SEB Bulletin October 2006 - From the President's desk
This is the last time I shall write this column from my desk in the Department of Plant Sciences in Cambridge, or from a desk anywhere in the UK. In mid-October I begin a new job at the University of Adelaide and my final two contributions as President will come from there. As there is relatively little SEB business to write about, I thought I would relate some of the responses and repercussions my decision to move has engendered.
Colleagues and friends have reacted in a number of different ways. Those who know me well believe I have made the correct decision because they see the new job, Head of the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, as almost tailor-made for me, given my scientific interests and experience of research management. Others have voiced their doubts, particularly questioning how I could relinquish a Professorship in Cambridge for, in their view, the dubious advantages of an Antipodean university. All I can say is that it seems like the right thing for me to do. I believe moving, if not done frequently, brings its own advantages and challenges with new colleagues to get to know and new research possibilities in a new environment. Certainly this was the case when I moved to Cambridge after 18 years at Rothamsted. Plus I see the new post as an interesting and challenging job that serves major areas of economic activity for Australia. The “Wine” aspect has also been an attractor as well as what I hope will be a good lifestyle with year-round sunshine.
I was also helped in my decision by remembering a short article I read many years ago by Sir Michael Swann. Sir Michael was a contemporary of Watson and Crick and had a distinguished career as a cell and molecular biologist, based mainly at the University of Edinburgh where the new Michael Swann Building houses the School of Biological Sciences. Subsequently he became Principal of the University of Edinburgh and eventually was appointed Chairman of the BBC Governors. In his article he reflected on his diverse roles and suggested that variety was the key to an interesting career. I don't think he was necessarily advocating moving across the globe to achieve this but his advice has got me through those inevitable moments of doubt when the disruption of moving so many miles seemed daunting.
It has been interesting, as I get more acquainted with Australian science, to see how some aspects of science policy lag behind the UK. Most notably, just as the UK Government has announced the end of the RAE, Australia is adopting it in a process called the RQF (Research Quality Framework). In all but a few aspects this is a direct copy of the RAE. A surprise to me has been to see how the prospect of the RQF is largely being treated with indifference by Australian researchers. Those I have spoken to see it as more interference by the Australian Government and do not seem to be aware of the major impact the RAE has had in the UK. Hopefully, the overall effects of the RQF will be benign but an early duty for me will be to educate my colleagues on how the RAE has affected life for British academics.
My move will have relatively few consequences for the SEB. Most of the day-to-day business is transacted by the Society's permanent staff while the Management Committee, chaired by our very able Vice-President, Ian Johnston will continue to provide oversight and direction. My main role as President is to Chair the Council and I will miss only one of its meetings before my term of office ends in 2007.
Finally, on another topic, I must report staff changes at the Society's office in Southampton. Mike Lakin, former Chief Executive and latterly the Journals' Finance Officer left in May while the Executive Officer, Dr Nancy Baines, moved to Yorkshire in July. Both will be missed and I thank them for all of their work for the Society during their time with us. Mike did much to improve our office procedures while Nancy modernised our accounting, a legacy that will benefit us for many years, as well as organising several very successful Symposia. These losses have resulted in some staff reorganisation and recruitment in Southampton and Chris Trimmer has described these elsewhere in this edition of the Bulletin.
So as I prepare for my second summer this year, I wish everyone good luck and, if you find yourself in Adelaide, please call in for a glass of Chardonnay.
Roger Leigh Honorary President
RL225@cam.ac.uk
roger.leigh@adelaide.edu.au