Macronutrient Cycles

Workshop: call for participants

Closing date: 16:00 on 26 March 2010

Expressions of interest are invited to attend a two-day interactive workshop for researchers to get together and consider how to develop the kind of interdisciplinary activity needed to address the science goals defined in the Macronutrient Cycles programme.

This facilitated workshop will be designed to help the formation of research networks and will encourage brainstorming, research-dating and stakeholder engagement to provide a platform from which the research community will then have the information to develop ideas, and to provide input that will help define the subsequent call.

Date of Workshop: 22-23 April 2010
Applications closing date: 16:00 on 26 March 2010
Venue: London, TBC

Introduction

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invites expressions of interest to attend a two-day interactive workshop for researchers to get together and consider how to develop the kind of interdisciplinary activity needed to address the science goals defined in the Macronutrient Cycles programme.

NERC Council have approved £9·5m for this programme that relates directly to the delivery of the NERC strategy and addresses science challenges across five of the science themes: sustainable use of natural resources; Earth system science; biodiversity; environment, pollution and human health; and technology.

Further information on the high level strategic goals for the Macronutrient Cycles programme can be found in the full version of the Phase 2 sustainable use of natural resources theme action plan.

It is anticipated that prior to the main Announcement of Opportunity for this programme there will be a call for proposals for 'capacity building' to support workshops, networking activities and short term development studies to prepare research tools and techniques across the different science communities (atmosphere, land surface, soils, freshwater) whose collective expertise is needed to deliver the science in the area of macronutrients cycles.

It is expected that this workshop will be the first of a series of such events as the programme develops. This event will be organised and facilitated in part by the NERC research centres, and also by an independent facilitator. The role of the NERC centres will also be to explain how their national capability can contribute to the macronutrients action. The five NERC Theme Leaders whose themes contribute to this programme will also be in attendance at the workshop to explain the programme's high level science goals and how these map on to the themes.

The final scope of the research programme's Announcement of Opportunity will be decided following the appointment of a programme Director and support staff. The Director will be appointed by means of an open call as soon as possible.

The workshop aims to provide the opportunity to:

identify the scientific issues involved in designing a research programme to meet the high level science goals defined in the theme action plan;
consider how the Macronutrients Cycles programme relates to other research programmes, stakeholder interests, international work, etc; and
provide input to form the basis for further planning and development of the first call.

The event

The workshop will be run over two days. An agenda will be posted on this website nearer the date.

Location and date

The workshop will take place at in London on 22-23 April 2010, the exact location will be confirmed later. An application will be taken to mean availability for these dates, and a definite commitment to attend. We will send out full details of the venue, agenda, etc to all participants.

NERC will cover the costs for travel, hotels and meals during 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 industry and 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 100 participants to take part in the workshop, via the assessment procedure outlined below.

Applicants should complete the two-page Expression of Interest form below.

Expression of Interest form (35KB)

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 26 March 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.

We will inform applicants during the week commencing 5 April 2010 of the outcome of the selection process for the workshop.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be considered by a selection panel assembled for the purpose by NERC. The panel will seek to ensure that a balance of disciplines, experience and 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