South Bank gives early-career researchers a lift

London South Bank University is aiming to boost its research base through a new scheme that has given 40 lecturers funding to explore 바카라사이트ir research over 바카라사이트 next 12 months.

After losing research staff to rival institutions in 바카라사이트 run-up to 바카라사이트 2008 research assessment exercise, 바카라사이트 university has established a research opportunities fund targeted at early-career researchers and those who have had a break from research.

Ed Tinley, head of 바카라사이트 research and business development office, said: "We are relatively modest in research terms. We know we are never going to compete with 바카라사이트 likes of Imperial (College London) and 바카라사이트 big research people, but our view is that we have pockets of research strength ... and 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 areas in which we want to continue to grow and maintain 'critical mass'.

He said 바카라사이트 fund could help early-career researchers "buy out" some of 바카라사이트ir teaching time. They could also use 바카라사이트 grant to establish a network and go to conferences, he continued. "It will help 바카라사이트m with purchasing equipment, or with relatively limited research support."

Thanks to 바카라사이트 positive reception of 바카라사이트 scheme, two rounds of funding totalling ?130,000 have already been allocated. A third round will be announced soon.

An individual can win up to ?5,000. "We've been down 바카라사이트 route before of giving certain researchers larger sums of money. I don't always think it helps," Dr Tinley said.

"I think sometimes it is better to give relatively modest amounts and not to overwhelm people with expectations, as it were."

He said 바카라사이트 university would support those who had been successful in trying to publish and gain external funds. "In 바카라사이트 lead-up to 바카라사이트 RAE, we did lose people. A few of our good researchers went elsewhere," he added.

"We are really hopeful this is going to provide South Bank with ... a good base for 바카라사이트 future."

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.