Workshops

inorms 2010

11 to 15 April 2010 =Cape Town International Convention Centre = South Africa

Managing Research for Impact: New Approaches to Research and Innovation Management

Presenters: Prof Johann Mouton (Centre for Research on Science and Technology, Stellenbosch University) and Prof Peter Weingart (Bielefeld University, Germany)

Summary: During this workshop, participants will be familiarized with the concept of R&D evaluation through a discussion on different units of evaluation. There will be a focus on the methods of R&D evaluation such as evaluative bibliometrics, case study methods and peer review. Participants will also be introduced to some case studies of R&D evaluation: system level reviews (OECD reviews), evaluations of scientific fields and institutional audits.

Summary: Science communication can help bridge the gap between those who commission and fund research, the researchers themselves and the people who the research is meant to benefit. More and more investors, policy makers and scientists themselves are beginning to realise the value of communicating science effectively with a wide range of audiences. Also, high profile science news attracts funders, partners and top students. This workshop will focus on the skills that research managers need to use science communication as a powerful promotional and networking tool and how they can boost the communication capacity and activity within their organisations. Participants will, amongst others, explore the impact of science communication on policy and learn how to design an effective science communication strategy.

Presenters: Prof Johann Groenewald (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) and Prof John Taylor (CHemPas, Southampton University, UK) (to be confirmed).

Target audience: Basic capacity development course - Research Managers at the beginning of their career.

Summary: This training/capacity building workshop will focus on the full range of basic principles and skills needed in the research management profession, including: project and financial management principles, identifying research funding opportunities, grant proposal evaluation skills, principles of research integrity, how to facilitate research collaboration, and putting institutional structures in place for effective management of research based on best practice examples internationally.

Tools on how to ensure that grant proposals are competitive at international level. Followed by an afternoon of focus on EU grants, including FP7, presented by an expert on EU funding

Presenter: Ms Riana Coetsee (Manager: International Grants, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) and Dr Frank Heemskerk (RIMS, Belgium)

Target audience: Grants administrators and proposal evaluators at all levels.

Summary: A very important responsibility of any research manager is to ensure that researchers receive appropriate skills training. One of the essential skills, due to the financial position of research institutions worldwide, is that of grant proposal writing. This workshop will focus on the general principles of grant writing. The format and content are based on actual proposal writing and proposal evaluation experience, involvement in the management of research funding bodies, as well as extensive research on international research funding application criteria and strategies. Participants can expect a combination of some elements of “traditional lecturing”, many opportunities for interactive participation, and some fun.

Training on the Research-Africa platform, a source of international funding opportunities.

Presenter: William Cullerne-Bown (Chairman and CEO, ResearchResearch-Africa)

Summary: Research Africa is a web-based resource available to researchers and research organisations. Through this database, researchers have access to a vast number of up-to-date international funding opportunities that African researchers can apply for. The funding opportunities are searchable by keywords and disciplinary fields. In the current funding climate, African researchers increasingly need to be looking for international funding opportunities and this tool provides an excellent way of obtaining updated and detailed information. It also includes general news items on African Science and Technology. The workshop will provide the skills to effectively access the site, set up a personal profile, build a search to browse for opportunities, and set up personalized alerts for upcoming calls.

The workshop will offer participants an overview of the essential dialogue between research and ethics as partners in the culture of research.

Presenter: Dr Edward Gabriele (Special Assistant for Ethics and Professional Integrity, United States Navy, USA)

Target audience: Targeted at research executives, Research Integrity Officers, Research Ethicists, Strategic Planning Executives.

Summary: Ethics is an indispensable partner in research of all disciplines. Unfortunately, many institutions and agencies have experienced resultant ethical governance as a matter only of regulatory compliance. Yet the proliferation of regulatory requirements has not prevented issues and problems with the ethical conduct of research. In fact, diverse and sometimes increasing instances of unethical research still are discovered today despite the most stringent regulations and monitoring. In this workshop, participants will discover and reflect critically upon the basic definitions of ethics as opposed to regulatory compliance. The workshop will offer participants with an overview of the essential dialogue between research and ethics as partners in the culture of research. Participants will be provided with the principles of Responsible Conduct of Research education and methods for curriculum design. The workshop will also provide an overview of research misconduct and required processes for handling such issues. Finally, participants will reflect upon the essential need for moving away from minimalist regulatory compliance to create cultures of ethical integrity within their institutions.

This interactive workshop will advise on aspects of the Research Contracts Officer's role in the negotiation and acceptance of research contracts and the implementation of University policy on intellectual property and publishing rights.

Presenter: Dr Phil Clare, Associate Director, Research Services, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Target audience: Staff from Research Contracts and Technology Transfer offices in academic institutions who need to understand the basics of contract law and who would like to know more about the detail of research contract negotiation and seeking to establish the right framework for working together with outside parties.

Summary: Research grants and contracts are a significant part of many universities' activities. In addition, many grant funding sources now appear more like contracts than true 'grants'. As universities continue to develop their links with industry and as the commercialisation of Intellectual Property Rights increases in importance, the role of the Grants and Contracts team, whether in the Research Office or the Technology Transfer Office, in supporting, developing and securing a university’s activities becomes increasingly important. Deals struck at the early stage in the development of a research area can promote or inhibit subsequent research and IP development depending on the terms and conditions achieved. At the same time those working in research services teams have to cope with a high volume of applications and creating the right balance between in-depth negotiation, model agreements and standard processes is challenging. This workshop will focus on the following aspects: