Transcript Research Funding Seminar Series
Support for Research at Aston:
Where to go, who to ask, what to expect!
Sally Puzey Director of the Research Support Office (RSO) [email protected]
Introduction to Research at Aston
Overview Professional/Support Services v School structures Training PDRs and Mentoring Useful contact information
RDM BDM ADR
School Structures and Strategies
Exec. Dean ABS: committed to generating research that makes a sustainable difference to people, organisations and economies ADA ADB ADC ADD EAS Research Themes: Bioenergy and Sustainability Communications and Sensing Complexity and Informatics Healthcare Technologies GH1 GH2 GH3 GH4 GH5 LSS: Support researchers Generate research funding Research students Generating impact Dissemination and community engagement
Individual Researchers
LHS: interdisciplinary research at the interface between laboratory and clinic
Professional & Support Services: Research Support Office
Research Support Office The RSO supports the PVC (Research) to deliver Aston’s Research Strategy Each School has a dedicated Research Development Manager from the RSO to advise you on all aspects of developing research concepts and to support you through the process of applying for research funding RDMs provide costings for proposals RDMs can advise you about the most suitable funder RDMs can help you plan your personal research funding strategy If in doubt, ask your RDM!
Professional & Support Services: Research Support Office (ii)
In addition, the RSO has a specialist EU funding Manager (Paul Knobbs) and a Grants and Contracts Manger (Kevin O’Reilly) who supports you between the notification of award and the start of the project Each RDM is additionally supported by a Grants Officer: Mo Kazi works with LSS and ABS; Matt Richards works with LHS and EAS.
The RSO provides a regular newsletter, “The Researcher”. Email [email protected]
to be added to the list!
The RSO – what we do
Research Idea
Talk to RDM
Concept development Timelines and Review Framework agreed between PI & RDM
Talk to RDM
First draft of agreed documents produced by PI Draft revised Draft costed
RDM supports you with this part of the process
ideally 1-2 weeks Institutional approval – ideally 2 weeks prior to submission
RDM does this
Submitted application Draft reviewed Finalised application
the RDM VS the ADR
RDM
Based in the RSO but with an office in the School Independent of School hierarchies and politics Offers strategic and operational advice at the Individual, Group and School levels Tasked with ensuring the school hits its funding targets Flexible remit to develop the research environment within the school Works closely with the ADR/BDM network
ADR
Part of the senior management team of the school Has to balance school and group needs fairly Offers strategic and operational advice at the Individual, Group and School levels Tasked with enriching and developing the schools research culture on all fronts Flexible remit to develop the research environment within the school Works closely with the RDM/BDM
Professional & Support Services: Business Partnerships Unit
Business Partnership Unit established in 2000 Main Activities Business Development (collaborative research) IP management ERDF External Communications (business focus)
Business Development Team
Focus on developing collaborative research projects with industry, public and third sectors. Projects contributed £3.2M (10/11), £3.3M (11/12), £3M (12/13) and 2.9M (13/14) to the research incomes of ABS, LHS, and EAS ( ≈ 20% of total ) Majority of funding through contract research, Technology Strategy Board CR&D Programme, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, RCUK-funded CASE Studentships and MRC & BBSRC Industry Schemes ERDF successes for Aston have included EBRI (£8.2M), Biomarkers (£200K), Fibre Optics (£750K), Servitization (£357K), Innovation Vouchers (£225k), Transformation for Growth (£198k), Enscite @ Derby (ca £5M)
Why involve industry in Research?
Improve impact and relevance of research Increase your chances of success Can provide interesting case studies for teaching and research (REF) Provides a different perspective and may provide new avenues for research Develop placement opportunities for your students Increasingly important for traditional funding sources (e.g. EU)
Professional & Support Services: Research Finance
Once a grant has been awarded:
Set up new Research projects on Finance system, following receipt of grant/contract paperwork via RSO. Provide notification of new project codes to Academic PI to commence activity/expenditure.
Liaison with HR and recruiting managers for staff appointments on projects.
Produce monthly reporting to PI’s and dealing with finance-related queries.
Produce claims for income from external funders.
Arrange/manage project audits as required eg. EC/TSB grants.
Project closure – final expenditure statements/PI reporting
Professional & Support Services: Library Services
Training related to publishing and literature searching, including the “research bites” lunchtime seminar series.
Information specialists
in each School.
Co-run PURE Research information system (publication side) Advise on open access publishing Open access requirements for REF2020 very strict Green Vs Gold Open Access Budget available for gold OA for RCUK and REF papers ORCIDs – Open Research and Contributer ID – unique IDs for researchers
Professional & Support Services: Contract Support and Legal Services
All research grants are offered subject to terms and conditions – accept the grant and you accept the Ts&Cs Are the Ts&Cs acceptable to you/Aston? Other legal terms you need to understand or get advice on: Collaboration agreements Intellectual Property/IP – more than just patents NDAs MTAs MoUs If you have any questions about any matters related to research contracts please contact your RDM or Kevin O’Reilly in the RSO
Professional & Support Services: Others
Human Resources
(School HR Advisor): for recruitment advice, visas etc
Aston University Ethics Committee/Aston Health Research Innovation Cluster
: Ethical Issues, Sponsorship
Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO)
: campaigns and fundraising from Trusts but, ask your RDM is you are unsure!
Supporting your Career development!
University ECRs can access advice from the University Careers service: Career development advice CV and interview skills Training through Staff and Graduate Development and RSO Bespoke ECR training: ECR Development Programme General staff training: IT, team building, management The Complete Funding Series: The Complete Funding Series
Mentoring and PDRs
All ECR staff are entitled to have a mentor Talk to Peter Lakeland: Manager of Staff and Graduate Development All staff at Aston should have a PDR Your opportunity to formally document your progress Ask for more … Training, responsibility, additional support Be considered for PRP!
Training is available (for Reviewees and Reviewers!)
Getting involved…
The ECR Committee, reports to University Research Committee ECR reps on University Research Committee: Gary Burke (ABS) Aris Matopoulos (EAS) Thomas Wassmer (LHS) Jack Grieve (LSS) James Brown – ECR Committee Adam Watkins – post doc rep School Research Committees, Business and Community Engagement
Top Tip
If in doubt, ask your RDM If we don’t know the answer we know where to send you It is impossible to ask us too many questions Our role is to support you!
Useful Contacts
RSO Central: [email protected]
ABS: [email protected]
EAS: [email protected]
LSS: [email protected]
LHS: [email protected]
BPU John Richards (EAS) Tony Jay (ABS) Dr Angela Jeffery (LHS) Research Finance Manager: Matt Cooper [email protected]
ABS: Jabar Sadiq [email protected]
EAS: Lisa Brown [email protected]
(ext 3774) (ext 4938) (ext 4547) LHS: Adrian Deverell [email protected]
LSS: Mahmuda Khanom (ext 4364) [email protected]
(ext 4453)
Useful Contacts (2)
Human Resources: HR Advisors ABS: Stephanie Sale EAS: Angela Thakur LHS: Rita Rais LSS: Christine Campbell Library Services: Information Specialists ABS: Nichola Dennis/Deniz Bilgen EAS: Georgina Hardy/Claire Langman LHS: Georgina Hardy/Claire Langman LSS: Katie Mann
Future Events: The complete funding series
Personal Research Strategy and Planning The Grant-cycle Research Funding Landscape RCUK proposals Post-REF Impact Networking and collaboration REF planning: Research Outputs and Open Access The Business Partnership Unit
Any questions?
Awards for Posters and Drinks Reception
Courtyard lounge in Aston Business School THIS WAY!