Meeting 20 July 2004
Paper RA2.1: suggested outline for information gathering paper
1. The scoping for the research agendas workstream envisages a staged or modular approach, with a separate published output at each stage. The first stage, timetabled for April to August/September 2004, is described as “information gathering on research drivers and on mechanisms for taking into account public attitudes, aspirations and policy priorities”.
2. This paper is intended to provide a background for discussion on a format for the output of the information gathering stage, as well as on its timing and other practicalities.
3. A suggested outline for a paper to serve as an output to the information gathering stage of the workstream is attached at the annex.
4. Information on the selected research funders will broadly reflect the categories already agreed at an early stage of the workstream, namely:
5. However, these categories will be treated in a flexible manner to reflect differences between the various research funders and to allow information to be included that does not fit neatly under the headings.
6. While the second stage of the workstream as scoped includes “analysis of information and judgement on how wee the mechanisms work, looking at specific examples”, on reflection it would be wise to incorporate at least preliminary analysis and any emerging conclusions in the information gathering paper. Without this, the paper would be entirely factual and possibly too dry. Including some analysis in the paper would allow the output from stage 2 to concentrate on the more detailed, specific analyses of the chosen case studies.
7. Do members agree with the suggested outline?
8. The secretariat’s information gathering on research funders is progressing but not complete. At the same time, a thorough picture of the most important wider drivers behind research agendas is building up.
9. It should be possible to table a draft information gathering paper for discussion at the next full Commission meeting, on 22-23 September in York. This gives an absolute deadline to aim for and also allows a move on from the discussion with guests format used at the previous two meetings. While it means that the aim to finish the information gathering stage of the workstream in August/September 2004 is unlikely to be fulfilled, it would allow completion in October, an acceptable slippage.
10. To table a draft information gathering paper at the September meeting would require the secretariat to circulate a first draft to the core group and other members with an interest around the end of August, giving around two weeks to take on board comments before the draft is finalised.
11. Do members agree with the suggestion to discuss a draft at the September meeting?
12. It will be necessary to allow the research funders described in the paper, as well as other stakeholders, to comment on a draft before it is finalised. This can be considered when discussing stakeholder consultation more generally (item 3 on the agenda).
13. As the output from one stage of a work stream, rather than a final output/conclusions, there is little precedent for how the information gathering paper should be printed and launched. At one extreme, the paper could simply be posted on the Commission web site and e-mailed to stakeholders, while at another it could be professionally laid out and designed, printed in bulk and launched with a press release. However, it is probably too early to decide what approach to take at this stage.
14. If members agree, judgement on publication methods should be reserved until the draft paper is ready.
Annex
Suggested outline for output paper from information gathering stage
1. Information on selected bodies funding research of relevance to agricultural biotechnology
(Organisations to include: Defra, FSA, Scottish Exec + Devolveds, DTI, DFID, BBSRC, NERC, ESRC, Levy bodies, European Union and International bodies, charities (?), Government agencies(?), private sector(?))
This section may be lengthy. The information could perhaps be a summarised in the main paper with details contained in an annex.
2. Analysis of 1 above
3. Information gathered on wider drivers behind agricultural biotechnology research
A summary of the recommendations or output of reports such as the DTI Innovation Report, HMT 10-year science and innovation framework etc., and information on how they will influence the research agenda setting process.
This section may be lengthy. The information could perhaps be a summarised in the main paper with details contained in an annex.
4. Summary of conclusions from evidence gathering at May and July AEBC meetings (i.e. important points not covered in other sections of the paper)
5. Diagram(s) showing links between bodies involved with agricultural biotechnology research
Members have in the past called for diagrammatic representation of relationships, links and hierarchies of the relevant bodies involved, where possible. This may require more than one diagram to avoid producing something overly complex.
6. Initial scoping for case studies to be pursued in Stage 2 (?)
7. Emerging thoughts/conclusions of AEBC members (?)
