Research Support @ DIT: Helping Build Capacity & Capability

Ellen HazelkornDirector of Research and Enterprise, and Dean of the

Graduate Research SchoolDublin Institute of Technology

Library Research Support Seminar20 October 2008

‘To make Ireland by 2013 internationally renowned for the

excellence of its research and to the forefront in generating and

using new knowledge for economic and social progress within an

innovation driven culture.’ (SSTI 2006-2013)

‘Research is a core element of the mission of higher education.

The extent to which higher education institutions are engaged in

research and development activities has a key role in

determining the status and the quality of these institutions and

the contribution, which they make to economic and social

development.’ (NDP 2000-2006, Section 6.39, Ireland, 2000) .

Themes

Globalisation and Implications

Research Support at DIT

Arrow@DIT

1. Globalisation and its Implications

External Forces and Drivers

Knowledge has become the foundation of economic growth, social development, and national competitiveness.

If higher education is the engine of the economy, then the productivity, quality and status of HE and HE research becomes a vital indicator.

But many OECD countries face sharp demographic shifts evidenced by the greying of population and a decline in PhD graduates.

Countries with high levels of international students benefit from the contribution they make to domestic research and development’ (OECD, 2007, p34).

Global competition is reflected in the rising significance and popularity of rankings which attempt to measure knowledge-producing and talent-catching capacity of HEIs.

Global Context for HE Research Task of growing research capability and capacity no longer

optional. Emphasis on talent and human capital

Research now conducted in partnership with other institutions and organisations (public and private).

Connected regionally, nationally and globally – simultaneously. National boundaries declining in significance Research now conducted via bi-lateral, inter-regional and global

networks of research co-operation.

Growing importance of global HE networks. Universitas 21, Coimbra Group, LERU, WUN, Cluster Group, IARU,

etc. Lisbon Agreement/EHEA and ERA

Worldwide comparisons, e.g. global rankings, more significant in the future.

Trends

College guides: fulfil public service role, helping and informing domestic undergraduate students and their parents.

Evaluation and assessment of research, and teaching &

learning or whole institutions for QA and accreditation.

Benchmarking: used to manage more strategically, effectively and efficiently as systematic comparison of practice and performance with peer institutions.

National rankings

Modernisation of HE management, strategic planning and accountability/public disclosure.

Because of connectivity with future career and salary, students demanding better information about HEI choices.

Global rankings next logical step. The rising significance and popularity of worldwide comparisons.

Be careful what you wish for…

Policy shifts internationally

Global Rankings as Indicator of HE Performance

Indicators linked to Resource Allocation

Shift from input outcome/output impact

Re-structure HE System to Improve Efficiency, Output and Impact, Critical Mass, Visibility and Reputation

Concentrate Resources in ‘Centres of Excellence’

Rankings used to foster Mission Differentiation

Allocate Resources According to Mission, Performance or Rankings

Some Policy Implications for Ireland

OECD Review of Irish HE, 2004 Expand research activity of international quality

PRTLI aligning Research Strategy, Priorities & Performance Focus on Excellence, collaboration and good ideas

Current Grant: 5% Research Performance

Impact of financial crisis: Enhanced competition for less opportunity/funding

Need to prioritise research

DoES Review of Irish HE, 2008 Restructuring HE System – Mission Differentiation

Aligning Funding to Mission and Performance

Collaboration, Strategic Alliances or Merger

Emphasis on Research Performance and Excellence

Research Assessment: What’s Happening

EU Classification Project OECD AHELO Project EU Expert Group: Assessment of University-Based Research French Presidency: An International Comparison of Education

Systems: a European model? Declaration on Ranking of European Higher Education Institutions EU Tender for a European Ranking of HE

OECD Selects Scopus ‘to help countries compare research output’

Global Rankings: Times QS, SJT, Sunday Times National Research Platform & National Research Data Project  IOTI: developing standardised for data reporting HERG – SSTI Indicators Project Foresight AHSS - Metrics

Indicators

Productivity indicators: How many? How much? 

