page 1 PURE: The new GCU Current Research Information System (CRIS) Professor John Marshall Director Academic Research Development

page 2 ENHANCING THE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT AT GCU: CONTEXT University Research Committee UK Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) Current Research Information System (CRIS) Research – our digital publication research repository Improving research quality –peer review and mentoring Caledonian Research Excellence Development Opportunities (CREDO - researcher staff development) Understanding and capturing research impact arising from research excellence (REF)

page 3 WHAT WILL WE USE A CRIS FOR ? The focus is on integrating academic research information in one place. The same system will be used by Schools and the University, providing access to a consistent agreed data set facilitating a better understanding of GCU research activity based on up to date information A consistent format for information capture and reporting will allow the University to prepare and model its submission for REF2014 and interface easily with the new REF IT system.

page 4 CRIS and REF There is a critical and ongoing requirement to identify emerging areas of research excellence (3* and 4* levels) as the funding consequent on REF2014 will depend on it (quality is key) It is likely that there will be more joint submissions to REF2014 in Scotland – we must be able to share information with other institutional partners where it is in our interest to do so. Ensuring that reports to SFC, HESA, RCUK etc reflect current research activity and its impact

page 5 PURE Current Research Information System Supplier: Atira (Denmark) PURE evolved out of HE in Denmark – Atira staff understand research needs (see: It provides a single research system interface to researchers who can input their academic information directly and use it as an integrated resource

page 6 Key features of PURE Software for research PURE can fully address CRIS technical and IT legacy issues relating to UK HEI research activity It can automatically bring together relevant supporting data from other GCU IT systems in a way that is useful to researchers (and already implemented at other HEIs –reduced risk) It is scaleable and can cope easily with our present and longer term research volume It has a REF module for automatic submission to REF2014

page 7 Research active academic activity focused on individual at centre Research Publications Research Projects (inc bids and Reports) Research Students/ studentships Research Assistants Research Income and spend Research Impact Collaborations Esteem School Research Group/ UoA Staff employment history Peer review INTEGRATED RESEARCH INFORMATION

page 8 PURE: GCU research data systems integration: PURE: CURRENT RESEARCH INFORMATION SYSTEM HR Oracle (staff) Finance Oracle (projects) Research research publication repository Graduate School Database (research students) RIE Database (bids) Academic Activity (esteem, impact)

page 9 PURE CRIS REPORT GENERATION Comprehensive reports on research activity (including c.v’s) can be prepared for: PURE CRIS REPORTS Individuals REF UoAs Schools Institutes Research groups University research committee What if? Scenario modelling will be possible Associating groups of individuals

page 10 REF2014: PREPARATIONS USING PURE GCU 2014 REF submission REF2014 software UoA submissions developed in PURE HR PURE REF MODULE Repo sitory Grad School RIE FNO

page 11 PURE: GCU Project Implementation plan: June 2011 Scope “views” of existing IT resources to allow developer to frame project detail to implement University CRIS specification Create project team led by ARD with key representative academic research stakeholders (and professional support group staff as appropriate to modules) Regular communication with Schools and other academic groups on progress/input/feedback and training. Implementation in Summer/Autumn 2011 Use to prepare for REF2014.

page 12 PURE system slide views Further details can be found at the following links: PURE: PURE video:

page 13 Any questions? Exercise: What features/reports would you like to see in PURE? Discuss in groups and come up with ways in which better access to information in PURE could help you in the development of your research activity Discuss for 20 minutes and report back