Research Leadership in the Social Sciences Rapid Evidence Review

The final date and time for submission of bids is Monday, 17th May 2021 at 14:00.

DO NOT apply directly to the buyer.

All tender information MUST be submitted through the Delta eSourcing Portal.

Overview:

The customer wants to build a foundation of evidence which will enable them to determine how they articulate their expectations of research leadership across the lifecourse; how they strengthen and embed this across the organisation; and how they further engage with the sector. As well as providing the grounding for how they engage externally, this stronger evidence-base will sharpen our internal focus on leadership when commissioning new initiatives and allow them to embed good practice within their peer review and evaluation processes.

Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Document Uploads tab within the Delta eSourcing Portal.

This contract will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria set out in the ITQ document.

How to Apply

UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) will be using the Delta eSourcing Portal for this procurement.

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Additional information: Developing social science leadership capability is one of ESRC's strategic priorities. On 10 June 2020, ESRC published Fit for the Future: Research Leadership Matters (PDF, 2.7Mb), a report on research leadership in the social sciences by Professor Matthew Flinders. In considering how we move forward with the outcomes of the report, we have identified two evidence gaps which we believe are critical to address. A clear articulation is required of the skills, attributes and experience that facilitate effective leadership in a research environment as well as an appraisal of the interventions that are most effective in developing the identified qualities needed across the lifecourse.

To help address these gaps, we are commissioning a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) to consider:

1. What are the skills, attributes and experience that facilitate effective leadership at the different stages in a research career? 2. 'What works' in terms of facilitating the skills, attributes and experience that is required at each career stage in the social sciences and where is the evidence-base?

Teams bidding for the work must have a strong commitment to and understanding of leadership development; its potential application in the social sciences; and expertise in undertaking reviews of this kind. We recognise consortium bids can enable bidders to compile teams with the breadth of expertise required and such bids are permitted.

Together with further internal work being undertaken by ESRC, this REA will enable us to learn from leadership practices in other disciplines and sectors and build a solid foundational understanding of effective research leadership and a more detailed appreciation of how this is best nurtured across the lifecourse. The report will also provide an important foundation to cross-UKRI work in this area. Consortium bids are welcomed.