Jenny Jerrams-Smith, Jim Briggs and Steve Hand, DIS, 15th May 2002
The subject of Information Systems is included in the descriptions of two RAE units of assessment: Computer Science (UoA 25) and Library and Information Management (UoA 61). In 2001, these two panels convened a joint sub-panel to consider submissions in this area. This paper presents the case that the University could make a credible submission to Library and Information Management (LIM) in a 2006 or later RAE that would achieve grade 4.
Although no RAE submission was made in 2001, there has been continued active research in Information Systems. This includes the work of the Health Informatics group, three members of which were part of the Subjects Allied to Medicine 11a submission that got a 3b in 2001.
By 2006, we expect at least 6 staff from those named below to meet RAE grade 4 quality thresholds. These on their own would constitute a small but viable submission.[1] However, depending on University strategy, there are active researchers from other areas who could be included in LIM, increasing the volume of research and strengthening the case. These could include Computer Science (CS) staff, the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) group in Geography, some staff from PBS, and others from a variety of sources working with health information.
Extrapolating from recent data outlined below, it is expected that the submitted staff would each have produced 4 good journal papers, supervised on average 2 PhD completions[2] and brought in research income on average in excess of £100k[3].
Where there is an overlap in research activity between CS and LIM, we believe a LIM submission is better tactically. CS is dominated by big departments in "old" universities; in 2001 LIM submissions were more from former polys.
(with number of international journal or peer-reviewed conference[4] papers 2001-2002; key researchers in bold are those with at least 2 out of 3 of papers, PhD completions and external income)
Health Informatics group: Jim Briggs 3, Dave Prytherch 2, Tineke Fitch 1
Advanced Interfaces group: Jenny Jerrams-Smith 6, Brett Stevens 2
Information Systems group: George Allan 2, Peter Bednar 3, Carl Adams 0
Advancement of Computers in Education group: Terry King 3, Michael McCabe 2, John Rosbottom 0
|
J. Briggs |
Telemedicine Information Service |
British Library |
£17,000[5] |
|
J. Briggs |
Website for Dept of Health ICT Programme |
Dept of Health |
£11,800 |
|
J. Briggs and R. Beresford |
Smart Card Study |
Dept of Health |
£2,500 |
|
D. Prytherch and J. Briggs |
Predictive models of adverse clinical outcomes in General Medicine |
NHS R&D consortium / ARDSU |
£20,000 |
|
D. Prytherch |
Chemotherapy clinical information systems |
FORT and Boehringer-Ingelheim |
£50,000 |
|
J. Rosbottom |
Virtual University Research and Development Project |
ENIMM |
£50,173 |
|
G. Allan |
Configuration Management |
National Air Traffic Services |
£7,700 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
£159,173 |
|
2001-2002 already completed |
2003-2006 projected |
|
9 (including 3 with successful vivas who are currently making minor amendments) |
8 (including 4 full-time research students starting October 2002) |
|
Goal |
Strategy |
Progress to date |
|
1. Each key researcher has at least four top-quality papers |
· Targeting publications at international quality journals · Identify which conferences carry equal status with journals |
· Dissemination of information about journal impact factors |
|
2. Maximise RAE impact of research funding won |
· Collaborating tactically on funding bids (including crossovers with other UoAs) |
|
|
3. Sustain numbers of PhD completions |
· Funding of research student bursaries (internally and externally) |
· 4 bursaries funded for 2002 start (3 internal, 1 external) |
|
4. Increase level of national esteem |
· Forging relationships with rest of UK LIM community · Establishing strategic partnerships · Hosting/organising/chairing conferences · Involvement in national organisations, etc. · Hosting series of research seminars with external speakers |
· Briggs is a member of the NHS National Information Policy Board’s Academic Forum · Relationship with Portsmouth NHS community · Run SIHI conference series (since 1998) · Links with UKAIS - hosted UKAIS conference 2001 · Hosted Effective Training and Teaching in HCI conference, 2002 · King and McCabe won NTFS awards |
|
5. Increase level of international esteem |
· Converting elements of national esteem into international ones |
· Briggs on programme committee of MEDNET conference series · Allan and Looney's US links re component-based development |
|
6. Increase number of research-active staff |
· Research potential is a significant factor in new academic appointments · Appointing visiting research fellows |
· Appointed Fitch, Stevens, Adams, Bednar in last two years · Joint appointment of Dave Prytherch (with Portsmouth NHS Hospitals Trust) · Appointed Mike Looney as RF in component-based development |
|
7. Devote more staff resources to research |
· Selectively reducing teaching and admin loads for key researchers · Providing support and encouragement to staff who "support" the key researchers |
· Reduced teaching loads · Appointed secretary (from external funds) to support work of health informatics group |
|
8. Manage research more effectively |
· Having a more formal research strategy · Holding research-oriented staff development activities · Providing administrative support for research activities |
· Departmental Research Committee running for the last two years · Research budgets devolved to groups · Research mentors for new staff |
|
9. Increase profile of research |
· Timetabling regular research seminars |
|
[1] The smallest LIM submission in 2001 that gained a grade 4 had 6 FTE staff.
[2] The average for the LIM unit of assessment in 2001 was 0.87.
[3] We as yet have no data on average income per FTE staff in LIM in 2001. However, the figure is likely to be significantly lower than the £87k average that was quoted in the Computer Science overview report.
[4] The LIM panel is one (like CS) which explicitly regards conference papers as being on a par with papers in journals.
[5] £17k is the final part of an £83k project 1998-2002; further funding of £150k awaiting decision by DoH.