Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

CoEEM

1. What is CoEEM all about?

2. Why is it important?

3. Who is involved?

4. Why isn’t my organisation included?

5. How is it different to another association that already exists?

6. How will it work in the wider community?

7. How will work be contracted?

8. How will the projects funded by CoEEM funds differ from WSTC projects?

9. What's in it for academics?

10. Why is CoEEM based at Shrivenham?

11. Why Cranfield University?

12. How can we assist in steering the direction of CoEEM?

13. What is required of me, as an individual?


Site Navigation and Support

14. How do I reset my password?


Use of Personal Data

15. What information do we collect on you?

16. Who might we share your information with?

17. How long do we keep your information?

18. How can I access the information you hold on me?

19. Is my data secure?



1. What is CoEEM all about?

To provide strategic and technical leadership for the EM community to pull together and champion essential national capability.

The aim is to work together with the common aim of building essential capability in:

  • people
  • research and development
  • test and evaluation
  • training
  • knowledge management.

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2. Why is it important?

UK is a key player in defence and security on the international stage. Energetics materials research, development, manufacture and expert advice are vital capabilities for the UK. In order be an intelligent customer, the UK government has identified the need to bring together disparate elements of the community to develop, rebuild, sustain and deliver strategic and technical plan for energetic materials that is underpinned by deep specialist expertise.

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3. Who is involved?

This is a government lead initiative, namely AWE, Dstl, DST and DE&S facilitated by Cranfield University at the Defence Academy. However, it will draw on UK-wide organisations, facilities, and academic centres to meet a common objective that is beneficial to all in the community.

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4. Why isn’t my organisation included?

CoEEM is primarily for government / government agencies to assist with underpinning:

  • the strategic deterrent
  • counter-terrorism capability
  • knowledgeable customer capability
  • determination of the ‘go to people’ to advise government on national issues involving energetic materials.
However, it will draw on all UK-wide organisations to meet what are common objectives that benefit all in the community.

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5. How is it different to another association that already exists?

CoEEM represents the first time that AWE, DE&S, Dstl along with other government departments have agreed to work together strategically with the common aim of building essential independent capability in people, research, training, test and evaluation and knowledge exchange in the area of energetic materials.

CoEEM aims to provide a wider picture of the energetics community and to identify areas for further development.

It will complement and work with existing initiatives and schemes that operate in the energetics community.

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6. How will it work in the wider community?

Once the core functions of CoEEM have been established it is envisaged that other organisations will be invited to join.

There will be a membership fee. It is proposed that this will be proportionate to the size of the organisation and will give access to:

  • CoEEM website
  • a broad range of SMEs
  • specialist facilities and equipment
  • a broader range of training courses
  • exchange of best practice
  • a repository of web based information
  • sight of invitations to tender for contracted work.
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7. How will work be contracted?

Work be contracted in the following manner:

  • specific requirements / needs of the core organisations (AWE, DE&S & Dstl) will be posted on the CoEEM website
  • specific funded projects will also be detailed on the website with the open invitation to tender
  • projects will be competed in-line with MoD rules
  • contracts via CoEEM will use existing contracting mechanisms
  • it is important that both individuals as well as relevant organisations across the UK register on the CoEEM website so that we can make maximum use of UK expertise
  • it will be a requirement that any contracts issued will be for full MoD rights of use.
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8. How will the projects funded by CoEEM funds differ from WSTC projects?

One of the intended outcomes of CoEEM is to increase the UK's capability in people, therefore the projects will be aimed at attracting and retaining people in the explosives industry.

The projects will not be product-led but meaningful innovative research.

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9. What's in it for academics?

CoEEM will support a Doctoral Training Centre in Energetic Materials by working with Academia and encouraging, and where appropriate establishing, ties with industries and Government organisations.

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10. Why is CoEEM based at Shrivenham?

The Defence Academy of the UK is located on a MoD site in Shrivenham. The Defence Academy is dedicated to training and education of MoD armed forces and industrial staff.

