handbook-executive-leadership-of-research-development-pdf-v10

IntroductionThis handbook is a source of advice for university executives about the leadershipof research. Its specific focus is on research development in less research-intensiveuniversities that are seeking to expand their research profile, enhance theirperformance and compete more effectively for research funding. The advice isalso relevant to senior executives faced with the challenge of rebuilding a researchculture in universities that have lost momentum and are seeking to enhance theirperformance or change direction in a highly competitive environment.In addition to proficiency in general aspects of management and leadership,leadership for research requires specialist skills and knowledge about theorganisational conditions that contribute to academic productivity. We attempt in thishandbook to make available ideas and knowledge that are relevant across diverseand changing policy contexts and are useful in the long term. We do this by focusingon a series of core principles that typically guide the strategic leadership of researchdevelopment. Some aspects of these principles apply to any academic environment.However, our main focus is on encouraging and supporting research in institutionalcontexts that do not have a university-wide culture of research and may not possessthe structures and processes to enable its effective execution.The principles are based on what successful leaders actually do: they are illustratedby material drawn largely from case study universities and the observations ofexperienced and successful executive leaders. They are designed to provide seniorexecutives with options for research development based on evidence of what mightlead to favourable in different circumstances. They are by no means a set of isolatedformulae for success.The primary audience for the handbook consists of provosts, deputy and provice-chancellors whose responsibilities centre on the governance, leadershipand management of research. Any practical approach to research development,especially in an institution that does not have the advantage of building on asustained culture of research excellence, must be faithful to that institution’s purposeand to the context in which its research activity is delivered. The handbook’s focus istherefore on strategic leadership — on an institution’s distinctive vision for research5