Thursday 4th November 2010 /
Morse Room, ILRT, 8-10 Berkeley Square
Attendees:
Michael McMahon, University of WarwickVincent Daly, KingstonUniversity
Iain Long, LondonSchool of Economics and Political Sciences
Sue Timmis, University of Bristol
Cillian Ryan, University of Birmingham (Chair)
Robert Wright, University of Strathclyde;
Clive Robertson, OxfordBrookesUniversity, / Economics Network staff:
Inna Pomorina, University of Bristol
Ros O'Leary, University of Bristol
John Sloman, University of Bristol
Martin Poulter, University of Bristol
Miriam Best, University of Bristol
Edmund Cannon, University of Bristol
Apologies: Judith Piggott, Oxford Brookes University; Anne Gasteen, Glasgow Caledonian University; Dimitra Petropoulou, University of Oxford;Paul Latreille, University of Swansea; Andrew Ross, HM Treasury; Mark Bailey, University of Ulster; Gill Clarke, University of Bristol; Guglielmo Volpe, Queen Mary, University of London; Rebecca Taylor, Nottingham Trent University; Wyn Morgan, University of Nottingham; Paul Dowdall University of the West of England; Alan Carruth, University of Kent; Kit Leighton-Kelly, University of Bristol
1.Minutes of the last meeting
Accepted as an accurate record with the following action points:
Action 1.1: EN (politically) follow up/target key departments.
Action1.2: Ensure VC/PVC aware of future activity.
Action 4.1: (EN to explore advertising potential) to carry forward.
Action 1.3: EN distribute to CHUDE syllabus of GTA/New Lecturer workshops.
Actions points for internationalisation, awards and a sense of belonging workshop have all taken place. EN ran an induction activity at LSE - it was hugely successful.Concern that the Academy is not galvanising the interest in these workshops to the community.
2.Economics Network update on activities
Surveys and students focus groups
The survey was a success this year and we are following this up with student focus groups, 9 are planned to date, incorporating EN survey and NSS results. VD suggested an overview of the focus group themes over a few years would be very useful, looking at shifts and ongoing issues. 3 departmental workshops planned and 15 learning and teaching projects are underway. The learning and teaching awards have been announced and there is a lecturer survey planned for the spring. The EN has a new intern, who is proving very effective.
3. The Economics Network Future
Funding update from JS
JS updated the group on current funding position, which appears unpromising for the continuation of subject centres. The Academy board next meet on November 10th and subject centre staff will be informed of their decision on which model to take forward on the 12th.
The group then discussed how the Economics Network might continue post July 2011.
Suggestions for future planning:
- Subsidies from publishers – FT, the Economist (JS).
- Assess the minimum cost needed to run the EN until capital can be raised (MM): £150,000/200,000 (JS) – skeleton staff – 3 FTEs + money for consumables – this assumes that Bristol would supply room + tech support.
- Need to ask Bristol in specific terms e.g. with a time limit to assistance e.g. from 2011 to 2012 (EC).
- What will York stop doing? (CR) GTA/New Lecturer workshops likely to be broader i.e. social science-based (ST).
- Need to convince economic departments to contribute to costs (VD). Subscriptions won’t work; visiting academics could work; subscription for logo on our website could be attractive, especially for marketing overseas (JS). Charging for services: focus groups, GTA/New Lecturer workshops/workshops.
- RES teaching and learning group as new EN (CR). Could propose that they cover transition costs then over time small or zero contribution (VD). Could put this forward formally as a result of Advisory Group (RW). A DEE conference could be a relaunch – maybe a one off cost from RES (RW).
- Could voluntarily cluster e.g. BMAF, EN, CSAP (JS) so have a brand that transcends disciplines.
Action 3.1: EN to draw on suggestions for future planning.
4. Student surveys over the past 10 years
Inna discussed a synopsis of Economics Network student surveys, between 2000-2010. Changes overtime included:
- The percentage of students who feel their course met their expectations has increased.
- The main area where students’ expectations were not met was maths.
- Students are generally equally satisfied with their degree course over time.
- 2002 was all about students’ enjoyment of the subject and not about employment prospects- this has gone completely the other way in 2010.
- Over 1/3 of students in 2010 said there was no aspect of the course they didn’t like.
5. Update on DeSTRESS
Martin briefed the group on funding for Open Educational Resources and the cultural change towards resource sharing. The TRUE project was a success and now there is DeSTRESS - statistics for the social sciences. It is a resource creation and sharing project.
How to continue with the TRUE project:
Action 5.1: (CR) At the RES conference, give a 2-minute talk before a paper on sharing material and resources. Also have a TRUE stand.
The difficulty is sustaining the more mainstream TRUE projects (health and heterodox are successful because they are not mainstream). The project helps academics who are teaching a module they know little about, the difficulty is encouraging academics to use it as a depository. ST must make people realise that it is a cultural change from ‘if I didn’t write it, it won’t be good enough’ to ‘this could be very useful and I could put my stuff on there too.’ CR you need a critical mass to start the cultural change that makes people add to it. Ensure it is marked across all avenues.
Action 5.2: (VD) Consider awarding prizes to the best lecture slides? Contact all subject leads and ask them to remain contact leads.
Action 5.3: EN to look at which institutions use the resources the most and contact, encouraging them to contribute.
Action 5.4: (ST) have an audio link/video of people who have used the resources for newsletter.
6. AOB
None
7. Date of next meeting
Friday 8th April (1st is the 2nd option)