UNCONFIRMED
RKTC 14 10-11
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 OCTOBER 2010
Present:
Prof. N. Poku, (SSIS) Deputy Chair, Prof. D. Pankhurst, (SSIS),
Prof. J. Weiss, (SSIS), Mr. I. Rowe (RKTS), Mr. A. Duley (RKTS),
Mr. M. Purdie (RKTS), Ms. T. Holt (RKTS), Dr. M. Bloj (SLS), Mr
N.Anwar (Finance), , Prof. R. Newell (SoHS) Prof. P. Cowling
(SCIM), Ms E Clyde-Evans (SLED), Prof. F. McDonald (SoM),
Apologies:
Prof. P. Coates PVC (Chair), Prof. G. Layer (DVC), Prof. S. Dixon,
(SoM), Prof. U. Archibong, (SoHS), Prof S Tait, (EDT), Mrs. S.
Congdon, (SoHS), Prof. N. Mirza (SLED), S Kershaw, (Finance), Ms
S. Dyson, (Corporate Planning), Prof. A. Boylston, (Council member),
In Attendance:
Ms. G Holdsworth
Summary of outstanding actions for RKTC
Resolved
Minute
Agenda Item and Action
Responsibility
3.3 10-11
Terms of Reference & membership
a nominee from the RKT Centre
Directors to be selected as a named
representative for RKTC
PDC/NP
8.1 10-11
Mandating courses for new academic
staff
The committee endorsed the
recommendation to implement four
mandatory development workshops for
all new academic staff
RKTS
Minute
Agenda Item and Action
Responsibility
2.2 10-11
Individual Research & Knowledge
Transfer monitoring 2009
Committee paper to be circulated to the
Deans. Suggestions for further
developmental comments to TH
RKTS
Matters to note
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2.3 10-11
University Spin-Out and Spin-In
Company formulation policy/IP document
This paper and the general IP document
to be circulated to the AD RKT’s for their
comment.
RKTS
5.1 10-11
Research & Knowledge Transfer Income
09/10
Powerpoint presentation to be
electronically circulated to committee
members
RKTS
7.4 10-11
Management & Leadership training
RKTS to arrange management and
leadership training for the Associate
Deans RKT in 2011
RKTS
Declarations of Interest
Noted
Mr. I. Rowe, (Director of Salitas)
Mr. A.J.M. Duley, (Secretary and Director of; Lena Nanoceuticals, Tangentix, Pharma Ink and
Crystec.)
1. 10-11
Welcome and Introductions
Noted:
2. 10-11
1.1
That Dr M Bloj was welcomed to the committee as appointee to Associate
Dean for SLS effective from 1st November.
1.2
That the committee would like to record their warmest thanks to Prof. D.
Tobin for his past contribution to RKTC and for the significant amount of
work he has done on the committee’s behalf and his excellent insight and
drive.
Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising:
Noted:
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2.1
That the Research & Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2010 is to be
postponed so that it can be arranged to run in conjunction with the K T
Awards Event next spring. There will be discussion around the theme of
the event at RKTC2 in December.
2.2
(Minute 37.4 09-10 refers) That a paper on Individual Research &
Knowledge Transfer Monitoring 2009 (Document ref. RKTC 10 10-11) was
tabled for information and note. The general feedback on the new software
was that it is a positive improvement on the previous years. However, it
was acknowledged that there is still room for development.
Action: Request to incorporate additional information captured in this exercise
should be notified directly to TH. It was acknowledged that this list will also be
circulated electronically to the School Deans.
2.3
(Minute 46.4 09-10 refers) That the University of Bradford Spin-Out and
Spin-in Company Formulation Policy (Document ref. RKTC 09 10-11) had
been circulated for information and note. The final draft will be presented to
the next University Commercialisation Group meeting and it will then be
brought back to this Committee in December for recommendation.
Action: The Chair asked for the paper to be circulated to the School AD RKT’s for
their comment. This circulation should include the General IP document.
2.4
3. 10-11
(Minute 37.4 09-10 refers) That a paper on Customer First Standard and
Branding Guidance (Document reference RKTC 13 10-11) was tabled for
information and note.
Terms of Reference and Membership
Noted:
3.1
That the draft Terms of Reference and Membership (Document ref. RKTC
01 10-11) had been circulated for information and note.
3.2
That Prof D. Pankhurst should be listed a named committee member
representing Research Degrees Committee and this will be duly amended.
3.3
That a nominee from the RKT Centre directors should be sought as a
named representative to become a member of the committee:
Resolved: This matter will be discussed with the RKT Centre Directors and the
amended TOR will be circulated at the next committee sitting for approval.
PART 1 – STRATEGIC MATTERS
4. 10-11
Preparation for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) (Document
reference RKTC 11 10-11).
Noted:
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4.1
That a paper was tabled for information and note.
4.2
That the REF will be the vehicle for assessing and funding research but
some processes are still unclear.
4.3
That QR funding cuts in the region of 15% are expected.
4.4
That that three main project streams will be people and outputs, impact and
environment.
4.5
That the university will have to look strategically at the selectivity aspect of
1 and 2 star submissions which made up roughly 50% of our RAE
submissions.
5. 10-11
4.6
That the potential effect on staff morale will need to be managed sensitively
during this exercise.
4.7
That impact is based on a longitudinal study of high quality research which
can be attributed back to an individual linked directly to the University.
4.8
That the process will be managed through the REF steering group and UoA
Coordinator and administrators through the REF Operations group.
