Lawrie Phipps :: Blog :: Information about the call, and other things

I wanted to take a little time out to reflect on the activities of the last several months and also to answer a few questions. So in this message you will find the following:

• A brief reflection and an important request
• Information about the call
• Clarifying the scope (important)
• ALT-C 2007
• Beyond the current activities

A brief reflection and an important request

No one would say that this community, like all things academic, and its facilitation as been without its issues. But as we enter the transition phase from emerging ideas and problem spaces into the funded project phase or, as one post 11pm delegate called it at the Manchester event, the “giveusthemoney” bit, I wanted to just say a few things about my perception of the process so far.

When we started we were excited and enthused about the prospect, thanks to the Emerge Team and the way in which they have facilitated, cajoled and organised, as we enter this phase I, as the Users and Innovation programme manager, am sitting here, firstly still excited and enthused, secondly, my sanity is still intact, but finally, and most importantly, I have to thank you all, because for the first time in my JISC career I am genuinely looking forward to reading bids .

Was this process worth going through? I won’t know until the bids are in. After the decisions are made and the money is on its way you’re opinion might change. So as a participant I would ask a favour of you all in the community. At some point over the next month, as you prepare your bids, I find it useful if you could write a short reflection and email (l.phipps@jisc.ac.uk)  it to me covering the following:

• What you’re perception of JISC was before getting involved,
• How it’s changed, if indeed it has?
• What you think of the concept of the community approach that we have used (as opposed to just issuing a call)?
• Any other comments at this stage in the process.

Information about the call

The call will be issued on 27^th July, a link will be provided from the Emerge site (probably several!), read it thoroughly several times, it will appear as an appendix to the main circular. Where the U&I call deviates from the main circular it will say so. Pay close attention to the criteria that make up the marking. Also pay close attention to the UIDM briefing paper, if you don’t know what the UIDM is by now you must have got this message by mistake!

There is a little information already available on the JISC roadmap at http://www.jisc.ac.uk/capital_roadmap.html

It states:

15-month projects to develop and adapt next generation technologies and practices, and pilot them with real users, in real institutional contexts (following phase 2 of the U&I Development Model). 10 small-scale projects (maximum funding of £50,000 per project) and 10 large-scale institutional demonstrators (funding of between £150,000 and £200,000 per project).

Clarifying the scope (important)

At the recent Manchester event one of my JISC service colleagues inadvertently gave incorrect information, this was not a deliberate misleading, but a lack of understanding about the programme and it’s vision. The vision is available at  http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/programme_users_and_innovation.aspx but the overarching statement “To create opportunities to transform practice by developing technologies and processes that support the user experience in improved and innovative ways” is fairly explicit.

The U&I programme is looking at ‘next generation’ technology and it’s impact on practice in HE and HE in FE. Practice is across all HEI domains, Administrative, Research and Teaching (Pedagogy). The only thing to be aware of is that JISC is about the Technology aspects of those domains. I hope that clears the up the scope issues.

ALT-C 2007

I will be attending ALT-C 2007 at Nottingham and I know that some of you are using some of the budget allocated to you to attend. We (JISC) are planning a great stand for with lots going on, including plenty of space for impromptu meetings. There will also be an active second life screen dedicated to presentations from the Emerge community and its friends.

Actions for Emerge members attending ALT-C 2007

• If you would like to use the space for a meeting to discuss a specific topic during a break or over lunch please let me know and I will ‘book’ tables and chairs.
• If you would like to ‘stream’ a presentation into the Emerge SecondLife @ ALT-C let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the appropriate people (this should be very good and I’ve convinced people that you lot are the ones that can demonstrate its value!)
• Finally, a plea from the heart, please don’t show me any of your draft bids.

Beyond the current activity

I’m sure that you are all aware that there is not enough money to fund all of the bids that we know we will receive, it’s not fair, but it’s the way it is! However, this community is valued, not just by the people in it but it’s reputation is spreading throughout the JISC community, this is not something that we want to lose so please be assured that the Programme team are investigating opportunities for community members to continue their involvement and to sustain the community so good work can continue, watch this space for more information.

Thanks for all of your great work, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Lawrie