The 2002 RAGnet Spring Workshop was held in Leicester on 2nd-3rd May 2002. This is the programme containing links to reports from each session, copies of the presentations and photographs from the event.

In the current climate of ever-increasing demands for accountability and performance measurement, the Workshop explored the What, Why, How and Where of information requirements: What is required (and by whom); Why it is needed; How research administrators could/should provide it (and How it is used by the recipient); and Where we might look further afield for information to support continuing development of our research activities.

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Day 1: Thursday 2 May

Plenary: The Era of Accountability (what information?)
This session looked at three different perspectives on the increasing emphasis on assessment, accountability and the diverse range of indicators against which university research performance is now measured. The session considered:

The 'challenges and opportunities' this changing culture presents for Higher Education managers and research administrators
The view, from a Funding Council perspective, of current and likely future performance indicators for measuring university research and knowledge transfer/commercial activities
The overall impact of the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2001) on research activity in UK universities, and potential future assessment mechanisms

Presenters:
The Institutional Perspective
Professor Vicki Bruce, Deputy Principal, University of Stirling
A Funding Council Perspective
Professor David Gani, Director of Research Policy, Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
RAE 2001 and beyond: A Personal View
Dr John Rogers, Assistant Academic Registrar, University of Manchester (former RAE 2001 Manager)

Plenary: Those who hold the Purse Strings... (why is the information needed?)
Having established the scope of current and potential research performance data requirements, this session presented the rationale for - and the use made of - some specific 'quality assurance' measures for research which external agencies require from universities:

Costing accountability to the Treasury via TRAC
Processes & Procedures: Research Council 'dipstick' visits, audit requirements and PhD completion rate data
Ethical Codes/Codes of Scientific Integrity required by sponsors (Wellcome Trust)

Presenters:
Transparency Review: costing and accountability
Dr Jim Port, Independent Consultant, J.M.Consulting
Research Council 'dipstick' tests and performance data
Gareth MacDonald, Head of Grants & Awards, BBSRC
Wellcome Trust: Scientific Good Practice
Robert Terry, Senior Policy Adviser, The Wellcome Trust

Workshop sessions

A: Presentation of Management Information: selection and purpose Michael Rayner, University of Strathclyde

This session took an imaginary case study that involved a fortuitous major strategic research opportunity for a University. Participants considered the type of management information required by the University's senior management team to inform their decision-making in respect of this opportunity. The groups examined a range of data and general information about the project, and decided how to present a selection of these to senior officers in an effective and meaningful way. The groups presented their cases briefly to a 'mock' senior management team.

Report

B: Strategic Planning for Research Dr Laura Meagher, Technology Development Group
PEST? SWOT? HELP! A Practical Approach to Strategic Planning for Research

Interrogating the Future
Assessing Distinctive Strengths
Triangulating Perspectives
Generating a Research Portfolio that Matches or Surpasses your Institution's Vision

C: Indirect Costs and Pricing Strategy Melanie Burdett, JM Consulting
This workshop gave a short overview of the new methods for calculating indirect costs introduced under the Transparency Review, and provided a forum for discussion about how these rates can be used in practice both for establishing the full costs of contracts, and in negotiating prices for public and non-public sponsored work. This included an identification of the barriers in public sector pricing and how TRAC, and the sector, is helping to remove these.

D: Information Overload
Dr Anne Mumford, Director Media Services, Loughborough University
This workshop looked at information flows within institutions and the ways HEIs and individuals are having to address this both strategically and operationally, and addressed different approaches to the effective handling and use of information including workload and time management issues.

Report

E: Ethical Issues for Research Administrators
Dr Garrath Williams, Lecturer, Centre for Professional Ethics, University of Cental Lancashire
This session explored some of the key issues in research ethics, looking particularly at those most likely to be faced by administrators. The overall aim was to develop participants' confidence in raising and discussing ethical questions about research.

Day 2: Friday 3 May

Plenary: Have I got News for You! (how should information be prepared and presented?)
The interpretation - and usefulness - of information depend largely on how appropriately it is presented for the particular user. This session considered:

Universities' internal use of management information and statistics and how to present this in a relevant and appropriate format
An initiative focused on presenting a comprehensive view of Scottish universities' research expertise to the external 'customer' and potential sponsors
Some pointers to appropriate publicity and marketing activities for effective dissemination of research and performance data to the outside world

Presenters:
Management Information and Statistics
Michael Rayner, Senior Assistant Registrar - Secretariat (Planning) - University of Strathclyde
Scottish Research Information System
Emma Forster, Research Funding & Policy Officer, Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
Publicity and Marketing
Peter Dunn, Press Officer, University of Warwick

Plenary: New Horizons: looking Further Afield (where can we find new opportunities)
Having considered the UK context, we turned our attention finally to the global environment. The world is becoming a smaller place, and the benefits of international research collaboration are being increasingly realised. In order to participate in these new opportunities, we need to be well-informed about where they are. This session looked at a variety of research environments beyond the boundaries of the UK:

Europe
Commonwealth
USA

Presenters:
Observations from a US Perspective
Dr Laura Meagher, Technology Development Group (formerly Associate Dean & Director of Research, Cook College, NJAES, Rutgers)
The European Research Area (ERA)
Dr Martin Penny, Director, UK Research Office (UKRO)
Opportunities and Challenges for Collaboration with Commonwealth Partners
Dr John Kirkland, Director of Human Capacity Development, Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

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