Wellcome Trust ISSF
Steering Committee - Terms of Reference
1. Background
The University of Sussex was one of only twenty-five Universities invited to submit a business plan,
by the Wellcome Trust, to access up to £600,000 for investment in areas of key strategic importance.
Following the invitation in May 2014, the University undertook an internal consultation across the
areas of Wellcome Trust engagement, following which the Translational Drug Discovery Group,
under the leadership of Professor Laurence Pearl, submitted its investment plan in July 2014.
The business plan, now approved, will be rolled out over 30 months (from October 2014). The focus
is to identify a portfolio of drug-discovery targets by linking the Translational Drug Discovery Group
with internationally recognised biomedical research in the Genome Damage and Stability Centre.
This will be extended to emerging research in Sussex Neuroscience.
As part of the business plan, a Steering Committee and a Leadership team will be established to lead
this initiative:
Extract from the ISSF business plan:
“Management Arrangements
We will establish an ISSF Leadership team, and Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee, chaired by Professor Laurence Pearl, will have
responsibility for strategic oversight, allocation of funds, management of the Pilot
Fund (including review of proposals), and monitoring of progress (including Public
Engagement plans). Membership will be drawn from the University (including the Pro
Vice Chancellor for Research), and will involve external users / stakeholders to reflect
the reach of the Platform (e.g. from the TDDG external advisory panel). Terms of
reference will be drawn up and we intend to invite the Wellcome Trust to the launch
meeting, and to the 12 month “half-way point” meeting.
The ISSF Leadership team will comprise Professors Pearl, Ward, and Carr. They will
have responsibility for day to day management of the ISSF, and will report to the
ISSF Steering Committee. In addition to management of the ISSF, they will develop
the plan of activity with milestones and targets. This will include key outputs and
outcomes against which to monitor success.”
2. The role of the Steering Committee
The role of the Steering Committee is to oversee the implementation of the University’s ISSF
Business Plan . The committee will advise on the development and implementation of the business
plan across the three key delivery platforms:
-
Translational Platform
Pilot Fund
Public Engagement
(Annex 1 provides the indicative activity and outcome for each of the delivery platforms.)
3. Proposed Membership
The Steering Committee will be chaired by the Professor Laurence Pearl. Membership will be for the
full duration of the award (to 31st March 2018).
Steering Group membership requirements (according to submission)
Role Holder
Name
Chair – ISSF PI
ISSF leadership team
Pro Vice-Chancellor Research
Professor Laurence Pearl
Professor Simon Ward (Life Sciences)
Professor Anthony Carr (GDSC)
Professor Michael Davies
External / Advisory members:
TDDG External Advisory Panel * 2
Other e.g. BSMS?
Wellcome Trust ISSF representative
TBA
TBA
Dr Jimmy Whitworth
4. Responsibilities




To review and oversee the implementation of the ISSF activities
To monitor progress and review targets as necessary
To provide guidance and advice on progress and strategy.
Decision making or consultation group?
5. Modus Operandi
 The Group will meet twice per year
 The ISSF Leadership team may consult the Steering Group membership for advice
and directional guidelines
 A quorum is required for at least four Steering Group members for the meeting to
take place.
6. Support and Contact
Steering Committee support (meetings, papers) will be provided within the School of Life Sciences .
The first contact point of the Steering Group is Chiar of the Committee, Professor Laurence Pearl
(laurence.pearl@sussex.ac.uk).
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