CONFERENCE: REF 2021and KEF Mechanics in a UKRI Future

Friday 19th May 2016, 10:30 – 3.20pm

The Central Committee Room (CCR), MacLaurin Building, de Havilland Campus

University of Hertfordshire

9:45 – 10:15 / Coffee and registration
10:15 / RENU AGM
REF Mechanics in an uncertain future
10:30 / Welcome Prof. Alison McCleery, RENU Chair and Professor of Geography, Edinburgh Napier University – Confirmed
10:35 – 11:35 / Keynote Lecture: Our keynote speaker on REF will be David Sweeney, Director (Research, Education and Knowledge Exchange) HEFCE and Executive Chair Designate of Research England, who will speak about ‘REF mechanics in a UKRI Future’.
This will be followed by a panel discussion examining the REF 2021 in light of the new UKRI funding institution, as well as Brexit, ‘Brexodus’ and Indyref2, recognising that HEFCE representatives cannot discuss matters relating to future government policy due to the forthcoming general election.
11:35 – 12:35 / Introduction to roundtable discussion on REF 2021- Chair, Prof John Senior, University of Hertfordshire – confirmed
  • David Sweeney, Director (Research, Education and Knowledge Exchange) HEFCE Confirmed
  • Tom Fostick, Policy and Programmes Manager, (Research and International), University Alliance, Confirmed
  • Representative from, Anglia Ruskin University (TBC)
Panel Discussion: Each person will give a brief overview of their thoughts on REF 2021 followed by a general roundtable discussion on members’ issues in relation to the next REF.
12:35 – 1:15 / LUNCH
KEF Mechanics in a UKRI future
1:15 – 2:00 / KE policy and Brighton University: preparing for the KEF
Professor Sue Baxter, Director of Research, Enterprise and Social Partnerships, Brighton University Confirmed
2:00 – 2:20 / KEF Policy and the KEF Steering Group
Alice Frost, Head of Knowledge Exchange policy, HEFCE Confirmed
Discussion to include:
-establishment of Research England in UKRI
-the implications of the Government's Industrial Strategy
-the KE Framework, McMillan review and the BEIS study of ke and
commercialisation transactions (in industrial strategy)
-HEFCE /Research England funding, HEIF and the Connecting Capability
Fund
The discussion will be heldunder therecognition that HEFCE representatives cannot discuss matters relating to future government policy due to the forthcoming general election.
2:20 – 3:15 / Introduction to roundtable discussion on Knowledge Exchange Framework- Chair, Prof Mark Gray, Middlesex University - confirmed
  • Alice FrostHead of Knowledge Exchange policy, HEFCE Confirmed
  • Paul MannersDirector, National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement Confirmed
  • Sue Baxter, Director of Research, Enterprise and Social Partnerships, Brighton University Confirmed
  • Helen Lewis, Director of Research and Enterprise Division, University of East Anglia
  • Vanessa Cuthill, Director - Research and Enterprise Office, > University of Essex
Each person to give a brief overview of their thoughts on KEF and then all delegates will have the opportunity to discuss their own issues in relation to the next KEF.
3.15 / CLOSING REMARKS
3.20 / End of Event

RENU events are held under the Chatham House Rule - When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

Research and Enterprise Network for Universities – RENU

Chair: Professor Alison McCleery, Edinburgh Napier University

Administrator: Dr Helen Rolph

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