University of Cumbria R&E 12/58 RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE

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1 University of Cumbria R&E 12/58 RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE COMMITTEE CONFIRMED Minutes of the meeting held on 15 th May 2013 Present: In attendance: Professor Sandra Jowett (chair), Kevin Boles, Dr Pete Boyd, Jade Bradley, Dr Stephen Bulman, Dr Ian Convery, Professor Diane Cox, Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Dr Sue Lee, Dianne Mardell, Professor Richard McGregor, Dr Andrew Ramsey, Katia Riley, Ian Sinker, Sarah Stables, Dr Robin Talbot, Margaret Weaver Dr Andrew Stevenson (secretary) 12:48 Welcome and apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Professor Liz Beaty, Professor Sue Bloxham, Professor Robert Hannaford, Dr David Houlston, Professor Barry Hymer, Alison Lundbeck, Caroline Marcangelo, Dr Alison Marshall, Professor Frank Peck, Dr Sam Twiselton, Emma Watton 12:49 Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2013 R&E12/44 The minutes were confirmed as an accurate record. 12:50 Matters Arising.1 Minute 12:37.1 UUK Policy Briefing on Competition Law It was reported that this was a complex matter: some feedback had been received from Million+ and an external consultant. The University s Legal Services Officer was currently considering the issue. ACTION: Secretary to follow up with Legal Services Officer.2 Minute R&E 12:37.2 Role of the Students Union in relation to PGR students It was reported that the Student s Union had issued a general call for PGR representation, but that progressing this was less straightforward than had been hoped..3 Minute R&E 12:38 Annual Reports from Centres and Institutes It was reported that the annual reports had been much referred to in other meetings, underlining the importance of the process..4 Minute R&E 12:42 Cumbria Research & Enterprise 2013 It was reported that 28 papers had so far been received and that there would be a meeting later in the week to plan the timetable and agree core themes for the event. It was suggested that, as the event should celebrate the University s work, those who have had work published in the last year should be present. SUBSTANTIVE ITEMS 12:51 Provision of Consultancy Services by UoC Staff Received: Paper from the Enterprise and Business Relations Manager R&E12/45 The proposed policy aims to provide a framework and guidelines for consultancy, and clarify what can be done privately and what under the auspice of the University of Cumbria. It is intended to be encouraging and enabling. Further consideration should be given to how far it is appropriate to discourage private consultancy, and to incentivise UoC-badged consultancy. When legacy issues arise, for instance with new members of staff, these should be dealt with on a case by case basis in discussion with line managers. 1

2 1. To endorse the draft policy. 2. That the policy should be reviewed in 12 months. 3. That the policy should be launched at Cumbria Research & Enterprise ACTION: 1. Enterprise and Business Relations Manager to work with marketing colleagues on a communications plan to disseminate the policy. 12:52 Government s response to the Heseltine Review implications for the University of Cumbria Received: Paper from the Enterprise and Business Relations Manager R&E12/46 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are becoming more important in relation to funding from EU structural funds and Government growth funds, and it is important that we work with local LEPs to influence their priorities. Much work has been, and continues to be done to get the University represented on the Cumbria LEP Board. ACTION: To note the report and to endorse the recommendations listed. Enterprise and Business Relations Manager to provide an update at the next meeting. 12:53 Faculty Business Plans for 2013/14: enterprise overview Education Received: Paper from the Faculty Enterprise Manager R&E12/47 Much work has been done regarding accessing National College funding. This should provide substantial funding for the Faculty, which is expected to increase. It also facilitates the building of good links with schools. The University should not underestimate the importance of success in this. The Faculty also intends to consider research into these developments. Health & Wellbeing Received: Paper from the Faculty Business Development & Enterprise Manager R&E12/48 The plans include work in CACHET. FDL is growing in importance. Arts, Business and Science Received: Paper from the Faculty Enterprise Manager R&E12/49 The University s understanding of vocational activity provides a platform from which we can diversify. The Faculty believes it is in a relatively strong position. The Committee was also informed that at a recent meeting of the Enterprise Leads Group, the introduction of a balanced scorecard for faculties was discussed and will be taken forward. 1. To note the enterprise plans for 2013/ To recommend that colleagues are very rigorous in the realistic estimation of targets. 2

