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Become an ACTivator‌ Investing in the development of researchers is a strategic priority for LJMU.
Obviously this investment has the potential to deliver multiple and wide-ranging benefits for the University, many of which extend beyond the individual. Critically however, our ACTivator programme has you as the central and integral beneficiary with workshops designed to ensure that you get full advantage from your decision to become an ACTivator.
We are committed to ensuring that our ACTivator provision remains fresh, relevant to your ambitions and strategically aligned; we will consistently give you a high-quality experience and support you to aspire to achieve excellence.
The distinctive nature of the ACTivator programme is that it recognises the value of your experience, (irrespective of how much or little experience you have) and the positive impact that your participation can have on others. We provide a structure and a conducive space in which you can think, gain confidence and experience reciprocity; you supply the collective intelligence that drives the ACTivator outcomes.
Enjoy your ACTivator experience!
We hope this ACTivator brochure will be a valuable resource for you to identify workshops that align to your development needs. Its layout allows you to record your thoughts, experiences and actions too once you have participated.
Dr Diana Leighton Research Excellence Manager, Research & Innovation Services
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ACTivator is
The full programme covers the key issues that you will need to address to get the best from and for yourself and your research. The workshops are designed to stand alone so that you can chose those that best meet your needs and attend them in an order that suits your priorities. As you explore each topic you will see how the issues and skills interrelate and build to form a complete package of support. The workshops are facilitated by specialists within Research and Innovation Services. They are interactive, lively events which encourage contributions from you and your colleagues.
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INTRODUCTION
a programme of researcher development opportunities. It consists of 11 half-day workshops focusing on key features of the researcher journey which, successfully navigated, will support you to fulfil your research potential and ambitions.
Your role is just as important as the facilitator’s, making you a co-creator of your development experience. As part of each workshop, you are asked to do some solo thinking, reflecting and planning and to share your experiences and ideas. Learning from colleagues, including those from contrasting disciplines and at different stages of their careers, is a key element of the ACTivator programme. ACTivator does not seek to provide all the answers but rather pose and explore invaluable questions designed to stimulate thought and provoke positive action. It also offers a range of useful information, prompts and tools to help ensure that you start off on the right track or get back on track if you’ve wandered slightly off course.
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The golden threads… While the focus of each workshop is different, ACTivator has key themes running through it, connecting messages which tie all the learning together. These are LJMU’s ‘golden threads’ of research and they are:
3 Be compelling 3 Look up and out 3 Strive for excellence
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ACTivator workshops pg4 The Building Blocks of Impact
pg6 Exploring Stakeholder Engagement
pg8 Surveying Your pg10
unding Applications: F getting a yes
pg12 The Give and Take of Peer Review
pg14 Maximise Your
REF-readiness
Government Policy with Research: doing it, demonstrating it
pg18 Pitch Perfect:
Compelling Research Congress CONTENTS
Funding Landscape
pg16 Influencing
pg20 Optimising Innovation: the what, why and how of industry engagement
pg22 Understanding Your Intellectual Assets
pg24 Attending to You
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The Building Blocks of Impact
Impact is a hot topic for researchers, playing an important part in the Research Excellence Framework and a key priority for funders. But impact doesn’t just happen. It needs to be considered early in any research project and you will need a plan and a budget for impact generation and capture.
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In this workshop you will reflect on the impact potential of your research and on how well prepared you are to create and capture it. You will look at the important role played by stakeholders and the need to get your research ‘out there’ through effective communication.
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You will begin the process of creating a ‘value proposition’ for your research – one of the first and most important building blocks for generating impact.
This session is for you if:
n You need to refresh your understanding of the essentials of impact n You need to stimulate your thinking about the potential impact of your research n You want to start/improve your plan for generating and capturing impact
Key features of the session:
n Identify what impact is (and isn’t), the different types of impact and the potential reach and significance of your research n Explore the role of stakeholders in helping to generate and capture impact n Make a start on your Impact Map
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to... THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF IMPACT
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
Topics touched on here and explored further in these workshops 5
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Exploring Stakeholder Engagement
Who are the individuals, bodies or
agencies that are in a position to enable/ further your research or block/hinder it? Stakeholders are the potential beneficiaries or risk bearers of your research. They have a stake in what you do and you need to be strategic in how you involve them.
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In this workshop you will reflect critically on your stakeholder network - who’s in it, who’s missing from it - with a view to capturing all the key players. You will reflect on what makes for effective stakeholder engagement and why it matters. You will explore why your stakeholder network needs to be regularly reviewed and be
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introduced to tools to help you prioritise those stakeholders in which you should invest most of your time and energy. Are you engaging for maximum benefit and if not, what can you do about it?
This session is for you if:
n You want to look afresh at who your stakeholders are and why they are vested nY ou want to refresh your thinking about how to get the most from your stakeholder network n You want to better manage your relationship with stakeholders
Key features of the session:
n Critique your stakeholder network – is it complete? n Explore how best to prioritise stakeholders n Consider what makes for effective engagement including the importance of timing and the use of appropriate engagement channels
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
EXPLORING STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
People to talk to...
