RPF News

On the 15th of April, the Research Professional Futures (RPF) Programme Board convened for its inaugural meeting in Darlington, bringing members together for the first time with co-leads Lorna Wilson and Steph Bales.

The meeting provided an opportunity to introduce the RPF programme and share progress from its first quarter. Board members responded positively, expressing strong enthusiasm for the programme and a shared commitment to acting as RPF allies. A number of valuable recommendations were also offered and are now being taken forward.

The Programme Board membership (in addition to the RPF team) includes senior leaders from across the sector:

• Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge, Teesside University
• Professor Colin Bain, Professor of Chemistry, Durham University
• Fleur Hughes, PRISMS Manager, University of York
• Professor David Leadley, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Warwick
• Jenny Taylor, Executive Director of Research & Innovation Services, Northumbria University
• Dr Bryony Wakefield, Executive Director of Research Management & Innovation, King’s College London

The first in-person National Commission meeting took place on 19th March at the University of Leeds, chaired by Shearer West (Vice Chancellor), where the commission was officially formed. The National Commission will act as a critical friend to the Research Professional Futures (RPF) project, representing the sector in contributing to recommendations for change.

The event began with roundtable introductions of the members present, who all bring varying and valuable expertise. There was real excitement for the RPF project and a great energy in the room about what could be achieved by the project. The presentations began with the RPF leadership team (Steph Bales, Rika Nair, Isabella von Holstein and Lorna Wilson) giving an overview of the project, what it will achieve, and their personal stories of why this project is so important. The delivery partners from Research Consulting and the University of Oxford then gave presentations on the progress of data collection and the plans for the next stage of surveys and interviews. Finally, members took part in a feedback session where they gave valuable views and feedback which will feed into the project.

The National Commission will meet twice a year throughout the project