Summer Conference – Building Bridges
Conference report by Laura Fitzpatrick, think M. Ltd.
Introduction
Lumley Castle was an ideal location for our first conference. Sponsored by the MRS
and key regional organisations such as The Northern Way team, the event had
several objectives:
- Acknowledge the progress of the Northern initiative established in partnership with
the MRS.
- Create a platform from which to move the initiative forward on a more robust footing.
- Provide a clear footprint for the MRS as an active professional institute in the North.
Externally the objectives included:
- Providing a forum for discussing trends in public sector and social research
and how Northern Agencies could be more effective and successful.
- Providing an opportunity to meet and network with peers from across the
North involved in research and associated services.
- To expose public sector/ third sector buyers and specifiers to the skills and expertise on their doorstep.
We are delighted that all of these objectives were met. Originally envisaged to secure 50-80 delegates, an overwhelming 130 delegates registered for the NortheRN Summer conference 2007 and over 120 attended on the day.
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The Agenda
- 9.30 – 10am: Registration
- 10am – 10.20am: Welcome and the role of NortheRN,
Paul Sutherland, MD of think M Ltd, outlined the developing role of NortheRN, and proposed future events and activity in 2007/8.
- 10.20am – 11am: Public sector research today,
Professor Christopher Hood, University of Oxford, is programme director of the Public
Research Programme funded by the European Social Research Programme. The
agenda brought in researchers from across the social sciences to explore questions such as: How are public services changing? Who wants what? And how is quality
measured?
- 11am – 11.30am: Coffee
- 11.30am – 12pm: Public expectations from private sector providers,
Angela Browne, QA Research, presented her paper; Young people, support services and the transition to adulthood, which was short listed
for the 2006 MRS Public Policy/Social Research Effectiveness Award.
- 12pm – 12.30pm: New thinking,
Dan Dowling, Public Knowledge, provided a round up of the latest direction in public sector research. He looked at key areas of reform in public sector delivery,
how the Public Sector Research Commission responds to central government policy
drivers, and gave a review of government policy in 2006.
- 12.30pm – 1pm: Formal Close / Discussions
Presentations
Feedback
Overall feedback was excellent: 92% of the delegates felt that the event met their expectations,
78% rated the content of the conference as important or very important and 84% said they had made useful contacts. As a consequence of the event a number of
organisations have stepped forward and requested an active role in building
activities this year.
Quotes
“An excellent opportunity to build contacts in the region.”
Louise Reeve, Policy and Research Officer, Newcastle City Council
“Some thought-provoking presentations plus and excellent opportunity to meet and network with other practitioners outside of the south east. The Northern research network is an important initiative that is filling a gap in the opportunities for MR professionals in the North that has existed for too long. More please!”
Theresa Howard,
goforawalk.com
“A great change to catch up on what's happening in our dynamic sector.”
Richard Byan, MD,
QA Research
“This type of event is essential to support/promote the research industry in the North.”
Tracy Docherty, LMI Consultant RLN NE, NW, Y&H,
Research Manager, Cybertechnics Research
“Based on today's event I feel inspired by the possibilities which involvement with Northern might open up. An exciting beginning.”
Nick McNamara,
Director, Physis Social Research & Consulting
“Well organised, good atmosphere, a great networking opportunity.”
Alex Gillett, Researcher, Lecturer,
University of Teesside
“Excellent - let's meet up more often.”
Fiona Dodd, Research Consultant,
TBR
“Today was engaging and very interesting. I look forward to future events.”
Jane Simister,
Research Manager, ORC international
“Excellent opportunity to gain better understanding of the current issues and to network.”
Jeff Jones,
One Voice Research
Our thanks
Our special thanks go to the following event contributors:
The speakers:
Paul Sutherland, think M Ltd
Professor Christopher Hood, University of Oxford
Angela Browne, QA Research
Dan Dowling, Public Knowledge
Generous suppliers & supporters:
Sue Trenhaile, MRS Networking
Jacqui Chapman & the team, Spacecraft Events
Lumley Castle
Midnight Electronics
Roy Alexander, nCast AV Displays
Sarah Robinson, BMG Research
Anna Brown, Service Network
The sponsors:
MRS
The Northern Way Team
Service Network
Public Knowledge
Think M.
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