University responds to the views of its Research Leaders

Friday, 24 February 2012

Professor Lynne Murray, Professor Peter Cooper and Dr Cathy Creswell from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Studies

In the spring of 2011, a survey was carried out of Principal Investigators and Research Leaders Survey (PIRLS), conducted by higher education institutions (HEIs). This new survey is designed to gather the anonymous views and experiences of research leaders in UK HEIs.

Thirty three institutions participated in PIRLS 2011 including the University of Reading and the results provide a valuable snapshot of the attitudes of the UK's research leaders in higher education in 2011, in terms of their perceived capabilities, the support available to them and their views of what is important in developing future research leaders.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. The results have shown some positive outcomes for this University. Those that are less positive will now be acted upon to improve the experience of researchers at Reading.

Positive Outcomes

• High response rate: 41% of Principal Investigators (PIs) at Reading responded to the survey in comparison with a 19% response across the sector,
• Reading PIs consider themselves to be more appreciated by the University than their colleagues elsewhere for their: publications, generation of research income, teaching and lecturing, world class research and academic leadership,
• PIs at Reading rated their support services higher than the comparators in two thirds of the areas analysed,
• Reading's Staff Development Review outperformed other universities equivalent systems. Many of its aspects received a rating of 60% or higher.

Issues being addressed by the University as a result of the survey

The following issues are of concern because Reading's results were low, and/or below the sector norm.

Reading PIs confidence in:

• maximising research outputs
• demonstrating the impact of their research
• managing performance
• knowledge exchange
• their skills and the support provided in budget management.

Actions being taken

The Finance Department is revising its monthly budgetary reporting system and will be using a focus group of PIs and Research Leaders to ensure it suits their needs.

Other issues will be discussed with School's senior management to determine the most effective way of addressing them. We will be keeping Principal Investigators and Research Leaders informed of the outcome of these discussions. The full report can be found at http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/ResearchLeaders/rl-home.aspx