DSA COUNCIL MEETING – DRAFT MINUTES
3rd March 2012 – UK Collaborative for Development Sciences, Euston Road, London
12.30 – 5pm
Action by
[1]
Attendance etc
1.1
Present: Geof Wood (Chair – President – GW), Brian Pratt (Treasurer
– BP)), Frances Hill (Executive Director – FH), Joe Assan (JA), Andree
Carter (AC), Andrew Fischer (AF), Charles Gore (CG), Rachel Hayman
(RH), Hazel Johnson (HJ), Fiona Nunan (FN), Kunal Sen (KS), Meera
Tiwari (MT), Andy Sumner (AS), Gareth Wall (GJW).
1.2
Apologies for Absence: Michael Tribe (Hon Secretary MAT), Valerie
Nelson (VN), Ben Jones (BJ), Ronnie Munck (RM)
1.3
In attendance: Anna Lawrence-Jones, graduate trainee from UKCDS
1.4
Non- attendance: Giles Mohan (GM)
[2]
Minutes and Matters Arising
2.1
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 8th November 2011 had
been circulated. They were approved subject to two corrections –
Valerie Nelson was present and Giles Mohan was absent.
2.2
GW asked if any Council members had discussed with their respective
institutions about having their membership of the DSA Council
recognised as part of their workload. KS suggested that this issue
should be raised at the forthcoming Centres meeting.
2.3
Student events: the UEA event in London had happened but the
projected Manchester meeting had not. There are still some funds
available for this area of activity.
2.4
GW: all DSA individual directory profiles of Council members should be
updated. FH to send round reminder to council members.
[3]
Terms of Reference for sub-committees
3.1
Students – communication can be improved by activating a system of
contacting student DSA members via their home institutions which has
been discussed previously in Council – this issue should be raised at
the next Centres meeting. GW suggested a fringe student event at the
2012 DSA Conference on Saturday 3rd November with the possibility of
follow up regional events. Both the UEA PhD epistemologies workshop
and the UEL Undergraduate conference went well. Thanks to FH for
support. The next UEL Undergraduate conference will be on 10th
November 2012. A three tier network and representation system will be
set up for a) research students, b) taught Masters students and c)
undergraduates.
3.2
DSA Ireland – the next meeting will be on 5th June 2012. A new
representative will need to be selected at this meeting.
1
MAT,FH
GW,
All Council
members
GJW, FH
All Council
Members, FH
GJW/FN/MT
RM
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
Funding – The DSA needs to look hard at the issue of sustainable
funding including consideration of alternative funding models. AC
suggested looking at the new ‘Beyond aid’ DFID paper (AC) in this
respect. FH raised the ethical question of what sources of money are
acceptable for the DSA – AF urged caution on corporate funding. GW
raised the issue of whether the DSA would be able to adopt another
organisation’s code of ethics, and also the advisability of developing a
DSA prospectus of activities and funding opportunities – it was agreed
to go ahead with this. CG suggested that a starting point for the
prospectus could be ‘a theory of change’. KS emphasised that stability
and core funding are prime concerns.
Research/REF KS (leads) suggested adding more emphasis on a
strategy for post 2013 and an analysis of University behaviour relating to
the current REF. Permission has now been granted for multiple
submissions to the Anthropology and DS panel. The impact of career
breaks on research performance is significant, and a new policy of
additional/supplementary panel members for sub-panel output
assessment will need to be appraised. The balance of the panel is
currently 7 anthropologists to 5 development studies members. The
REF impact assessment has to be global and will not only be based on
UK evidence. AC gave a summary of the meeting on ‘Assessing the
impact of research relevant to international development: Sharing
lessons and improving coherence’ which she attended with KS which
had a presentation by the new DFID impact person Andrew Shaw – the
key document is in the public domain and so can be circulated. CG
suggested the development of a new section on the DSA website
including resources for the development of institutional REF case
studies. GW suggested the possibility of a breakout workshop at the
2012 conference.
Conferences – GW leads – the group responsible for conferences
needs to consider the future of three day conferences in the context of
the objectives of DSA conferences and the current financial constraints
affecting the DSA and prospective conference participants.
Publications and dissemination – AF leads – On the issue of journals we
need to assess whether owning our own journal would bring financial
gain. Is there space within the current market for another journal? Could
we use the website to upload conference papers? Could we develop a
more active blog? Is there scope for a DSA working/discussion paper
series? Would we work on the basis of open access – or would we
charge authors and/or web browsers? There is a boundary issue
between printed journals (including the JID and web-based
communications. HJ – gave a clear overview of some of the history and
current position of JID.
On the DSA Bulletin there is concern over potential delays if there is
wider editorial involvement.
On the DSA website – Rhiannon has lots of ideas and there is scope for
discussion to include AF, FH, and GW. RH made the point that there is
currently no engagement or discussion on website (or updates from
study groups).
