RCUK announce independent review of Roberts’ recommendations

At the January 2010 Vitae Policy Forum plans were announced to undertake a review of the recommendations made by the Sir Gareth Roberts’ Review. An expert panel has been formed to conduct the review, with secretariat provided by Research Councils UK (RCUK).

The members of the expert panel are:

• Eur Ing Dr Alison Hodge, QinetiQ (Chair)
• Professor Sir Robert Burgess, Leicester University
• Professor Geraint Johnes, Lancaster University
• Professor Jean Chambaz, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie Paris
• Professor Ella Ritchie, Newcastle University
• Dr Elizabeth Dodson, University of Loughborough
• Dr Debbie McVitty, NUS
• Dr Charles Loving, Retired (formally IBM)
• Dr Conor O’Carroll, Irish Universities Association
• Professor Mary Bownes, The University of Edinburgh
• Miss Sarah Townsend, RCUK Strategy Unit (Secretariat)

The review will take into account existing evidence such as annual reports on the use of Roberts’ funding, evidence submitted to the review from The Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) and publications from the Rugby Team such as the Rugby Team Impact Framework (RTFI) “One Year On”, among others. The panel will present a report to RCUK on the findings of the review and recommendations for taking this agenda forward.

In parallel to this review there is ongoing activity to evaluate the impact of researcher development across the sector. The Impact and Evaluation Group (formally the 'Rugby Team') is calling for the sector to put forward evidence of the impact of researcher development. The evidence will be included in the sector report prepared for a launch at the third annual Vitae researcher development conference.

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes for editors

1. The expert panel will provide a high-level and independent assessment of the impact of the work that has been done to implement the recommendations of Sir Gareth Roberts’ Review (SET for Success, 2002) regarding the employability and career development of research students and staff (recommendations 4.2 and 5.3).
   
   
2. Terms of reference for the expert panel
   
   
3. The review will consider existing evidence from reports including:
   • Full Economic Costs (fEC)
   • The Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS)
   • Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES)
   • QAA Special Review of Research Degree Programmes
   • Publications from the Rugby Team such as the Rugby Team Impact
   • Framework (RTFI) “One Year On”.
   
   
4. There is a commitment from RCUK that ring-fenced “Roberts” payments will be maintained through the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 period to the end of March 2011. RCUK needs evidence to inform any decision about future arrangements for career development and transferable skills training and the review will help to inform those decisions.
   
   
5. For more information about the Impact and Evaluation Group or to submit evidence please refer to guidance on the Vitae website or contact Dr Tony Bromley, Senior Training and Development Officer and Coordinator, Vitae Yorkshire and North East Hub. t.p.bromley@adm.leeds.ac.uk, tel. 0113 3432531
   
   
6. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and the third sector. www.rcuk.ac.uk

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).