1. Research and Innovation Challenges: Excellence and Sustainability Trevor McMillan Low Wood, January 2009

2. What is currently seen as research excellence? Novel findings, thoughts and analyses that are highly respected by: –global peers –potential users –funders. The attraction of high quality research staff and students that receive a stimulating and effective apprenticeship A research governance framework that is fit for purpose

3. How do we achieve research excellence? Academic staff at the leading edge of their discipline A vibrant research community Capable and well motivated research staff and students. A world class physical and support infrastructure. Active collaboration with world class researchers Pro-active engagement with users of research Full engagement with research funders. Diverse funding streams.

4. Where are we now? RAE 2008: The University Profile 90% staff returned (611 fte) 92% activity of international standing + 61% 3*+4* 16 th -19 th without intensity correction 9 th -10 th with intensity correction 12 th for % 3+4* without intensity correction 2 units with all 2,3,4* 5 units in top 5 (221 staff) 3 units with 5% unclassified

5. RAE 2008: GPA

6. QR income per FTE 08/09 QR income set against FTE return in 20089 RAE.

7. The University sub-profiles.

8. RAE 2008: % World leading outputs

9. HESA 06/07

10. Conclusions from RAE 2008 Maintained positions in University league tables Strengths in Physics, LUMS, Sociology recognised. Important steps for LICA, Biomedicine and Computing. A number of units OK but we need them to be better. PhD numbers not high enough 4* papers need to be higher Income not bad but should be better Work at esteem. Financial implications yet to come.

11. Current drivers to bear in mind Economic impact Research excellence framework International positioning

12. Economic impact of research as seen by RCUK. Improving public policy and public services Delivering highly skilled people to the labour market Improving the performance of existing businesses Attracting R&D investment from global business Creating new businesses Economic Impact Economic Impact Prof A Smith

13. How should we measure our performance? External REF metrics –Research income –PhD student numbers –Citations HEBCI metrics –Research income with/from industry –SME interaction –IP exploitation Internal PhD completion rates High citation staff RC Funded Centres Funded fellowships Esteem indicators (e.g. FRS) Staff involvement (grants, PGR)

14. Improving key metrics Increase PGRs Develop the package: A Lancaster University Graduate School Find more student funding Consider different formats e.g. the Professional Doctorates, KTPs Advertise well with our own students and others Ensure we have processes that facilitate completion Increase citations Fully functional institutional repository for outputs and data Support publication in open access journals Improve international profile of the University Examine publication strategies –(multiple short v single long) –Preferred journals

15. Improving key metrics Increase R income Follow the funding Staff mentoring and grant screening More resource support Better funders intelligence Increase income from users Maximise philanthropic giving Increase R with users Fully functional institutional CRM function. Recognise significance of the industry related activity Develop Centres of Excellence Student placements/KTPs etc. Ensure that internal processes encourage user interaction

16. Is our infrastructure good enough? Do we have appropriate and high enough quality: –research support and information? –financial models? –research intelligence? –buildings and equipment? –recruitment processes? –library and IT functions? –workload and promotions criteria? –web presence

17. For discussion groups.... What are the 3 or 4 priorities for enhancing our performance in research and innovation and how should we address them?

18. Broad challenges/priorities? Recruit and support high quality research staff More funded and prestigious fellowships Refresh the Lancaster Graduate School Review our research portfolio Increase the visibility of our outputs Ensure high quality research infrastructure (physical and administrative) and governance Enhance our user friendliness Maximize the international profile of our research Focus on, and fund the required approaches and initiatives to prepare for REF.