FRC 17-18 M4 Item A.3 Minutes of Previous Meeting FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES MEETING OF THE FACULTY RESEARCH COMMITTEE (FRC) Wednesday, 9th January 2019, 2:30 pm SPD.F327, DCU St. Patrick’s Campus Chairperson: Prof. Eugene McNulty MINUTES Present: Dr. Eugene McNulty (Associate Dean for Research, Chair), Ms Michelle Brennan (Secretary), Dr. Jane Carrigan (Research Development Officer, Research & Innovation Support Services), Dr. Yvonne Daly (Law & Government), Dr. Tanya Lokot (Communications), Dr. Leeann Lane (History & Geography), Dr. Ryoko Sasamoto (SALIS), Dr. Jim Shanahan (English), Mr Clark Powers (Postgraduate Research Student Rep). Apologies: Dr. Patricia Flynn (Theology, Philosophy, and Music), Ms. Hazel Langan (Recording Secretary), Ms Victoria Smyth (Library), Dr. Pádraig Ó Liatháin (Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge), Dr. Áine McGillicuddy (CTTS). In Attendance: Mr. Thomas Kelly, Communications and Marketing SECTION A: MINUTES AND RELATED ISSUES Dr Jane Carrigan was welcomed to the Committee in her new role in RIS supporting the faculty development and preparation of grant applications. Dr. Carrigan will be based in the faculty. Invited Speaker: Thomas Kelly, Communications & Marketing on Research PR Mr. Thomas Kelly, Communications and Marketing attended to discuss promoting the research in the faculty. Across the University it has been identified that awareness of academic colleagues research outside schools and faculties is an issue and the Communications team would like to address this issue. The Communications team encouraged staff to get in touch to discuss upcoming events, publications and early stage research so that plans can be made to publicise the information and gain as much traction across relevant platforms as possible. Building a relationship with Comms & Marketing is critical to know and evaluate your research PR, identifying where you would like to see your research, the ideal scenario, assist with radio/TV engagement and thus raise the profile of the school, faculty and ultimately University. Monthly research meetings are scheduled to get everyone in a room once a month to discuss early stage research to assist with developing a plan, identify the audience, whether it’s internal interest, regional, national, specialist press all of which requires time to assess. Questions you need to think about are; what are its practical implications? Theoretical research gets short thrift so the public need to know consequences to get press interest. Page | 1 FRC 17-18 M4 Item A.3 Minutes of Previous Meeting The Committee were interested to know the protocol in Communications and Marketing regarding prioritising news stories. This will depend on what other things are on at that point in time. Mostly the Communications team (of 3) get papers to read and make judgement call regarding what to do with the information. This was highlighted as something that would assist academic colleagues as it takes substantial time and effort preparing information. Radio or TV training was suggested by the committee. However, due preparation is required to enable informed discussions on radio or TV so this may not be feasible for all disciplines, e.g. Law and ongoing case. The marketing platforms were also discussed as different audiences on differing platforms and a one size fits all policy may not be what is required. RIS also manage a twitter account and are eager to promote research information. Email [email protected] and the communications team list with items. 1. Apologies The apologies were noted. 2. Adoption of Agenda The agenda was adopted. 3. Approval of minutes of previous meeting [7th November 2018] The minutes of the previous meeting were deemed approved. 4. Matters arising from minutes of previous meeting Digital Method Working Group concept: J.Clark reported this is underway. DCU Research Ethics Committee volunteer: No volunteers. Chair to clarify reporting mechanism from this committee. ACTION: Chair Thematic Research Groups: Chair met with Áine McGillicuddy and Keith O’Sullivan. GTE Research Methods module title reviews: Chair to email relevant module co-ordinators ACTION: Chair Research Metrics school meetings: RIS is arranging school based meetings. SECTION B: STUDENT ISSUES 5. Applications for change to supervisory arrangements Noted. 6. Postgraduate research matters [C. Powers] Page | 2 FRC 17-18 M4 Item A.3 Minutes of Previous Meeting Promoting postgraduate research areas and publications were discussed. The Research Engine doesn’t capture research student engagements. Chair advised discussions ongoing. SECTION C: POLICY AND STRATEGY 7.1 University 7.1.1 Research Committee A decision has been reached regarding the overheads distribution which went to a specially convened meeting of the VP for Research and Deans. Overheads will be issued directly at faculty level. Faculty Management Board will devise a policy on how this is distributed across the faculty. 