A University Forum for Research Staff has been established to serve a general networking function and to provide a focus for gathering Research Staff views on issues such as induction, training and development opportunities etc.
1. How does the Research Staff Forum operate?
2. What has the forum achieved?
3. Who is on the forum?
How does the Research Staff Forum operate?
The Forum meets several times per year to:
- find out about local and national issues relating to Research Staff.
- discuss key issues with University staff (the Vice Chancellor, Director of Personnel, Director of Research Support Services, Director of Careers)
- influence Warwick policy and practice and help to improve the experience of being a researcher at Warwick.
- develop representatives skills through chairing, shaping and recording discussion at the meetings and representing the views of fellow Research Staff.
- have lunch and meet Researchers from different departments.
What has the forum achieved?
- Made the University aware of researchers' views towards the Fixed Term Employees' Regulations.
- Improved structures for communication between research staff in departments e.g. noticeboards, meetings, representation at departmental staff meetings.
- Contributed to the documentation and processes for Six-monthly Career Reviews.
- Campaigned for an Induction Provision specifically for Research Staff.
- Ensured that material on the Research Staff Website remains relevant and `up to date'.
- Trying to influence University policy on study leave and promotion for research staff.
- Shaping the focus of the Careers Service work for Research Staff.
- Facilitating involvement in national initiatives such as the Contract Researchers' Online Survey.
Who is on the forum?
- Departments can have one or more representatives which are usually on research or teaching contracts.
- From Jan 2012 the forum shall be attended by Pro-VCs Professor Tim Jones and Professor Stuart Croft alternately.
- Other staff who can contribute to the forum's work, from the LDC, the library etc.
The current list of departmental representatives can be accessed here.
