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Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research & Partnerships, University of Guelph, ON, Canada April 12, 2014

Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

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Page 1: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice

Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach

Diane Dobbins, MA

Manager, Research & Partnerships, University of Guelph, ON, Canada

April 12, 2014

Page 2: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

• Objectives

• Setting the Context – Research Landscape

• Research Facilitation and Facilitators – growing impact

• Customized service: A Guelph example

• Identifying Best Practices and Discussion

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Page 3: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

• Gain a better understanding of the field of research facilitation in Canada/Ontario.

• Understand and describe the role of research facilitators in a research culture.

• Gain insight about issues researchers are currently confronting with respect to research productivity

• Enhance tools to assist researchers with pre-award preparation

• Share past experiences and lessons learned.

OBJECTIVES

Page 4: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

• In 1827, Guelph (“The Royal City”) was named to honour the British Empire's King George IV, whose family name was Gwelf.

• Education on the Guelph campus has a long tradition, beginning well over 100 year ago.

• Heritage in agriculture and veterinary medicine.

• University of Guelph officially formed in 1964 – 50th anniversary

• One of Canada’s top comprehensive universities.

CONTEXT

Page 5: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

THE RESEARCH LANDSCAPE

Research Facilitators always need to be aware of possible issues/challenges/changes which may impact their researchers.

Let’s consider some of the issues that may impact researchers at the various levels:

• Internationally

What are the key elements impacting research internationally?

• Nationally:

What is happening at the National level?

• Provincially/Locally:

What issues are critical within your own province?

What are some of the key issues within your institution?

Page 6: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

RESEARCH LANDSCAPE AT GUELPH• Education on the Guelph campus has a long tradition, beginning over

100 years ago.

• Heritage in agriculture and veterinary medicine.

• University of Guelph officially formed in 1964 – 50th anniversary

• One of Canada’s top comprehensive universities.

• Programs in science & engineering,

social and applied human sciences,

liberal arts, humanities, fine and

performing arts, and economics

and business.

Page 7: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Office of Research (ORS)

Oversees $140+ million research enterprise

seven colleges;

four regional campuses;

10 research stations;

University of Guelph/Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs partnership.

RESEARCH LANDSCAPE AT GUELPH

Page 8: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Research Support System at UofG

VP Research

Research ServicesAssociate VP (Research Services)

Research Support Services

(Grants/Contracts)

Research Ethics

Research Communications and SPARK

Research Legal Review

Research Risk Management

Research Information Technology

Strategic PartnershipsAssociate VP Research (Strategic Partnerships)

OMAF & MRA / UofG Partnership

Campus Animal Facilities

Animal Care Services

Catalyst Centre

AVP Finance & ServicesAssistant VP Finance

Research Financial Services

CME CoA CSAHS CBS CPES OAC OVC

VP Finance

Dean

Associate Dean, Research & Grad Programs

***Manager, Research & Partnerships

Page 9: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Many Canadian Universities have begun to make the investment in research facilitation and facilitators

Seeing a shift from ‘research service’ to “research facilitation” WHY?

Examples:

Research Facilitation Offices - Research Service Office - University ... (Alberta)

Research Facilitation - VP Research - Simon Fraser University (BC)

 

Research Facilitation - Research Western - Western University (ON)

 

Office of Research Facilitation | The Schulich School of Engineering (Calgary, Alberta)

 

GRANT FACILITATION NETWORK | Office of Research Services (BC)

RESEARCH FACILITATION – growing impact

Page 10: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

=

MY CONTEXT

+

College of Management & Economics

Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies

and

Manager, Research & Partnerships

Page 11: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Service:• an act of help or assistance;• useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity

Customize:• to change (something) in order to fit the needs or requirements of a person,

business, etc.

Customized Service

Page 12: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Build a unique relationship with each researcher.

+Self-determination theory – what

motivates one researcher may not hold true for another researcher .

CUSTOMIZED SERVICE: A Guelph Example

Page 13: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

CUSTOMIZED SERVICE: A Guelph Example

Page 14: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

New research based initiatives launched in my unit since 2010

• College Support for Presentations at Research Conferences ($2500)• Modified the SSHRC 4A Fund – need to submit a research enhancement plan ($5,000)• CME – RA Summer Program – ($80,000)• SSHRC – SIG General Research Grant – matched funding program (up to $5000)• CME Fellowship Program (5)• Speaker Series and other research focused events• Workshops ( ex. Qualtrics training, Media training, SSHRC info sessions, etc)• Networking events with external agencies (ex. OMAF-MRA)• Research Enhancement Fund – annual call for innovative small amount initiatives• Ad-hoc seed funding initiative (emphasis on collaboration)• Launch of a joint URC/College Chair program• Launch of a CME – Research Chair program

CUSTOMIZED SERVICE: A Guelph example

Page 15: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

Example of a new faculty research resource package used at Guelph

Faculty Profile & CV: • Connect with Communications

Researchers Guide:• Key policies – deadlines, internal forms, Use of Human Subjects policy, Indirect

Cost/Overhead, Consulting ……• Websites – College, OVPR, SSHRC, etc

Overview of Campus Resources: • Data Resource Centre, PIVOT, Equipment, etc.

Research Funding Opportunities:• Departmental Support: start-up funds, cash advance on conference travel• Internal : Conference Travel, General Research• External: SSHRC, CFI, CIHR, NSERC, OCE, OMAF & MRA, CFI, etc.

Mentoring:

Con’t

Page 16: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

FINAL THOUGHTS• Part of a team - need support from (ie. ADR/Dean) as well as from admin’s.• Plan to get out of your office often to meet researchers, students, Academic

Chairs, support staff, where they are comfortable. • Participate in departmental, non-research related activities occasionally • It takes time before you begin to see research results (2-3yrs minimum). • Initially try to focus on securing a few small quick wins which will improve

your credibility with faculty. • Focus on making connections with “influencers” in each unit. They can

become your best advocates!• Faculty, pre-tenure in particular will often share information with me that

they’d never say in front of one of their colleagues – Trust is critical. • Research facilitator’s often have a pulse for emerging issues – know your own

limits and when to seek help.

Page 17: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

What advice or tips do you have that has helped you to be effective in your position as a research facilitator?

What are the most significant challenges or constraints you face as a research facilitator?

BEST PRACTICES & DISCUSSION

Page 18: Enabling the Global Research Enterprise from Policy to Practice Facilitating Research: A Customized Service Approach Diane Dobbins, MA Manager, Research

CONTACT INFORMATION

Diane DobbinsManager, Research & Partnerships

College of Management and Economics

Dean’s Office – 9th Floor MacKinnon Building

University of Guelph

50 Stone Road East

Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (519) 824-4120 ext. 52152