Connect: Issue 63 by EPSRC

July 2008 Issue 63

Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

www.epsrc.ac.uk

Think Big Encouraging ambitious science ENHANCING the international competitiveness of UK research is one of the key aims of EPSRC’s delivery plan. A major part of this strategy will be to encourage and support more ambitious research projects through larger, longer grants. This support will be made through programme grants – large-scale, managed proposals consisting of interlinked projects addressing a theme or issue. Programme grants, allocated within the responsive mode budget, will provide research groups with the time and funding needed to tackle major issues across EPSRC’s remit. Dr Lesley Thompson, EPSRC’s director of research base, said: “We want to ensure our best researchers have the support and flexibility they need to tackle major research challenges. “If we are going to meet our aim then we need to make significant changes. We believe larger more ambitious grants have the potential to deliver research that will be truly internationally leading. Increasing the number of these grants within our portfolio is a priority. “These projects are likely to involve larger research groups addressing problems that with take longer than three or four years to solve. “We also need to ensure the peer review process is open to funding projects that potentially carry a higher risk.” EPSRC’s target is to commit around half of its responsive mode budget to grants of four or more years duration by 2011. In cash terms this represents £430m from a budget of £866m.

“We want to ensure our best researchers have the support and flexibility they need to tackle major research challenges.” Dr Thompson added: “The strategy will not alter the total amount of money available in responsive mode, it will only change the way it is delivered. “We understand that not all proposals will be appropriate for this funding method and responsive mode will continue to cater for other proposal types. “We believe our delivery plan will create a well-balanced research portfolio that allows UK research teams, across our remit, to carry out work that will have significant international impact.”

The strategy was endorsed by Council, EPSRC’s decision making body, following extensive consultations with the research community, evidence from international reviews and guidance from EPSRC’s strategic advisory teams, technical opportunities panel and user panel. During consultations the research community was highly supportive of the strategy but was also clear the peer review process would need to be managed to support the objective. The community view was that without intervention, peer review would tend to act conservatively and fund safer, smaller research projects. Atti Emecz, EPSRC’s director of communications and information, said EPSRC’s role was to set the policy framework whilst allowing the research community a high level of flexibility in terms of the proposals submitted. He said funding larger, longer grants was a responsive mode priority and added: “Our budget allocation reflects this priority and as such programme grants will, in many cases, be assessed by separate panels with separate budgets. “The process will include an outline stage, interviews and proposals will be judged against additional criteria such as vision, ambition and management strategy. Within any peer review panel list relative research quality remains the most important criteria,” he added. “To be effective peer review must retain the confidence of those engaged within it and we therefore aim to be open and transparent in our approach.” Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk

Inside 2 Solid-State NMR Service

to Protect 3 Science Cultural Legacy

the 4 Promoting Impact of Research

5 Calls

Forthcoming EPSRC funding opportunities

Research 6 Realising Potential

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Solid-State NMR Service Examples of systems recently investigated by the service include: organically-modified silicate-based catalysts, ionic conductors, Andean soil samples, aluminophosphate molecular sieves, polymer composites and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The relative complexity of the experimental methods and the solid state itself mean that specialised equipment and expertise in interpretation are generally required to make good use of solid-state NMR. The National Solid-State NMR Service provides free access to instrumentation and expertise to any UK researcher eligible for RC funding. Speculative enquiries are welcome. The service also provides regular training events for those new to the subject. For information on how to submit samples or learn more about how NMR may be applied to your research, consult the service website.

THE DURHAM Solid-State NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Research Service has recently completed a major infrastructure investment. The new triple-resonance 400 MHz spectrometer, part funded by EPSRC, allows the service to offer an expanded range of state-ofthe-art solid-state NMR experiments including multi-dimensional experiments correlating the NMR spectra of different spin-active nuclei. The improvements also allow work with significantly smaller amounts of sample (~50 mg). The Durham facility provides EPSRC’s national service in solid-state NMR. Solid-state NMR is a powerful, but subtle, technique for characterising solid materials. It can be applied across many disciplines that involve chemical science. Its main strength is its ability to handle many types of solid or semi-solid material, including amorphous and heterogeneous samples.

