RIS Active-Research and Innovation Services News

We are calling for expressions of interest ahead of this year’s Being Human festival, running from 17^th until 25^th November. Its core aims are:

• to demonstrate the value of humanities research to society and culture in the UK and globally
• to encourage, support and create opportunities for humanities researchers to engage with non-academic audiences
• to demonstrate the relevance of the humanities to everyday life
• to enhance public visibility and understanding of the humanities

Funding is available to support activities during the festival. The majority of awards will probably be for under £2,000, however applications for funding of up to £5,000 may also be considered if of exceptional quality or where institutions coordinate between 5-10 events as Being Human ‘Festival Hubs’.

In order to maximise the likelihood of another successful application from Kent (see last year’s event at http://beinghumanfestival.org/event/doing-satire-cartoon-workshop/), we will be coordinating our application to the festival. Multiple applications from single institutions are less likely to be awarded. We are inviting expressions of interest to be sent to this email address (peresearch@kent.ac.uk) by 9am on Monday 25^th April 2016. Depending on expressions submitted, we may choose to apply for support for a programme of events as a ‘Festival Hub’.

To be successful, events must:

• reflect the key aims and objectives of the festival
• provide a clear link to research in the humanities
• have at least one humanities researcher directly involved in the planning and delivery of the event
• be held during the Festival period 17-25^th November 2016
• be free to attend
• be targeted at a clearly defined non-academic audience
• respond to the 2016 theme of ‘hope and fear’
• demonstrate capacity to reach a significant number of people
• demonstrate participation with local, national or international cultural organisations
• engage with topical debates and the news agenda
• encourage innovation in methods of public engagement, especially dynamic or participatory events
• engage with diverse audiences (specifically younger and ethnically diverse audiences)
• applications that will showcase new and innovative research in the humanities by, for example, disseminating outputs from research projects during the festival itself, are encouraged.

For more in depth information about what the festival is looking for and the types of costs/activities that are eligible, please check the call for applications via the link in the email below.

To express your interest in this call:

 Email your expression of interest (please limit your expression to two sides of A4) to peresearch@kent.ac.uk by 9am on Monday 25^th April 2016 with the following headings:

1. Event title
2. Date/s
3. Summary of proposed event including targeted audience and how it aligns to the 2016 theme of hope and fear
4. Aims
5. Break-down of costs and details of any matched funding
6. Details of partners/colleagues involved

In December we invited nominations to the University’s new Peer Review College (PRC). There was a great response, and the Faculty Associate Deans have now agreed the membership of a University-wide PRC. With this in place, the updated internal peer review system is now ready to go live.

The System

The system is integrated into KRIMSON, and is intended to be both simple, flexible and appropriate to your timeframe and the scale of your project.

It is primarily intended for:

• Research council applications; OR
• First substantial applications to an external funder(or applications to specific first grant schemes). In other words, your first reasonable project grant or fellowship, not applications for conference travel grants, etc; OR
• Large grant applications. The threshold for these is based on the total amount being requested, and differs between Faculties:
  • Humanities: over £100k;
  • Social Sciences: over £200k;
  • Sciences: over £300k.

In order to get your project peer reviewed:

• complete the ‘Basic Project Information’ section on KRIMSON for your proposal as soon as possible,
• click ‘yes’ to the question ‘peer review required’, and
• choose the Funding Officer relevant to your Faculty as follows:
  • Sciences: Dr Helen Leech and Dr Carolyn Barker
  • Social Sciences: Brian Lingley
  • Humanities: Lynne Bennett

You can leave the rest to us. The relevant Funding Officer will be alerted to your proposal, and will be in touch to suggest the most appropriate reviewer for it from the PRC.

All the members of the College have either had experience in getting grants from the funders that they represent, or as part of the funders’ own colleges, or as members of their panels – or all three. As such, they have considerable experience of what makes a successful application, and can provide feedback which could make the difference between success and failure for your proposal.

Further Information

Further information on the system and the PRC is available on the Research Services website, here. However, if you have a specific query don’t hesitate to get in touch with Phil Ward direct.

My thanks to all who put themselves forward to join the PRC. Their willingness to offer help to colleagues is an invaluable – and much appreciated – resource.

Thinking of applying to the BBSRC?

Monday 29^th February, 11am to 1pm

Venue: tbc

We are holding a BBSRC workshop on Monday the 29^th Feb between 11 and 1pm (lunch will be provided). The workshop will be an informal discussion led by Prof Mick Tuite and Dr Dan Mulvihill (Biosciences), beginning with a short presentation on the ‘tricks of the trade’ from Mick’s recent BBSRC committee experiences.

This is an invaluable opportunity to ask questions regarding your upcoming BBSRC applications, the application and peer review process and exactly what happens at a BBSRC Panel meeting. We also hope you will share your opinions and experiences of your previous successful and unsuccessful BBSRC applications (if applicable) with the group to exchange good practice and promote informed applications to the BBSRC.

