Domain C: Research governance and organisation

The programme covers the grants management process from new award set up to managing budgets through to award closure. The roles and responsibilities of PIs in administering research grants and contracts will be reviewed and established Cardiff University grant administration policies and procedures will be explained. An overview of the support available to the PI from RIS and from their host academic school will be provided.

Topics covered in the workshop include:

• New Grants & Contracts Award Set Up
• Managing Budgets
• Financial reporting Inc. claims & timesheets
• Staff Recruitment
• Award Closure & Archiving
• Post Closure Audits
• RIS and PI Responsibilities

Audience

The course is aimed at academic researchers with either active, externally funded research grants and contracts or will be applying for such funding.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• understand the principles of managing a research grant
• have the knowledge about the internal procedures to support research grant management
• know who within the University is available to provide support.

Course dates

PART A: A Brief overview of UK research funding, including a generic look at getting UK grant funding for the inexperienced ECR. What funding is out there? Where can I find info or get advice? What other aspects do I need to consider when choosing the right funding scheme? Is my track record strong enough?

PART B: (Workshop): What qualities make for a competitive research bid? How do I identify a good idea? How long might it take to prepare? Top tips provided for good grant writing. This interactive workshop will include group exercises. It is particularly aimed at those early careerresearch staff starting to look for future research funding. It may also be of use to new academics unfamiliar with UK research funding.

The trainer, Dr Pam Johnstone, herself once a researcher, subsequently spent over a decade managing large research portfolios in government departments and a large medical research charity where she managed peer review/decision-making processes.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to those who:

• have little or no experience of UK Research Funding
• would like to know more about:
  • where to source information
  • how UK research funding works
  • the opportunities and challenges of UK research funding
  • points to consider when choosing a funding scheme
  • identifying a good idea
  • writing a competitive bid
• have plans to prepare a future research grant or fellowship application or indeed wish to contribute to a research grant application led by another

Content

Overall aims of the training: to raise participant awareness of the UK Research Funding Environment and provide them with practical advice for preparing a competitive research bid well attuned to the funder.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• understand better how UK Research Funding works
• source the information / advice they need in an efficient way
• recognise the funding scheme best suited to their own needs
• plan better for future research bid preparation
• utilise top grant-writing tips when preparing future bid

Course dates

What qualities do funders look for in a good research grant application? What are the most common reasons for failure?  What are the most important parts of the application? What should the focus of the content be there?  These questions will be explored during this interactive workshop during which there will be a number of group exercises.

Note that in order to reduce screen time with the online workshop, the trainer will provide some pre-workshop material prior to the workshop. This will cover the ‘audience’ and ‘social impact’ aspects of your application and will require 60 to 90 minutes reading/consideration on your part before the day of the workshop. Advice on Data Management will also be included in the pre-workshop leaflet although reading of this prior to the workshop is not a prerequisite.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to those who:

• are planning to prepare a research bid soon
• have limited experience of grant writing
• or have had limited success with research proposals to date
• may have written small bids or contributed to other’s grant applications
• or may have not written a research proposal for some time and who are in need of a refresher
• this is likely to appeal to Early and Mid-Career Researchers
• Lecturers / Senior Lecturers and Post-doctoral Researchers looking to secure future research grant or fellowship funding and to whom one or more of the above apply.

Content

Interactive workshop involving a number of group exercises for research and academic staff and use of example bid material. The trainer, Dr Pam Johnstone, herself once a researcher, subsequently spent over a decade managing large research portfolios in government departments and a large medical research charity where she managed peer review/decision-making processes.

Areas covered:

• how Funders Make Decisions / The audience you are writing for (A1 Section Pre- Workshop Material).
• qualities of a Good Research Bid / Common reasons for failure.
• closer look at specific bid aspects such as: Summary, Rationale, Work plan, Pathways to Social Impact (A2 Section Pre-Workshop Material)
• tips on writing and on practical side of preparing a grant application
• provision of information on local support/advice.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• overcome the most common pitfalls of grant-writing
• write in a way more targeted to their audience
• utilise practical tips and tools for preparing a competitive bid
• address Research Council requirements for Pathways to Impact noting the changes introduced early in 2020

Course dates

What qualities do funders look for in a good research grant application? What are the most common reasons for failure?  What are the most important parts of the application? What should the focus of the content be there?  These questions will be explored during this interactive workshop during which there will be a number of group exercises.