Contact: David Apperley, d.c.apperley@durham.ac.uk Further information: www.dur.ac.uk/solid.service

Young Researchers Challenge the Media

Roadmap For Chemistry THE ROYAL Society of Chemistry (RSC) is creating a ‘roadmap’ of chemical science priorities for the next five to ten years – and wants the chemical science community to contribute. Ten potential areas have been identified including food, water and energy, along with key issues and visions for each. The project is now at its most crucial stage and the wider community is being asked to assess the priority areas. A six-week online consultation begins on 16 June and EPSRC Connect readers are invited to register and comment on areas that match their expertise and interest. The RSC Roadmap has the potential to influence the work of industry, academia and the broader community as well as inform government policy. It will also be used to provide input to EPSRC’s Chemistry Grand Challenges initiative in preparation for the International Review of Chemistry in early 2009.

…and the press bite back. EARLY CAREER researchers and journalists went head to head in Manchester to debate representations of science. The Voice of Young Science workshop, in April, gave 40 scientists the chance to debate misinterpretation, manipulation and distortion of scientific data with reporters from a range of media organisations including the BBC, Yorkshire Post and Chemistry World. There were heated debates about how misunderstanding and confusion had occurred in the past and the negative outcome for scientists when false information was propagated by the media. The journalists quizzed scientists about why the scientific community does not speak out when false research is published and explained a journalist’s job was not just to publish facts but also to entertain and interest readers. A panel of senior scientists were on hand to share their media experiences including Professor Hardaker, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, and Professor Rothwell, Deputy President and deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester. Dr Jardine-Wright, a post doctoral researcher in Astrophysics and educational outreach officer at the University of Cambridge, spoke about the BA Media fellowship and said her experience with the Financial Times allowed her to discover the pressures of media deadlines and the need for reporters ‘to be expert’ in several scientific fields in the same day. Both researchers and journalists benefited from the experience and gained a better understanding and respect of each other’s fields. The Voice of Young Science (VoYS) programme, sponsored by EPSRC, teaches early career scientists about the necessity of being involved in debates with all audiences, provides a balanced insight into how science is portrayed and communicated and provides advice on how to deal with the media. The next VoYS workshop will be held in Edinburgh on 21 November.

Contact: www.rsc.org/roadmap

Contact: voys@senseaboutscience.org Further information: www.senseaboutscience.org/VoYS

Science to Protect Cultural Legacy EPSRC has joined forces with the Arts and Humanities Research

At the heart of the programme’s vision is the need to bring together the skills and expertise of the two research councils’ communities. By supporting multidisciplinary projects, the programme will seek to gain a deeper understanding of both the physical make-up and the historic context of heritage – moveable (artworks and artefacts) and immoveable (buildings, sites and landscapes). This in turn will help to identify and overcome the cultural and environmental challenges the heritage sector faces in the 21st century. “We will expect researchers to focus on whole objects as well as materials and techniques – the meaning of objects, their history, condition, conservation and use,” said Professor Cassar, who is also a professor of sustainable heritage at UCL, “whenever possible, cultural and scientific questions together will be expected to ignite the creative spark of research endeavour.” The programme also aims to strengthen the heritage science base through a series of capacity building activities that will support and train the next generation of researchers. Earlier this year, the first 10 Collaborative Research Studentships (similar to CASE studentships) were awarded by the programme. A second call for Collaborative Research Studentships is planned for autumn 2008. The programme specification was published in early June 2008.

Council (AHRC) to help protect the UK’s heritage. The five-year Science and Heritage programme, launched in February 2008 at London’s Hayward Gallery, has been set up in response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry into heritage science in 2006. The inquiry concluded that a decline in the heritage science discipline – scientific activity that can benefit the heritage sector – was threatening the UK’s cultural legacy. EPSRC and AHRC have jointly committed £8m of funding to the programme. At the launch event programme director Professor May Cassar said: “Today is a pivotal moment for heritage science within the UK. It is receiving positive attention from policymakers and research councils and we are about to enter a period of sustained investment in science heritage.”

