Arc Welding

Arc welding (Photo by Pete Wright on Unsplash)

So today I start a new job. I'm taking on the role of Director of Eastern Arc.

If you've not come across Eastern Arc before, there's more on this regional consortium below. I'm really excited to be taking up this new challenge, and I think there's huge potential in this collaboation of three radical universities, born in a time of optimism and change, which form an arc across the outward facing prow of the UK.

Before I step up to this prow, I wanted a moment to take stock and share eight things I've learnt from my time in supporting academics with their proposals.

• Research development is a fabulous occupation. Like many, I fell into it. It's not the kind of job that you aspire to as a five year old, like fire-fighting or train-driving. However, it's wonderful to work with intelligent, thoughtful people with the aim of making their research happen. I've said this before, but coming to work can feel a little like an interactive series of BBC4 documentaries. What could be better? 
• ...but be cautious of 'professionalising' it. I know I'm a lone voice here. The occupation is being professionalised, with certification, monolithic conferences, shiny magazines and a rash of training. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing per se, and I do think we should be professional in the way we work. I'm just a little worried that we may lose sight of what we do: we support academics. Our roles wouldn't exist without the academics. We shouldn't put the cart before the horse and be jobsworth in our work. In addition, we should welcome into the profession those from outside who have very applicable, useful and creative skills. Just because you don't have the ARMA qualification or previous experience in HE, it doesn't mean that you don't have a huge amount to offer. 
• Don't be afraid to ask. This goes for both research managers and administrators, academics, applicants, or award holders. Nothing is obvious. No question is stupid. And don't limit it to your institution. Ask those elsewhere - which also helps to expand your network of contacts and support. 
• Deadlines are never long enough - even when there's no deadline. You'll never have enough time to hone and polish completely. There's always a little more than you could or should do. But there has to be a time when you say, 'enough'. Press 'submit'. 
• ...and success rates are never good enough. Well, apart from the BA Small Grants which, when I joined Kent in 2003, were a dizzying 90%. Now that figure is the stuff of dreams, and too many schemes have success rates in the low teens or even single figures. However, don't let that put you off: you might be part of that 13%. In the words of the old cliche, hope for the best but plan for the worst. Have a plan B in case you're part of the 87% instead. 
• Be creative. Given that deadlines are never long enough and success rates never good enough, you have to be creative. You have to be creative in how your research can reach beyond the confines of your discipline, but also in how it fits a funder's scheme. As a research development officer, you have to be creative in the support you provide, whether it be grant writing weeks, peer review panels, early career networks, internal award schemes - or blogging. Think imaginatively about how to champion research and champion research funding. Try everything, and don't give up. 
• Don't take no for an answer. You're going to meet so many frustrations, internally and externally. You're going to get knocked back. Don't give up. Apply again. Ask again. Push again. Persuade again. You will get there, however long it takes. 
• It's not rocket science. Unless it is rocket science, of course. But really, good applications - and good support for applications - is about common sense. Start with the essential elements of a good application and go from there. It's an art, but not one that is beyond learning. Take time to learn it, and good luck. 

Preparing for the new role is, perhaps, why I've been quite quiet on Fundermentals recently. I still plan to continue writing here, and even move the blog to a more professional platform. But for now I look forward to chatting to colleagues at Kent, Essex and UEA about collaborating across and between these three fabulous institutions and rekindling that disruptive spark. 

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An Introduction to Eastern Arc

What is Eastern Arc?

Eastern Arc is a strategic research consortium comprising Kent, UEA and Essex. It was established in 2013, but this is the first time that there will be central coordination of it.

What unites the three universities?

The three universities have very similar founding principles, and are of broadly the same age and size.

All three were born in a time of optimism and change, when old conventions were being questioned and traditions being challenged. All three aimed to be different, to work across disciplinary boundaries, to offer alternative ways of thinking.

This is enshrined in UEA’s motto (‘do different’), it’s there in Essex’s founding principles (‘freer, more daring, more experimental’), and clear from the words of Kent’s first VC, Geoffrey Templeman: ‘We have tried, in a very real sense, to make this university a community of masters and scholars...where people of the various disciplines mix up.’

They are all broadly of the same size in terms of student numbers and income, have similar strengths and face many of the same challenges. By being part of the consortium, by working together, they can share their strengths and be a strong, united force in an increasingly competitive research landscape.

What has Eastern Arc done so far?

Eastern Arc was originally based around three themes: digital humanities, quantitative social sciences, and synthetic biology. It has had significant funding success, including a grant from Research England for 'Enabling Innovation: Research to Application' (EIRA) (£4.7m), an award from the Cultural Development Fund (£4.3m), and the ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre (£6m). It was the launch pad for 21 PhD students and the catalyst for a number of joint publications and other collaborative activities in its first five years.

What can Eastern Arc do for me and my research?

Eastern Arc is intended to support beneficial collaboration between academics, researchers and other staff at the three universities. Through collaboration, research can be extended and strengthened, and will provide a larger and more robust platform from which to publish together, engage externally or secure joint funding.

In my first few months I'll talk to a wide range of academics and others to see where there are areas of complementarity and overlap – as well as a willingness to be open and engaged.

I want to open up the ARC beyond the three original themes and build a flexible, agile and robust network of connections and collaborations that would bring together the best of what each university has to offer. It should be a partnership that benefits our own work and informs the work of others, and is ready to  make the most of opportunities for external funding, impact and engagement.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more about EARC on its website, which will be redesigned and updated shortly. There will be an Eastern Arc conference at Kent on 28 November. You are very welcome to come along and hear more. Email me if you want to take part.