends the introduction of a substantial scholarship fund that students will be able to apply to, whilst also bringing the University in line with REF requirements that students should pay something towards their fees.

Prof West commented that whilst it is evident that changes must be made for financial reasons she was concerned about the impact this would have on staff in the school of Health and Social Care, many of whom see the funding of a PhD as part of their employment package and an incentive to remain at the University. Prof Barnes reassured the Committee that a University sponsored fund for staff will continue to exist in one form or another. Prof Reed added that the proposal is not recommending that individual students pay the entire fee, just that the fee is paid. Schools and central departments must work together to agree how this can best be done to meet the University’s strategic aims.

Prof Jameson agreed that the current situation is unsustainable but emphasised that a phased approach should be sought, particularly in the run up to REF 2014. Prof Jameson commented that the EdD is currently losing money and that the School of Education is already looking to develop new models for its postgraduate and staff development offering. Prof Jameson also added that requiring students to make some contribution towards fees would likely provide an incentive to complete the course.

Prof Isaac commented that it may be better for staff to complete PhDs at other universities as they bring back new ideas and experiences. Prof Isaac also suggested that a three-year limit and the payment of fees may provide incentive, and result in an increase in the number of completions. Prof Reed added that in the four-year cycle approximately 60 pupils should be graduating from the University each year. This number currently stands at 30.

Mr Mayor commented that a competitive scholarship scheme may put the Schools that are trying to build a reputation at a disadvantage compared to those Schools who can already attract high-quality researchers. Mr Mayor added that if staff fees are to be supported through both a School fund and a central fund it is important that Schools have the final say in the development needs of their staff.

Prof Wray commented that the introduction of fees in Year 4 may result in a loss of students at this point. The School of Science has already lost one PhD student due to the

impending changes in higher education funding. Prof Wray commented that it is likely that the proposal will exacerbate this situation.

Prof Orchard added that a good system requires flexibility. It should be possible to make a strong business case for those PhDs that support key research. An assessment should be made as to the ‘return’ and the management of the ‘investment’ in each case.

Prof Barnes commented that the new system is intended to add clarity and make the ‘returns’ judgement (in both an academic and financial sense) more strategic. The system will lead to a conscious decision that an investment should be made.

Prof Galea commented that all CMS students are currently selected due to strategic considerations and that CMS staff put in additional time to support student research. Prof Galea also queried if the University was actually an outlier in this matter, when compared with other similar Universities. Prof Galea raised concerns that this proposal will reduce the number of students that the School can fund and make the recruitment of quality candidates more difficult.

Prof Maras agreed that the proposal could focus students on completion. Prof Maras added that Research Council-funded students are required to show completion in three years. Prof Maras emphasised that there is always a fee cost to the University, even if the fees are waived for the student. At the moment these fees are not being covered through other funding streams, which is evidently unsustainable.

Prof Woodhead commented that it is evident that subsidy is no longer possible in the current economic climate. The University is required to provide training in research skills and the funding for this needs to be found. Prof Woodhead noted however that completion in three years may not be possible for many students, particularly those that also need to work to fund their studies. Prof Woodhead also added that the requirement to pay fees may not appeal to new students and that the University may have to accept a reduction in postgraduate applications, particularly in the short-term. Prof Woodhead added that it should be remembered that the research and publications completed by PhD students results in value to the University in a number of ways including new funding streams and profile raising.

Prof Woodhead also added that including an addendum to the bursary offer that students ‘may be required to pay fees’ is not ideal and that it would be preferable if Schools could be given the funds in advance so they can provide accurate funding information to potential students on a case-by-case basis.

The Committee requested that a consultation process should take place, involving staff outside of the R&E Committee.

Prof Galea requested that his dissent towards the proposal be officially noted in the minutes, adding his concern that it will have a detrimental impact on the volume and quality of research across the University.

ACTION: Prof Barnes and Prof Reed to incorporate the comments of the Committee and resubmit the proposal at the next meeting.

Prof Barnes left at the end of Item 7 to attend a prior engagement. The remainder of the meeting was chaired by Prof Reed.

8. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

8.1 Early Career Researcher Matters

8.1.1. Update on Early Career Researchers

Prof Maras informed the Committee that she has held a number of meetings with Early Career Researchers. This has been completed by School. The key purpose of these meetings has been to receive feedback on the ECR initiative so far. It has also provided an opportunity to make ECRs aware of all the benefits that the scheme provides. Once all Schools have been seen, the findings of these meetings will be collated and disseminated to Deans of School and Committee members.

Prof Maras also informed the Committee that following on from the next Committee meeting (1st June) a presentation event will take place for the Early Career Researcher Excellence Awards. Three awards were made this year and the quality of submissions was very high. Prof Maras requested that as many members as possible attend the presentation evening, in order to show strong support for the ECR initiative. The venue and further details of the event will be confirmed.

Prof Maras reminded the Committee that the ECR Annual Survey will be issued in the next few months. Prof Maras requested that Committee members encourage their ECRs to complete this.

8.2 Research and Enterprise Funding Opportunities

8.2.1 The Leverhulme Trust – Early Career Fellowships8.2.2 British Academy - International Partnerships (Africa/ the Middle East/ South Asia)8.2.3 Medical Research Council (MRC) – Research Grants8.2.4 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) - Research Grants

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

9.1 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)Prof Reed circulated a poster for the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, which takes place every two years. The University is required by QAA to collect this information and provide returns. This year the University survey has been developed by an external company. Students have received an email inviting them to complete the online survey, which will stay open until 17 May 2011. Prof Reed requested that Committee members encourage their postgraduate students to complete the survey.

ACTION: Committee members to encourage postgraduate students to complete the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) by 17 May 2011.

9.2 Dates of future Research & Enterprise Committee Meetings

Meeting Papers Received by

Wednesday 1st June 2011, 2.15pm, QA075, Greenwich

Wednesday 13th July 2011, 2.15pm, QA075, Greenwich

2011/12

Wednesday 5th October, 2.15pm, S311, Avery Hill

Wednesday 14th December, 2.15pm, QA075, Greenwich

Wednesday 15th February, 2.15pm, B028, Medway

Wednesday 18th April, 2.15pm, S311, Avery Hill

Wednesday 30th May, 2.15pm, B028, Medway

13th May 2011

24th June 2011

16th September 2011

25th November 2011

27th January 2012

30th March 2012

11th May 2012

Wednesday 11th July, 2.15pm, QA075, Greenwich 22nd June 2012