Further information: www.heritagescience.ac.uk

Big Challenges in Small Science

…And The Award Goes To

EPSRC is issuing a series of Grand Challenge calls as part of its Nanoscience through Engineering to Application programme. The next Grand Challenge will concern nanotechnology for healthcare and details are due to be released this month. Grand Challenges address societal or economic issues where nanotechnology can make a unique and significant contribution. From the outset, each challenge will be an integrated, interdisciplinary activity to build on previous investments in basic research and progress it towards application, where issues of scale up and reliability will need to be addressed. A feature of the Nanotechnology Grand Challenges is a stage gate approach, which is designed to maximise support for projects with the greatest potential for end application. Stage 1 projects are intended primarily to cover research and proof of concept, but must also demonstrate a clear route to application. The most successful project or projects at stage 1 will proceed to stage 2, which will cover scale up to demonstration of feasibility to manufacture and will potentially attract funding from the Technology Strategy Board. The theme of the first nano Grand Challenge was Energy – based on the economic and environmental need for increased efficiency and sustainability in our energy system. A call was issued in August 2007 inviting proposals for research that would exploit nanotechnology to enable cheap, efficient and scalable ways to harvest solar energy. Five stage 1 projects were selected from those submitted, four in the area of photovoltaics and one examining water splitting. Details of the Energy stage 1 projects can be found on the EPSRC website.

SCIENTIST turned filmmaker Martin Knight walked away with Best Biology Film at the prestigious Planet SciCast Awards. Dr Knight, medical engineering programme director at Queen Mary, University of London, won the award for his short film ‘Grow Your Own Body Parts’, which was made in collaboration with local schools. The film was inspired by Dr Knight’s EPSRC-funded public engagement work. He said: “I found that the whole process of making a science film greatly enhanced students understanding of the science involved. What is more it also challenged me to rethink some of the scientific concepts that we often take for granted.” Planet Scicast provides an online library of science demonstration films and is supported by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, the Engineering and Technology Board, the Institute of Physics, the Institute of Biology and the Earth Science Education Unit. Further information: www.planet-scicast.com

Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk

Photo courtesy of Laura Mtungwazi

Connect July 2008 Issue 63

Promoting the Impact of Research EPSRC has launched a new project aimed at tracking down research

EPSRC’s Alasdair Rose, who is leading the project, said: “We would like to hear from people who are aware of successful impacts arising from research supported by EPSRC or indeed its predecessor research council, SERC. Those people may have been closely connected with the research at the time or its translation into a successful product, process or innovation.” “If you are aware, from your own work or that of others, of any such economic, societal or policymaking impact that resulted from research or people funded by EPSRC or SERC, even if the impact became apparent many years later, we would like to hear from you.” He added: “Ultimately, we want to highlight these success stories and their journey from idea to impact.”

success stories over the past two decades. The social and economic impact of research may not be felt until many years after the initial grant has finished. The connection between grant-supported research and its subsequent impact is not always apparent due to the contributions of others, commercial sensitivities or the passage of time and the changing roles of those involved. But these success stories form valuable evidence in demonstrating the significant contribution scientific research has made to both the economy and society. Success stories also help strengthen the ongoing case for Government funding for research.

Contact: Alasdair Rose, economicimpact@epsrc.ac.uk

New UK – Japan Agreement to Strengthen Science EPSRC and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), one

The agreement will build on a previous successful UK-Japan collaboration programme which has taken place between JST and another UK Research Council in bionanotechnology, structural genomics and proteomics with initial support from the British Embassy in Tokyo. This latest UK-Japan scientific agreement occurs at an important time for UK-Japan relations. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

of the main funders of scientific research in Japan, have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen scientific cooperation between the two countries. Professor David Delpy, chief executive of EPSRC and Mr Fumiaki Takahashi, executive director of JST, agreed to commence a new programme to work towards joint funding of UK-Japan cooperative research across the engineering and physical sciences. Professor Delpy said: “This new phase of activity builds on previous successful meetings and workshops between academic communities in Japan and the UK. It will provide the foundation to develop closer links between us in this exciting area of research. Together with my colleagues from JST, I look forward to the new levels of collaboration and knowledge exchange.” Mr Takahashi said: ‘’I’m very grateful to build a new cooperative relationship with EPSRC today. As a leading agency in Japan to promote science and technology, JST is looking forward to this new cooperative programme, which will contribute not only to reinforce the cooperation for science and technology between Japan and UK but also to stimulate innovation.’’ Over the last year, EPSRC and JST have discussed specific areas for collaboration, focusing particularly on advanced materials which may include applications in the ICT industry such as organic semiconductors, quantum materials and new superconducting materials. Right: Professor David Delpy and Mr Fumiaki Takahashi sign the new agreement

