Time to re-think the divide between academic and support staff

Abstract

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A manifesto for rewarding and recognising Team Infrastructure Roles

“…In this view, TIRs may be categorised as yet another non-academic staff member whose increasing influence dilutes academics' autonomy and authority, and/or increases their already heavy workload. This perspective highlights current tensions in the system: TIRs may be perceived as not sufficiently qualified to exert influence in the system, despite the fact that many TIRs are highly skilled researchers with doctoral degrees and years of academic experience (Teperek et al, 2022;UKRI-Research England, 2022).…”

“…We note that these job families were legitimised in the UK following negotiation between campus trade unions (University and Colleges Union (UCU), Unite and Unison) and representatives of the employers. Such a change may therefore require engagement of Unions across the sector to advocate on behalf of all research institution employees.The professionalisation of TIRs could be further accelerated if larger mainstream funders created TIR fellowships (see similar recommendations byTeperek et al (2022) andUKRI- Research England (2022)). This would require a cultural change from funders to value long term investment in individual TIRs, and infrastructural change in how funds are distributed.…”

Data Management Librarians Role in a Large Interdisciplinary Scientific Grant for PFAS Remediation: Considerations and Recommendations

“…In April 2022, Marta Teperek, Maria Cruz, and Danny Kingsley co-authored a career column in Nature, entitled, "Time to re-think the divide between academic and support staff. " In their column, Teperek notes that, "For research to advance and progress, diverse personnel must be able to contribute their talent and skills without being too restricted by conventional hierarchies" (Teperek, Cruz, and Kingsley 2022). Teperek and her collaborators note that participation in grants as one of the areas where it is difficult for staff and faculty to collaborate due to what they name as "arbitrary divisions:" "What hinders the quality of the research process is not the existence of distinct job profiles and varying responsibilities, but the constraints imposed on the different types of professional" (Teperek, Cruz, and Kingsley 2022).…”

FAIR Begins at home: Implementing FAIR via the Community Data Driven Insights

“…FAIR is at an early stage, and it involves a learning process between stakeholders. Researchers and the staff members should come together as part of a strong community with shared goals and accountability [11]. Establishing an engaged network of data scientists (and stewards) across departments requires commitment from the different actors and can be enabled through regular meetings and social events, which facilitate knowledge sharing, create a sense of community with a common purpose, and foster collaborations across departments.…”