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
Topics touched on here and explored further in these workshops 7
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Surveying Your Funding Landscape
When you are relying on funding in
order to fulfil your research ambitions, you need to know as much as possible about who is ‘out there’ funding work like yours, what they prioritise and how your research could ‘fit’.
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How do you ensure you are up-to-date with what funding opportunities are ‘out there’? Are you giving yourself the best chance of securing funding by being sufficiently familiar with the range of funding sources available? You will pick up some ideas around how best to keep your ear to the ground and look at some of the resources available to help you quickly and easily
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identify appropriate sources of funding. You will review examples of funders’ priorities with a view to assessing whether an application is worth a try, as well as start considering ways to fulfil funders’ requirements more fully, such as through collaboration.
This session is for you if:
n You want to develop a better understanding of your funding landscape n You want to widen your funding options n You want to explore the potential for collaboration as a means of achieving funding success
Key features of the session:
n Share insights and experiences with other researchers n Reflect on your approach to finding funds and how you might develop more helpful habits n Learn how to search for funding and check funders’ remits using Research Professional and Grantfinder
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
SURVEYING YOUR FUNDING LANDSCAPE
People to talk to...
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
Topics touched on here and explored further in these workshops 9
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Funding Applications: getting a yes
Securing funding for your research involves a big investment in time and energy. And with more people vying for smaller pots of money, it’s more important than ever that your funding application stands out for all the right reasons.
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This workshop is an opportunity for you to review and maybe rethink your approach to writing applications. What parts of the application do you give more attention to than others? What aspects feel like a struggle and why? You will analyse how writing for applications differs from writing for journals and learn some techniques for ensuring both content and structure
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are appropriate. Explore the ways in which you can make your applications compelling – including developing a strong start – and ways in which you can elevate your applications from good to great.
This session is for you if:
n You want to learn techniques for writing clearly, concisely and in a funder-friendly way n You want to understand the difference between writing for a journal and writing for a funding application n You want to understand what makes applications ‘great’
Key features of the session:
n Understand how to change your writing style to increase your chances of funding success n Create a strong and engaging start for your funding applications n Learn some core techniques that will ensure your applications are compelling
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to... FUNDING APPLICATIONS
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
Topics touched on here and explored further in these workshops 11
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The Give and Take of Peer Review
Having your application critiqued by an
impartial, astute colleague, who is not ‘close’ to your research, is one of the most powerful tools researchers can use to improve the way their research is communicated.
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Peer review, done properly, is a positive experience for reviewer AND reviewee, honing skills which will increase the likelihood of producing strong impact case studies, journal articles and of course funding applications. In fact, for the majority of bids you will write, peer review is a compulsory step in the external funding application process. If you intend to apply for external research funding, you therefore need to understand the peer review process.
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Moreover, the skills and the discipline involved in giving and receiving criticism are transferable to other areas of your professional life, making peer review a valuable aspect of your research career.
This session is for you if:
n You are intending to apply for external research funding n You want to develop/improve your skills at giving and receiving feedback n You want to understand how being a part of this process (as reviewer or reviewee) can benefit you and your career
Key features of the session:
n Find out how the experience of peer review can be of benefit to you n Explore (and practice) the hard and soft skills associated with being an effective reviewer AND reviewee n Consider the responsibilities involved in being a reviewer and a reviewee
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
THE GIVE AND TAKE OF PEER REVIEW
People to talk to...
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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Maximise Your REF-readiness
Research quality assessment is
a prominent feature of the UK research landscape; it influences many activities within universities and can play a significant part in individual academic career choices. Whilst a Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment might only occur every six or seven years, the individual components it assesses reflect inherent facets of everyday life as a University academic.
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In the absence of precise details about the next REF, this session will use the framework adopted for REF2014 to consider what excellence means or
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looks like for each of the main pillars of the assessment. Come prepared to evaluate your research presence, and to leave empowered to maximise your readiness for the next REF.
This session is for you if: n You are aspiring to be ‘REF submittable’
n You want to evaluate your potential to contribute to a future REF submission n You want to understand the quality expectations of the REF (what do top rated journal articles and impact case studies look like?)
Key features of the session:
n Consider what it means for research outputs to show ‘originality, significance and rigour’ n Evaluate your potential to contribute to a future REF submission n Consider the importance of career planning in relation to REF
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to... MAXIMISE YOUR REF-READINESS
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
Topics touched on here and explored further in these workshops 15
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Influencing Government Policy with Research: doing it, demonstrating it
Being able to demonstrate that
your research has had an impact on government policy is akin to the holy grail of research... much sought after but difficult to achieve. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to reflect on what it takes to influence policy, including the elements that you can control and those that you cannot and the channels that are available to help. You will explore the ‘must haves’ for policy impact, including the big one... intention!
Consider who your key players are, how you should channel your energies for best results and the ways you can capture your influential engagement activity.
This session is for you if:
n You have recently embarked/are soon to embark upon a research project which you feel has the potential to impact on policy n You want to refresh/check-in on your thinking around policy impact and how best to make it happen
Key features of the session:
n Evaluate the context in which you are operating and whether this could help or hinder your policy ambitions n Consider the prerequisites for policy impact n Explore ways of keeping up-to-date with policy developments and routes into the policy arena
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT POLICY WITH RESEARCH
People to talk to...
