Research Support Group

The ALN Research Group aims to communicate, share ideas, questions and best practice relating to research support in northern academic Libraries. It is open to any member of ALN working in, or with an interest in, research support and research activities.  The Group's current Chairs are Delphine Doucet (University of Sunderland) and Megan Kilvington (York St John University).  

Terms of Reference

Meetings

The Group 

  • provides an oversight of current and emerging developments in the areas of research support and future trends in digital humanities and more broadly digital scholarship. The focus is on highlighting and sharing developments, which actively support research and researchers and wider service delivery

  • Offers a forum for the sharing and dissemination of best practice in support of  all research informed activities and the REF specifically

  • Shares expertise and information through a range of communication including events, briefings and information exchanges

In particular:

  • To monitor and identify key trends and developments in research, including new technologies and approaches to research capture, data collection, curation and research outputs

  • To monitor, identify and share approaches to meeting the requirements for REF

  • To identify and share innovations in research which influence  staff roles, skills requirements and training/development

  • To promote and share understanding across all staff groups within and without the library community on the widening portfolio of research practice and support for research

  • To explore emerging approaches to research in the UK and internationally

  • To provide opportunities for information exchange and the dissemination of best practice across the range of activities

  • To provide a “no obligation” forum and showcase for suppliers to maintain currency in latest developments in research systems