How to train social science researchers to become consultants

Transcript

1. How to train social science researchers to become consultants The University of Sussex 8 October | 11:00 – 12:00
2. Business School/ASPECT programme Intrapreneurship for the Research Community (IRC) ‘ECR Consultancy Programme’ Marcus Atkinson External Engagement Manager Business School Andre Mostert Research and Enterprise/Social Science Business Partner/ASPECT Broker/DICE Consortium US Link University of Sussex
3. Aspirational Programme Outcomes 4 ECRs Be able: • to recognize their role as an intrapreneur within their university/organization • to develop a plan for sustaining their research interests • to apply strategies for building networks for supporting their research work • to create a viable and effective bidding platform • to make submissions to appropriate research and development funding sources • to recognize that rejection is a central part of building a competitive bid • to embrace any commercial potential associated with their research to plan a spin out • to compile and table a long-term plan for intrapreneurial development
4. Not Delivering from the outset? • Possible reasons • Poor delivery by facilitator (Andre Mostert) • Lack of relevant content? – including introduction to existing networks, possible funding routes, DICE Consortium (preferred research supplier for a major international agency), support from Sussex, opportunities to showcase i.e. Skills 4 Jobs India, ASPECT Annual events, KTPs, MKTPs, possible private sector clients, etc. • Teaching load • Incorrect nomenclatures (setting up a consultancy from the ground-up is tough) – operating as a freelancer, intrapreneur, contractor, etc) may resonate better (the title of this session not withstood) – design by consultants 4 emerging consultants? • Lack of a clear road map? To loose? Homework? • The negative – Innovate UK April = 8600 submission for 600 projects • Lack of suitable opportunities? – probably again poorly conveyed by Andre • No underlying demand for a programme of this nature • Follow-up email to all 28 registered with business engagement opportunities (with small grant, lifting of a supplier framework freeze, opportunity to participate in Skills 4 Jobs (3 interest), build international research bid to British Academy (3),opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ bid for 29th Oct (2), etc.
5. So What did we change? • Got an ECR to present – hopefully this ECR will grow with the programme and be the backbone of the next • Creation of a Intrapreneurial/Project development Workbook • Mapping of research interests in the group to funding opportunities (sent out after the first session – perhaps starting point – as info was gathered through registration • Immediate focus on end point outcomes i.e. removing the idea of process as outcome – typical of many non curriculum based activities • Although process as outcome is key to early stage project development - mission critical • Started to use project manager, contracting, freelancing, etc. • Building around existing projects from the outset and seek overlaps with interest areas • Focus on STEPs rather than sessions
6. And in case its seems easy ‘Its not a lack of opportunity, it’s a lack of perseverance in the face of extensive rejection’ Amazon was rejected 40 times prior to securing funding’ The Myth of the Intrapreneur https://hbr.org/2018/06/the-myth-of-the-intrapreneur Thank you Andre Mostert a.m.mostert@sussex.ac.uk
7. A quick overview of FE Sussex Dr Tim Strickland Chief Executive Officer 8th October 2020
8. FE Sussex The consortium company of the 16 post-sixteen colleges in Sussex and Surrey
9. FE Sussex The consortium company of the 16 post-sixteen colleges in Sussex and Surrey Total turnover £230M pa 10,000 staff 75,000 students (approx!)
10. FE Sussex Associate Members FE Sussex Members
11. FE Sussex The consortium company of the 16 post-sixteen colleges in Sussex and Surrey Four Sixth Form (academic ) colleges Eleven General Further Education colleges One specialist land-based college
12. FE Sussex – Our mission To assist in delivering the common agendas of our colleges
13. FE Sussex – Key Business Aims • Quality improvement • Facilitate peer group development • Influencing • Strategic support for principals • Generate income • Delivery of sponsored research projects
14. FE Sussex – Typical activities • Peer Group meetings • Inspection advice sessions • Staff development • International Directors coordination • Conference and workshops • Principals’ meetings • Education project delivery
15. Research within FE Commissioned by various groups eg: • Education and Training Foundation • DfE • Gatsby Foundation • Construction Industry Training Board
16. FE Sussex – Research within FE • Research seldom commissioned by colleges acting alone • Consortia research applications usually viewed more favourably • Research comes in cyclical waves according to the flavour of the moment eg inspection, flipped classroom, Covid, on-line learning, management training needs etc etc
17. Best of luck and thank you! Any questions?
18. Thank you for joining today’s session @aspect_network Aspect Social Sciences Network www.aspect.ac.uk/annual-event-2020/