LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
ARTS & HUMANITIES and SOCIAL & HISTORICAL SCIENCES
(SASH) RESEARCH Committee
Wednesday 18 November 2015
MINUTES
Present:
Prof. Melissa Terras
Mr David Beavan
Mrs Natalie Berry
Dr Henriette Bruun
Prof. Susan Collins
Ms Laura Cream
Prof David D’Avray
Dr Paulo Drinot
Prof Mairéad Hanrahan
Ms Marianne Knight
Prof Cécile Laborde
Prof. Alena Ledeneva
Dr Fiona Leigh
Mr Jacob Leveridge
Prof. Anson Mackay
Prof. Zoran Milutinovic
Dr. Neil Rose
Prof. Elizabeth Shepherd
Dr James Wilson
Prof. Jonathan Wolff
Prof. Maria Wyke
Vice-Dean for Research, A&H (in the Chair)
A&H Faculty Research Manager
LAHP
OVPR (Research Facilitation)
Slade School of Fine Art
Public Engagement Unit
History
Institute of the Americas
SELCS
NERC
Political Science
SSEES
Philosophy
OVPR (Research Facilitation)
Vice-Dean for Research, SHS
SSEES
Geography
Information Studies
Philosophy
Dean, A&H
Greek and Latin
Apologies for absence were received from: Ms Emily Bushby (School Finance Director,
BEAMS & SLASH), Prof May Cassar (SEAHA), Ms Amanda Cater (BASc), Mr Adam
Cresswell (REF), Mr Ian Davis (SASH Finance), Dr Methchild Fend (History of Art), Prof.
Mary Fulbrook (Dean, SHS), Prof. Tamar Garb (IAS), Dr Lee Grieveson (CMII), Miss Anna
Mkhitaryan (ESRC), Prof Andrew Reynolds (Archaeology), Prof Stephen Smith (Economics),
Prof James Steele (Archaeology), Prof. Sacha Stern (Hebrew and Jewish Studies), Prof.
Peter Swaab (English) and Dr Michael Stewart (Anthropology)
Preliminary Business
1. MINUTES
Approved
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1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2015 were approved in agreement
that minor correction to be made to minute 12.1 (change ‘Governance’ to ‘Services).
2.
MATTERS ARISING
a) Minute 11.3: Prof. Mackay report back on compiling a summary document
which would consolidate similarities between SLASH and SSEES action plans
2.1 Prof. Mackay reported that progress has been halted on compiling SLASH/SSEES
action plans while he is still meeting with Heads of Research and until more
information becomes available about the next REF.
b) Minute 11.4: Establishment of SLASH Research Board and SASH Research
Committee
2.2 Prof Terras noted that both groups have been established with the SASH
Research Committee now reporting to the SLASH Research Board (organised from
Vice Provost Research’s office)
c) SASH Research Committee Terms of Reference
2.3 The group approved the Terms of Reference for SASH Research Committee and it
was agreed that Andrew Barry, SHS Vice Dean Interdisciplinary, Jim Collins, UCL
Enterprise would be invited to the meetings. Both Dr Henriette Bruun and Dr Jacob
Leveridge from OVPR Research Facilitation would continue to attend meeting and
once a RICs rep started they would also be invited.
Matters for Discussion
3.
REF 2020
Reported
3.1 Prof Terras told the group that we were not any closer to knowing the criteria for
the next REF. The Green paper came out last week but we would not know more
detail until next spring. Regardless A&H have been trying to prepare and held a
REF planning meeting in October to discuss what we are doing to promote high
quality research and documentation. At this stage in the process, departments
should be collating information about environment and impact. Every research
active member of staff in A+H has been reminded that they need to produce high
quality research with five research outputs by 2019. HoDs need to discuss with
departments on what needs to be in place in order to achieve that.