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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Pitch Perfect: Compelling Research Congress
There is a tool that can help you write more successful funding applications, engage more effectively with stakeholders, achieve greater benefit from networking, improve your sense of confidence/value in what you do and ensure that you stay focused on the potential impact of your research. That tool is the pitch.
A pitch is a clear, concise and compelling summary of your research. Using a Stanford Research Institute model, this workshop will guide you in the art of the pitch and provide an opportunity to test and iterate it up to three times with the aim of getting it as close to pitch perfect as is possible. 18
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During the workshop, you will act as pitcher and reviewer, critiquing others’ pitches following strict ‘rules of engagement’ and time-frames. The chance to practice giving and receiving constructive critical feedback in a structured and supportive environment is as an important a feature of the workshop as the pitch practice itself.
This session is for you if:
n You want to be able to communicate the need, approach and potential value of your research in a concise and compelling manner n You want to develop your skills in giving and receiving feedback n You want to improve your funding applications, networking experiences and confidence
Key features of the session:
n Improve your pitch using a Stanford Research Institute-inspired model n Have your pitch critiqued by colleagues from different disciplines n Develop the skills to listen to and critique the pitches of others
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to...
PITCH PERFECT
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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Optimising Innovation: the what, why and how of industry engagement
Engaging with industry can be
hugely rewarding, enabling research to be utilised, helping meet impact requirements, increasing funding prospects, creating valuable partnerships and even leading to lucrative licensing or spin-out opportunities. But, it can also be a daunting prospect, with the routes into industry unclear, the nature of any potential collaboration uncertain and the benefits of engagement not always obvious.
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In this workshop, you will be encouraged to explore what industry engagement could mean for you and your research. You will be guided through the engagement journey, looking at the University’s processes and the
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support available to help you navigate them and access relevant industry collaborators and markets. You will have an opportunity to reflect on your assets and your stakeholders and think again about your potential to embark upon mutually beneficial industry engagement.
This session is for you if:
n You want to understand the various forms industry engagement can take n You are unclear about how engaging with industry could benefit you n You want to engage with industry/engage more but you don’t know where to start/what to do next
Key features of the session:
n Explore the numerous potential outcomes of industry engagement n Think about what you’ve got that industry might want (your assets) and the ways in which industry could further your professional goals n Understand LJMU processes and the internal support available along the industry engagement journey
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to... OPTIMISING INNOVATION
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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Understanding Your Intellectual Assets
Your intellectual assets (IA) are valuable
commodities which you should utilise for funding applications, writing papers, discussions with partners and collaborators, capturing impact, and developing your research strategy. As well as updating your CV! But many researchers do not even think about the IA that their research gives rise to – to their cost!
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This workshop will explore the novel knowledge that you generate as you pursue your research question which can be hugely valuable in their own right. You will explore the many forms IA can take and how they might be utilised.
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Who could be interested in your IA and why, how could you make them available to others and how can they best work for you? Find out how to create an intellectual asset inventory for your research and start utilising your assets as you move through your research journey.
This session is for you if:
n You want to make use of ALL aspects of your research, not just the end product/conclusion n You want to know more about what intellectual assets are and how they can be utilised n You want to explore your intellectual assets with the support of colleagues
Key features of the session:
n Understand the concept of intellectual assets and why these might be of value n Start identifying your intellectual assets and organising them under key categories n Explore how you can make use of your intellectual assets
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INTELLECTUAL ASSETS
People to talk to...
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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Attending to You
This workshop will encourage you
This workshop provides an opportunity to explore some of these questions, the focus being set by delegates through a short pre-session assessment. You will be encouraged to reflect on your strengths and your attributes and also identify areas in which you need to develop and improve. Through guided activities and small group discussions you will be supported to challenge self-limiting beliefs, share tools and techniques for improvement and set yourself developmental tasks and goals.
How confident are you in what you and your research have to offer? Do you view networking as an agony to be endured or a priceless opportunity? When did you last take stock of your competencies and achievements? How good are you at asking for what you need? Do you ever get the feeling you are an imposter in the research world? Are you paying attention to YOU as well as your research?
This session is for you if:
to reflect on some of the personal qualities, feelings and attitudes that are an integral part of being an effective and impactful researcher.
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n You want to explore your perception of yourself, including self-limiting beliefs n You want to improve your confidence and credibility when communicating what you do n You want to challenge yourself in areas that are holding you back
Key features of the session:
n Explore strengths and weaknesses with peers in an encouraging environment n Set yourself tasks and goals to develop as a researcher n Create a vision of you and your short, medium and long-term research career
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Your workshop notes: Things to think about...
People to talk to... ATTENDING TO YOU
Stuff to do...
Related Learning...
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The research journey can be thrilling, challenging, inspiring, frustrating and, let’s face it, sometimes lonely but there are a range of colleagues within Research and Innovation Services (RIS) who are available to advise, guide and support you. Please get in touch to find out how RIS can help. Email: impact@ljmu.ac.uk
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