The Research Environment Post 2008
Explore the impact and implications of post-2008 research reforms on higher education institutions, funding, selectivity, and responses. Delve into the changing dynamics, funding distribution, and the role of selectivity in research activities.
The Research Environment Post 2008
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Presentation Transcript
The Research Environment Post 2008 Some Possibilities Professor Peter Gilroy
Advanced Organiser • 2001 - A Reminder • 2008 – Some Issues • The Bite of Selectivity • The REF and HEIs’ Responses • Playing Under the REF • Stop Press
(1) A Reminder • 2001: • Ratio of Grade:Funding revealed after the exercise • High selectivity & broken promise • Non-linear funding algorithm
Result for UoA 16 Food Science & Technology • 5/11 gain 4-5* • 46% (6) UoAs fall below funding threshold £0 research funding • Approx 20 such departments in UK, so 15 (75%) = £0 research
Result for UoA 50 English L&L • 63/89 gain 4-5* • 29% (26) UoAs fall below funding threshold = £0 research funding
Result for UoA 68 Education • 33/94 UDEs gain 4-5* • 11 did not submit • Some slip from 5-4 • 65% (61) UDEs fall below funding threshold = £0 research funding
(2) 2008 Some Issues:(a) Grades • How will the Quality Profile be Reported? • Example: • This means – success or failure?
HEFCE QR Four HEIs receive 29% of HEFCE research funds Ten HEIs receive 50% of HEFCE research funds 23 HEIs receive 75% of HEFCE research funds Research Council Funding Three HEIs receive 25% of Research Council funding Eight HEIs receive 50% of Research Council funding 18 HEIs receive 75% of Research Council funding (Sir David Watson, Missenden 2008) (3) Some Issues:Selectivity Already Bites
Daily Telegraph 30 June 2004 • (Sir David Watson, Missenden 2008)
Selectivity Re Education • 61/94 UDEs currently have no QR/RAE 01 Funding (65%) • Only 1 Post-1992 UDE Received any QR/RAE 01 Funding
HEFCE FUNDING: R as % of T+R, 2001/02 (Sir David Watson, Missenden 2008)
HEFCE FUNDING: R as % of T+R, 2001/02 (Sir David Watson, Missenden 2008)
(4) The REF Pre-Consultation • Based on assertions re RAE 08 being: • Unpopular • Expensive • Burdensome • It will measure a narrow set of outputs • Will prevent collaboration • Metrics will be a major problem for social science subjects (& their research councils)
Continued • There will be a greater work load (all outputs required, not just four) • Because of the 8-12 year citation window, a metrics approach will confirm the results of the 2001 RAE • Consequently there would be little significant change regarding funding from 2001
How will HEIs Respond? This will depend on the Type of HEI
Type 1 • Create institutional repositories • Encourage citation clubs • Be very selective in identifying research areas to support from central funds • Direct/manage tightly individuals’ research activity (e.g. which journals to publish in) • Employ a bibliometrics manager
Type 2 • Develop business/enterprise • Work closely with regional agencies and partners • Revise revenue sharing agreements • Manage relatively loosely their enterprising researchers
The Post RAE 2008/REF Research Scene • Research funding alone will not be able to support research activity (other than in a VERY small number of UDEs) • Therefore: • A very small number (20?) of UDEs will be in the select group who will receive QR funding to support their research activity • A number of UDEs will abandon research activity altogether, as they have done already
continued • A significant number of UDEs will follow their university’s strategy and mix-and-match QR and ER/3S income streams to support their research activity • Some may merge/collaborate with HEIs of different research standing • Some may work with local FE colleges as these develop their degree awarding portfolio
(5) What will it be Like to Work in the REF Context? • In the select group life will be very difficult – directed, controlled/managed tightly as the university’s mission narrows, with a great deal to lose • Where research is abandoned altogether life will return to the College of Education days
continued • Where research is sustained by Enterprise/3S activity researchers will have to become more aware of the need to work in an applied, knowledge-transfer driven, way • This will require refocusing of activity to create an academic who has enterprise and research skills
continued • For all, except the small number of Type 1 HEIs and their UDEs REF will become irrelevant & Enterprise funding will become critical
(6) STOP PRESS(24TH April 2008) • HEFCE’s Research Director, Rama Thirunamachandran, leaves HEFCE • REF Consultation analysis released • Implementation of REF to be put back by 12 months
Back to RAE 2008? • The distinction between STEM and non-STEM subjects will not be so clear cut – ‘For all subjects the assessment will include some combination of metrics-based indicators, including bibliometrics where appropriate, as well as input from expert panels.’ (John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.)
U- Turn? • ‘The balance of metrics and expert input will vary according to the subject group’ (DIUS) • ‘What we now seem to have …is peer review informed by metrics’ (Bahram Bekhradnia, HE Policy Institute, THES 24:4:08). • 30th April: RAE Predictor via RAE2008.com