3.2 Prof Mackay added that in the SHS Faculty he has been meeting with research
leads and Heads of Departments. Given the change of personnel in OVPR there is
uncertainty regarding impact at the moment, but this will be addressed in the New
Year when the new team is in place.
3.3 Prof D’Avray added that in the History department they have Wiki page using
headings from previous REF which colleagues update on a weekly basis. Prof
Laborde added that in Political Science they use the Staff Plan to plan for the next
2-3 years and there is a Departmental Research Committee. Geography have a
mentoring scheme currently place. ACTION: Prof D’Avray was asked to circulate
information about the wiki structure to the committee.
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3.4 Prof Wyke mentioned that it would be a good idea to look at how other
departments gather data and what strategies and systems are in place already to
gather data and share what already exists. Mr Beavan said he is currently putting
together a database of case studies which include sources used to give evidence
in order to stimulate discussion on what to do locally in each department. He said
he would share with the group but it is still a work in progress. ACTION: Mr Beavan
3.5 Prof Wolff noted that in the Green paper the REF was referred to as REF 2021 not
2020 so there was still uncertainty in regards to a timetable.
Matters for Information
4.
VICE DEANS OF RESEARCH REPORTS
4.1 Prof Terras said as mentioned above the A&H Faculty held a meeting with
research leads in October in preparation for the next REF. On a practical note Mr
Beavan had pulled together a database to log successful grants applications over
the last five years. This was initially created to be shared with A&H Faculty but can
be extended to both faculties. The database will continue to be expanded as
successful grants come in. We currently we have examples from 30 different
funders.
4.2 Prof Terras added that Mr Beavan is also working on putting into place another
peer review for grant applications as we have better successes with applications
that have internal peer review. Prof Terras also thanked the group for sending the
research minutes from departmental research meetings and said going forward the
minutes should go to this committee for review and as a central repository.
4.3 Prof Mackay highlighted key things that were discussed at the newly formed
SLASH Research Board with Prof David Price. Items included the following:
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Strategy for OVPR and helping departments with impact case studies
The appointment of new impact colleagues which includes the new Director
Open access at UCL
UCL Press open for suggestions monographs collect articles, books and
journal articles.
UCL East
Grand Challenges review whether re-commission
The successful launch of the UCL Institute for Advanced Studies.
ACTION: SLASH Research Board report to be put on as standing agenda item for
this meeting.
5.
SCHOOL RESEARCH FACILITATORS’ REPORTS
5.1 Mr Leveridge told the group that the lunchtime research Grants Seminar Series
over the summer was well received with demand high and a good proportion of
those who signed up attending. There was also good representation from across
SASH.
5.2 Mr Leveridge and Dr Brunn also ran a seminar on Postdoctoral Research funding
opportunities for 80 people jointly with the Bartlett, which filled up very quickly,
suggesting that demand for these seminars is high.
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5.3 Mr Leveridge gave an overview of the main funding opportunities of potential
interest to researchers in SASH within the Horizon 2020 funding programme in the
coming year. These included:
 under the first pillar of Horizon 2020 (‘excellent science’), the European Research
Council (ERC) grants, the Marie Sklodowska-Curie initial training networks and
individual fellowships and the future and emerging technologies grants;
 there is a call out for ERC consolidator grants at the moment, for those who are 7-12
years from the award of their PhD and providing up to €2 million for up to 5 years,
which closes on 2 February 2016;
 the next call for ERC advanced grants, for those with a track record of significant
research achievements over the last 10 or more years and providing up to €2.5
million for up to 5 years, will open on 24 May 2016 and close on 1 September 2016;
 there is a call out for Marie Sklodowska-Curie initial training networks at the moment
which closes on 12 January 2016;
 the next call for Marie Sklodowska-Curie individual fellowships will open on 12 April
2016 and close on 14 September 2016;
 there are a number of future and emerging technologies calls with deadlines in April
and may 2016;
 under the second pillar of Horizon 2020 (‘industrial leadership’), there are a number
of calls for collaborative European projects in the information and communication
technologies work programme with deadlines in April 2016 (likely to be of greatest
interest to information studies);
 under the third pillar of Horizon 2020 (‘societal challenges’), there are a number of
calls for collaborative European projects in several of the societal challenge work
programmes, including:
o the food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and
inland water research and the bio-economy work programme, with deadlines
in February 2016 (of potential interest to geography);
o the secure, clean and efficient energy work programme, with deadlines in
January and February 2016;
o the Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
work programme, with deadlines in February 2016 (primarily under ‘reversing
inequalities’, but also ‘understanding Europe’/‘cultural cooperation’);
o there is a larger number of calls under ‘understanding Europe’/‘cultural
cooperation’ of potential interest across sash with expected deadlines in
February 2017
5.4 Dr Brunn reported the following grants awarded to UCL Academics:
 ESRC Urban Transformations: Jennifer Robinson, Geography (coinvestigators Prof Fulong Wong and Prof Phil Harrison), Governing the
Future city: a comparative analysis of governance innovations in large
scale urban developments in Shanghai.
