22 Aug 07

Glenn Swafford, Vice-Principal (Research) of the University of Melbourne, Australia, has been appointed as Oxford University's new Director of Research Services. He will take up his new role in September.

Dr Swafford graduated from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and studied for his Doctorate at Flinders University of South Australia before obtaining a Masters in Policy and Law from La Trobe University, Australia. He has held a series of high-profile roles at universities including lecturer and Sub Dean at the University of New England; Executive Assistant to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Queensland University of Technology; and Head of the Research and Innovation Office at the University of Melbourne. He was made Vice-Principal (Research) at Melbourne in 2006. He also served as Director of the Public Accounts Committee, New South Wales Parliament.

Research Services supports the University of Oxford's researchers and works in partnership with academic departments to provide a range of professional services. These include reviewing and helping with the completion of applications for research funding, negotiating research-related contracts and agreements, advising about the costing and pricing of research, providing advice on how to find funding, advising about IP issues, supporting the planning and conduct of clinical research and contributing to the development of research-related policies.

On his appointment, Dr Swafford said: 'I am delighted to be joining the Research Services Office and look forward to supporting Oxford's world class research enterprise.'

Oxford has the highest research income of any UK university. Last year, it received £213m in external research grants and contracts - up 16 per cent (£30m) on the previous year. When £90m of grants from HEFCE is taken into consideration the University's overall annual research income exceeds £303m. In 2005/6 the University received £75m of external sponsorship from charities and £71m from the UK Research Councils.

Last year also saw £696m worth of grant applications submitted by the University (an increase of 14.8 per cent compared to the previous year) and a 22.5 per cent increase in the value of new grants and contracts awarded, amounting to £267m.