3. RESEARCH COMMITTEE

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Scope: All matters concerning the management of, and support for, University research.

(a)  Terms of Reference

To make recommendations to Senate on:

1  Policies and procedures for the management and evaluation of research activity.

2  University structures appropriate for the conduct of research.

3  University schemes to allocate funding for research.

To be responsible for, and report to Senate on:

4  Encouraging appropriate coordination of research strategies within and between faculties, including the development of interdisciplinary research.

5  Considering the implications for the University of emerging national and international initiatives which have an impact on research activity, and developing appropriate responses.

6*  Approving the timing, scope and objectives of each external peer review of research.

7*  Research Institutes research activity

(a) Ensuring that all Research Institutes have appropriate structures and procedures for the management of research. (including review of RI membership)

(b) Approving Research Institutes research strategies.

(c) Approving annual Research Institutes targets for research performance, and monitoring actual performance against targets.

8  Monitoring levels and sources of external research grant income, and other research-related income, in order to optimise overhead recovery and fEC grants.

9  Overseeing provision made for PGR students and Research Staff, through reports from the Graduate School Board.

10  Advising the University on resource allocation mechanisms and levels of funding for research activity.

11 Ensuring that the University has appropriate procedures for addressing ethical and governance issues raised by the research of staff and students (through reports from Research Ethics and Research Governance Committee’s)

12  Monitoring enterprise and related activities

13 Ensuring adequate infrastructure to support Research & Enterprise activites

 (b)  Delegated powers

The Research Committee has delegated authority to take action under items 6 and 7 (*starred).

Between ordinary meetings of the committee the Chair shall have the authority to act on behalf of the committee on any matter requiring a decision prior to the next scheduled meeting where the business does not merit, in the view of the Chair, the convening of a special meeting. Any action taken by the Chair on behalf of the committee shall be reported as Chair’s Action to the next meeting.  Prior to taking Chair’s Action the Chair should consider whether it is appropriate to discuss the matter with other members of the committee or to circulate details electronically to give committee members the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

(c)  Constitution

Pro Vice-Chancellor (in the chair)
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Deans of the Faculties (3)
Research Institute Directors (5) (note one of Social Sciences centre heads to attend from January 2012)
Head of Research & Enterprise Services
Postgraduate research student nominated by the Keele Postgraduate Association
Representative from Research Institute Managers (on a rolling basis)
Research Planning & Project Manager (Secretary)
Total = 15


Research grants and contracts officer, in attendance
To be quorate, 6 members need to be present

(d) Sub-committees

Research Ethics
Research Governance Steering
Research Staff
Graduate School Board

(e)  Principal management information needs

Faculty or Research Institute research strategies

Research performance data for University (and comparators) and for Research Institutes:

Research grants (income, overheads, sources, applications and success rates)
publications
research students
research staff

number of collaborations with industry (ongoing and new)
income from technology transfer, consultancy and enterprise activities

(f)  Frequency and timing of meetings

Four times a year.

Research Ethics Sub-Committee (reports to Research Committee)

Research Ethics Sub-Committee

Scope: All matters relating to the ethics of conducting University research which are not covered by NHS Research Ethics Committees or by other recognised University Ethics Committees 

(a)          Terms of Reference

To be responsible for, and report to Research Committee and the University Learning and Teaching Committee on:

1 Ensuring that all research carried out by staff and students is designed and conducted with due consideration for ethical issues and follows, where appropriate, existing codes of ethical practice for research activity.

2 Ensuring that Faculties/Schools/Research Institutes have adequate mechanisms in place for identifying, reviewing, approving and monitoring staff and student research in terms of its ethical considerations.

3 Reviewing and advising upon individual proposals referred by the Ethical Review Panels (ERPs), and  receiving and making judgments on appeals against decisions reached by ERPs.

4 Undertaking periodic review of Faculties/Schools/Research Institutes procedures and establish and disseminate standards arising from such review.

5 Ensuring that staff and students are aware of ethics requirements relevant to their research and act with due regard to these.

6* Providing general advice, guidance and support to Faculties/Schools/Research Institutes and individuals on research ethics and related issues.

7 Identifying categories of research that should, as a matter of course, be referred to the Research Ethics Sub-Committee and ensuring that such research is subjected to ethical review by a properly constituted sub-group or panel (or, where appropriate, by the entire Research Ethics Sub Committee).

