Using the Statements of Good Practice
In Research Uptake Management
Guidance for Leaders and Champions in the DRUSSA Programme
Using the Statements to determine priorities and monitor progress
The ‘statements of good practice’ were developed by DRUSSA Leaders and
Champions during the Johannesburg benchmarking exercise in June 2012 and
are an important outcome which can be used effectively to support institutional
development in research uptake management.
Working from an initial draft prepared by the facilitation team on the basis of
responses in the research uptake management survey May 2012, the statements
were developed and modified by participants over the 3 days.Their purpose is
not to ‘grade’ the level of current provision in each university, or indeed to
provide a model that would apply universally. They do, however, provide a
check list against which universities can identify their own strengths, weaknesses
and priorities. The notion that every institution is different, and that each must
identify and drive forward its own agenda, is critical to our approach.
Depending on the circumstances of your institution, sharing and reviewing the
statements of good practice could be a good way to introduce the DRUSSA
programme to colleagues, and to help identify strengths, challenges and priority
areas for development.
The Leader and Champion is therefore asked review the statements of good
practice with the Implementation Team and prioritise them in levels of
importance and ability to respond to them. Using a simple scoring mechanism
they are asked to determine participants view on the importance of statement to
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the university and secondly to consider to what extent the function exists and
how far the university is advancing towards the goal. This will help highlight
strengths and weaknesses within the university system and proceses, which
could then be used to identify areas that needed to be strengthened. The
statements can also be used as a means of indicating progress. By repeating
the review on an annual basis, progress can be monitored over time.
How best this can work in your university with your implementation team is up to
you, however facilitators notes are provided which you may find helpful. If you
would like to discuss planning or running the session please feel free to contact
me at any point on [email protected] and I’d be happy to talk it through
with you.
The Leader and Champion is asked to set up a meeting with the team, review
statements and send returns by 4th December to Karrine Sanders ,
[email protected]
Note on Implememtation Team
At the beginning of the programme each university was asked to identify an
implementation team. The ‘implementation team’ represents a selected group of
people within the university who will be important to the success of the
programme, important to affect change in strengthening research uptake
management within the university. It may include Deans, Head of faculties, Head
of Library, Public Relations, Marketing. Indeed the criteria is really anyone who
can or will influence the success of the programme and has role in research
uptake management. From this implementation team, the University may
choose to develop smaller working teams to address specific areas of
development or to monitor progress. Could all universities please advise on any
changes made to implementation team on the progress report. Mnay thanks!
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Facilitators Notes
Recommended Time – One day
Introduce aims of the day
Introduce Drussa and Statements of Good Practice
It will be important to explain the origin of the statements and what the DRUSSA
programme is about and hoping to achieve. It will be important to stress that the
statements will not be all applicable to all universities and that some will be more
important than others.
Arrange participants into groups of 4- 6
Arrange day to cover 4 sessions
Session one
The group, is asked to consider each of the statements listed under section four
of the areas e.g Support for Externally Facing Activity, and to apply them to the
situation at the University.
For each statement participants can be asked to determine the importance of the
practice to the University, and to determine how close it is to achieving the objective.
A scale of 1 to 10 is used for these assessments. Scores can be determined on the
basis of a short discussion, and by arriving at a consensus. (this can be done in
groups if there is a large team)
Facilitator to write up notes
Break
Session two and so on.