Grants Factory: AHRC Mock Panel

The final Grants Factory session of this term will take place on 11 Dec in the R&D Centre (G23), and will provide an insight into how the AHRC assesses applications. This is the first of the three ‘mock panels’ (there will be ones for the ESRC and EPSRC in the Spring and Summer), and will consist of two parts:

• Firstly, two experienced panellists, Dr Simon Kirchin (SECL, and Acting Dean of Humanities) and Prof Peter Boenisch (Arts) will give an overview of the priorities and processes of the AHRC, outlining how your proposal will be assessed;
• Secondly, Simon and Peter will lead a ‘mock’ panel, at which you will assess, discuss and rank a number of real applications, and decide which should be funded. This is invaluable to help understand the issues and difficulties faced by the AHRC panels, which will, in turn, help you to focus and draft your application more effectively.

Given the nature of the mock panel exercise, places are strictly limited, and allocated on a first come, first served basis, although priority will be given to those currently working on an application. If you're a member of staff at Kent, do let me know if you would like to take part.

Peer Review: Roulette, Black Magic...or Fair & Transparent?

The next Grants Factory event will focus on ‘how the peer review panel works,’ and will take place on Wed 30 January at 12noon in Cornwallis NW SR6.

Prof Mick Tuite

Dr Simon Kirchin

To many the assessment of their well-crafted proposal by the funder is somewhere between a game of roulette and a black magic session. A sense of randomness, of unfairness, hangs over the system. But what really goes on? Are these concerns justified, or are the panellists doing the best they can with limited resources? This session will hear from two Kent academics who have had considerable experience of sitting on peer review panels. Prof Mick Tuite (Biosciences) has had experience of the BBSRC and the Wellcome Trust, amongst others, and Dr Simon Kirchin (SECL) has sat on panels for the AHRC. Both will talk about how these panels function, what they look for in proposals, and how decisions are made.

The event is free for staff at the University of Kent and lunch will be provided, but do let me know if you intend to come as places are limited.