Research Day

23 March, 2007

The 2006/7 Faculty Research Day took place on 23 March, 2007 at the Bayview Conference Centre.

Schedule:

Session 1:

Aims:

To communicate the Faculty research objectives
To consolidate knowledge of the Faculty Research expectations
To discuss strategies that will assist each member of staff to achieve those expectations.
Generate ideas to improve research performance.

Activities: 

Presentation by A/Prof Anne Marsh outlining direction -  Next Steps (ppt 1.85mb)
Research Expectation activity

Feedback

"Useful but sobering!"
"Too long"
"Research expectations are gradually becoming clearer - however, it's going to take time."
"The first 'exercise' was a disappointing approach - rather cut to the chase.  I did warm to it a bit later once dialogue had opened up - but ususally I hate this sort of stuff."

Session 2:

Aims

Discuss the Faculty Mock RQF and prepare staff for their individual results
Explain the improvements that need to be made for the 2008 RQF submission 
Inform staff about recent developments in the Research Quality Framework (RQF)
Communicate the Faculty RQF strategy
Translate, verify and assess research impact.

Activities:

Mock RQF Results (ppt 345kb)
RQF Framework (ppt 254kb)

Feedback

"More discussion-based workshop to ascertain potential in our own and each other's research activities.  Need more on how to demonstrate 'impact'"
"Why are Faculty Research Active expectations couched in terms of the soon-to-be-redundant DEST Categories?"
"Until we get the rules it will be difficult to feel prepared"
"Great to get tough feedback from Mock RQF - Very useful (still struggling with community impact!)"
"Excellent Information"
"Will probably still need help/guidance"

Session 3:

Aims

Generate ideas on how to improve research performance.
Improve knowledge of research strategies and how to develop a profile in each discipline area
Raise consciousness about how to make contacts and build links
Build Research Culture

Activities:

Max Delaney (ppt 3.1mb)
Chris Ryan (ppt 73kb)

Professor Jane Kenway was unable to attend on the day, but her book is available from the library:
Boden R., Epstein D. & Kenway J., (2005) Academic's support kit, Thousand Oaks, London, Sage Publications, California.Call number:  371.1 B666A 2005

Feedback

"Chris Ryan was excellent"
"Perhaps Chris Ryan could provide background references for reserach-based practice"
"Successful modes of research projects would be useful in future"
"By this time of day losing concentration and hard to focus from thius session on.  Excellent speakers - very very good"
"Good idea, but nothing new really covered.  Perhaps a more specific/focused trajectory or approach is needed"
"Max was excellent but not for the purpose.  Ryan was boring and suggested mediocre options"
"It is a shame Jane couldn't make it"

Session 4:

Aims

Ensure all staff are aware of the various Research Clusters and who they are
Share knowledge/ideas on the activities of the Research Clusters
Promote research

Activities:

All research clusters presented on their research activities.

Feedback

"Speakers need to keep to core information and respect time"
"Wish people would keep their pictures up longer rather than words"
"There appear to be many opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that sessions like this can highlight.  Dragged a bit though"
"Better at beginning of day as a generator for discussions and networking.  We all faded"
"too much listing of recent publications, and/or excessively generic descriptions of objectives"
"We have some smart and talented people.  We appear enthusiastic and we are working hard on top of everything else.  I found our own staff presenattions far more interesting, intelligent and worthwhile"
"Great to interact with other parts of the Faculty which previosuly seemed obscure"