Review of Life Sciences and cognate disciplines – Terms of Reference

20 Feb 2015

As announced on StaffNet earlier this month, the President and Vice-Chancellor has initiated a Review of the effectiveness and sustainability of current structures and possible alternative structures for the organisation of Life Sciences and cognate disciplines in the University

This Review has the full support of the University’s Senior Leadership Team and the Senate has also been informed.

The Terms of Reference, membership, timescales and preliminary arrangements for consultation for the Review have now been agreed and are as follows:

Objectives of the Review

To review the sustainability of the current structures in Life Sciences and their effectiveness in relation to the delivery of research and teaching, the student experience and social responsibility.
To evaluate possible alternative structures for the organisation of Life Sciences and cognate disciplines to both secure the financial sustainability of life sciences and optimise the delivery of the academic mission as outlined in the Manchester 2020 Strategic Plan.
To make recommendations for any required changes.

Options for the Future

In considering alternative structures, the review group should consider options that include:

retaining the current structure;
adding capability to the existing Life Sciences Faculty structure;
moving all of Life Sciences into the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences;
moving different component parts of Life Sciences into different Faculties.

Review Group Core Membership

Prof. Keith Brown – Vice President and Dean, Faculty of Humanities (Chair)
Prof. Clive Agnew – Vice President, Teaching, Learning and Students
Prof. Luke Georghiou – Vice President, Research and Innovation
Chris Cox – Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Nicola Davies – Deputy Director of Finance
Alan Ferns – Director of Communications and Marketing
Charlie Cook – General Secretary, Students’ Union
Sarah Albutt – Faculty of Humanities (Secretary)

The review group are free to co-opt additional resources and capabilities into membership of the review group core membership as they deem necessary.

Timescales

4 February – inform Senate of review
11 February – first meeting of Review Group
29 April – interim update to Senate
3 June – final report to Senate
8 July – final report to Board of Governors

Consultation

The review group will consult with representatives from Life Sciences, the cognate disciplines and members of Senate as part of the Review.

The review group decided at its first meeting that it would welcome and encourage views and submissions from a wide-range of interested stakeholders.

The Review Group will establish guidelines, a dedicated intranet site and on-line mechanism for submitting views early in March after it has held its second meeting.