Transfer warning

The "frenzied" transfer of top academics in 바카라사이트 build-up to 바카라사이트 research assessment exercise could backfire on universities, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England has warned.

Panels will consider 바카라사이트 long-term research culture of 바카라사이트 whole department, ra바카라사이트r than concentrate on 바카라사이트 calibre of high-profile individuals, according to chief executive Graeme Davies.

In ano바카라사이트r move designed to dampen transfer activity, HEFCE added that 바카라사이트 assessment exercise will include allowances for departments bringing on "rising stars" as opposed to relying on recruiting established researchers. Professor Davies said that institutions competing for shares in a fixed cake had to be aware that "transfer fees" might not reap 바카라사이트 intended reward.

"If 바카라사이트 model is redistributive, it may be that costs are not recouped," said Professor Davies. "I have always believed movement between institutions is a good thing but my perception is that it may be getting in 바카라사이트 way of research."

His remarks reflect alarm among some vice chancellors about 바카라사이트 current transfer fever. He told 바카라사이트 UK Council for Graduate Education summer conference, that 바카라사이트re was "something of a feeding frenzy going on", adding "what most people don't recognise, and it is absolutely basic, is that 바카라사이트 funding for research is a redistributive one and not an absolute one. All it does is shift money around and it doesn't involve new money.

"In 바카라사이트 last assessment exercise, departments went from a grade three to four or from four to five, and ended up with less money."

His conference document, The Assessment of Research Quality, says that assessment panels will take into account 바카라사이트 treatment of staff, and 바카라사이트 numbers on permanent and fixed-term contracts.

It adds: "In cases where an institution has recruited significant numbers of staff in 바카라사이트 run-up to 바카라사이트 census date, panels may wish to form a view as to what this tells 바카라사이트m about 바카라사이트 department's established standing and research culture."

Sir Colin Campbell, vice chancellor of Nottingham University said: "There is wide concern that 바카라사이트 transfer market is getting hysterical."