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All HEIs are trying to achieve the same broad goals for their research staff funded from the same overall ‘pool’ of additional resources. If the sector works together, an organisation such as UKHERD can offer a great deal in terms of the efficient use of resources and sharing of best practice:
- An organisation that HEIs ‘sign up’ to (probably via an ‘institutional contact’) in order to receive the very latest information at the same time (e-mail list and web site).
A vehicle for Research Councils UK to communicate the latest Roberts funding information / issues.
- A body run by RS development practitioners that understand the issues facing both research staff and their own University, and the universities and research institutes that employ them.
- A method of pooling and sharing the very best practice from across the UK to ensure the efficient spread of knowledge, limit duplication of effort, and encourage efficient use of ‘Roberts’ funds.
- An organisation offering specific and relevant development events throughout the year for practicioners (e.g how to deal with FTC legislation, developing career pathways, or reward and job evaluation for research staff).
- A method of ensuring that HEIs receiving relatively small amounts of Roberts funds can benefit from a large body of knowledge and practice available within the HE sector.
- An annual web based survey of ‘members’ asking what they need to help them do their jobs even better.
- An annual report (perhaps in conjunction with Research Councils UK) outlining the progress made by the sector.
- A professional body to lobby and provide feedback ‘externally’ (i.e Research Councils, media), and ‘internally’ (i.e individual Universities).
- A ‘showcase’ body to promote the needs not only of research staff but also those that have a responsibility for developing policy on their behalf.
- An annual conference to bring together all those in HEIs with a RS development role.
- A group to which national policy makers (e.g OST/HEFCE) turn in order to consult on new developments / proposals order to efficiently tailor policy with need.
- A group to which other ‘stakeholders’ can turn for the very latest opinion from practitioners ‘on the ground’ e.g AUA, UPA, AUT, Media, Universities UK.
- A group that plans for and encourages continued and long term funding to facilitate further developments for research staff.
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