4.9
HEFCE initial pilot results due in November and these will be used to inform
on discussion with the Deans regarding the drafting of the three UoB pilot
case studies.
4.10
The chair acknowledged that further discussion with School Deans will be
needed to implement an effective plan for the REF once further detail is
confirmed.
Research & Knowledge Transfer Income 09/10
Noted
5.1
That TH presented an overview of RKT income for 09/10 submitted to
HESA by Funder and by School. The overall trend in income is static.
5.2
That research & KT activity will be discussed with the Deans and AD RKT’s
in conjunction with School plans. Following any implications from
information in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the subject will
be re-visited again as a substantial agenda item in December.
Action: Detail from the presentation will be emailed to committee members.
PART 2 – OPERATIONAL MATTERS
Research & Knowledge Transfer
6. 10-11
Q R Allocation methodology 10-11
Noted
7. 10-11
6.1
That the strategic element of QR allocation has been settled at 15% for
2010/11 following discussions between the PVC (RKT), Director of RKTS
and the Deans. Discussion is underway with Deans as to how this
particular element of QR will be spent.
6.2
AD RKT’s were advised to raise this topic with their Deans.
RKT Centre Progress report (Document reference RKTC 05 10-11)
Noted
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7.1
That an RKT Centre summary of progress report 2009/10 was circulated to
the committee for information and note.
7.2
That two RKT Centre presentations were made to the Investment Steering
Panel and if required, these can be made available to the committee.
7.3
That an additional RKT Centre for Managerial Excellence was approved to
commence on 1st August 2010.
7.4
That the recent management and leadership training by the Leadership
Foundation has been found to be very well received, both in terms of its
content and the opportunity to network. It was agreed that a similar
programme should be made available to the AD RKT’s in 2011.
Action: RKTS to make arrangements for this AD RKT’s training.
Research
8. 10-11
Staff Development
Noted:
8.1
Mandating courses for new academic staff (Document Ref. RKTC 03
10-11) That RKTS are recommending a suite of four mandatory
development workshops for all new academic staff (a maximum of 9 hours)
as outlined in the paper. These are:
1. Winning Grant Funding (November 2010 and spring 2011)
2. Costing your Grant (October 2010 and Spring 2011)
3. Ethics Overview Session (Autumn 2010 and Spring 2011)
4. IP & Exploitation (November 2010 and
Resolved: The committee endorsed the proposal.
8.2
That the Chair of the Research Degrees Committee noted that the phasing
in of compulsory professional development for principle supervisors which
is currently delivered on a voluntary basis, could also be considered a
mandatory obligation in the future.
8.3
Charging for Non-attendance (Document reference RKTC 04 10-11) It
was noted that the University have introduced a policy to charge
departments for staff non-attendance on internally delivered courses and
RKTS will be adhering to this policy. Circulated for information and note.
Knowledge Transfer
9. 10-11
K T Development Fund
Noted:
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9.1
That a paper on the K T Development fund project update (Doc reference
12 10-11) was tabled for information and note.
9.2
That the programme launched January 2010 had been successful in
seeding 10 small KT projects.
9.3
An additional round of funding in September 2010 had resulted in another
4 projects being supported.
9.4
A further round of funding will be made available through this scheme in
January 2011 for projects to be completed by 31 July 2011, subject to
funding availability.
10. 10-11 Sustainability Centre & Building
Noted
10.1
That the Head of Business Partnerships gave a comprehensive
presentation on the background and plans for the proposed Sustainability
Centre. A copy of the powerpoint presentation is available on request from
the Committee secretary.
11. 10-11 Sub Committee Reports
11.1
Ethics in Research (Document reference RKTC 07 10-11). The minutes of
the meeting were circulated for information and note.
11.2
University Commercialisation Group – It was noted that there were no
minutes to report to this committee sitting.
11.3
Research Degrees Committee (Document ref: RKTC 06 09-10). The
minutes of the meeting were circulated for information and note.
10.3.1 RDC Plans for 2010/11 (Document ref: RKTS 08 10-11) were
circulated for information and note.
10.3.2 The suggestion that the University move to appointing independent
chair for all vivas was discussed. The RDC Chair would welcome
any comments or views on this from committee members directly
via email.
12. 10-11 Strategic Projects / Bids update
Noted
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12.1
Bradford Institute of Health Research are holding a showcase in March
2011 and the University will be active in promoting applied research at the
event.
12.2
Nanofactory – This contract is ongoing.
12.3
Science Bridges Project – Both EDT and SLS are actively involved with this
project. The Open Innovation agenda with the regional Chinese
government together with RCUK and TSB continue to provide funding
leverage.
12.4
Low Carbon Futures - are now supporting the University Sustainability
Project.
12.5
ERDF – The Innovation fund programme is currently ‘work in progress’ and
the position will be updated at the next committee meeting.
12.6
Leeds City Region (LCR) – There are many changes in this area and this
agenda item will also be followed up at the next committee meeting. HE
ideas are still being pushed through the LCR.
13. 10-11 Any other business
13.1
British Science Festival – September 2011. The University is hosting this
prestigious event next year and the committee members were asked to
discuss within their Schools and directorates what opportunities this
exposure will bring.
13.2
Precedent contracts now available. A suite of precedent (template)
contracts and guidelines are now available via the RKTS website.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING 13 DECEMBER 2010
2PM ROOM D2, D FLOOR RICHMOND
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