Composition and Terms of Reference

This Committee reports to the Academic Board.

Composition

Committee Leadership (full rights)

• Chairperson as nominated by the Chairperson of the Academic Board
• Deputy Chairperson as nominated by the Chairperson of the Academic Board

Members ex officio (full rights)

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
• Dean, Graduate Research
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy)
• Associate Deans (Research) of each School
• Directors of University Research Centres and Research Institutes

Appointed members (full rights)

• One early career researcher, identified by expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• One mid-career researcher, identified by expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• One HDR Coordinator from each School, recommended by the Deans of Schools and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• Two higher-degree by research candidates, who are not members of staff of the University with a staff appointment of 0.5 FTE or more, identified by expression of interest and appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee
• Up to three additional members who are active in research co-opted by the Chairperson of the Committee for a specified term.

The Chair will consider the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion when appointing members to the Committee, to pursue a composition that represents the University.

Staff appointed in this category must hold a staff appointment of 0.5 FTE or more for the duration of their term as a member.

In attendance (having participatory, but not voting rights)

• Director, Office of Research
• Director, Library Services
• Director, Governance and Risk Management
• Associate Director (Research Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance), Office of Research
• Secretary, Academic Secretariat

Invited to attend as appropriate (having participatory, but not voting rights)

• Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors and Directors as required
• Chair, Human Research Ethics Committee
• Chair, Animal Research Ethics Committee
• Any visitors with the approval of the Chairperson

Observers (no rights)

Any person with the approval of the Chairperson

Terms of Reference

1. To provide advice and recommendations to Academic Board on all matters related to research governance and research training at the University and contribute to strategic plans related to research. (HESF 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.2.1, 5.2.1, 6.3.1) (UniSC Strategy 3.1, 3.2)
2. To consider and recommend areas of research activity for support including the establishment of research centres or institutes, along with School-based research at the University and the monitoring and review of these areas. (HESF 2.1.1, 4.1, 5.3,) (UniSC Strategy 3.2)
3. To review university research policies with emphasis on ensuring compliance to regulatory frameworks including the Higher Education Standards. (HESF 2.1, 4.1.1, 6.3.2) (UniSC Strategy 6.5)
4. To set, monitor and report on institutional benchmarks for research performance and research training at the University. (HESF 6.2.1, 6.3.1) (UniSC Strategy 3.0)
5. To monitor and report on financial investments into key research initiatives at the University. (HESF 6.1, 6.2.1) (UniSC Strategy 3.0)
6. To advise on, and recommend, strategies to enhance the research skills (including HDR supervision) and research performance and professional development of academic staff. (HESF 3.2, 4.1.3) (UniSC Strategy 6.3)
7. To provide advice and recommendations to Academic Board on all matters related to higher degrees by research (HDR), HDR candidate experience, research training, and graduate research skills development of HDR candidates at the University. (HESF 1.4, 1.5.1, 1.5.2, 3.1, 4.2.4, 6.3.1, 6.3.2) (UniSC Strategy 2.1, 2.3, 3.3, 6.5)

Tenure and Frequency of Meetings

There will be at least four meetings of the Committee each year.

Appointed staff members will serve for a period of two years.

The higher degree by research candidates will serve for a period of one year, with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office.

Last revised: Approved by Academic Board on 5 November 2024.