Depending on demand we are planning to hold a BBSRC mock panel later in the year.

Postdocs, ECR’s and Academics who are new to applying to the BBRSC (from all Schools across the Faculty) are very welcome to attend. Even if you have been to one of these sessions before, BBSRC grant evaluation is constantly ‘evolving’ and so might be some new things for even the experienced grant writer!

If you have any queries or are interested in attending the workshop, please contact Helen Leech (h.leech@kent.ac.uk).

• ​Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
  • ​Polly Watson, International Programme Coordinator
• Japan Foundation
  • Julieanne Robb, Programmes Officer​
• The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
  • Rory Steele, Programmes Executive
• The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
  • Susan Meehan, Grants and Scholarships Officer​

Each will give a brief overview of the aims of their organisation and what they offer, and it is hoped that we will be able to hear from successful award holders from Kent as well. After the talks, there will be an opportunity to talk informally to the speakers and award holders.

The event is free and open to all, and refreshments will be provided. Full details are to be confirmed, but if you would like to come along, do let Phil Ward (p.ward@kent.ac.uk) know. 

Thursday 4 February 2016

Keynes Seminar Room 12

The second Early Career Researcher Network event of this term will take place on Thursday 4 February between 12noon and 2pm, and will focus on how to engage the public with your research.

The idea of engaging the public with your research has becoming increasingly important over recent years, and was given added impetus with the introduction of ‘impact’ in 2008. Impact was measured in the last REF, and rumour has it that it will be even more important in the next exercise. But what do we mean by impact, public engagement, outreach and public involvement? What is the difference between these terms that are often used synonymously? And how can academics ensure that they are maximising this important element of their work?

This session will be led by Prof Paul Allain (Arts) and Dr Vicky Mason (SPS), both of whom have had considerable experience in outreach, engagement and impact. The new Impact and Engagement Officer, Maddy Bell, will also be on hand to discuss people’s ideas. However, as ever the ECRN session is an opportunity to talk to others at the same point in their career, to share your experience, and to offer help and advice to each other.

Lunch will be provided. The event is free and open to all, but places are limited so please let me know if you intend to come along. If you would like to come, I will ask you to draft a brief outline paragraph of your research and (if appropriate) any public engagement plans you have, so that these can be the focus of small-group discussions.

Further ECRN events are scheduled for the rest of the term; details below. In addition, the Graduate School provides a comprehensive programme of skills development training. More info here (pdf).

• How to Overcome ‘Imposter Syndrome’

Dr Caron Fraser Wood (Mindset Method)

16 February 2016, Afternoon (time TBC)

• Developing Resilience

Dr Caron Fraser Wood (Mindset Method)

17 February 2016, Morning (time TBC)

• How to Use Social Media to Support your Research

Dr Rebekah Higgitt (History)

2 March 2016, 12noon-2pm

• Getting Published: Targeting the Top Journals and Writing Book Proposals

Prof Sally Sheldon (KLS) & Prof Mick Tuite (Biosciences)

17 March 2016, 12noon-2pm

• Planning your Career

Dr Simon Black (SAC/HR) & Prof Sally Sheldon (KLS)

29 March2016, 12noon-2pm

What Makes a Good SDAI Application?
1-2pm, Thursday 4th February, Woolf Seminar Room 4

The ESRC have recently launched the revamped Secondary Data Analysis Initiative (SDAI). This scheme provides funding for researchers to deliver high-quality high-impact research through the deeper exploitation of major data resources created by the ESRC and other agencies. Previously, they have run targeted deadline driven SDAI competitions. In the future, the scheme will run as an open call with no deadlines, in the same way as their Research Grants scheme. They will ring fence part of the funding for targeted calls, the first of which will be with the Department for Education, but the majority of the funding will be available for researcher-defined, responsive projects. Details of how to apply to the scheme (including information on eligible datasets) can be found on their website.

We are fortunate that Dr Tina Haux, Lecturer in Quantitative Sociology/Criminology in SSPSSR, was a panel member for previous SDAI calls, and has generously offered to share her experiences with potential applicants. We will therefore be running a Grants Factory event on the 4th February 13:00 -14:00.

Please let Brian Lingley know if you would like to attend, or if you are thinking of applying to the scheme.

The Leverhulme Trust has recently launched the latest round of Leadership Awards.

These are prestigious awards aimed at early career researchers* who have an idea for a potentially exciting and important research project, but have not yet had a chance to develop it. They offer £800k-£1m for up to 5 years, and will provide funding for research assistants and research students. You can also apply for a limited amount of associated costs (such as travel and subsistence), but not replacement teaching costs.

Leverhulme only allow one application per institution. In the last round Dr Will Pettigrew (History) was selected to be the University’s nomination, and went on to win one of the awards.