 Two Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grants: Stephen Shennan,
Archaeology, Supply and demand in prehistory? Economics of Neolithic
mining in NW Europe and Joana Evans Spanish and Latin American
Studies, Luis Bunel: A Life in Letters.
 Two AHRC Leadership Fellows Grants: Lily Kahn, Hebrew and Jewish,
The First Hebrew Shakespeare Translations and Daniel Rothchild,
Philosophy, Dynamics of Conversation.
 Philip Leverhulme Prize-Politics and International Relations: Elena FiddianQasmiyeh, Geography, South-South Humanitarianism.
5.5 Dr Brunn said the subject areas for the 2016 Philip Leverhulme Prizes are the
following: Archaeology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Geography and
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Languages and Literature. The call out is expected to open in January with a May
deadline.
ACTION: Dr Brunn asked that any grant success should be passed on to Prof
Terras, Prof Wolff, Dr Leveridge and herself in order for them to be distributed
accordingly.
6.
FACULTY RESEARCH MANAGERS’ REPORT
6.1 Mr Beavan reported as mentioned above that he is compiling a portfolio of
successful proposals. He added that he is currently holding drop in sessions on
Tuesdays from 10-11am and welcomed anyone from both faculties to come along
who had questions on research proposals.
6.2 Mr Beavan said he is holding a workshop next Thursday 26 November on the
AHRC leadership fellows scheme and said registration was open to both faculties.
In Term 2 he will be holding an Intro to Research at UCL session for new staff for
the Joint Faculties. There is no prerequisite to attend.
6.3 Lastly Mr Beavan said he was working on a new initiative focused on internal peer
review before sending applications to funders. This would involve sharing drafts at
an early stage with two colleagues, one expert and one junior. At this point Dr
Brunn would be alerted of the application and could offer advice on the next step in
the process. Once the application was admitted it would enter into the portfolio. Mr
Beavan said we he will trial this on a voluntary basis in A&H Faculty and report
back at this meeting.
ACTION: Mr Beavan to circulate portfolio of proposals to Joint Faculties.
7.
CENTRE FOR DOCTORAL TRAINING REPORTS
7.1 ESRC DTC: Ms Mkhitaryan provided a written report which will be circulated to
committee. ACTION: Ms Herrera
7.2 LAHP: Mrs Berry gave an update on the London Arts and Humanities Partnership
(LAHP) which is an AHRC funded doctoral training partnership between King’s
College London (King’s), the School of Advanced Study (SAS) and University
College London (UCL) based in Senate House. The second cohort of students
began in October, of which five Modern Language MA studentships were awarded.
7.3 Applications for third year cohort will open on the 1 December 2015 via the online
application portal with a deadline of the 29 January 2016. Successful applicants
will be notified by early April with students commencing on the 1 October 2016.
