Computing Research, Consultancy and External Activities Committee

Agenda

Notes

Action

Introduction

JSB thanked everyone for attending and welcomed Richard Healey to his first meeting of this committee.

Minutes of the last meeting

Minutes of the meeting on 16 May 2003 were approved.

Matters arising from previous minutes

Research methods seminars

JJ-S reported that attendance at research methods seminars had improved greatly with students being made aware that attendance is an essential part of their research training.  GA pointed out the difficulty that part-time students might have in attending on a Thursday lunchtime. It was anticipated that the procedures for the Pg Cert in Research Methods would be sufficiently flexible to take things like that into account.

Newsletter

David Anderson not present.  JSB to chase progress.

DA/JSB

Website

JSB reported that the University’s Content Management System was not proving user friendly as it took too long and therefore using it for research group pages is unlikely this academic year. Nevertheless nearly all groups now had pages. It was intended to have some standard information on each group such as: who is in the group; money brought in; projects undertaken.  JSB to continue to monitor the situation.

JSB

Links with Geography

This item is on the agenda because of earlier proposed collaboration on research projects between JSB and RH who is new to this committee.  RH agreed to set up a meeting or event to discuss possible collaboration.

It was considered that other faculties could also collaborate on research projects and a possible new agenda item was suggested to cover links with other departments.

RH

Computing Research, Consultancy and External Activities Strategy

Actions from last minutes done.  It was reported that some research students are still teaching on Thursday afternoons but that the timetablers were aware of this and will incorporate in future.

Version 4 of the strategy document was discussed and further changes were proposed arising from developments in University policy.  It was agreed that a flexible strategy was probably required and that it could not be finalised and approved at this meeting.  A sub-committee was formed to re-draft the document consisting of JSB, TA and HS.

JSB/TA/HS

External review of our research activities

The working party has still to meet due to busy schedules but it was proposed to involve RH and FS to do a review initially to assess and advise on research issues before actual external people were approached.  Meeting to be arranged before next committee meeting.

JSB/TA/TK

EPSRC Referees Incentive Scheme

JSB action to email all was done.  Monies received go to the University Finance Department and are sent to Heads of Department to spend. EPSRC have to be informed of what the money was spent on.  The incentive financially to act as a referee is modest (about £70) but it raises esteem for the university.  It was noted that speed in returning to EPSRC is important whether accepting or refusing to referee.

PgC in Research Methods

JSB action to forward details of PgC in Research Methods not done as not yet received.  It is understood that this faculty has a course starting in February.  Research methods forms part of all MSc courses and a PgC will be a necessary requirement for PHD.

Ethical issues in research using human subjects

JJ-S's report on ethical issues was discussed.  It was noted that the university has an Ethics Committee and JJ-S is to contact the secretary Peter Findlay for further information.  It was noted that the Faculty of Technology does not have its own ethics committee and it was suggested that Computing might need one of its own.

JJ-S

Matters from other committees

Faculty Research Committee

JJ-S reported that information about bids (and their outcomes) should be sent to Cindy Roch (not Alison Clyne).

Faculty Research Degrees Committee

Nothing reported.

University Research Committee

Nothing reported.

Research group reports

Each group reported briefly on recent developments.

Research student progress

No issues.

Any Other Business

JSB had received a spreadsheet giving details of new research grant awards for 2002/2003. The overall picture was poor: awards down from £7m the previous year to £3.5m this. The Computing area figures poorly.

Date of next meeting

Middle Spring term - to be decided