Strategy 2009-10 to 2013-14
Research
Strategic Aim One - To continue to be recognised for the
world-class standard of our research and scholarship.
The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) produced a top-ten ranking
for the quality of the University’s research. In addition, an increased
number of departments achieved top-ten rankings within their individual
subject league tables. The RAE result further underscored the pre-eminence
of social sciences at Essex with two first place rankings and all the Social
Science departments being ranked in their subject top four.
The
University aims to maintain and extend this leading research profile; key
objectives are to:
- Conduct a major review of Essex subject research strategies in the
light of the UK RAE data now available, addressing both identified
strengths and weaknesses, and thus determining areas for further
improvement and potential future investment.
- Following the review of subject research strategies, develop a
University-level research/Research Excellence Framework (REF) strategy
(during the academic year 2009-10) to position the University for the
forthcoming REF. Aspects of this strategy will include: support and,
where appropriate and possible, growth of existing strong Essex
activity; the identification of new areas of activity; aspects of
research infrastructure that require support and investment; and means
of achieving a significant growth in research volume and intensity
across the University.
- Closely monitor the emerging REF to ensure continuing strong match
between Essex research performance criteria and the new requirements.
- Continue and extend the policy of disproportionately growing
research grant income via continuous improvement of submitted grant
bid-quality, engagement of more researchers in grant-winning activities,
and through a policy of building high-quality internal and external
collaborations.
- Maintain and seek to further improve the recruitment of the
highest-calibre researchers into positions where research is stipulated
as part of the appointment contract.
- Develop research governance structures in line with the new
Faculty-based academic organisation, and further enhance the quality of
research management within departments.
- Support and maintain four major Global Challenges projects focusing
on research with global significance. Further information on
Essex’s Global
Challenges, including the four projects (below) is available online.
- Constructing a new global socio-economic and political order
- Finding answers to global threats
- Transitions to peace and prosperity
- Reinventing the internet.
Our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) explain the
targets.
For further information, see the
Research community
pages on the Research and Enterprise Office web site, and the
Global theme of the Strategic Plan
Further information on
Essex’s Global
Challenges, including the four projects is also available.