Tim Tozer and his team

University research group adapts to new way of funding

The University of York's Communications Research Group is one of the UK's leading academic research units specialising in communication engineering. Part of the Electronics Department, they shared in the University's success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) where the majority of their research was judged world-leading or internationally excellent by the RAE Electrical and Electronic Engineering panel. Codex talked to the research team to find out their views on working with CDE.

The research team which specialises in wireless communications and related signal processing is gathered in Research Group Leader, Tim Tozer's office within the Electronics Department. They have been brought together to discuss their recent experiences in submitting proposals to CDE. After a lively debate over the 'pros' and 'cons' of the new system, they come to the unanimous conclusion that CDE is a great success and, despite a few reservations (they are academics, after all!) is working well. In fact Research Fellow, Dr John Thornton says: “CDE is the best thing I have ever dealt with!”

So far they have made three proposals through CDE with two being successful and one which they are considering resubmitting after reviewing feedback. Dr Rodrigo C de Lamare, Lecturer in Communications Engineering, made a successful application resulting in funding of £151,000. “It was a great feeling when we heard that we had been successful with our application. This pays for one post doctorial researcher, plus two PhD students for a year, which is essential for the success of our work,” explains de Lamare.

His research into novel reduced rank knowledge aided techniques for multipleinput- multiple-output (MIMO) Radar, giving improved detection and tracking of targets, is now well under way and looking back at the submission stage he says he found it relatively easy to use.

De Lamare thinks that it compares favourably to other sources of funding: “CDE is objective and impartial, and I feel encouraged to modify and resubmit the proposal that was rejected.”

Discussing the technology

Tim Tozer, leader of the research group has worked within MOD and is familiar with previous ways of working where 'who' you knew was often more important that 'what' you knew. He believes that CDE is a step forward, providing an entry point that gives a quick response and a kick-start to new projects. Impressed with the straightforward online application process, Tozer and his colleagues are finding that applications are easier to put together, saving time and effort.

Although they are fully behind the system they have encountered a few initial problems and have been keen to share these with the CDE team in an effort to make the process more effective and user-friendly. This and other feedback is being used to help continually improve the online application system.

Tozer explains that previously it was necessary to try and understand, then enhance MOD needs. “In the past we had to build up medium- and long-term relationships which meant investing large amounts of time and resources. We have now had successes through the Competition of Ideas and CDE, and the amount of effort that these applications take is relatively light and is more manageable.”

Pressed to come up with the 'negatives' that will help make CDE even more effective de Lamare suggests: “It would be helpful if feedback could be faster, and direct access to the assessor would help us understand their views as well as gain a better appreciation of MOD's needs.”

Asked the same question, Tozer is also keen to stress that CDE is a move forward and he is planning to attend the next CDE seminar to get a better idea of how the new system can promote dialogue which he fears may be lost in a purely online process. “We are keen to keep engaged with MOD and I believe that the most fruitful relationships are medium-term with a number of facets. They include a mutual understanding of needs and capabilities, coupled with support beyond just research and including advice, training, and provision of graduates by the University to MOD and associated companies.”

With a deep commitment to their work and a flourishing relationship with CDE, the team is determined to support MOD towards what they see as a “serendipitous, two-way process with mutual benefits”.