Reply To: strategy

[Louise Brand]

Hi Damon, Congratulations on your new role 🙂

For me it depends on the researcher and where they are in their career/what experience they have of grant writing. The type of support I would provide to ECRs would involve far more hand-holding that to experienced PIs. It also depends on how many people you are expected to support through the grant development process, if you have 200 researchers it wouldn’t be possible to provide them each with tailored support.

I’m currently in a new position myself (2 weeks in) and looking at the types of initiatives I can implement. I have been handed a list of 31 ‘active’ researchers (though no one seems to know if that is indeed the correct number or who is ECR or what research themes they each sit under). So, as I’m new and I have a reasonably manageable number I’m going to meet each one individually over the coming months and work with them to develop a research plan. Once I have a good idea of their research interests, their current experience and the breadth of their networks I will talk through the funding calendar and help them to consider which funds would be most suitable for them to apply to.

If I find themes through my meetings of possible up-skilling opportunities, I will consider running workshops or working with other schools to develop a programme of training/workshops.

Not all of the academics will be interested in that approach, those with 20+ years experience will likely tell me they don’t see the value in that. That’s fine, in the beginning I will work with the willing. The Head of School can then decide if we want to be more directive with the researchers and insist that they meet research funding targets.

I’m not sure if that helps?