What is the Research Organisation Consultation Group and why do its members choose to be part of it?

Yvonne Fox, Co-Chair of the UKRI Research Organisations Consultation Group (ROCG) and Associate Director of Research Services at Lancaster University, explains her reasons for getting involved with the group.

I have worked in research administration at Lancaster University for more than 25 years and I have been fortunate to be involved with the Research Organisation Consultation Group (ROCG) twice. The first time was for two years, back when the Research Councils originally formed the Group in 2006. I have been a member more recently and seen the transition to an active and valued forum through the genuine desire of UKRI to engage with the research organisation community. I became the co-chair in January this year, working alongside Ruth Williams, Associate Director- UKRI Funding Policy.

Throughout my involvement with ROCG, I have considered this as an excellent way of building trust and developing the relationship with staff in UKRI to the benefit of my own role, to my institution and on behalf of other research organisations.

When I saw the call for members, I thought this was a fantastic opportunity in a number of respects and I had no hesitation in responding. Involvement can be a great way to build networks, for personal development, increase knowledge and to gain a better understanding of UKRI processes as well as other research organisations’ approaches and practice.

Members have the opportunity to help UKRI understand the consequences, both intended and unintended, of proposed actions from an RO point of view and we the chance to influence changes and developments and our opinions are appreciated.

In my role, I am expected to keep abreast of developments and changes in the research landscape, I am expected to establish and develop networks and I am expected to understand funders’ strategic objectives. I see membership as being integral to the institution role I am paid to do. I think I speak for all members in that we gain so much from being a member of the group; a financial incentive really isn’t needed. Attending meetings is for me no different from other work-related events, with the added bonus that UKRI will pay for my accommodation and travel expenses.

I have the support of my divisional director and senior leaders at Lancaster University. They appreciate that I am doing this on behalf on the institution and acknowledge my contribution is worth the time commitment.

ROCG’s role is to provide UKRI with engagement and advice from the research organisation and broader research management perspective. The group's remit is policies, processes and administrative arrangements associated with grants, studentships and fellowships. The Group doesn’t have a role in the formal governance of UKRI, we are there to provide feedback on funding administration matters and to act as representatives of and as a conduit to the wider research community.

UKRI have invested time and resource in the ROCG - demonstrating they value the contribution we can give as research managers and administrators - and we value having the chance to provide our advice and have influence through our involvement.