FH mentioned the possibility of developing a student working paper
series and HJ made the point that any future strategy needs to be linked
to the global DSA ambitions.
2
KS, AC, FH
KS
FH
Conferences subgroup
Publications subgroup
FH
3.7
Membership – the DSA needs a broader membership strategy. BP
raised the issue of paying subscriptions by direct debit – FH to check
again on the feasibility of this. RH mentioned study group membership.
GW suggested that targeting consultancy firms would access both
development tenders and staff (institutional). JA raised the issue of
global reach and how to bring internationals into DSA activity.
3.8
Study groups – MT reported that the Multidimensional Poverty group is
to be activated and clarified the parallel existence of the Wellbeing
group. RH suggested that non-members of the DSA members should
pay to participate in SG meetings. MT reported that it is hoped that there
subwill be a one-day event for convenors of SGs at the time of the 2012 Study Groups
group
DSA annual conference. RH suggested that the issues associated with
the interface between and lines of responsibility of regional groups
(Wales, Scotland, Ireland) and student groups (postgraduate research,
one-year Masters and undergraduate) need more attention. JA
suggested reconvening an impact/evaluation subgroup
3.9
External relations (UK) and External relations (International) – this was
discussed under section 9.1 Global Network of Development Studies
Associations.
Membership subgroup
External relations
sub-group
[4]
Brief update on Financial and Membership position FH/BP
4.1
BP reported that there had been a small surplus for the year 2011-2012,
although some conference figures still need to be confirmed). FH
reported that student membership was down but that institutional
membership was up. We need individual membership to grow. WileyBlackwell drive? At the end of the discussion no action was agreed.
[5] ]
Conference 2012 (FH/CG/GDW)
5.1
GW compared the outcomes of Conference 2011 to alignment with
indicators within the list presented by Andrew Shaw (DFID – see item Conference subgroup
3.4). There was some discussion of possible big names for plenary
presentations at the 2012 Conference.
5.2
There was some discussion of comparator budgets for alternative
venues for the 2012 Conference (FH is to meet with SOAS and IOE to
obtain details), and about alternative structures for the Conference fee.
Consultation after the meeting on the basis of the discussion at the
meeting resulted in agreement on a conference fee of £120 for DSA
members and £150 for non-members – with a fee of £60 for DSA
concessionary members (mainly students and age-related). Publishers
will be approached about displays (with a robust follow up to those who
don’t respond) and about a possible sponsored reception. GJW
suggested that publishers or consultancies may wish to associate their
name with a leading keynote speech, which could help fund an
international speaker.
3
BP/FH/GJW
Frances Hill
FH
[6] ]
Findings Research Contract
(BP/CG)
6.1
For this item FH left the room. BP clarified the nature of the contract,
introducing a paper produced by CG and himself at the request of the
previous Council meeting.
6.2
Following a discussion of the options presented, the council voted
unanimously in favour of option one as identified in the BP/CG paper. It
was also agreed that, subject to annual review, the contract will be
extended for a further three years from February 2013 to January 2016:
‘To simplify and clarify for transparency’s sake the core contract and sub
contracts but otherwise to stay as before. This would include the
continuation of the performance reviews, and annual ratification by
Council of amendments, with changes as required.’ In addition, a single
annual budget will be presented to Council and a performance review
overseen by the President.
GW/MAT
6.3
The existing Terms of Reference document will be redrafted with GW
doing a first draft as a basis for consultation between officers in the first GW/MAT/Officers
instance followed by discussion by the full Council.
6.4
It was agreed that the BP/CG paper would be re-drafted following the
meeting with inputs by FH and MAT and would then be recirculated to
Council.
GW/MAT/FH
[7]
DSA Budget 2012-13 (BP)
7.1
The draft Budget for the year 2012-13 had been severely trimmed in the
light of the expected cut in funding from DFID. Even with the trimming, a BP, FH, Council
members
significant deficit on the coming year is expected, but this will be
covered by the operating surplus in the year 2011-12. The financial
outcomes have yet to be confirmed. In the coming year it will be
important to search for some alternative funding sources so that
activities can be held at the current level. There were questions about
VAT position and about prospective additional/alternative sources of
income. At the end of the discussion the budget was adopted.
[8]
JID Update (HJ)
8.1
HJ had produced a comprehensive information update on the JID.
There was discussion over monies flowing to the DSA from JID, and HJ
agreed to follow-up in order to verify what the likely position will be on
this for 2012-13.
[9]
Other Initiatives Relevant for DSA:
9.1
Global Network of Development Studies Associations (FH/CG/GDW) –
a concept note had been circulated, and it was suggested that a revised
version might be fundable from EU sources – CG will develop the note
further. It was noted in general discussion that a number of issues need
to be considered including drivers (aid, academic hunger), the need to
assess the networks which already exist – one issue is whether the
intention is to create a global organisation per se or a network of
national organisations. More investigation needs to be done – what
might be the value added of is being suggested? – which countries
would be keen to see this happen/ Additionally, a role was identified for
the DSA in building capacity/providing advice to those countries wishing
4
GW
HJ
CG
to set up a national ‘DSA’. It was felt that this might attract funding as
well.
