Cardiff launches Serious Brain Power

Today the University launches a major campaign to attract the brightest and best minds to join Cardiff’s established academic community. Here Professor Chris McGuigan, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research tells us why the initiative has been launched.

“To be amongst the best you have to invest in the best – the best facilities, the best infrastructure and the best staff. The University continues to take this kind of investment very seriously, particularly as we strive to solve the big research questions that can really make a difference in the world.

“Earlier this year University Council approved a multi-million pound scheme to recruit new high profile academic staff as well as gifted early career researchers. The aim is to ensure the vibrancy of the research culture at Cardiff, as well as success in our long-term goals as we work towards the 2014 REF exercise and beyond. Staff from across the University have been working together to develop a contemporary, high-profile campaign that aims to attract the brightest and the best to Cardiff.

“We’ve called the campaign 'Serious Brain Power' to reflect our established vibrant academic community as well as our continuing commitment to high quality research and research-led teaching.  A custom-built micro-site has been created to give potential applicants an insight into the work going on at the University, and what Cardiff as a city and Wales as a country have to offer. High-profile adverts will be launched nationally and internationally from today. Meanwhile, our current academic staff, led by our Heads of Schools, will look amongst their peers to identify colleagues they believe can add significantly to Cardiff's research community.

“In my role as Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research as well as Chair of the REF Sub-Group, I continue to be impressed and encouraged by the strength and diversity of the dynamic research being undertaken in all 28 of our academic schools. By recruiting both high flyers and rising stars I am confident we can strengthen the serious brain power we have here already to further progress our journey to be among the best in the world.”

Caerdydd yn lansio Pŵer Ymennydd o Ddifrif

Heddiw, mae’r Brifysgol yn lansio ymgyrch fawr i ddenu meddyliau mwyaf gwybodus a deallus i ymuno â chymuned academaidd Caerdydd. Isod, mae’r Athro Chris McGuigan, y Dirprwy Is-ganghellor dros Ymchwil, yn sôn am y rheswm dros lansio’r fenter.

“I fod ymysg y gorau, rhaid buddsoddi yn y gorau – yr adnoddau gorau, yr isadeiledd gorau a’r staff gorau. Mae’r Brifysgol yn parhau i ystyried y math hwn o fuddsoddiad yn ddifrifol iawn, yn enwedig wrth i ni ymdrechu i ateb y cwestiynau ymchwil mawr sy’n gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth go iawn i’r byd.

“Yn gynharach eleni, cymeradwyodd Cyngor y Brifysgol fenter aml-filiwn o bunnoedd i recriwtio staff academaidd blaenllaw yn ogystal ag ymchwilwyr dawnus ar ddechrau eu gyrfaoedd. Yr amcan yw sicrhau bwrlwm o ran diwylliant ymchwil yng Nghaerdydd, yn ogystal â llwyddiant o ran ein nodau hirdymor wrth i ni weithio tuag at ymarfer REF 2014. Mae staff ledled y Brifysgol wedi bod yn cydweithio i ddatblygu ymgyrch gyfoes ac amlwg fydd yn denu’r gweithwyr mwyaf dawnus i Gaerdydd.

“Enw’r ymgyrch yw 'Serious Brain Power', sy’n adlewyrchu’r gymuned academaidd sydd eisoes yn ffynnu, yn ogystal â’n hymrwymiad parhaus i ymchwil o’r radd flaenaf ac addysgu sy’n cael ei arwain gan ymchwil. Rydym wedi creu microwefan bwrpasol sy’n cynnig cipolwg i ddarpar ymgeiswyr o’r gwaith sy’n cael ei wneud yn y Brifysgol, a’r hyn sydd gan Gaerdydd, y ddinas, a Chymru, y wlad, i’w cynnig. Lansir hysbysebion amlwg yn genedlaethol ac yn rhyngwladol o heddiw ymlaen. Yn y cyfamser, bydd ein staff academaidd, o dan arweiniad y Penaethiaid Ysgolion, yn chwilio ymysg eu cyfoedion i nodi cydweithwyr sy’n gallu gwella cymuned ymchwil Caerdydd.

“Yn fy rôl i fel y Dirprwy Is-ganghellor dros Ymchwil yn ogystal â Chadeirydd yr Is-grŵp REF, rwy’n parhau i gael fy synnu a fy rhyfeddu gan gryfder ac amrywiaeth yr ymchwil dynamig sydd ar waith ym mhob un o 28 ysgol academaidd y Brifysgol. Trwy recriwtio pobl lwyddiannus a sêr y dyfodol, rwy’n hyderus y gallwn gryfhau’r pŵer meddyliol sydd yma yn barod a gwneud cynnydd o ran ein hymdrechion i fod gyda’r gorau yn y byd.”

Am fwy o wybodaeth am yr ymgyrch, ewch i www.caerdydd.ac.uk/seriousbrainpower/