Transcript Investing in research, family and me
Investing in research, family and me
Dr Alison Wall Associate Director, Building Leadership EPSRC
Alison Wall
Investing in research My career key steps Learning Balancing You create your own story!
INVESTING IN RESEARCH
Associate Director, Building Leadership
Looking after the strategic plan goal No budget – all influence!
Member of the Leadership Team Line manager in a matrix model
Royal Charter - 2003 (replacing Founding Charter of 1993)
The objects for which the Council is established and incorporated are:
to promote and support
, by any means,
high-quality basic, strategic and applied research
and related
post-graduate training
in engineering and the physical sciences;
to advance knowledge and technology (including the promotion and support of the exploitation of research outcomes
), and provide trained scientists and engineers, which meet the needs of users and beneficiaries
thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of Our United Kingdom and the quality of life
; in relation to the activities as engaged in by the Council under (i) and (ii) above and in such manner as the Council may see fit:
to generate public awareness
;
to communicate research outcomes
;
to encourage public engagement and dialogue
;
to disseminate knowledge
; and
to provide advice
.
KEY FACTS
WHY WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The UK is
first
in the world in terms of research productivity,
second
in the world in terms of research excellence and yet well behind in terms of R&D spend Maths research alone was worth over
£200 billion
to the UK economy in 2010 Engineering is pervasive and highly dynamic, with engineering research underpinning almost every economic sector and contributing an estimated
£280 billion
in GVA to the UK economy in 2011 Physics-based businesses account for more than one million jobs in the UK and contribute
£77 billion
to the UK economy directly (with high-value physics-based manufacturing accounting for 500,000 jobs and £20 billion).
The UK’s ‘upstream’ chemicals industry and downstream’ chemistry using sectors contributed a combined total of
£258 billion
in value added in 2007, equivalent to
21% of UK GDP
, and supported over
6 million
UK jobs
OUR STRATEGY
One vision
Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to research and innovate
Three Strategies
Balancing capability
To maintain the UK’s reputation for excellence and keep it at the heart of global research and innovation
Building leadership
To nurture the next generation of skilled researchers and innovators and provide the knowledge and skills vital to a healthy, sustainable and prosperous society
Accelerating impact
To support more extensive and rapid exploitation of research outcomes
EPSRC AS AN INVESTOR
EPSRC provides national and international leadership while working in close partnership with others UK universities – 33 Framework, Strategic and Corresponding University partnerships Industry – 28 Strategic Partnerships and over 2,800 collaborations Government Departments – BIS, DfT, DH, MoD, DECC Other Research Councils Other Funding Agencies – Innovate UK Other Public Sector organisations – Science Museum, National Gallery
• • •
EPSRC as an Investor
EPSRC looks to build a relationship over time with the people it supports With our investment come responsibilities and expectations Doing the best for the UK research community demands national leadership and occasionally making unpopular decisions
Current challenges
Talented people for the economy Early career support Attracting, developing and retaining top research leaders Diversity
Research Leaders - my observations • Nurture • Network • Influence • Connect others • Practice soft power • Are naïve • Take risks • Have considerate passion • Contribute to the greater good • Team players / individuals
MY CAREER
My career (!)
Imperial College – Geology in the Royal School of Mines PhD and post doc in Mineral Physics High end computing support EPSRC High end computing; facilities and high end computing; Chemistry; Infrastructure and the Environment; Energy Mission programmes, Accelerating Impact, Building Leadership Two periods of maternity leave – three children; stayed in touch and returned to the same roles Secondment to the Energy Technologies Institute
LEARNING
Take learning from everywhere
Pick up bits from all around Key people you meet in your day job and outside Work colleagues Media Family and friends ….
Multidisciplinarity / interdisciplinarity
My PhD – geology, chemistry, physics, materials, computing …..
Learning to handle difficult situations
Shutting a computing service Introducing single panels Shaping capability Accelerating Impact
I can do a different role
Moving Promotions
Picking some issues…
Facility tickets People in chemistry Energy theme Impact Acceleration Accounts
Be brave – ETI secondment
Company environment ETI Board ETI experience with interns
Call that a campaign?
Worked a lot with Amnesty International Campaigning Politics Parliamentary process
Leadership development
New language – emotional intelligence, supporting each other Support from colleagues
What Lesley learnt
Have fun it helps you when things are difficult Have a great support network- Partner Always take the opportunity My network just keeps coming back Never be afraid, respectful but not afraid Help others get on, they will help you get on I like change and being a little on the edge
Lessons from sport
Facilities Lots of raw talent Growing international competition Relentless focus on excellence Talent is not enough, it needs
Sounds familiar?
Training Coaching Nurture and support (inc. getting tough occasionally)
Find your ladders and step over the snakes!
Its more than the research! •Develop your self •Your networks •Your Opportunities •Who do you aspire to be!
Have fun!
BALANCING
My rules for balance
Keep it in perspective – what really matters? (Time with your family and friends) Family time – 6 pm to 10:30 pm Don’t work at weekends – unless late at night!
Holidays – mostly holiday – to take a laptop or not?
We spend time as a family on holidays and weekends Lots of diary juggling – for work and play!
Big white board
Make time for school things now and again – I grab the opportunity if I can
Don’t miss the school play, birthdays etc… Unlike the advert!!
Out and about on a Sunday
Do something hard you need to think about and which involves everyone
My sea kayak …..
More sea kayaking – and back to diversity
Some thoughts…
Enjoy learning new things Look out for learning all around Don’t be afraid to move on Keep it in balance Keep it in perspective Have fun!