Task Groups

In order to achieve its overall strategic aims, the WICN Steering Group has established three main task groups:

• Science Task Group
• Education/Training Task Group
• Third Mission and Dissemination Task Group

The Science Task Group is at the academic core of the WICN and comprises world-class researchers in cognitive neuroscience in Wales. It is responsible for the implementation of the WICN scientific strategy and includes senior staff from each University representing the core research themes. This group also advises the Steering Group on issues for the future scientific direction of WICN, identifying new directions and areas to focus the resources of the network as a whole. Finally, the group helps to coordinate efforts to secure future science funding for WICN via research funding mechanisms throughout the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world, and make recommendations on the implementation of scientific strategy and the use of research resources.

The Education/Training Task Group is charged with developing a plan to establish and maintain a Wales Graduate School in Cognitive Neuroscience and to ensure that this is a sustainable enterprise within five years. This group is also responsible for developing training and staff development opportunities for academic staff in WICN through annual joint meetings (e.g., “Summer schools”), and establishing training events to bring in scientists within Wales who are not involved in the collaboration.

The focus of the Third Mission and Dissemination Task Group is to actively set up collaborations and seek out contracts with industry/health and other (non-research grant) sources of support. Income from these activities is a significant factor in ensuring the sustainability of the WICN. The group is also responsible for the dissemination strategy outside of the WICN structure, relationships with the media, and the co-ordination of media offices in each University with respect to all WICN-related material.