CASCADE SHEET
Committee Name / Faculty Research Committee (FRC)Meeting Date / 6th July 2016
1 / Summary of Key Issues Discussed for Dissemination (200 words maximum)
On the FRC Wolf Topic: http://wolf.wlv.ac.uk/fehw/78516/ agendas, minutes of meetings and papers can be accessed.
Doctoral Student Matters
· Recruitment of PhD Student Representatives is still an ongoing challenge, but work will continue to promote the benefits to the student body in terms of undertaking this role.
· An annual summary report of PGR activity was received by the committee and the pattern identified is that there has been an increase period on period. The FRC recognised this as a “good” outcome and acknowledged the hard work of all those involved.
· A development idea suggested has been to consider the aspirational route of Research and actively encouraging our student’s to be considering level 8 studies as Undergraduates (level 5). The Post Graduate loans will have an impact on this. Suggestions to achieve this have been to invite Undergraduates to the Annual Progress Review (APR) and to the 3 Doctoral Presentation events that have been scheduled. Furthermore, to produce a student ‘Doctorate Route Map’ as guidance for staff and students.
· The FRC extended their thanks to Dr Andy Cramp and the FEHW Research team for their achievements this academic year (Increased Level 8 Student Recruitment and APR).
Research Centres
· The FRC approved the merging of CeDARE and CRADLE, which has become one Research Centre under the banner of ‘IoE Research Centre’.
· CRADLE have successfully recruited to the fees only CRADLE Studentship and the successful appointee is starting in September.
· RCSEP reported that the BBC project is going well and monitoring of citations and impact is taking place for REF purposes.
Committee and Service Updates
· Finance reported that we are exceeding the surplus targets (£(89.383)).
· LIS reported that the SCOPUS alerts are having an impact on the non-compliance figures as they alert staff if an article has been picked up on SCOPUS, but it is not on WIRE. A standard reminder message will be included in FEHW News on a monthly basis going forward.
Profs and Readers Research Updates
· The Inaugural Lectures for the next academic year have been put forward to Alex Hopkins for consideration once she is in post. Once confirmed they will be incorporated into the Research Seminar and Skills Development programme.
· The REF Residential has received positive feedback and further evaluation is under away with the hope that it will become an annual event. .
· Professor Michelle Lowe, Director of the Institute of Education, was nominated by the FRC to be one of the representatives on Faculty Board. One Professor place is still vacant and so all expressions of interest to be a representative can be sent to .
FRC Actions
See Actions Checklist on the FRC WOLF Topic.
2. / Policy Changes and Resource Implications
The 15 day turnaround time for Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) is now a service level agreement and will have an impact on the FEHW Research team and Academics undertaking reviews. International students with funding now go straight to Conditional Offer and the Research Proposal Stage without a review.
3. / Communication Plan
Does the item and outcome of FRC need to be communicated beyond FRC? Yes
What level does the communication need to be made at? All staff
If the item is to be communicated to all staff, how is it proposed the item is to be communicated? FEHW News
Who will be responsible for developing and promulgating the message? FRC Chair and Secretary
If the item is to be communicated to wider staff, please submit a copy of this report to Media and Communications.
4. / Recommendations
Cover sheet to be disseminated via FEHW News following the FRC and to be received at Research Centre meetings as a paper for information under standing agenda items.
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