The Shrivenham site is within easy reach of AWE, DST, Dstl and DE&S and provides a learning environment where the organisations can meet.

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11. Why Cranfield University?

It should be highlighted that, whilst CoEEM is government-lead, it aims to be inclusive. Activities undertaken will include the whole UK-wide community.

The role of Cranfield University is that of an enabler, assisting in making the vision of CoEEM a reality. In addition:

  • Cranfield University is the academic provider to the Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham; providing a suite of uniquely postitioned courses to meet the education and training requirements of the Defence and Security sector
  • Cranfield University is dedicated to the provision of Defence and Security training and, as a part of this, carries out active research in this area
  • Cranfield University have strategic alliances with AWE and Dstl and a contract with the MoD. In particular, AWE have invested in facilities and AWE, Dstl and DE&S have joint working agreements.
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12. How can we assist in steering the direction of CoEEM?

CoEEM governance is by government and delivery is via partnerships and collaboration. You and your organisation can interact through membership of CoEEM and, if invited, assist the Technical Panel Specialist Chairs to develop programmes in your area of interest.

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13. What is required of me, as an individual?

In due course, CoEEM will be contacting your organisation, be it industrial, academic or governmental, with a view to nominating a CoEEM contact person within your organisation.

You will then be notified, either via your organisation or directly by CoEEM, to register to become a member of CoEEM. Here you will be asked about your level of expertise in various areas of EM.

It is envisage that this membership is maintained throughout your career and you will be able to update your membership as your career, level of expertise and knowledge-base progresses.

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14. How do I reset my password?

If you are experiencing password issues you can use the Reset Password option at the bottom of the logon form. This will email you a replacement password, once logged in you will be asked to change the password. If you are still unable to log in you can raise a support call with us by emailing TEBS@cranfield.ac.uk pleased give as much detail as possible about the fault and provide contact details so we are able to assist you.

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15. What information do we collect on you?

At the first point of registration we collect ‘Business card data’ e.g. name, email address, telephone number, organisation and job Information. We collect this information to manage your access to the initiative and to ensure your account is secure and accessible only by you.

At the second stage of the registration process we ask you to fill in information on your professional qualifications and experience in EM. This data will be anonymised and used to develop a 'heat map' of current SQEP across the membership. The hope is that this ‘heat map’ will highlight any areas requiring more investment, training and development in the EM sector. We do not share this information outside of the CoEEM organisation. You have to agree for your data to be used in this way by opting in under the 'Profile' area > 'View / Edit Data Use Preferences'.

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16. Who might we share your information with?

Your personal details will not be shared with anyone outside of the CoEEM initiative. During the vetting of your application your company’s nominated CoEEM vetting officer(s) would be asked to verify your application. Data submitted under the Professional Qualifications and Experience (subject to your approval) may be shared in future to enable you to network with others who share your interests or expertise within the CoEEM site.

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17. How long do we keep your information?

We will store your information as long as you are a member of CoEEM. If you choose to close your account your information will be disabled for one month, deleted after three months and overwritten on backups within six months. If you choose the re-join within three months we could re-enable your account. One it has been deleted we would create a new account for you.

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18. How can I access the information you hold on me?

We give you control over your personal information. You can check the information we hold on you under the Profile area. From here you have the option to 'View / Edit Profile', 'View / Edit Registration Details', and 'View / Edit Data Use Preferences'. Some fields, such as the organisation field, have been locked down. If you need to amend a locked down field you can contact TEBS@cranfield.ac.uk to request the change, for everything else just change it and save the settings. You have the right to withdraw your consent for marketing / analytics purposes at any time and can do so my amending the settings within your profile.

If you wish withdraw from CoEEM and close your account you can do so by using the Contact forms on the Contact page or by emailing TEBS@cranfield.ac.uk to request that your account is closed.

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19. Is my data secure?

We take data security very seriously and actively manage and protect your data through the use of industry standard techniques and data encryption.

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