Quality and scholarly impact: How good? How significant? What impact on the body of knowledge in the field?

Innovation and socio-economic benefit: What contribution is made to the economy and broader society? Can a value be attached to that contribution?

Sustainability and scale: To what extent is the cross-generational research workforce being

sustained? How are the scale, capacity and momentum of the research enterprise

increased through collaboration? How are research and ‘real-world’ problems addressed when they require

multiple approaches and ‘bundled’ diverse expertise? 

2. Research Support at DIT

Capacity and Capability Building

Developing activity across the RDI spectrum:

Critical mass of researchers

Excellence in niche specialisation

Increased cohorts of PhD students on structured programmes

More research activity

Increased successful competitive bids and income

Conversion of research into commercialisation activity and community

engagement

Meeting International Benchmarking Standards

Knowledge TransferPolicy AdviceConsultancyTraining/CPD

InnovationTechnology TransferCommercialisation

Hothouse

Undergraduate Teaching and Learning

ResearchClusters/Centres

PhD StudentDoctoral Programmes

Capacity and Capability Building

Developing activity across the RDI spectrum:

Critical mass of researchers

Excellence in niche specialisation

Increased cohorts of PhD students on structured programmes

More research activity

Increased successful competitive bids and income

Conversion of research into commercialisation activity and community

engagement

Meeting International Benchmarking Standards

Challenges of Growing Research @ DIT

Teaching Contract and Teaching Load

Research Quality Measures and Methods

Access to Help and Support

Accommodation and Access

Administration and Procedures

Postgraduate Supervision Capacity and Training

Access to and Relevance of Information

Perception and Marketing of DIT Research

Research Partnerships and Alliances

Equality of Research Opportunity

Immediate Priorities

Research Support Office as Outward-facing Service Centre

Enhance Visibility of DIT Research

Within DIT: among researchers

External: with potential partners and collaborators

Nationally/internationally: publicity for DIT research,

international recruitment

Improve Connectivity with Research Funders

Quality and Performance Benchmarking

Helping Grow Research along full RDI Spectrum in strategic and

niche fields of specialisation

Graduate School/PhD Programmes (GREPs)

Other Actions

Meet DIT Researchers

Visit Faculties and Centres

‘Brownbag Lunches’ with Researchers

Meet University Counterparts

Meet Key Funding Agencies

Establish Graduate School Executive and Board

DRE: Professional One-stop Shop

Pre and Post Proposal Help and Advice

Financial Grant and Budget Advice

Identify Funding Opportunities

Project Preparation and Management

Research Training and Mentoring

Benchmarking and Assessment

Industry Engagement and Commercialisation

Contracts Execution and Management

Research Support @ Grangegorman

Shop-front

1 stop shop

Located at the heart of academic life

Open and accessible

Showcase of DIT Research

Hub for Information, Support and Exchange

3. Arrow@DIT

Promoting DIT Research

Welcome initiative – more than a passive repository

Useful resource for DIT and other researchers

Opportunity to publicize and showcase DIT Research

Maximising Capacity and Capability

Investor confidence

Who is the Likely Audience/User?

Academics and Researchers (including post-docs and visiting scholars)

Peer and Partner Institutions & Research Groups

Students – most likely PhD and international students

HE Management and Governance

Governing Bodies or Councils

HEA

Public and private partners

Sponsors and private investors

Public

Ranking organizations

Risk Analysis

Risk to reputation

Risk to recruitment

Risk to core and research grants

Risk to partnerships – w/ academic and other partner

organizations

Unintended consequences

What should be done?

In order to leverage the benefits, to be agreed:

Is repository the DIT database of research activity?

What categories of work to include/highlight?

What should be unit of analysis: individual, research

centre/cluster, faculty, field?

What is link between repository and DRE/DIT website?

Establish link between repository and research

centres/clusters.

Ensure every active researcher populates the site.