Connect July 2008 Issue 63

Magnetic Drama Fits the Bill A NEW PLAY devised by University of Birmingham drama students and members of the University’s EPSRC Portfolio Partnership, aims to inspire budding young scientists. Magnets, Ducks and Superconductors, that has toured secondary schools across the Midlands, is set in a world without mobile phones, MP3 players, MSN and even plastic. Through the lack of everyday items in the central character’s life, audiences are encouraged to imagine a world where anything is possible – and are shown that the imagined can be made real through scientific innovation. Touching on environmental applications and drawing on the research applications of superconductivity at the University of Birmingham’s Schools of Physics and Engineering, the play brings together the worlds of science and human experience.

Alison Morey, superconductivity outreach manager at the University’s Department of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, said: “We need to encourage pupils of school age to develop an understanding of scientific principles and appreciate the value of scientific innovation in our society. “We hope that we can take the play to other regions so that we can enthuse more school pupils about what it’s like to study science and engineering at University level.” Contact: Alison Morey, a.l.morey@bham.ac.uk

Scenes from the inspiring drama

Calls

There will be a total of £6m available from EPSRC to fund research under this initiative. The initiative is being taken forward in collaboration with the UK Climate Impacts Programme and a number of Living with Environmental Change partner organisations, including the Economic and Social Research Council. Applicants successful at the outline stage will receive further guidance on submission of full proposals. Contact: David Holtum, david.holtum@epsrc.ac.uk

Research in Flow Chemistry (continuous processing) Closing date: 24 June 2008 EPSRC, in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, has announced a call for collaborative research proposals in the area of flow chemistry (continuous processing). The aim of this call is to increase the volume of research and training in flow chemistry and to provide opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer between academia and industry. £5.5m is available to support proposals which must have been discussed and approved with GSK/Pfizer before submission. Applicants are only permitted to submit one proposal to this call in the role of Principal Investigator. Contact: Mark Hylton, mark.hylton@epsrc.ac.uk Talit Ghaffar, talit.ghaffar@epsrc.ac.uk

New Dynamics of Ageing Programme – Fourth Call Closing date: 26 June 2008 The New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) is a seven year multidisciplinary research programme concerned with improving the quality of life of older people. ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC and AHRC invite applications within the programme. The programme aims to develop practical policy and implementation guidance and novel science and technological responses to help older people enjoy better quality lives. At this fourth stage of the programme, the Research Councils will be commissioning Programme Grants. Details are available from the ESRC website (www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk). Contact: Nafeesa Simjee, nafeesa.simjee@epsrc.ac.uk

Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate Call for Outline Research Proposals Closing date: 26 June 2008 Living with Environmental Change is a ten-year programme, spanning Research Councils, governments and business, which will provide decision makers with the best information to effectively manage and protect vital ecosystem services. It will improve the tools and knowledge needed to build resilience, mitigate problems and adapt to environmental change.

For up to date information and details of how to apply see www.epsrc.ac.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Head of Information and Communications Technology Peter Hedges 01793 444217 peter.hedges@epsrc.ac.uk

Realising Research Potential

Head of Energy Multi-Disciplinary Applications Rachel Bishop 01793 444241 rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk

EACH year, EPSRC provides hundreds of millions of pounds to support research

EPSRC Contacts Head of Materials Mechanical and Medical Engineering Annette Bramley 01793 444398 annette.bramley@epsrc.ac.uk

