Title: Queen Mary, University of London Discipline Bridging Initiative
1Queen Mary, University of LondonDiscipline
Bridging Initiative
- Funded via the MRC/EPSRC Institutional Discipline
Bridging Award scheme - Professor David Lee
- Launch Event
- 17th January 2007
2QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Funded for 3 years by the MRC and the EPSRC
- Strategic Aims
- To establish infrastructure and support conducive
to the development of multidisciplinary
collaborations across QMUL and beyond - To establish QMUL as a leading international
centre of excellence for multidisciplinary
programmes of research
3Queen Mary, University of London
- Research Mission
- to position ourselves, across a range of
measures of research performance, in the top
decile of UK universities - Research Priorities
- to develop interdisciplinary and collaborative
research within the college and partner
institutionsin response to the needs and
opportunities available nationally and
internationally.
4QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Focused around 5 generic research themes
- Imaging and sensing (Prof Jim Elliott)
- Bio-molecular manipulation and biomaterials (Prof
Pankaj Vadgama) - Multiscale mechanobiology (Prof Dan Bader)
- Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
(Prof Ian Mackenzie) - Modelling in bioengineering and medical science
(Prof Wen Wang) -
- Complement current interdisciplinary activity
- Link to one or more existing research centres
- Each lead by an experienced academic coordinator
5QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Key Objective -
- To facilitate staff mobility and circumvent
barriers to working across traditional medical,
science and engineering disciplines - Barriers to interdisciplinary activity
- Lack of awareness of expertise, facilities etc
- Lack of opportunity to learn and to interact
- Barriers affecting staff mobility
- Lack of funding for initial proof-of-concept/colla
boration - Input into college-level policy making
6QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Goal -
- Enhance awareness of multidisciplinary activity
across QMUL - Seminar programmes and themed workshops
- Encourage networking and overcoming ignorance
- 3rd Wednesday of the month
- Rotates between Mile End, Whitechapel and Barts
- Complementary background of speakers
- Networking social events
- Workshops focussed on research field, techniques
or problem-solving - Suggestions for speakers and workshop topics
welcome
7QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Web-site - Clear branding for the DBI
- Information on events, funding calls etc
- www.dbi.qmul.ac.uk
8QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Ideas factory/sandpits -
- Small, focused, off-site forum for brainstorming
and networking - College policy development
- Funding prioritisation
- Ideas generation/problem-solving for major
initiatives - Involve participants at different levels - Profs
to Post-docs
9QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Small Grant Schemes -
- Pump priming awards
- Discipline bridging awards
- Inward/outward research visit awards
- Schemes will be active from February
- Short application form
- Case for support - maximum 2 pages
- Flexibility in type of support i.e. salary,
running costs etc
10QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Goal -
- To support pump-priming research leading to
multidisciplinary grant proposals - Pump priming awards
- Supports development of new interdisciplinary
collaboration - Up to 10k
- Can support staff, running costs, small equipment
etc - Gain proof of concept/collaboration data
- Key criteria for funding
- Clear, new multidisciplinary collaboration
- Innovative approach
- Likelihood of leading to a full application
11QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Goal -
- To support discipline bridging activities
including training - Discipline Bridging Awards
- Supports staff mobility, training and skills
development - Up to 10k
- Can support costs for bridger and/or host
department - Can support time buy-out for the hosting expert
- Key criteria for funding
- Clear evidence of multidisciplinary approach
- Innovative approach
- Likelihood of leading to a full application
12QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Goal -
- To support inward and outward research visits
- Inward/outward Research Visit Awards
- Supports QMUL staff to spend time at another
institution - Supports external staff visits to QMUL
- Up to 10k
- Can support travel, subsistence and running costs
- Key criteria for funding
- Funding will enhance multidisciplinary capability
at QMUL - Capability/expertise not available at QMUL
- Matching funding available from an external
source
13QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- FAQ -
- Do I need to collaborate with someone from a
different department/institute?
No - as long as you can demonstrate a link
between disciplines
14QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- FAQ -
- Can I get funding for a PhD student?
No - the scheme is not for PhD training
15QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- FAQ -
- Do I need to get full costing for my proposal?
Yes - Costing needs to be provided by Research
grants or NHS/SMD Joint research office
16QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- FAQ -
- Can I collaborate with someone outside QM?
Not normally - but could support visits where
clear QM benefit is demonstrated
17QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- FAQ -
- Can I use funding to continue an existing
collaboration
No - should be used to develop new collaborations
18QMUL Discipline Bridging Initiative
- Summary -
- Significant added value will be achieved
- Institution commitment to interdisciplinary
research and the DBI - Complements existing interdisciplinary structures
- Practical - aimed at making things happen not
just talking