7.1.2 Graduate Research Studies Board (GRSB) Research Convenors to liaise with school colleagues regarding the role of Independent Panel Member (IPM). IPMs to liaise with their research students reminding them of their existence should a meeting be required to discuss any issues. ACTION: Research Convenors 7.2 Faculty Implementation of strategic plan discussed at Faculty Management Board this morning. Related FRC items include a review of schemes in Q1 or Q2 to gauge if objectives being achieved and identify if any additional supports are required. Faculty guide to be created to assist colleagues with maximizing citations of their journal articles, promoting publications in the appropriate forum, perhaps involving social media. Framework to be devised. As success in external funding is another measure of research activity, further post award support would be optimal to ensure people get the most value out of the awards. 7.2.1 Schemes* Spring conference scheme and workshop scheme calls will accept applications from the 4th February with a deadline of 22 February. Convenors were asked to note the dates for reviewing the conference scheme applications between 27th February and the 6th March with a review meeting on the 8th March. The workshop scheme will reviewed by the Dean, ADR RIS representative and a DCU colleague outside the faculty. 7.2.2 Thematic Research Groups Visibility of the ongoing research work from colleagues involved in thematic research groups was discussed. Chair invited colleagues to make contact if groups want to have visibility about research cluster and possibly form a subgroup. 7.2.4 Schools Report COMMUNICATIONS [T. LOKOT] Page | 3 FRC 17-18 M4 Item A.3 Minutes of Previous Meeting Research Events The Hate Track project, led by Dr Eugenia Siapera, and funded by IHREC and IRC, hosted a final event to present the findings from the project and discuss the situation with online hate speech in Ireland. The event took place at the Science Gallery on Nov 28, 2018 and was well- covered in the media. Coverage in media: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/hate-speech-against-immigrants- and-travellers-widespread-online-1.3713762?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter https://www.irishlegal.com/article/irish-human-rights-chief-calls-for-action-to-tackle-online-hate- speech https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/findings-of-online-tool-which-tracks-hate- speech-prompts-call-for-updated-laws-888519.html DCU Media History Collection, lead by Dr Mark O’Brien, held a donor appreciation event at the DCU Library on 13 December, 2018. The event featured the Press Ombudsman, Peter Feeney. FuJo will hold an inaugural conference for its JOLT EU-funded project on February 1, 2019. The conference is titled “Journalism in the Age of Hybrid Media” and features project partners and leading media and journalism scholars. Dr David Robbins, together with Dr Diarmiud Torney (Law and Gov) is co-organising a one-day conference in DCU to mark the inaugural year of the new MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media and Society programme. The conference will explore responses to climate change across the domains of politics and policy, communications, and education. The conference will take place on February 8, 2019. Details TBA. PGR/PhD Student Updates Two new full-time PhD students and one new part-time PhD student are due to commence their studies at the start of 2019. - Rabia Qusien (under the supervision of David Robbins) - Kerry Lawless (under the supervision of Padraig Murphy) - Marian McDonnell (under the supervision of Declan Tuite) This will bring the number of registered postgraduate researchers in our school up to 38. Across the coming calendar year, a minimum of 6 School of Comms PhD researchers are due to complete their studies and submit their final dissertations. Details of a new competition for School of Communication PhD scholarships are currently being finalised, with a call due to be issued during semester two of the academic year. Page | 4 FRC 17-18 M4 Item A.3 Minutes of Previous Meeting Conference Presentations and other Public Events Dr Mark O’Brien chaired a panel at the Newspaper and Periodical History Forum of Ireland on 9-10 November, titled “The Press, elections and dirty tricks in Ireland”. PhD student Daniel Carey will be presenting at the same event a paper titled “‘My God, what have I done?’ – moving from the press gallery to the Dáil chamber”. Dr Debbie Ging was a speaker at the Global Undergraduate Awards Summit in Dublin, on a panel “Constructing the Future: Technological Advancements and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” A number of School faculty and PhD students, as well as alumni, spoke at the Cleraun Media Conference 2018 in Dublin on 16-18 November. Dr Dawn Wheatley, PhD student Stephen Desmond and Dr Eileen Culloty chaired panels & masterclasses at the conference. PhD student Sara Creta was a speaker on a panel “Reporting the Victims.” MAJ graduate Roseanna Cooney spoke on a panel “Evolving Formats: Next Generation Storytelling, Podcasts”. PhD student Sara Creta was a speaker at the “Visualising conflict – Photojournalism and the politics of participation” conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on 29 November.