Research and innovation conference 2021

Chris Hale, Director of Policy, Universities UK

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University and Universities UK’s Research and Innovation Lead 

• Holly Yates, Deputy Director, Research and Development, Strategy and Finance, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
• Saskia Walcott, Director, Walcott Communications, Board non-executive director, Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA), and Research impact consultant
• Bill Rammell, President, University of Kurdistan Hewler and Former Minister of Higher Education
• Abhishek Nakhate, Founder & CEO, ZoomAbroad

This session will address how stable and sustainable research and innovation can be used to support the government’s plan for growth.

• Shahid Omer, Deputy Director - Innovation Strategy, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)  

• Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive, National Centre for Universities and Business  

• Paul Mason, Director of Innovation Policy, Innovate UK  

In this session you will hear how universities can support the implementation of the government’s new Innovation Strategy, and the role that universities work with industry and businesses to support UK innovation.

Chris Hale, Director of Policy, Universities UK

• Connor Mckenzie, Head of Policy and Research, MillionPlus

• Dr Clare O'Neill, Senior Business Development Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University

• Professor Ian Craddock, Director, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Health & Care, University of Bristol

• Chair: Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Derby

Universities have a crucial role to play in boosting their local economy. This session will discuss how universities support their local regions and how university research contributes to economic, social and covid-19 recovery.  

• Rachel Bruce, Head of Open Research, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Bill Hubbard, Head of Policy and Engagement, Digital Resources, Jisc

• Chris Banks, Assistant Provost (Space) & Director of Library Services, Central Library, Imperial College London

• Chair: Masud Khokhar, University Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection, University of Leeds and Vice-chair of Research Libraries UK and strategic sponsor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

This session will address the importance of open access, and how the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Open Access Policy can support these goals.

• Vicki Crossley, Head of Policy, Simpler and Better Funding Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Ian Carter, Independent Consultant

• Dr Martin Kirk, Operations Director (Research and Researchers), King's College London 

• Dr Karen Sergiou, Director Research Services, University College London

• Dr Elizabeth Rattray, Director of Research and Innovation, University of Aberdeen

One year on, we revisit key questions around the impact of research management systems and information: How have they helped institutions respond to Covid-19? Have we seen any impact on research culture? And are we any closer to reducing bureaucracy?

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University and Universities UK’s Research and Innovation Lead

• Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex  

• Jennifer Stergiou, Director, Research & Innovation Services, Northumbria University  

• Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading and Chair, Universities UK Effectiveness and Efficiency in University Research Advisory Group  

This session will provide an update on the government’s independent Review of Research Bureaucracy and will discuss how to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy to support good research.

• Dan Wake, Policy Manager, Universities UK

• Hilary Noone, Research & Innovation Culture Lead, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Dr Helen Pain, Chair of the Technician Commitment Steering Board and Chief Executive, Royal Society of Chemistry 

In this session you will hear about the project commissioned by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome Trust, which aims to inform conversations about how the initiatives can best promote a more inclusive and welcoming research culture while minimising bureaucracy.

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University and Universities UK’s Research and Innovation Lead

Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University London

• Linda Holliday, Deputy Director, global mobility and inclusion, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Dr Andrew Clark, Director of Programmes, The Royal Academy of Engineering

• Anjali Shah, co-chair of the UK Research Staff Association and researcher, University of Oxford

• Chair: Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University London  

This session will focus on how universities can support implementation of the Research and Development People and Culture Strategy, particularly highlighting how the sector can attract and retain researchers, diversity and talent.

• Rebecca Veitch, Head of Research Integrity, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)  

• Professor Marcus Munafò, Chair, UK reproducibility network, Professor of Biological Psychology and MRC Investigator, University of Bristol 

• Dr Yoo Ri Kim, Lecturer in Hospitality Management, University of Surrey

• Chair: James Parry, Chief Executive, UK Research Integrity Office

In this interactive and productive discussion, you can expect to explore the sector’s challenges relating to research integrity and how universities can work to overcome them.

• Phil Clare, Director, Innovation and Engagement, Research Services, University of Oxford  

• Fariba Soetan, Policy Lead, Research and Innovation, The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB)

• Dr Amanda Baxendale, Head of Research and Innovation Services, University of Derby 

• Chair: Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice-Chancellor, Keele University and Chair, Knowledge Exchange Concordat Strategic Group

This session will provide an update on the Knowledge Exchange Concordat and will focus on reflections from the development year and its outcomes. You can expect to hear about the broader objectives of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat and high-level outcomes of the evaluation process.

• Rachel Bence, Chief Information Officer, Queen Mary University of London
• Dr David Telford, Executive Director of Information Services, University of Stirling
• Pip Peakman, Director of Research and Innovation, University of Nottingham
• Chair: Jon Baldwin, Director of Business Development & HE Strategy, Worktribe

In this session, we bring together research and IT leaders to explore the role of information technology in supporting research strategy. Join what is set to be a vibrant debate, touching on digital leadership, digital fluency and transformative change, as well as how data and technologies can deliver better experiences in the research process.

Hosts: Dan Wake, Policy Manager, Universities UK and Jovan Luzajic, Policy Manager, Universities UK

In this networking session, you can meet colleagues and swap best practices and solutions to sector wide challenges. This discussion will focus on challenges and reflections related to UK research and innovation funding. Bring your drink of choice, turn your camera and microphone on and get settled in for a lively discussion. 

Professor Mark Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton

• Michael Bright, Deputy Director, International (Global Partnerships), UK Research and Innovation

There is a diverse range of international organisations and forums who aim to promote international collaboration in research and innovation, both through funding and policy coordination. Beyond the EU Framework Programmes, there is a panoply of smaller, intergovernmental and inter-agency initiatives working across the disciplinary spectrum, many with UK involvement. In this session we will hear about the role that these organisations have to play in strengthening the UK global research and innovation networks.

• Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh

• Professor Anthony Finkelstein, President, City, University of London

• Drs. Astrid Wissenburg, Director of Research, University of Exeter

This session will discuss how to manage the important benefits and risks of collaboration, and how to ensure that the sector feels enabled to engage internationally.

Professor Mark Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Southampton