Head of Peer Review and Output 2 Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Digital Economy John Hand 01793 444394 john.hand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Nanotechnology and Next Generation Healthcare John Wand MBE 01793 444335 john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Knowledge Transfer John Baird 01793 444047 john.baird@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Mathematical Sciences and Public Engagement David Harman 01793 444304 david.harman@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Research Capacity Jason Green 01793 444208 jason.green@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Engineering for Sustainability Philippa Hemmings 01793 444378 philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Cross Disciplinary Research Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Head of User Led Knowledge and Skills Alan Thomas 01793 442806 alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Infrastructure and International Jane Nicholson 01793 444065 jane.nicholson@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Physical Sciences Andrew Bourne 01793 444358 andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Policy and Relationships for People Support Andrew Bourne 01793 444358 andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk

and training in the UK. The money funds a wide range of activity, producing a wide range of impacts. Some of these impacts are generated from the initial research, but in other cases further work is needed – which is where new Knowledge Transfer Accounts (KTAs) can help. Alex Hulkes, EPSRC’s KTA manager, said: “In some cases, we need to provide extra support to make sure the potential of our funding is fully realised. That’s what KTAs will do. They will help to ensure that exploitable results are indeed exploited and that there is a free exchange of ideas between the research and user communities.” He added: “No research project is ever completely finished as it’s impossible to follow all the leads that inevitably emerge. Some of those leads may suggest that a seemingly fundamental idea could have commercial potential or be useful outside academia. Rather than leave these leads unexplored, we will fund KTAs to help bridge the gap between basic research and potential outputs.” Strong KTA bids will be able to identify a significant portfolio of EPSRCsupported work and make a clear case for funding its exploitation through appropriate mechanisms. The choice and details of the routes to exploitation are being left to applicants to decide. As described in the call document, which will be released in July, bids can be made on an institutional basis or they could take a more strategic approach and involve more than one institution. Dr Hulkes said: “A high degree of coordination will be necessary in the bidding process, which will be managed at an institutional level. If you would like to be part of a bid you should first contact the relevant person in your organisation – probably your current Collaborative Training Account manager.” The call closes in November 2008 and final funding decisions are expected in March 2009. Contact: Alex Hulkes, alex.hulkes@epsrc.ac.uk

Head of Business Relationships Emma Feltham 01793 444321 emma.feltham@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Research Capability Neil Viner 01793 444310 neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Mission Programmes Alison Wall 01793 444176 alison.wall@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Programmes Clive Hayter 01793 444440 clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Economic Impact Vince Osgood MBE 01793 444084 vince.osgood@epsrc.ac.uk Senior Manager International Edward Clarke 01793 444438 edward.clarke@epsrc.ac.uk Senior Manager Public Engagement Joanna Coleman 01793 444209 joanna.coleman@epsrc.ac.uk IDEAS Factory Contact Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk

For current grant maintenance and grant assessment enquiries Engineering Chris Elson 01793 444504 chris.elson@epsrc.ac.uk Technology Sarah Cooper 01793 444422 sarah.cooper@epsrc.ac.uk

Dame Julia Honoured AN INTERNATIONAL meeting, ‘Advances in Polymer Science and Neutron Scattering’, will celebrate the work of former EPSRC chair Professor Dame Julia Higgins. Organised by the Polymer Physics Group of the Institute of Physics, the event will take place at Imperial College London and begins with reception and dinner on 14 September followed by scientific debates on 15 September. Guest speakers include Tim Lodge (Minnesota, USA), Toshi Kanaya (Kyoto, Japan), Richard Jones (Sheffield, UK), Tom Russell (Massachusetts, USA), François Boué (Saclay, France), Jane Lipson (Dartmouth, USA), and Tom McLeish (Leeds, UK). Professor Dame Julia Higgins is a senior research investigator and professor of polymer science in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, a former foreign secretary and vice-president of The Royal Society and former chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Contact: J Cabral, j.cabral@imperial.ac.uk Dawn Stewart, dawn.stewart@iop.org

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Editor: Christopher Buratta, christopher.buratta@epsrc.ac.uk Circulation amendments: connect@epsrc.ac.uk

details of our latest calls for proposals. Visit our website and register under the quick links section on the right hand side of the home page: www.epsrc.ac.uk