WUN International Research Mobility Scheme IRMS

1
WUN International Research Mobility Scheme (IRMS)
Jo Doyle Head of International Office January
26th 2007
2
What is WUN?

• A global alliance of leading research
  institutions in the UK, Europe, China, Australia,
  the USA and Canada.
• A platform for sustainable international research
  collaboration.
• A vehicle towards increased internationalisation
  of higher education.

3
WUN Global Partners

• UK
• Universities of Bristol, Leeds, Manchester,
  Sheffield, Southampton and York
• Europe
• University of Bergen (Norway)
• University of Oslo (Norway)
• University of Utrecht (Netherlands)
• China
• University of Nanjing
• University of Zhejiang
• Australia
• University of Sydney

4
WUN Global Partners

• US
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of Washington, Seattle
• University of California, San Diego (incl.
  Scripps Institute of Oceanography)
• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Canada
• University of Toronto

5
Academic Areas Of Focus

• Around 50 research and teaching groups spanning a
  wide range of subject areas
• Organic development of subgroups and new areas
  added
• Potential for development in new areas- common
  ground across partners necessary
• For full list see
• http//www.wun.ac.uk/research.php

6
WUN Core Activities

• RESEARCH
• DISTRIBUTED LEARNING
• MOBILITY/EXCHANGES
• International Research Mobility Scheme

7
International Research Mobility Scheme (IRMS)

• Open to postgraduate research students,
  post-docs, academic members of staff
• Since 2001 about 500 exchanges between partners
  (mainly UK - US so far)
• Covering all WUN research areas new areas where
  it is likely to lead to sustainable cooperation
• Student visits normally from 6 weeks to 6 months
• Staff visits normally from 1 week to 6 months

8
Objectives of IRMS

• To allow students/staff to experience
  research/education in another part of the network
• To develop networks and career opportunities
• To create multidisciplinary research teams across
  the partnership
• To develop research collaborations and proposals
  to funders between faculty

9
Southamptons Experience

• Over 60 students/staff members sent out
• About 20 students/staff members received
• Use of IRMS to underpin existing WUN activity
• Use of IRMS to encourage activity in new areas

10
Application Process

• 30k available per year
• Two deadlines per academic year 30 Nov and 15
  March
• Internal committee considers applications
• Awards cover travel and subsistence
• Awards to be taken up within 9 months
• Application forms at http//www.wun.ac.uk/irms.ph
  p

11
Application Process

• Prior approval of home supervisors/Head of School
  a pre-requisite
• Students initial approach to academics to be
  made through supervisor or other academic member
  of staff
• Detailed visit plan would ideally involve
  student, home supervisor and host supervisor

12
And finally...

• Read the offer letter!
• Visa advice from SAIC or IRMS Officer
• Report to be submitted within 1 month of return
• Please contact Jill Speake or Dimitra Papagianni
  (Elisa Lawson) in case of any questions or
  problems
• www.soton.ac.uk/international/Worldwide-Universiti
  esNetwork/

13
Further Information

• Dimitra Papagianni
• WUN Coordinator
• elisa_at_soton.ac.uk
• Tel 22423
• Elisa Lawson
• WUN Coordinator
• elisa_at_soton.ac.uk
• Tel 22423
• (from April 2007)

• Jill Speake
• IRMS Coordinator
• js7_at_soton.ac.uk
• Tel 23635
• www.wun.ac.uk
• www.soton.ac.uk/international/wun/index.html