28/29 June 2010, Birmingham UK
Opportunity to Apply to Attend
The AHRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC and NERC, are organising a summit bringing together representatives of selected key research projects and initiatives funded by the Research Councils relevant to the new cross-council research programme on Connected Communities. Invitations to the summit have already been sent out to some key funded activities in the field. However, as it was not possible to invite representatives from all relevant activities funded by the Councils we have set aside a limited number of places for others who wish to attend.
Aims of the Summit
One of the key aims of the Connected Communities Programme is to add value to the current portfolio of Research Council funded research by promoting linkages / connections between previous, current & planned research. The summit will seek to pursue this aim by identifying potential areas of common interest, interface and linkage between existing research activities. It will also inform the future shape of the Programme by identifying potential areas and mechanisms for adding-value as well as gaps in existing activities where new investments may be needed.
We also hope that the summit will help to stimulate research networking and collaboration. Immediately after the event there will be an opportunity for participants to apply for some modest funding to take advantage of any opportunities for collaboration between two or more Research Council funded activities (plus any other relevant activities) which may be identified. Further details will be provided to registered attendees. To facilitate networking we would like to circulate contact details of all registered participants before the meeting so that participants can start to think about potential linkages in advance and follow them up during or immediately after the event.
We are hoping that the summit will be attended by representatives from approximately 50 key research projects, centres, programmes and other initiatives funded by the Research Councils that are potentially relevant to the Programme’s emerging themes. It is expected that these will cover a wide range of fields from across the arts and humanities, engineering, social, medical, physical and environmental sciences.
Arrangements for the Summit
The two-day facilitated summit is being held on 28 & 29 June 2010 in Birmingham. It will build upon and complement other development and consultation activities involving a range of stakeholders which are helping to shape the aims and scope of the Programme and to refine its initial priorities.
The summit will start late morning on 28 June and is expected to end early afternoon on 29 June. The venue will be Winterbourne House in Birmingham University Conference Park. There is no charge for attending the event. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the venue for those requiring this. The Research Councils will meet participants reasonable travel costs in attending the summit.
How to Apply to Attend the Summit
The prime focus of the summit is on linking and adding value to current or recent Research Council funded research. Applicants must therefore be in receipt of, or have recently received, research funding from any one of the five Councils involved in the Programme on a topic of potential relevance to the Connected Communities Programme. We would only normally expect one representative to attend from each project /activity. The summit is one of a number of planned activities which will provide opportunities for other researchers to participate.
If you wish to apply please provide a summary of not more than one side of A4 outlining your reasons for wishing to attend and how you think your Research Council-funded research could contribute to the Programme. You may attach a cv or include a web-link to project research pages if you wish.
In selecting applications we will wish to consider the spread of coverage across the programme’s emerging research themes, disciplines and institutions as well as the case made in applications. Should a place not be allocated this may well reflect these issues of spread and mix of participants given the limited spaces available and not a view as to the relevance or potential contribution of your research to the Programme.
Applications to attend the summit should be e.mailed to G.Grubb@ahrc.ac.uk copied to connectedcommunities@ahrc.ac.uk by 5.00pm on Friday 4 June 2010. We hope to notify applicants whether they have been allocated a place during the following week. Applicants allocated a place will then be sent further details and a registration form to confirm their accommodation, catering and other requirements as well as to capture contact information for circulation to other attendees.
Please only submit an application to attend if you are committed to attending on 28/29 June, should you be allocated a space, as there will be limited time after 4 June to reallocate to other applicants spaces which become available due to allocations not being taken up.
Contact for Queries
If you have any queries about the summit please contact Jill Mustard at the AHRC.