Note that in order to reduce screen time with the online workshop, the trainer will provide some pre-workshop material prior to the workshop. This will cover the ‘audience’ and ‘social impact’ aspects of your application and will require 60 to 90 minutes reading/consideration on your part before the day of the workshop. Advice on Data Management will also be included in the pre-workshop leaflet although reading of this prior to the workshop is not a prerequisite.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to those who:

• are planning to prepare a research bid soon
• have limited experience of grant writing
• or have had limited success with research proposals to date
• may have written small bids or contributed to other’s grant applications
• or may have not written a research proposal for some time and who are in need of a refresher
• this is likely to appeal to Early and Mid-Career Researchers
• Lecturers/Senior Lecturers and Post-doctoral Researchers looking to secure future research grant or fellowship funding and to whom one or more of the above apply.

Content

Interactive workshop involving a number of group exercises for research and academic staff and use of example bid material.  The trainer, Dr Pam Johnstone, herself once a researcher, subsequently spent over a decade managing large research portfolios in government departments and a large medical research charity where she managed peer review/decision-making processes.

Areas covered:

• how Funders Make Decisions / The audience you are writing for (A1 Section Pre-Workshop Material).
• qualities of a Good Research Bid / Common reasons for failure.
• closer look at specific bid aspects such as: Summary, Rationale, Work plan, Pathways to Social Impact (A2 Section Pre-Workshop Material).
• tips on writing and on practical side of preparing a grant application.
• brief look at the opportunities + challenges re the more complex bids: larger collaborative, multi-disciplinary etc.
• provision of information on local support/advice.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• overcome the most common pitfalls of grant-writing
• write in a way more targeted to their audience
• utilise practical tips and tools for preparing a competitive bid
• address Research Council requirements for Pathways to Impact Impact noting the changes introduced early in 2020.

Course dates

This short day interactive event will provide research staff with information and insights into the benefits and practicalities of applying for academic fellowships as part of developing an academic career. The session will include insights into lay statements, personal career benefits and networking with experienced fellows from a range of disciplines, information on sources of fellowship funding and practical exercises on the key elements of applications.

Speakers include:

• Dr Ian Humphries, holder of a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship in Basic Biomedical Science and panel member for the awarding of Fellowships by Wellcome
• Mrs Josie Grindulis, Career Development Manager, Human Resources
• Dr Mari Nowell, member of Research and Enterprise Services on sources of funding.

Other speakers to be confirmed.

This event is useful to all disciplines.

Course dates

This course covers the legal requirements around Data Protection, in terms of research data, as well as good practice for managing research data and records. Topics covered will include:

• legal basis for processing including consent and public task
• privacy notices
• confidentiality
• data capture and record creation
• organising your data (version control, file naming and folder structures)
• setting retention periods
• data security
• preparing a data management plan
• making data openly available.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to those who are:

• early stage researchers
• responsible for managing research records
• experienced researchers who want to update their knowledge with the latest developments.

Content

The content is comprised of two parts:

1. Data Protection

• A history and overview
• When it applies
• The Data Protection Principles
• Ethical consent and consent under Data Protection law
• Interaction with other relevant legislation

2. Data and Records Management

• Preparing for your project
• Data Management plans
• Managing your research records during your project
• Making your data available
• What to do when your project ends

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• understand Data Protection and how it impacts on their research
• draw up appropriate privacy notices
• understand Funding Council requirements
• draw up Effective Data Management Plans
• understand the principles of good records and data management and the benefits

Course dates

This is an introductory session for all academic staff who come in contact with children and young people in some capacity through their research role. The course covers responsibilities under child welfare legislation and Cardiff University's Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policy linked to key guidance.

