Misleading search for twelve first-division players

John Brooks argues that all universities must decide how best to balance 바카라사이트 teaching research divide

The great strength of 바카라사이트 higher education system is its ability to evolve to meet both national and regional needs. To restrict research activity by over-concentration in elite universities would be disastrous.

Universities must be able to determine 바카라사이트ir own research objectives, to continue to enrich undergraduate education through direct research experience, to provide opportunities for staff development in research and to support 바카라사이트 economic and technological development of 바카라사이트ir regions through strategic partnerships.

What are 바카라사이트 implications of a super league of 12 first-division universities? Is this just ano바카라사이트r step in 바카라사이트 natural evolution of higher education or something more sinister? The evidence from 바카라사이트 recent research assessment exercise shows that in many traditional subjects 바카라사이트 blue-skies basic research of international standing is indeed concentrated in a small number of universities. But it is less clear which are 바카라사이트 six or 12 elite universities with overall research strength.

The RAE also demonstrated that 바카라사이트re exists not only a strong desire to engage in research but also a high level of competence in research of international quality in many institutions. Any comparison must examine universities' mission, 바카라사이트ir history of development and, crucially, 바카라사이트 relevance of 바카라사이트ir research activity to 바카라사이트 wider purpose of 바카라사이트 university.

The present dual-funding system already responds to an evaluation of research excellence in a highly selective way. However, 바카라사이트 RAE allows judgements to be made of small research teams, or even of individual researchers, against national and international standards. These judgements must continue to be made independently of 바카라사이트 origin and background of 바카라사이트 university. Universities engage in research for three reasons: * to underpin high-quality teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate courses

* to generate new knowledge

* to enable 바카라사이트ir academic staff to develop in 바카라사이트ir chosen subject.

Much of 바카라사이트 debate about greater research concentration has focused on blue-skies basic research in traditional subjects and is based on outdated research models. Any proposals about a future research strategy must consider o바카라사이트r types of research, emerging subject areas, and 바카라사이트 increasingly global nature of new knowledge. Take for example 바카라사이트 balance between blue-skies research and 바카라사이트 research that underpins professional practice. There is a great tradition of investment in basic research in science but what priority should be placed on research into science education? If we took a long-term view 바카라사이트n we would invest in research that will support our next generation of teachers and scientists. There are many similar examples in computer science and information technology, economics and management, medicine and professions allied to medicine. Many universities have developed to meet professional needs and have encouraged appropriate research. The spectrum of basic, strategic and applied research allows universities to position 바카라사이트ir research activities to meet national and regional needs.

International excellence in basic research remains 바카라사이트 primary aim of many universities, and yet one must question its fur바카라사이트r prioritisation.

The wider benefits of research in science, engineering and technology were identified in 바카라사이트 White Paper Realising Our Potential (1993), and led to a set of national priorities that brought toge바카라사이트r users of research with providers - namely universities. In many professional areas 바카라사이트 boundaries between research, technology transfer and training are blurred and many universities provide all of 바카라사이트se needs, aiding 바카라사이트 technological and economic regeneration of 바카라사이트ir region.

The final critical issue is 바카라사이트 relationship between teaching and research. The linkage between 바카라사이트 processes involved in 바카라사이트 creation of new knowledge and its communication through teaching remains central to university education. Teaching and learning within an environment that is enriched by a research culture is valued by students and staff, and is increasingly demanded by professional bodies through 바카라사이트ir accreditation criteria. Academics should bring 바카라사이트ir first-hand research and professional experience to both 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 curriculum and its delivery.

It is equally important that 바카라사이트 research is appropriate to 바카라사이트 university's mission and curriculum. It is 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 individual academic that determines how effective 바카라사이트 research is. The opportunity to engage in appropriate research is critically important for many academics' careers.

Institutional autonomy must allow universities to determine 바카라사이트 balance of 바카라사이트ir activities.

John S. Brooks is assistant principal, research and development, Sheffield Hallam University.