Changing Water Cycle
UK workshop: call for participants
Closing date: 16:00 on 11 January 2010
Expressions of interest are invited to attend a one-day interactive workshop to aid the development of research proposals to address the science questions posed within the four themes of the Changing Water Cycle programme.
The workshop will address the call and allow those intending to submit proposals to get together, form collaborations and multidisciplinary links, and to discuss ideas with NERC and the Programme Advisory Group.
Date of Workshop: 3 February 2010
Application closing date: 16:00 on 11 January 2010
Venue: Regent's College Conference Centre, London
Introduction
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invites expressions of interest to attend a one day interactive workshop to aid the development of research projects to address the questions posed within the four programme themes of the Changing Water Cycle programme.
NERC has allocated up to £5m for the initial phase of this major new £10.1m programme, which directly relates to the delivery of NERC strategy and UK Government's strategic goals with respect to adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change.
Further information on the Changing Water Cycle's initial call can be found in the Grant round Announcement of Opportunity.
Information on the Changing Water Cycle programme in general can be accessed from the Science and Implementation Plans.
The workshop aims to provide the opportunity to:
- discuss what is in the science plan and the general scope of the call;
- network and form collaborations/consortia; and
- receive feedback from NERC and the programmes Advisory Group on potential ideas for proposals.
The event
The workshop will run over one day. The agenda is available below.
Morning
Plenary Session - a general background and introduction to the programme with a chance to discuss the Science Plan and what is 'in scope' for the call.
Afternoon
Theme breakouts - breakout question and answer sessions for each of the programme's first three themes. Delegates will have the opportunity to attend two of the themed breakouts and are asked to indicate on their Expression of Interest form their order of preference for these sessions. You will then be subsequently assigned to a Session by the selection panel according to demand and to allow for a good balance of expertise within each group.
Plenary Session – the workshop will conclude with an afternoon session on programme theme 4, as well as a round up of the day and general discussion.
There will also be an extended lunch and informal networking session.
Location and date
This workshop will take place at Regent's College Conference Centre on 3 February 2010. An application will be taken to mean availability for this date, and a definite commitment to attend. We will send out full details of the venue, agenda etc. to all participants.
NERC will cover costs for travel, hotels and meals incurred attending the workshop.
Application procedure
Who should apply?
The workshop will include representatives from the academic community and relevant stakeholders, including any co-funders and user groups including but not limited to the following groups: the UK and international academic community (covering all of the programme's remit), relevant government departments and development agencies, NERC research and collaborative centres, UK and international water industry, Water aid charities, independent consultants.
We encourage applications from all relevant research areas across the natural environmental sciences. We are not defining the disciplines that should be represented at this workshop; rather we are asking potential participants to indicate how their expertise can address the defined problems.
This is an opportunity to share ideas and develop collaborations that address the stated research questions. The research projects initiated by this event must fall within NERC's remit to be eligible for NERC funding.
How to apply
We invite applications from individual academic researchers and stakeholders. An applicant cannot ask someone else in their research group to take up their place at the workshop. A panel of experts will identify approximately 40-50 participants to take part in the workshop, via the assessment procedure outlined below.
Applicants should complete the two-page Expression of Interest form:
Expression of Interest form (36KB)
Your answers to these questions will be used to differentiate your application and convince us that you have the suitable skills and attitude to participate in this workshop. Please note that we are looking for both your relevant skills and expertise and for evidence of how you might approach the multidisciplinary problem that the research question raises.
Applicants must be available to attend for the full duration of the workshop.
If you are selected as a participant, your details will be made available to other participants to facilitate networking at the event.
Completed Expression of Interest application forms should be submitted by email to Dr Sally Reid by 16:00 on 11 January 2010. Applications before this date would be very much welcomed. No further documentation will be accepted. Please note that we will not consider late submissions.
Please indicate on the form your preference, in order, for attendance of the afternoon breakout sessions on the programme's themes 1, 2 or 3.
We will inform applicants by the 25 January 2010 of the outcome of the selection process for the workshop.
Assessment criteria
Applications will be considered by a panel consisting of the members of the Programmes Executive Board and Advisory Groups, in order to ensure a mix of disciplines and experience. The final decision on the selection of delegates lies with the Programme Executive Board.
Overall, the selection panel will seek to ensure that a balance of expertise is present at the workshop; their assessment will be based on the criteria outlined below.
Selection criteria
- specific expertise relevant to the topic of the workshop;
- the ability to develop new and highly original research ideas;
- the potential to contribute to the research between disciplines;
- the ability to work in a team; and
- the ability to explain own research to non-experts.
Please ensure you fully complete the Expressions of Interest form, as this is the only information on which potential workshop attendees will be selected. Please also note that it will not possible to provide feedback once the selection has been made.
Contact details
For further information please contact:
Dr Sally Reid
Tel: 01793 442565