Shared Research Infrastructure (Bath)
Aim:
For the GW4 Alliance to share infrastructure and open up more opportunities to collaborate in
common areas of shared facilities, learning, training and development.
Progress:
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GW4 equipment sharing database: has access to over 1300 pieces of state-of-the-art
equipment and is open to all GW4 researchers
GW4 treasures - archives and special collections hold a wealth of rare published and
unique unpublished materials, covering a huge range of subject areas such as
Environment, Women, Medicine, the Written Word, Ways of Thinking, Science and
Technology. This offers unlimited potential in support of cross-institutional research
partnerships and collaborative working
Key ‘wins’:
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Won JISC funding to look at open access provision; developed a short-list of capital
projects to bid for as GW4; submitted our first response to a national consultation as
the GW4 - BIS Capital consultation.
Those working on the sharing infrastructure workstream referenced Professor Sir Ian
Diamond's Review on Efficiency and Effectiveness in Higher Education (put link) and in
particular the workstream undertaken by the N8 research partnership entitled "Raising
the Return -- benefits and opportunities from sharing research equipment" (put link).
Building Capacity and Developing People (Bristol)
Aim:
To provide capacity building opportunities for researchers and professional staff across the
GW4 Alliance
Progress:
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Facilitating staff movement and exchanges: A framework has been agreed for
academic secondments across GW4
Shared staff development resources: Staff development resources at each institution
are being made available to other GW4 academics and professional services staff
directly supporting research activity
Collaboration Lifecycle Programme: development and leadership activities have been
designed to help research staff involved in collaborative initiatives to be more effective
participants and leaders.
PGR training programmes: The GW4 Alliance is making PGR training opportunities
and resources available to students from across the four institutions.
Key ‘wins’:
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Portfolio of shared existing PGR training and resources established and growing
New joint PGR Training 'Communication for Collaboration' successfully piloted and
being re-purposed for the website
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GW4 costing model agreed for all new GW4 configured DTPs/CDTs
PGR toolkit being used by new DTPs and CDTs and informing new bids and re-bids,
Collaboration Lifecycle Programme pilot launched and first cohort of research
communities selected.
Building Communities (Exeter)
Aim:
To create new, high-quality GW4 research communities or for existing high quality
collaborations to enhance their scope as a result of the four research-intensive western
universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter working together. This will be achieved
through the provision of the Building Community Initiator and Accelerator Fund.
Progress:
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There have been two Initiator Funding calls and one Accelerator Funding call. A third
funding call closed 6 March. To date, GW4 has invested over £650k in 35 projects.
Key ‘wins’:
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Projects have a lead PI but are a collaborative effort involving an academic team
across all GW4 partners
Over 150 academics have come together to drive these projects with hundreds more
engaged in project activities.
There is a good spread of projects across all the Grand Challenge areas with many
projects contributing towards more than one
Analysis of outcomes from the first round of Initiator funded projects show significant
success in relation to; number of collaborative events held, number of both internal
and external community members involved in GW4 communities, industry impact,
knowledge transfer, further funding, academic esteem and infrastructure sharing.
Communications and Connectivity (Cardiff)
Aim:
To ensure effective connectivity and communication across the GW4 Alliance workstreams.
Progress:
 Re-development of the website, branding review and production of first GW4
newsletter
 Increasing social media presence [twitter & facebook]
 GW4 marketing materials have been produced
 Communications protocol has been distributed to GW4 partners
 Westminster and Welsh launch events of GW4
 GW4 Communications Manager appointed (in post from Jan 2015)
 Connectivity: facilitation training, consideration of collaborative software, planned
development of a protocol for joint approach to strategic partnerships.
Key ‘wins’:

Successful launch events and a redeveloped website, showcasing the work of
GW4