Environment submissions database

NTU research activity inevitably reduced during lockdown in 2020, causing the University the challenges faced across the sector. Some related specifically to REF whereas others were broader. The slowing of progress on some projects meant it was not possible to draw down in full all of the income scheduled. This led to a reduction in annual research spend in 2019/20 which distorts the upwards trends shown in the Institution-level and UoA Environment Statements. There was restricted access to laboratories; in the initial lockdown, most were closed. When they re-opened, new risk assessments required reduced occupancy due to social distancing. Similar restrictions applied to other specialist research settings and external libraries and archives. Face to face interviews and focus groups were postponed and overseas travel was curtailed. Through no-cost extensions and additional resource from funders, including UKRI, these projects are now moving forward and spend is being realised beyond the REF census date. Research funded by external agencies was prioritised in the return to campus over the summer. For the same reasons, some funding allocated internally for research investment was not committed last academic year, hindering the ability of projects to deliver their objectives. Where practical for the project, funding has been allocated in the financial year 2020-21 to cover these activities; none has been discontinued for financial reasons. The completion of a number of impact case studies was obstructed in terms of achieving or evidencing impact. The commencement of clinical trials was delayed. New products did not go to market as planned. Statements of corroboration that relied on staff in external organisations who had significant other pressures or had been furloughed were more difficult to obtain. Not all of these had been overcome by the amended REF deadlines. The more general effects included a reduction in the time available to individual academic staff for research activities in view of the need to re-design teaching for online or blended delivery. This meant that objectives had to be re-set at short notice and the allocation of performance ratings within appraisals was suspended. Consequently, the University did not make individual financial payments to academics - or indeed any member of staff - in 2019/20, although the V-C’s award scheme for outstanding research proceeded as normal. Research students using laboratories, specialist research facilities, field work etc. faced the same obstacles as academic colleagues. Whilst NTU made every effort to provide comprehensive support for the doctoral community with online training, well-being resources, fast-track processes for redesigning projects, prioritised access to laboratories for postgraduate researchers in their final year, and hardship funds and extensions to studentship funding where most needed, self-funded and part-time postgraduate researchers in particular, have suffered significantly. As a consequence, rates of progression have slowed and suspensions have increased in this group. NTU met its financial targets in 2019/20 and is forecast to a large extent to do so again in 2020/21. The future research strategies articulated for both the institution and the UsoA are thus going ahead as planned.