[10]
Close of Meeting
10.1
The meeting closed at 5.00pm.
10.2
The date of the next meeting will be arranged by email consultation.
FH
Supporting documents circulated before and/or at the meeting (copies are available from the DSA
Executive Director (frances@devstud.org.uk)):
Agenda for the DSA Council meeting of 5th March 2012
Minutes of the DSA Council meeting of 8th November 2011
Notes for Action from the DSA Council meeting of 8th November 2011
Sub-Committee ToR document
January 2012 Executive Director’s Report
February 2012 Web Statistics Report
Draft Conference 2012 Budget
DSA Conference 2012 Call for Panels/Papers
Paper on the Findings Research Contract (Brian Pratt and Charles Gore)
Draft Core Budget 2012-2013
UKCDS-ESPA Impact Report
JID Update February 2012
Wiley-Blackwell (WB) – DSA Collaboration 2011
Towards a Global Network of DSAs – Geof Wood, Charles Gore, Frances Hill – February 2012
Academy of Social Sciences Nomination Guidelines
Report to DFID on Accountable Grant to DSA May 2010-September 2011
DSA Council March 2012
Important note to Council members: It will not be possible for people to obtain copies of documents circulated to
Council members unless the authors ensure that the Executive Director has either a printed copy or
(preferably) an electronic copy.
5
Annex 1 – Provisional Allocation of DSA Council Member’s Responsibilities
(Please note that some minor adjustments may be needed to these allocated
responsibilities mainly because some Council members were absent from the
meeting and so have not yet been consulted)
a) Mike Tribe – Honorary Secretary – prime focus on the Hon Sec role – constitutional
matters, minutes and monitoring action points (Council, Centres Meeting, AGM),
documentation on the website including minutes, Constitution etc (to liaise with Rhiannon
Rees).
b) Gareth Wall, Meera Tiwari and Fiona Nunan – Nurturing the Future Generation
(research students, one-year Masters students, and undergraduates).
c) Charles Gore, Geof Wood and Frances Hill – Conferences.
d) Andrew Fischer, Hazel Johnson, Valerie Nelson (and Rhiannon Rees) Publications/Communications – this group would refer back to the pre-2007 papers
concerning publications strategy – there was recognition of the distinction between the
publication of peer-reviewed academic papers and blogging etc – but all need to be
considered. It was recognised that this group might need further consideration.
The names of Andrew Fischer, Hazel Johnson, Valerie Nelson (with
Rhiannon Rees) were discussed to take responsibility for publications and
communications. But there was also discussion that communications should
be split from publications as a separate issue, as well as whether Hazel's JID
role involved any conflicts of interest with reference to a broader publications
agenda. Before this is resolved, Geof needs to have further discussions with
Hazel and then Andrew.
e) Frances Hill, Gareth Wall – Membership.
f) Ben Jones, Meera Tiwari and Giles Mohan – Study Groups.
g) Frances Hill, Charles Gore and Geof Wood – External Relations (UK).
h) Andy Sumner and Joe Assan, with Frances Hill and Geof Wood – External Relations
(International).
i) Frances Hill and Geof Wood – DSA Bulletin.
j) Valerie Nelson, Andrée Carter and Frances Hill – Funding.
k) Kunal Sen – Research.
l) Ronnie Munck – Ireland.
m) Rachel Hayman – NGOs.
n) Frances Hill, Andrée Carter and Kunal Sen – Centres Meeting – to include consultations,
teaching (including the ‘accreditation’ issue). Next meeting to be in February 2012.
6
DSA Council Membership, March 2011
Name
Office held
until AGM
Position
on Council
Geof Wood
Mike Tribe
Brian Pratt
Frances Hill
2014
2012
2012
ex off
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Executive Director
Joseph Assan
Andrée Carter
Andrew Fischer
Charles Gore
Rachel Hayman
Hazel Johnson
Ben Jones
Giles Mohan
Ronaldo Munck
Valerie Nelson
Fiona Nunan
Kunal Sen
Andy Sumner
Meera Tiwari
Gareth Wall
2012
Co-opted
2012
2013
2014
Co-opted
2014
2013
2014
2012
2013
2014
Co-opted
2014
2014
External Relations (International)
Funding, Centres Meeting
Publications/Communications
External Relations (UK), Conferences
NGOs
JID, Publications/Communications
Study Groups
Study Groups
DSA Ireland
Funding, Publications/Communications
Student Relations
Research/REF, Centres Meeting
EADI, External Relations (International)
Study Groups, Student Relations
Research Students, Student Relations,
Membership
Summary of Council membership March 2012:
Officers:
Council – elected members
Council – co-opted members
Council – executive director
Total
3
12 (no vacancies)
3 of which 3 are filled
1
19 of which 19 are filled
7