2. Objectives
The University of Surrey is planning to develop a new central Research section
of the main surrey.ac.uk website.
The objective of this new Research section is to consolidate all research-related
information into a single-destination area to promote the work of the university,
demonstrate impact and invite easy access for external collaborators and those
considering working with the University.
A set of personas have been developed to illustrate the target audiences for this
new research section.
Personas are a design research tool used to ensure that end user needs are
considered in the design and build of digital project.
Tuesday 15 September 2015 2
3. Methodology
A series of face-to-face interviews were conducted with existing members of
professional services and academic staff to gain insight to the key audiences
and what their information needs and priorities are.
The seven personas are:
Tuesday 15 September 2015 3
4. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 4
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Piers
SVP at a global
software development
organisation
• Deliver a strategic
project that positions
the business as being
at the forefront of
innovation in this field
• Who are the experts and how do we work together?
• What type of consultancy is available?
• What evidence can I find that demonstrates Surrey’s
Research credibility?
• How would a partnership arrangement work practically?
• What facilities are available?
• How can we practically implement project outcomes to
our own business timelines?
Large business
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Find & speak to an
expert
• Evaluate the cost
benefit of investing
• Align with strategic
business objectives
5. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 5
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Judith
Entrepreneur
• Seek the right partner
organisation with the
right knowledge &
expertise to help me
grow my business or
change strategic
direction
• Which department or individual should I speak to?
• How would l apply the research output within the context
of my commercial business?
• Would I be working directly with academics or other
professional staff members or third parties?
• Where is the location and what facilities will I have access
to?
Small-medium enterprise
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Seek evidence as to
how the organisation
has helped others in
my position and what
the results were
• Look for
recommendations
from others in my
industry
6. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 6
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Louise
Group Head, UK
Research Council
• Evaluate the financial
suitability of
investment; grant
approval
• What is the University’s research strategy?
• How many bids have been made vs successful
applications?
• What governance and ethics frameworks are in place?
• What funding arrangements are already in place?
• Do amendments need to be considered to comply with
EU/international regulations?
• What is the impact of the research output for successful
bids?
• Who is the University already working with?
UK & International Funding bodies & charities
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Seek evidence of
regulatory compliance
• Seek evidence of
positive ROI from
previously grants
awarded
7. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 7
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Maria
Postdoctoral
Researcher
• Identify the right
University to further
my research career
objectives
• Who will I be working with?
• What is the selection process?
• How is the department or group run?
• What facilities will I have access to?
• How successful is the University in securing funding in my
field?
• How will I be supported?
• What are the prospects for promotion?
• How active/busy is the department?
Early Career Researchers [Post-doc & PhD)
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Look for current
activities and outputs
related to my subject
specialism
• Seek individual
experts who are
currently active in my
field of expertise
8. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 8
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Felipe
Associate Professor
(Reader)
• To find a department
that will fit with my
own professional
academic reputation
and enable me to lead
others in my field
• How successful is the University in securing funding?
• Who are the key individuals I will be working
with/leading?
• What are the opportunities for cross-departmental
collaboration?
• What are the prospects for promotion?
• How active/busy is the department?
• What scale of projects are undertaken?
Mid-Senior Career Researchers [Academic]
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Seek evidence of
research impact and
reputation excellence
• Seek evidence of a
track record in
successful funding
awards
9. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 9
GOALS
QUESTIONS
Elspeth
Professor & REF Panel
Member
• Critical evaluation of
the University’s
research output
• What facts and evidence can I find to prove claims made
by the University or individual academics?
• What evidence can I find to establish positive impact and
advancement in critical thinking and outputs?
• What evidence is there of best practice?
• Have other regulatory obligations been met?
• What operational frameworks are in place that show
results aligned with the strategic vision for growth?
Peer organisations
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Seek evidence online
• Establish facts and
evidence via
established networks,
individuals & panels
10. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 10
GOALS
QUESTIONS
David
Account Director at The
Times Higher Education
(TES Global Ltd)
• Assessment of
performance against a
set of success criteria
across research,
teaching, grade results
and student satisfaction
• How successful is the University in attracting high-quality
students?
• What impact has the University made in research output?
• What evidence is there of teaching quality?
• What is the student employability rate?
• How successful is the University in securing funding?
• What are the top-performing subjects?
Ranking & Accreditation organisations
PROFILE
BEHAVIOURS
• Gather & publish
information and
evidence of meeting
sector performance
criteria
