Launch of Sheffield Metascience Network (MetaNet)
This workshop aims to bring together researchers across the University Sheffield with an interest in metascience, or research on research.
About this Event
Worldwide, interest continues to intensify in how research is funded, practiced and evaluated, and in how research systems and culture can become more robust, open, inclusive and impactful. A growing number of researchers, from diverse disciplinary starting points, are applying novel methods, network and data analysis to the scientific process itself. But research on research—sometimes called metascience, meta-research or science of science—remains poorly joined-up. More effort is needed to develop theoretical frameworks, standardize methods, strengthen networks, and test the transferability of approaches from one context to others.
Sheffield is active across these agendas: for example, through its membership of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN); its recent appointment of a Research Practice Lead; and its role as a founding partner in the Research on Research Institute (RoRI), alongside Wellcome Trust, Leiden University and the data firm Digital Science.
This workshop has three aims:
- To connect Sheffield researchers and staff involved in, or supportive of, metascience and research on research;
- To hear more about a handful of projects and initiatives in this area that involve Sheffield researchers, including via RoRI and UKRN;
- To launch a Sheffield Metascience Network (MetaNet), to provide an informal mechanism for ongoing networking, exchange and collaboration.
Above all, we want to support stronger links between people and projects working on these agendas across the University. Everyone is welcome!
AGENDA
13:30-14:30 PART 1: RORI: PROJECTS, PROGRESS & FUTURE PROSPECTS (4 x 10 mins, plus 20 mins discussion)
Welcome, introduction and launch of Sheffield Metascience Network —Prof Sue Hartley OBE, Vice-President for Research
The Research on Research Institute: progress and prospects —James Wilsdon, Director, RoRI & Digital Science Professor of Research Policy, Information School
Exploring the landscape of research on research —Simon Porter, Director of Innovation, Digital Science / Helen Buckley Woods, Postdoctoral Research Associate, RoRI
Transforming ‘excellence’: definitions, applications & alternatives to excellence in the evaluation, management and measurement of research —Prof Stephen Pinfield, Associate Director, RoRI & Professor of Information Services Management, Information School
DISCUSSION, including of RoRI Phase 2 (20 minutes)
14:30 BREAK (10 mins)
14:40-15:40 PART 2: METASCIENCE AT SHEFFIELD (4 x 10 minutes, plus 20 mins discussion)
Revolutions in reproducibility—Dr Tom Stafford, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Cognitive Science, Dept of Psychology / Research Practice Lead, University of Sheffield
The policy landscape for reproducible and transparent research in climate change and evolutionary science —Zuzanna Zagrodzka, Sheffield/UKRN PhD studentship
Exploring the "open divide": challenges to research in low-resource settings—Dr Pamela Abbott, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems / Dr Andrew Cox, Senior Lecturer, Information School
Open Research Conversations —Rosie Higman, Research Data Manager, The University Library
DISCUSSION (20 mins)
15:40 BREAK (10 mins)
15:50 - 16:50 PART 3: METASCIENCE AT SHEFFIELD (CONT)(4 x 10 minutes, plus 20 mins discussion)
Investigating human influences in systematic reviews and meta-analyses: how does a systematic review team influence the output of research projects? —Dr Lesley Uttley, Senior Research Fellow, ScHARR
AI-assisted peer review: potential and pitfalls —Dr Alessandro Checco, Lecturer in Business Analytics, Information School
Research Culture: A survey of new PIs in the UK—Dr Alison Twelvetrees, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, SITraN
Researching the History of Research Integrity—Dr Heather Ellis, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, History
DISCUSSION (20 minutes)
16:50 CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS (chaired by James Wilsdon, RoRI)
17:00 Workshop ends
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