Welcome to the eighth edition of the Research and Enterprise newsletter.
In our July issue, we reported extensively on our biennial Research and Enterprise conference; an occasion when our research and enterprise community gathered to reflect on and celebrate developments over the last two years. It is worth acknowledging that there has been an impressive amount of research and enterprise activity throughout the university in the four intervening months as we publish this next issue.
Of course, our preparations for REF2021 continue; a positive outcome is a key strategic priority for us. In August, our Code of Practice was approved. In October, thanks to the efforts of our dedicated REF team, individual researchers received notification about whether or not they are in scope for REF and I am delighted that we will enter more than double the number of staff submitted in the last REF in 2014. In addition, we completed the third series of REF update meetings and scheduled the next set for March (see page 19 for details). And now, in November, we are in the midst of our mock REF to test our preparedness and highlight areas requiring our focus. We are making good progress.
REF preparation is, however, just one part of the picture, and the articles in this newsletter are testament to that. We have made a number of new appointments to various research and enterprise leadership positions. It is always gratifying to see colleagues coming forward whenever a vacancy arises, demonstrating engagement with our agenda and recognising the need to play a role in driving our vision forward...
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Professor Tara Dean
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise)