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

create a sense of urgency with respect to removing obstacles to excellent researchsupervision and changing established practices that undermine the quality of thepostgraduate experience.What it means in practiceReframe student recruitment and retention strategiesNew research universities face special challenges in attracting talented studentsinto postgraduate programs. Some successful universities develop their recruitmentstrategies around particularly innovative approaches to postgraduate researchtraining, appealing to students looking for an alternative to traditional models. Theyalign the recruitment program with the research goals. These successful institutionsavoid simply mimicking established research-intensive universities and seek to createan approach that confirms the overall distinctiveness of their mission. In the longerterm this will require a constant cycle of renewal to capitalise on the appeal of newapproaches and new horizons: a reality that should be acknowledged in keepingwith the notion of a plan as a ‘living’ document.Recruiting is not just about marketing, it is specifically targeted at attracting studentswho will value being part of team making a difference in an area of enquiry aboutwhich they are passionate. For universities aiming to raise and sustain the qualityof the research student cohort, this means identifying the factors that influence thechoices of potential students as they relate to the specific research goals of theuniversity. It also means providing a unified and purposeful approach combiningthe strengths of the supervisor, department and university with the promise of strongsupport systems and a sense of belonging to a leading research community.Scholarships and awards schemes are a highly effective way of supporting targetedrecruitment and retention of outstanding postgraduates. They should be reinforcedby a clear emphasis in the wider benefits of being part of the new or renewedmission of the university. Examples of these include philanthropic, business andindustry sponsored scholarships around specific themes aligned with the researchgoals. However, in line with the view that excellence in research should be supportedwherever it is found in the university, tagged central funds should also be availableto support exceptional candidates in any field of study. Finally, the approach torecruitment will need to be renewed with a highly professional evidence-based80 A handbook for executive leadership of research development