8* Providing guidance to the University on any specific research ethics problem that is referred.

9* Reviewing and evaluating all ethical aspects of research matters received by the Research Ethics Sub-Committee.

To make recommendations to Research Committee on:

10 Staff training needs and continuing education regarding research ethics which it is to keep under regular review.

(b) Delegated powers

The Research Ethics Sub-Committee has delegated authority to take action under items 6, 8 and 9 (*starred). 

Between ordinary meetings of the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee the Chair shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Committee on any matter requiring a decision prior to the next scheduled meeting where the business does not merit, in the view of the Chair, the convening of a special meeting.  Any action taken by the Chair on behalf of the Committee shall be reported as Chair’s action to the next meeting of the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee.  Prior to taking Chair’s action the Chair should consider whether it is appropriate to discuss the matter with other members of the Committee or to circulate details electronically to give members the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

(c)        Constitution

Academic member of staff – Appointed by Research Committee (Chair) (1)

2 x members of Academic Staff from each Faculty (including Vice Chair (not from same faculty as Chair)) (6)

At least one member with substantial academic expertise in ethics (1)

Head of Research and Enterprise Services (1)

Up to four co-opted members (4)

Total: 9, not including any co-opted members

Secretary:  Research & Enterprise Services

Quorum requirements:

A quorum shall consist of  5 members.

(d)          Sub-committees

None

(e)        Principal management information needs

Reports from Faculties/Schools/Research Institutes on ethical issues addressed as appropriate.

(f)           Frequency and timing of meetings

Three times a year.

Research Governance Steering Committee (reports to Keele University Research Committee & any Hospital Trust Partnership Boards & associated NHS organisations

Research Governance Steering Committee

(reports to Keele University Research Committee and any NHS Partners and associated health care organisations in accordance with their governance and reporting systems.) 

Scope: All matters relating to the implementation of the Research Governance Framework within the University and between the University and its Social care or NHS Trust-based research partners.

(a)          Terms of Reference

To be responsible for, and report on:

1. Ensuring that University research governance systems are in line with regulatory requirements, the University’s broader governance framework, and meet the requirements of stakeholders such as the Research Councils, Professional Bodies, and the Department of Health and Social Care’s Research Governance Framework (2005).

2. Ensuring appropriate co-ordination of research governance strategies within and between faculties and the University’s external research stakeholders, including partners such as NHS and social care organisations.

3. Ensuring that appropriate policies, systems, implementation plans and research management procedures are established across all Schools and Research Institutes, to secure compliance with Research Governance Frameworks.

4. Providing general advice, guidance and support to Research Institutes, Schools and individuals on research governance issues.

5. Reviewing staff training needs to ensure appropriate provision of continuing education regarding research governance.

6. Ensuring adequate independent peer review processes exist for research, and monitoring the process for this, including its timeliness.

7. Ensuring that the University has appropriate procedures for addressing ethical issues raised by the research of staff and students.

8. Developing and overseeing the implementation of research monitoring systems

9. Considering the implications for the University of emerging national initiatives, which have an impact on research governance.

Between ordinary meetings of the University Research Governance Committee the Chair shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Committee on any matter requiring a decision prior to the next scheduled meeting where the business does not merit, in the view of the Chair, the convening of a special meeting.  Any action taken by the Chair on behalf of the Committee shall be reported as Chair’s action to the next meeting of the University Research Governance Committee.  Prior to taking Chair’s action the Chair should consider whether it is appropriate to discuss the matter with other members of the Committee or to circulate details electronically to give members the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

(b)          Constitution

Chair (Dean)

R&D Manager of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire Hospital

Representative for Combined Health Care NHS Trust

R&D Director of the North Staffordshire Primary Care R&D Consortium

Faculty representatives (or nominee)

Chair of the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee

Clinical Director– West Midlands North CLRN (or nominee)

Head of Research & Enterprise Services

Total: 10

The Committee may co-opt up to 3 further members as required to ensure the appropriate scope of expertise on the committee

Secretary: Research Governance Officer

Quorum Requirements

A quorum shall consist of 5 members

(c)        Sub-committees

None

(d)       Frequency and timing of meetings

Three times a year