The Supporting Research Development in Business and Management N8 Network is a community of practice for research-enabling staff to facilitate the sharing of best practice, knowledge, and successes across the N8 institutions.

Who is the Network for?

The network brings together those who support the development of research in Business and Management across N8 institutions in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: bid development and writing support, peer review, scoping activity, supporting collaboration and external engagement, and facilitating strategic funder engagement. The network also welcomes members from the academic community wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in research development and seeking collaboration beyond their institutions.

Network Objectives

The N8 Network’s objectives are to:

Improve research funding literacy within business and management discipline areas.
Identify and advocate for the contribution of business and management research in wider interdisciplinary research.
Create a network of peers to facilitate cross-institutional learning and working.
Facilitate informal networking opportunities and information sharing.
Provide routes for productive engagement with relevant funding bodies and other organisations.
Provide opportunities for its members to explore a diverse range of topics from across the research development landscape in a supportive environment.

Network Activity

The Network Steering Group meets four times a year to discuss associated activity. The Steering Group is made up of representatives from all N8 institutions, with responsibility for research development in Business and Management disciplines. An inaugural in-person meeting held at the University of Manchester in March 2024 identified the following three areas of priority activity:

Peer review of funding applications
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the funding process (including a consideration of Narrative CVs)
Wider funder engagement

A programme of activity focused on these areas is currently in development, pursued via specific network projects and events.

Join us!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the network, or for any further information, please contact Clare Canning, Chloe Jeffries or your HEI contact, listed below.