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First steps to independent research - workshop

First steps to independent research - workshop

A half day workshop intended as a starting point for any researcher interested in applying for independent research funding.

Institution(s):: University of Bath

Region(s):: South West and Wales

Date first submitted:: 9 Oct 2009

Date last modified:: 5 Nov 2009

Focus:

Researcher-led activities
HR-related activities
Research project skills
Academic practice
Knowledge exchange
Researcher development strategy/management
Career development

Audience:

Postgraduate researchers
Doctoral researchers
Research staff
Research masters

Range:

Institution

Rationale, aims and outcomes

What is the rationale for doing this?

How does it fit with institutional strategy?

What are the main features of the provision?

What are the aims and expected outcomes?

Many RPGs and RS want to progress into academia; the first step on the way to doing this is to obtain their own research money. However, these same researchers don’t always know what is available and thus don’t bring it up with their supervisors, not wanting to be asked what they had in mind or told that they aren’t good enough.

This workshop was devised with the intention to pass on to researchers information about what kinds of funding they could apply for and what the University rules and regulations surrounding researchers applying for their own funding were. We also wanted to motivate them, so existing Research Fellows come in and share their experiences and pass on tips for success.

The last part of the workshop deals with the process of grant-writing and how to write successful proposals, including the important aspect that a grant proposal is as much about the sales pitch as the science behind it.

This workshop fills a gap in University provision which at present focuses on supporting lecturers and Fellows only due to staffing limitations.

Aims – that researchers know about what they can apply for and how to find funding opportunities, that they know what makes a good grant application, and that they meet people who have done it and learned what steps to take.

Outcomes – hopefully more grant applications for junior researchers, who all too often don’t think of applying for fellowships until they have too much experience for it to be possible! Also, researchers who have more of an eye on their career paths and how to develop them not wait for their supervisor to offer them a renewed grant.

Engagement

Are there any pre-requisites for engagement, e.g. levels of skill, years of experience, essential pre-activities?

How many participate in each 'activity'?

Attendees should be in the final year of their PhD or a member of research staff. No pre-requisite for years of experience. Workshop runs for up to 20 participants.

Evaluation: benefits, challenges and next steps

How do you monitor effectiveness?

Who do you seek feedback from?

Do you have benchmarks?

Benefits – researchers more motivated to apply for grants and less intimidated about the process and the myths that say it’s impossible. Worth doing this as it fills a real gap and as such is highly valued by stakeholders.

No real challenges.

This provision has been running successfully for two years now and will probably remain in its current form; number of sessions will be dictated by level of demand. Could be affected by policy changes regarding researchers applying for funding.

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