Research Focus Weeks were created in 2022 as a way of allowing uninterrupted and concentrated time for our academic staff and doctoral students to focus on research activities, such as grant writing, writing papers and articles, or for designating time to discuss and collaborate with colleagues on research areas and opportunities.
Please see the PVC (Research & Enterprise) blog post reflecting on research focus weeks and how colleagues have used them in the past. This concentrated time is great for finishing a paper, finalising and submitting a grant proposal, or thinking about where next for your research.
Three Research Focus Weeks will be held per academic year: one in September, one in January and one in May. The September week has been identified to coincide with the end of summer vacation period and the January and May dates with revision weeks. To allow for uninterrupted time, the PVC (Research & Enterprise) requests that during research focus weeks there are no University, Faculty or Departmental level meetings.
Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), says:
Research Focus Week is an important initiative in recognising the dedicated time that is needed for our academic staff and doctoral students to prioritise and advance their research. This has been a well-received development in supporting our research culture. I appreciate for some colleagues the exact week can be difficult, but if it doesn’t work for you, then please find your own week where this valuable headspace can be found.
Next years research focus weeks will be held on the 2-6 September 2024, 6-10 January 2025 and 12-16 May 2025. Please make sure you have them blocked out in your diary.