It will focus on identifying signs of abuse and placing these in context of what constitutes significant harm to children and young people. The course will provide an opportunity to explore areas of potential conflict when looking at issues of neutrality, consent and confidentiality for the researcher.

Audience

This session should may be of interest to those who:

• are undertaking research directly with children
• are undertaking research with adults who are parents of dependent children
• are undertaking research with groups of adults and children
• are going into family homes as a result of their research
• are going into settings where there are children e.g. schools, hospitals, daycare provision.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, learners should be able to:

• understand the key legislation and related guidance for child protection in Wales
• recognise the context, signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect
• apply good practice when dealing with concerns and disclosures about abuse
• understand professional abuse and the importance of whistle blowing
• understand the roles and responsibilities of professionals in other agencies working in child protection
• identify and use effective record keeping, information sharing and confidentiality in relation to child protection and the referral process.

Course date

The course introduces the participants to intellectual property and the intellectual property rights which exist to protect them.

The course is delivered via 2 presentations.

The first presentation will look at copyright, your rights and the rights of others and includes a brief overview of copyright, ownership, exclusive and moral rights of the copyright owner as well as copying legally through permitted acts, obtaining permission and licenses.

The second presentation aims to introduce participants to the basics of intellectual property rights that may exist in the outputs of their research. It includes an introduction to copyright and the process of patenting outlining some of the routes which can be used to commercialise a technology. An overview will be provided as to how the outcomes of research are exploited within Cardiff University and the support available.

Completion of the course will enable participants to identify intellectual property in their own research and determine how it can be protected.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to those who:

• Are applying for funding with a collaborating institution where IP arrangements need to be clarified.
• Are interested in learning about intellectual property and how to protect it.
• Are interested in learning the about copyright and the process of patenting an invention.
• Have an interest in understanding their rights and the rights of others when using and allowing the use of third party copyright material.
• Are interested in commercially exploiting the outcomes of their research.
• Are applying for funding which requires knowledge of patents or intellectual propert.

Content

The course content can be divided into:

1. Introduction to intellectual property rights: Introduction to patents, copyrights, design rights and trademarks
2. Patents: What can be patented, exclusions in patenting, defining novelty and disclosure, the differences between inventors and owners of an invention
3. Patent process: application process, timelines and costs involved
4. Copyright and ownership: the does and don’ts
5. Commercial exploitation: Market research, licensing, spin-out company formation

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will be able to:

• Understand the basics of intellectual property rights (patents, copyright, design) and how to protect them
• Determine whether an invention is novel and inventive
• Learn the importance of non-disclosure, confidentiality and useful agreements to protect intellectual in put
• Understand the process of patenting an invention
• Understand the routes to commercialising the outcomes of research

Course date

Planning for and successfully completing your research programme is a key factor in your career development as a researcher. Perhaps you find yourself effectively running the project on your Principle Investigator's grant, possibly managing their research team while aspiring to submit grants yourself – or maybe you have just gained your first grant award.

This workshop doesn't teach any formal project management framework, rather it explores the appropriate skills to ensure the project runs effectively to achieve its objectives while giving you the resources to manage yourself and others more effectively during the process.

Audience

This course should prove to be of particular interest to:

• early career researchers with limited experience of managing projects and no formal training in project management
• active researchers who are beginning to submit their own grant applications
• researchers who find they have responsibility for managing other people's research projects
• researchers beginning to collaborate in multiple projects.

Content

During this workshop you will focus on:

• managing your project – understanding how to manage stakeholders, scope, risk and tasks during the project.
• managing yourself – skills in personal effectiveness and prioritisation.

This workshop will explore aspects of:

• understanding the project cycle, managing the project and stages of project completion
• self-management, including how to prioritise choices and to organise our own time and resources to best achieve the project goals.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, it is expected that learners will have:

• an understanding of project management processes
• flexible responses to managing the scope of a project
• different ways to consider prioritising tasks and projects.

Course dates