Advancing Humanities and Social Sciences Research in Ireland

collaboration of the Irish HSS research community with international networks, do
not have either a secure or predictable source of domestic funding from module to
module. This policy absence contrasts sharply with other European countries that
typically have a defined policy on digitisation for higher-education research.
6.3 TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Basic research facilities would appear to be at a premium in many higher-education
institutions. Particular needs were identified in regard to the provision of more
research and office space, computer and other IT access. 26 These resources are
necessary if the more general and holistic aspirations of R&D policy are to be
realised.
This is especially important in view of the recent shift within the EU FP
towards recognising the integrity of the HSS in informing the development
of the European Research Area (ERA). The importance of
providing appropriate supports, including administrative and
management supports, to enable HSS researchers to access EU
funding opportunities emerged as a strong need. There was
strong support for the provision of funding to enable researchers
to take ‘time-out’ from teaching and administrative duties to
prepare major EU research proposals.
In 2004 there were 33 technicians and associated research
support staff for the HSS disciplines compared to 349 for the
SET disciplines (Forfás 2005a). 27 The limited provision for HSS
technical and research support within existing national strategic
frameworks emerged as a clear weakness. While the SSTI
(2006) allows for an additional 350 technicians and 350
research assistants to support SET R&D over the lifetime of the
strategy it fails to provide for any such supports for HSS research.
Such supports are becoming more necessary to support participation
in an increasingly methodological and technically complex
transnational R&D environment. This oversight should be addressed
and the equal importance of research and technical assistants to the
general HSS community recognised through, for example, the provision
of specific funding lines to enable the provision of targeted technical
supports for the HSS higher-education research community.
26
Less than nine per cent (or 21,408 m2) of total research space within the third-level sector is allocated
to the arts, humanities, psychology and social sciences. See HEA ‘Research Infrastructure Review
Site Visits Briefing’ accessed online at: www.hea.ie/index.cfm/page/publications/category/143/
section/details/id/1107 (12 January 2007).
27
The Forfás HERD survey provides data on the number of personnel involved in R&D activities in the
higher-education sector including all associated support staff and technical staff. Personnel data are
supplied for the survey as full-time equivalents by each field of science.
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