In order to select Kent’s application, there will be a brief internal selection process. If you would like to apply, please could you send me by 8 Feb 2016:

• A CV (max 2 sides of A4);
• An outline of your proposed research, and why you should be put forward for the Award (max 2 sides of A4).

These will be discussed and a decision made by a small panel convened by Prof Philippe De Wilde shortly after the closing date. This will allow the successful candidate 3 months to prepare the external application to Leverhulme.

More detail of the scheme is available here. If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

*defined as an academic who has ‘held a university post for at least two years but will not yet have developed their academic career such that the trajectory of their research contribution has become firmly established.’

Wednesday 13 January 2016, 1-3pm

Venue TBC

Starting off in academia can be difficult. Not only are you trying to establish your research career, but you are having to cope with the new demands of teaching and supervision, as well as understanding what is required of you as a ‘good citizen’ within your department. Outside of work you may have conflicting demands from family and home.

This session will be led by Prof Sarah Spurgeon (EDA) and Prof Gordon Lynch (SECL), both of whom have had to juggle conflicting demands within their own lives. It will be an opportunity to hear from them, but also to hear from other ECRs across the University, to share your experience, and to offer help and advice to each other.

Lunch will be provided. The event is free and open to all, but places are limited so please let me know if you intend to come along.

Further ECRN events are scheduled for the rest of the term. In addition, the Graduate School provides a comprehensive programme of skills development training. More info here (pdf).

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation is currently consulting staff on the draft Research and Innovation Strategy. In supporting the aims of the Strategy he has four internal funding schemes to help academics develop networks, prepare large and complex grant applications, engage the public with their research and meet the costs of gold Open Access publishing.

An overview of the schemes is given below, with links for more information. If you have any questions about these schemes don’t hesitate to get in touch.

____________________

EU Partnership Fund

Kent, as the UK’s European university, is strongly supportive of the development of collaborations with European partners. The partnership can be purely academic, or a collaboration with enterprise, government or charities.

There is no upper limit to funding that can be requested. Grants from the Fund will cover the cost of travel and subsistence for the first two years of the partnership. The application process is straightforward, and bids can be submitted at any time. More details here.

Large & Complex Grants Fund

Putting together large, collaborative projects for prestigious schemes can be very time consuming and expensive. The Large and Complex Grants Fund (LCGF) is intended to offset some of the costs, whether it be the time spent by applicants, travel and subsistence costs to meet collaborators, or funding for pilot projects. The scheme is intended to be flexible and straightforward and, as with the EU Partnership Fund, there is no upper limit to the funding that can be requested. More details here.

Public Engagement with Research Fund

The University is committed to embedding public engagement with research across the institution, and to encourage the development of high quality, innovative and effective activities with high impact. Funding is available for communicating research activity and outcomes; listening to public views and concerns;  and involving the public as researchers.

There will be two deadlines for the Fund, which will be announced once the new Impact and Engagement Officer starts in mid-December. In the meantime details of last year’s competition are available here.

Article Processing Charge (APC) Fund

The University supports the principles and objectives of Open Access and Open Science. Its preference is for Green Open Access as a way of achieving a wider and more feasible form of access to its research outputs, but supports Gold Open Access where appropriate. For this, there is a limited fund that will offset the article processing charges incurred. It is open to both staff and postgraduate students who fit the following criteria:

• their work is funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK)
• their research is highly rated by your School (equivalent to 3* or 4* in the Research Excellence Framework. This will need to be confirmed by your School DoR or equivalent)
• they are publishing in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journals, for which the University has a limited number of APC vouchers. It also has institutional accounts with IEEE and Wiley, for which it receives reduced rates on APCs.

To apply for the APC Fund, please complete this online form. For more on OA, go to the Research Services webpage.

 Faculty Research Funds

In addition, each Faculty has a small fund to support research, as follows:

• Sciences Faculty Research Fund
• Social Sciences Faculty Research Fund
• Humanities Faculty Research Fund

Research and Innovation Strategy presentation

The University has adopted its Institutional Plan 2015-2020, and the PVC Research & Innovation has written a draft Research and Innovation Strategy that interprets the research objectives.  Academic and professional staff are invited to a dialogue regarding this, on any of the days and locations, listed below.

The sessions will last one hour and whilst some are intended for specific faculties, you are most welcome to any session. There is no need to register; do just come along.

Medway – The Royal Historic Dockyard Church

• Wednesday 25 November, 11.00
• Monday 14th December, 11.00

Canterbury – Grimond Building

• Friday 13 November, 12.00 in GLT3 (Humanities)
• Monday 16 November, 13.00 in GLT3 (Social Sciences)
• Friday 27 November, 12.00 in GLT3 (Sciences)
• Tuesday 1 December, 15.00 in GLT2 (Humanities)
• Friday 4 December, 11.00 in GLT2 (Social Sciences)
• Monday 7 December, 13.00 in GLT3 (Sciences)