Developing a Strategic Research Agenda

Dr Rob Buckle, Director of Science Programmes, MRC

JPI Conference Dublin, 8th March 2013

Overview

� Summary of JPND

� Delivering the SRA

• resource and timeline

• components

• process

� The end product

� Key considerations

Goals of JPND

To deliver a coherent programme of ND research for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient care, that:

� improves the effectiveness of current efforts

� reflects the increasing need for ‘big science’, shared infrastructures, cutting edge technologies and interdisciplinarity

� acts as a magnet to attract new expertise and investment

� provides a platform for international cooperation

� encourages collaborative activity to promote innovative research and the sharing of best practice

Biological

• Animal models

• Biobanks

• Cohorts/registries

• Disease pathology

Social

• Health care delivery

• Home automation

• Health economics

• Ethics

Medical

• Early diagnosis

• Prevention

• Clinical trials

Work organised in

three domains

Scope of the initiative

Delivering the SRA

1. Mapping National and European programmes

2. Strategic prioritisation� 3 thematic workshops (basic/clinical/healthcare)� stakeholder consultations� 4th workshop to integrate outputs, incorporate stakeholder views

3. Consultation with the public (web-based)

4. Delivery of the SRA, taking into account� outputs from scientific workshops� consultation with stakeholder groups� discussion at MB (to incorporate funder, political & policy considerations)

Resource

EC support through JUMPAHEAD Coordination Action

SRA Work Package

� Scoping, strategic prioritisation and delivery of the SRA

� MRC lead, supported by MIUR, contribution from other WPs

� In kind contribution from other JPND members

� Resource provided through JUMPAHEAD• 2x programme manager, 1x admin support post• SRA workshop costs• contribution for website / database management

Timeline

Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

T2.1 Mapping *

T2.2 Scientific Priorities *

T2.3 Delivering the SRA *

15 month timeline

Mapping Exercise

Aim of exercise� To provide context for developing the SRA� To provide a community resource� To provide an updatable platform for other funders

Data collection – 3 tiers� JPND member organisations� Other national / regional funders� Detail from PIs on bio-resources

Timeline� Feb to May 2011 - data entry from funders� June 2011 - analysis for prioritisation workshop� Nov 2011 - publication on JPND website

Workshops

Aim � to identify research opportunities, gaps, barriers to progress� to identify necessary infrastructures and technologies� to identify priority research areas (near and longer term)� to identify research requiring a cross‐border approach� to provide reports as a basis for stakeholder discussion

Timeline (2011)� March – 3 thematic workshops� April – preliminary reports for focussed stakeholder discussion� May – workshop reports published� June – (4th) prioritisation workshop� July – final workshop report published

Selection of experts

Inputs� list of expertise provided by JPND members� SAB knowledge of opinion leaders in the field

Selection according to three dimensionsi) research excellence (according to the 3 workshop themes)ii) scientific coverage (by disease and discipline)iii) geographic coverage

Stakeholders� representativeness an issue� consult via a parallel process� involvement in the final, prioritisation workshop

Meeting structure & outputs

Participants�35-40 research experts�3 SAB member organising committee�JPND programme managers & other WP leads

Format�structured discussion sessions�3 or 4 break-out groups, topics in two dimensions�choreography of groups to facilitate discussion and challenge�feedback according to a structured template�topic theme leaders + SAB members = writing group

What about stakeholders?

Key stakeholder groups for JPND� Patients and Carers� Research charities and other funders� Industry� Healthcare professionals� Policy makers

Engagement � Workshops� Questionnaires to fill gaps � Public consultation (web-based)

� Launched in Brussels February 2012

� Provides a holistic ‘roadmap’ for future EU-wide activity and investment

� Represents a common vision agreed by JPND Members

� Sets out clear scientific priorities & enabling activities

� Addresses the full spectrum of research and approaches that are required to achieve impact

JPND Research Strategy

Promotion & dissemination

www.neurodegenerationresearch.euwww.jpnd.eu

� Full Research Strategy � Executive Summary in 13 Languages � Reports summarising responses received from consultations

Concluding remarks

� Conceptual framework

� Time and resource

� Leadership and project management

� Transparency

� Credibility

� Inclusivity

� Validation

� Promotion