Who's Who

Who: Then

Who: Now

I was very pleased to see that the STFC has in place a former Dr Who as Director of IT and International Strategy. I believe that this is very forward thinking of the Council. After all, you don't get much more international than Gallifrey, and there's not a lot that Dr Who doesn't know about IT.

I hope this is the first of many such appointments. I look forward to Jude the Apostle being appointed to oversee the Shared Services Centre, and Richard Nixon taking over RCUK's 'Open Access' remit.

SSC: Accentuating the Positive

The Jekyll and Hyde character of the Research Councils' Shared Services Centre (SSC) was once again on show last week.You might remember that it had a somewhat - ahem - 'difficult' birth, with couriers refusing to deliver to Death Star House until the SSC bills were paid off, and SSC itself being branded a 'fantastically expensive failure' by Prof John Seddon.

But that's very much the 'Mr Hyde' end of things. Let's instead focus on the respectable, Rotary Club-belonging, upstanding-member-of-the-community, 'Dr Jekyll' side of the SSC. In August last year it was shortlisted for the National Business Awards in the 'Transformational Change' category (oh so appropriate for Dr Jekyll!). But as if that wasn't enough, last week saw it scoop another trophy for the cabinet, this time for its Payroll Team.

This is, of course, fantastic news. However, whilst I'm very pleased for both the Payroll Team and the - erm - Transformational Change Team, I am still waiting for the silverware to come tumbling in for the Customer Services Team. It's a travesty that it's missed out so far, and it can only be down to some high level conspiracy. How else can you explain that fact that it's not yet been given the 2011 Quick and Effective Response to Enquiries Award?

SSC Shortlisted for Award Shock

For anyone who's every had any dealings with the RCUK Shared Services Centre, or has read about its growing pains, this news will come as something of a shock. The SSC has been shortlisted for an award! And it's not even the award for the organisation least likely to be able to organise a piss-up in a brewery. No, its the National Business Award for (the slightly tautological) Transformational Change of the Year.

Transformational Change? What does that mean? Well, I'm glad you asked me that. 'Pioneers of transformational change...enhanc[e] the citizen and customer experience, achiev[e] more with less, and creat[e] better value for stakeholders.'

Really? Is this the same SSC we're talking about?

It goes on: 'this award has been designed to recognise the entity that has successfully refocused, restructured or strategically re-aligned to significantly reduce cost while improving efficiency; increased productivity, market share or revenue; enhanced the citizen’s/customers experience; and engaged staff, suppliers and all relevant stakeholders in the implementation of new systems and technologies to drive sustainability.'

Hmm. I guess that depends on how you measure 'success'. Or 'efficiency'. If they're measured by quick turnaround times and knowledgeable responses to queries, then SSC might struggle to secure the prize. However, let's be optimistic: the NBA panel might be assessing the potential for future growth and performance. And if that's the case, it's in the bag for the SSC because, as Yazz said, the only way is up.

STFC Moves to Shared Services Centre

Like the EPSRC, NERC and AHRC before it, STFC is moving to use the Shared Services Centre (SSC). It's warning of some disruption, though not to the submission of applications. Between January and February the Council will not be able to undertake admin related to current grants, such as grant transfers, final reconciliations, extensions and changes in investigators. They'll also be unable to deal with requests to extend the due dates of deliverables (such asstarting certificates, final expenditure statements, final reports etc), so will extend the due date for these automatically and across the board until after the move to SSC.

AHRC Submission Blackout in February

What is it with the AHRC and submission blackouts? Last year, with their move to Swindon, they didn't accept applications for three months. Now, as they shift their operations over to the ill-fated Shared Services Centre, they will not be accepting applications between 4 pm on 28 Jan - 1 March. In addition they'll be running slowly when they reopen after 1 March.
It's strange that none of the other Research Councils have suffered similar disruption - for instance the EPSRC are talking about slight delays in processing, but pretty much business as normal.
One would think that these changes could have been planned for. It reminds me of Harry Enfield's Double Take Brothers, who always seemed to be taken by surprise by the obvious. I shudder to think what the AHRC would do if something really unexpected happened. Implode?

EPSRC Transfers to Shared Services Centre

I've mentioned the RCUK Shared Services Centre in the past, and the - ahem - less than fullsome reviews it's had. Despite all this, RCUK is ploughing ahead, and this week sees the transfer of EPSRC's backroom operations to the SSC.
Don't you worry, say EPSRC in a press release, the transfer will be seemless. You won't have access to the grants progress checker whilst the transfer takes place, and 'applicants may experience slightly longer processing for proposals submitted during the transfer period'. But otherwise, seemless.
From December onwards you should contact the SSC rather than EPSRC about any queries to do with the processing of your application.
Dr Annette Bramley, who sounds like she should be a Beatrix Potter character but is actually the gloriously entitled 'Head of Change Implementation', delivered a ringing, New Labourish endorsement of the Service, packed full of 'streamlining' and 'enhancing', 'simplify' and 'benefit'.
You can read the statement in full here, but suffice to say she thinks the change will be brilliant, and will herald a new arcadian dawn. Let's hope so - but remember, 'et in Arcadia ego'. There's decay and death, disruption and frustration in Arcadia as well.

BIS Publishes Milestones for Reform

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has set out its plans implementing changes to higher education. It intends to 'establish a higher education, science and research framework that promotes world-class competitiveness in teaching and research.Ensure progression, fair access and better quality for students. Strengthen links between universities and industries and support innovation and technology development.'

Amongst its milestones to achieve this are the following:

• Develop a white paper on the future strategy of higher education - by March 2011
• Introduce legislation to make possible the 'new arrangements' - by May 2012
• Set out changes to the REF, including assessment of impact - by March 2011
• Reform QR funding to focus on excellence - by July 2011
• Implement recommendations of Wakeham Review - by March 2011
• Reform HEIF funding - by July 2011
• Establish network of Advanced Technology Centres - by April 2012
• Complete move to RCUK Shared Services Centre - by March 2011

So hold on to your hats. By March next year we'll begin to see the reality of the government's brave new world. As the document says, 'the Coalition is committed to a programme of reform that will turn government on its head.' Does that mean upside down government? We'll wait and see.

RCUK Shared Services Centre: 'Fantastically Expensive Failure'

Interesting post on Exquisite Life about the Research Councils' Shared Services Centre (SSC). In case you're not up to speed with this, the SSC is an initiative by RCUK to pool their backroom operations and thereby save money. However, Prof John Seddon thinks it's done anything but: he suggests that it's three times over budget, and still not working properly. RCUK rebuffs his accusations. The full post is available here.