- it had been sent out to peer review, and the reviews were so unsupportive that there was no point in it going to panel. This may seem fair enough, but I know of at least one case where a proposal was rejected was rejected on these grounds, but the reviews were based on a misunderstanding, and were factually inaccurate;
- it doesn't fit with the call criteria, or with the remit of the EPSRC. Once again, this seems fair, although there is the question of interdisciplinary proposals. In these situations, however, EPSRC encourages applicants to contact it first and submit a 2 page 'remit query' so that it avoids being rejected on these grounds.
Go to https://fundermentals.org/ to discover both the back catalogue and the latest articles
Thursday 29 April 2010
EPSRC Demand Management and 'Office Rejection'
Wednesday 28 April 2010
European Environment Funding Info Day
Attendance is free; contact Ian Sutherland at Defra if you want to go along.
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Politicians on the Case
The Conservatives are pledging to postpone the Research Excellence Framework (REF) by two years. In addition they stated that, if an appropriate system for measuring impact cannot be found, they will scrap it altogehter.
The Lib Dems intend to increase the number of postdoc places by reducing 'under-utilised' PhDs. They will also move Science more centre stage by moving the Government Office to the Cabinet Office. They also hope to tackle the crisis in UK physics, which is taken to mean they will deal with the budgetary problems over at STFC.
The full responses can be seen on the CaSE blog. The Labour response to CaSE is due shortly.
Lifelong Health and Wellbeing: Advanced Notice
Phase 3 will seek proposals on (but not restricted to):
- Mental health and wellbeing, including quality of life, preserving cognitive function;
- Resilience for successful ageing: from cell to society, including life course influences, markers for ageing and processes of ageing;
- Age-related conditions, including frailty and interventions to promote independence in later life.
They're offering both research grants (up to £10m) and pilot grants (£2.5m for 10 projects).
The call itself is due in early May, so have a look at their website and give some thought as to whether you have the necessary collaborations or projects that would be suitable to LLHW funding. If you need any help with this, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
'Violence': Seminar Recording Available & Next Meeting
The Violence Research Group will meet again on 12 May between 3:30-4:30. It will focus on considering where next to go with the Group: there is clearly a wide interdisciplinary interest in violence at the University, but how should this be developed, and what specific activities should be undertaken, including possible collaborative research? In addition they will think about another public event, possibly on the theme of whether violence is innate or learned. If you want to be involved drop me a line.
'Responsive Mode' is Sooo Last Year...
Reassuring to know they're all on message with this change. If it's not a significant change, then why bother? If it is significant, then shouldn't their staff be better briefed?
Lunchtime Seminar: 'Energy Security and Climate Change'
She will bring together a panel of academics to examine two key aspects of contemporary energy policy: ‘energy security and climate change’. As well as outlining the broad definitions of what these are as government policies, she is also keen to discuss these from the perspective of those on whom it actually impacts: consumers of energy, ordinary citizens.
It’s free, and all are welcome. It will be held in the Senate Chamber, with lunch from 12:30pm. Do let me know if you can come.
Friday 16 April 2010
Internal Peer Review Panels - More Info
The format of the meeting is as follows: each participant brings along a draft application. It doesn’t have to be complete, but we would ask for at least a draft Case for Support and perhaps a lay summary. Each person gets paired up with another participant, and they have half an hour to read each other’s proposals. They then have 5 mins to present it and be questioned on it by the group.
- Wednesday 5 May 2010: Biomedicine & experimental psychology – Wellcome/MRC/NHS Internal Peer Review Panel. Howard Rodgers Room (Room 234), Ingram, 2-4pm. Chaired by Prof. Mick Tuite (Biosciences), with input on the NHS from Annette King (CHSS). Contact Eve Dyer (e.dyer@kent.ac.uk) if you want to take part.
- Wednesday 26 May 2010: Humanities - AHRC Internal Peer Review Panel. Grimond Seminar Room 6, 12:30-2pm. Chaired by Prof Paul Allain (Arts) Contact Lynne Bennett (l.bennett-282@kent.ac.uk) if you want to take part.
- Thursday 27 May 2010: Engineering, digital arts, computing, mathematics – EPSRC Internal Peer Review Panel. Brian Spratt Room, Cornwallis, 2-4pm. Chaired by Prof Peter Clarkson (SMSAS) and Prof. Simon Thompson (Computing). Contact Phil Ward (p.ward@kent.ac.uk) if you would like to take part.
- Wednesday 14 June 2010: Social Sciences – ESRC Internal Peer Review Panel. Venue TBC, 12:30 – 2pm. Chaired by Prof Dominic Abrams (Psychology). Contact Jacqueline Aldridge (j.aldridge@kent.ac.uk) if you want to take part.
- Tuesday 1 June 2010: Biology, ecology & conservation sciences – BBSRC/NERC Internal Peer Review Panel. Senate Committee Room 1, 2-4pm. Chaired by Prof. Peter Bennett (DICE) and an academic from Bioscience (TBC). Contact Phil Ward (p.ward@kent.ac.uk) if you want to take part.
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Lone Researchers: Designing a Fundable Project
Both Elizabeth and Paul have exceptional track records in attracting research funding from a wide variety of sources - although neither work within fields where project-based research is a necessary component of a successful research career.
Consequently this workshop should appeal particularly to any academic who feels that their research topics and methods do not fit the standard 'aims/questions/methods/dissemination' project structure required by funders. Staff at all levels and using any methodological approach (from archive research through interview-based projects to modelling) will find this session useful.
The workshop runs from 11.00-3.00pm and includes lunch. Places are limited so let me know as soon as possible if you would like to participate.
Wednesday 7 April 2010
REF 'Main Panel Chairs Designate' Advertised
The four Main Panels will broadly cover the following areas of research:
- Main Panel A: Medicine, health and life sciences
- Main Panel B: Physical sciences, engineering and mathematics
- Main Panel C: Social sciences
- Main Panel D: Arts and humanities.'