7.4 The LAHP offers a research development training framework open to all Arts &
Humanities PGR across the consortia, which offers a generic skills programme and
also includes engagement with cultural partners, intensive French and German
language training, Introduction to Public Engagement and an Introduction to Digital
Humanities courses. One of LAHPs aims this year is to promote cross institution
supervision.
7.5 Prof Wolff added he had been in early discussions with potential institutions that
may want to join the LAHP consortium for the next bid as AHRC have indicated
that there will be no upper limit to the size of the consortia in terms of numbers of
studentships for which we can bid. These discussions have been initiated in
connection with the recent call for responses to the consultation for the new AHRC
Block Grant competition. The call out will be next November.
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7.6 NERC DTP: Ms Knight reported that this is the second year of a five year funded
consortium DTP grant and consists of nine partners and is led by UCL. Three of
the partners are non-HEI institutions. There are 24 NERC funded studentships and
a further 11 studentships are contributed by the HEI partners in the consortium,
making a total of 35 studentships offered each year. Each studentship is funded at
the NERC rate on terms of fees.
7.7 The DTP offers a unique programme, with the focus on a student led approach to
project selection. Each student spends a week in the first term at each partner
institution undergoing training. Each Tuesday afternoon there is a 'Meet the
Supervisor' session in which each partner has an opportunity to present to the
consortium the potential projects and areas of research they undertake.
7.8 At the end of term one, students choose two research projects from the 230 or so
listed on the website (they also do have the option to design their own with a
supervisor) and then at the start of Term 2 the DTP Director and Deputy Director
will decide which PhD project will be offered to each student. After the initial 6
months of training at UCL, on 1st April every year, students then transfer to either
one of the partner institutions or to their relevant UCL department to begin their
PhD project.
7.9 SEAHA: No one present to report.
8.
RICS AND IMPACT
8.1 Mr Beavan said he had picked up RICS (Research Impact Curation & Support)
since Fatima Raja’s departure as SLASH's RICS Fellow. It consists of focussing
energies, the sharing methods and best practice at this stage. Bad news is all
departments are requested to keep double the number of impact cases as
submitted to REF2014 but the good news is that no one is looking carefully yet. Mr
Beavan said that impact stays with the institution and asked to keep an eye on
capturing impact evidence in terms of staff turnover. The RICS team has a
database, and Mr Beavan said he would be happy to share contents so please
email him and also provide feedback on material.
8.2 Mr Beavan added that there is hope for a more formal database once the new
RICS team is fully in place, with recruitment for school points of contact beginning
in April. The Head of RICS is due to start in January.
ACTION: Mr Beavan will arrange a meeting with Prof Mackay, Prof Terras, the new
Head of RICs to discuss research impact.
9.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT REPORT
9.1 Ms Cream reported that she had been busy doing training for the LAHP and is
currently lobbying for a more coordinated approach on impact.
10. Any Other Items of Business
10.1 Dr Brunn update on ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership and Centre for Doctoral
Training submissions which had a 30 October deadline for expression of interest
and UCL was part of three submitted. Seven Groupings 25 Pathways.
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Doctoral Training partnership led by UCL with Andy Tolmie from IOE,
Director of the UCL ESRC DTC and the Bloomsbury DTC in partnership
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with Birbeck, SOAS, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and
the University of East London
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Centre for Doctoral Training- Biosocial Research led by UCL, Anne
McMunn and Yvonne Kelly from Epidemiology with Manchester and Essex
Universities.
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Centre for Doctoral Training- Led by Edinburgh University. UCL lead is
Mirco Musolesi, Geography. With Warwick University.
10.2 Prof Terras reported that an Alan Turing Institute workshop was held with
representatives from A&H/SHS and major cultural heritage partners, regarding
“Moving Forward Cultural Heritage Informatics”. This has tapped us into Alan
Turing Institute activities and there is room for future development in this area. It is
important the A+H and SHS are included in this activity.
Distribution: Members of the SASH Research Committee
DH
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