3 12:54 Faculty Business Plans for 2013/14: overview of research aspect Education R&E12/50 The Faculty is committed to increasing the numbers of both PhD completions and research active colleagues. Much work is tied in with Faculty enterprise activity in the form of projects in schools, and so represents research and development activity, rather than pure research. Library facilities should be included in the Central Services section of the plan. Health & Wellbeing R&E12/51 CACHET has an important place in the Faculty s research plan. The Faculty s focus is on REF There are 49 active researchers in the Faculty, but 37 of those are early career researchers. There has been a three-fold increase in public output in recent years. Research hubs have been established in the Faculty. There is scope for more applied research in the form of KTP work, to tap into funding available from the Technology Strategy Board. Arts, Business and Science R&E12/52 Two units would be put forward in the REF submission, with the possibility of a third also being included. The Faculty has worked to increase its bidding success ratio, which is currently up to 60%. The John Fisher Foundation has agreed to fund two PhD studentships in sustainable engineering. 1. To note the research plans for 2013/ To record a vote of thanks to Dr Ramsey, Faculty Research Coordinator in ABS, who is leaving the University in June, for his significant contribution to the Committee and to the University. ACTION: Faculty of Health & Wellbeing Research Coordinator and Enterprise and Business Relations Manager to consider KTP opportunities in HWB. 12:55 Ethics Advisory Panel: Request for Ethical Clearance application form Received: Papers from the Chair of the Ethics Advisory Panel R&E12/53 Existing documentation predates the establishment of the University of Cumbria, and hence it had been felt appropriate to undertake a fundamental review of processes for ethical clearance of research projects working with humans and with animals. Work is currently ongoing to draw up a form relating to research working with animals. 3

4 1. To note the new documentation. 2. It is important that all programme and module leaders are aware of this, and that AQD should have a role in dissemination. ACTION: 1. Chair of Ethics Panel to work with colleagues in AQD on the best way to ensure the new procedures are appropriately embedded. 12:56 Draft PGR tuition fees for 2013/14 Received: Paper from the Director of Research & Graduate Studies R&E12/54 To note the schedule of proposed fees. 12:57 Open Access Received: Verbal report from the Director of Research & Graduate Studies Rules regarding Open Access Publishing were recently relaxed. This is likely to be an issue for REF2020. Further clarification is needed on how the University can support colleagues to pay for journal submissions. A key issue will be that if we move to a position of all open access, will we continue to subscribe to journals? To note the issues. 12:58 Sabbatical Leave requirements in relation to PhD completions Received: Paper from the Director of Research & Graduate Studies R&E12/58 Periods of sabbatical leave do not need to be for the full period, though it needs to be decided when colleagues can reapply if only a shorter period of sabbatical leave is taken. Sabbatical leave is becoming an increasingly valuable resource. It was suggested that we should normally err on the side of post-doctoral leave in order to enhance the University s published output. 1. To support the principles proposed. 2. That there should be a cap on the number of successful applications for sabbatical leave to complete PhDs, but further consultation is required to determine the number of that cap. REPORTS AND COMMITTEE MINUTES 12:59 Graduate School Committee Received: Minutes of the meeting of the Graduate School Committee held on 22 nd April R&E12/55 To note the minutes of the meeting of the Graduate School Committee held on 22 nd April :60 Faculty Research & Enterprise Committees Received: Minutes of the meetings of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Research & Enterprise Committee held on 5 th December 2012 and 7 February R&E12/56 4

5 To note the minutes of the meetings of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Research & Enterprise Committee. 12:61 Ethics Advisory Panel Received: Minutes of the meeting of the Ethics Advisory Panel held on 25 th February R&E12/57 To note the minutes of the meeting of the Ethics Advisory Panel held on 25 th February :62 Date of next meeting The provisional dates for meetings of the Committee in 2013/14 were noted. In discussion, the closeness of the meetings in March and May was raised as a concern. This had caused some issues, notably in that the shortness of time between meetings meant that it was difficult to provide meaningful updates on some matters of the Committee s business. 1. To note that the Committee would meet next on Wednesday 9 th October 2013 (14:00-16:30) in Carlisle, and subsequently on 22 nd January 2014 (14:00-16:30) in Carlisle. 2. To request that the following two meetings be rescheduled for early April and late June ACTION: Secretary to liaise with the Committees Officer regarding rescheduling the final two meetings in