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Research Committee

1        Purpose

Research Committee is a committee of Senate. The Committee has responsibility for executive oversight of the Research Strategy within the University and ensuring the University is compliant with external requirements related to research including Research England’s Research Excellence Framework (REF).

2        Responsibilities

Without limiting the general responsibilities as described above:

1. To develop and implement the University's Research Strategy, in accordance with the University Plan.  

2. To oversee and review the progress being made against the Research Strategy programme plans and KPIs delivered through the Research Strategy Steering Board. 

3. To allocate resources on behalf of University Executive Board in support of (1) and make reports to Planning and Resources Committee. 

4. To develop, monitor and review the University's strategic plans for postgraduate research. 

5. To develop, monitor and review the University’s strategic plan for Global Engagement for Research 

6. To identify and set grand challenges in relation to key elements of the Research Strategy. 

7. To monitor the implementation of the Research Strategy and to evaluate its impact 

8. To monitor internal and external developments and trends, and take account of them in the development of strategy and policies. 

9. To agree University responses to relevant consultation processes from external bodies. 

10. To oversee the development of policies necessary for the responsible conduct of research and to monitor their implementation. 

11. To establish such sub-groups as may be required to deliver specific areas of the Committee’s remit. 

12. To receive reports and updates from the Committee’s sub-committees and where relevant from other Senate or University Executive Board committees. 

13. To deliver reports and updates to Senate on its activities for consideration and receive reports from Senate as required. 

14. To provide reports and updates for University Executive Board to receive as required.  

15. To actively consider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all decisions made, and, where appropriate, take positive action to ensure that those with protected characteristics or care responsibilities are equally able to participate in activities and initiatives. 

16. The Chair of the Committee is accountable for the decisions of the Committee which includes but is not limited to decisions with a financial impact and will liaise with the chairs of other committees and other budget holders where there is overlap in responsibility. 

3        Delegated Authority

The delegated financial authority of the Committee is £2m or as stated in the Financial Regulations.  

4        General

4.1   Membership

Chair	Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange
Academic Membership	1 Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor 5 Faculty Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellors / Representatives as determined by the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellors 1 Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange 1 Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Researcher Academy and Researcher Career Development Vice Provost from each of UNNC and UNM 1 Global Research Theme Lead
Professional Services	Deputy Director of Finance Director Research & Innovation
Student Representative	Nominated by the Students’ Union
Nominated Members	1 member to be chosen through the Committee Membership Selection Process and to be an early career researcher
Senate Members	2 Senate members to be chosen through a Senate Election Process

 

A research support manager will be in attendance at the meetings as required but is not a member of the committee.

4.2   Chair and support

The Committee will be convened and chaired by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange. The Secretary will be supplied by Governance and Executive Support.  

4.3   Frequency of meetings

The Committee will meet quarterly and the Chair shall call additional meetings where necessary. The Committee shall delegate activity to sub-groups or committees as appropriate.

4.4   Deputies

Members of the Committee are not able to nominate a deputy to attend the meeting on their behalf.

4.5   Quorum

A quorum will be half the regular membership plus one. 

4.6   Term of Office

The term of office for the members selected by the Committee Membership Selection Group is two years. Some of these members may be reappointed for a further year with the agreement of the Chair in order to maintain an appropriate balance between turnover and experience on the Committee. The term of office for the representative nominated by the Students’ Union is one year. Other members are ex officio. 

4.7   Reporting and Review

Senate will receive, consider and respond to reports from the Committee on its activities as required.  University Executive Board will receive and note reports from the Committee as required. The effectiveness and the membership of the Committee will be reviewed annually. 

The following groups will report into the Committee as required:  

• Research Strategy Performance Board 

• REF Steering Group 

• Facilities and Equipment Management Committee 

• Sustainability Research Working Group 

• Researcher Academy Committee 

(Terms of Reference approved on 12 October 2022) 

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