Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Accept all cookies Reject all non-essential cookies Find out more

Research Staff Forum

The Medical Sciences Division Research Staff Forum identifies issues, and reviews policies and practice, related to the well-being, career development and working environment of researchers. It comprises Research Staff Representatives and Advocates for Research Staff from each department. It meets termly and reports both to the University Research Staff Steering Committee (RSSC) and the Medical Sciences Board's Finance, Research and General Purposes Committee (FRGPC).

About

  • The Division’s Research Staff Forum connects the voices, views and experiences of research staff to processes and decision-making in the division and university. The Forum includes at least one researcher representative from each department and meets regularly to discuss issues affecting the experiences of research staff.
  • The Forum is chaired by MSD researchers, Dimitrios Doultsinos (Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences) and Ignacio Torrecilla (Oncology), in collaboration with Leanne Hodson (Divisional Advocate for Research Staff) and Mary Muers (MSD Research Culture Facilitator).
  • The MSD Forum is connected to University-wide research staff representational groups, which have direct links to University-level committees and governance.
  • Research staff representatives support two-way communication and networking with researcher communities in their departments.
  • MSD departments are appointing a senior academic or researcher as their Departmental Advocate for Research Staff. These Advocates support the research staff representatives and champion positive initiatives for research staff and research culture within their department.

Membership

To find your department's Research Staff Representative or Advocate see our full member list

MSD Research Staff Forum Steering Group

The steering group leads on agenda and actions, to support the smooth running and efficacy of the Forum.

  • Leanne Hodson (chair) (Divisional Advocate for Research Staff)
  • Dimitrios Doultsinos (co-chair of Research Staff Forum)
  • Ignacio Torrecilla (co-chair of Research Staff Forum)
  • Mary Muers (Research Culture Facilitator)
  • Philippa Hulley (Departmental Advocate)
  • Leila Whitworth (Head of Research Strategy and Funding Team)
  • Rachel Bray (Researcher Hub Lead)

Terms of Reference

1. Responsibilities

The Research Staff Forum shall be responsible under the Medical Sciences Board’s Finance, Research and General Purposes Committee for:

  • advising on questions of policy and practice related to researcher career development, including in the context of the Concordat for to the Support the Career Development of Research Staff.
  • keeping under review ways of promoting and facilitating researcher career development in Medical Sciences.
  • facilitating the exchange of information about funder expectations for ECRs.
  • assisting in contributing to the University’s overall policy and approach to areas related to researcher development, including: sharing and encouraging best practice in departments across the Division.
  • addressing issues around the research environment including (but not restricted to) research integrity, research culture, contracts, awards and recognition.
  • addressing issues around career development including (but not restricted to) training, teaching opportunities, line management and supervisory roles, mentorship, authorship, grant applicant status.
  • addressing more general issues such as college affiliations and accommodations.
  • addressing other key areas from the Concordat, especially those identified in the RSSC Gap Analysis.

 2. Meetings

  • The forum should meet once per term.
In this section