Three year review of research centres procedure

Procedure

Intent

This procedure outlines a range of provisions relating to the review of RMIT Research Centres.

Scope

University wide

Exclusions

Research Institutes; Research Groups; Research Centres that are wholly externally funded or are a separate legal entity (refer to RMIT Research Structures Policy); Cooperative Research Centres; Centres of Excellence.

Procedure steps and actions

Procedure

Responsibility

1. Establishment of the review panel

1.1 In accordance with the Establishment of Research Centres Procedure (section 5: Reports and Reviews), Research Centres will be subject to an internal review every three years.

1.2 The Research and Innovation Portfolio will maintain a schedule of review dates and will advise relevant Research Centre Directors, as well as the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Dean/Head of School (for School-based Research Centres) and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellors (Research and Innovation) six months prior to the review date. Reviews will be conducted within the relevant calendar year.


Research and Innovation Portfolio

1.3 Review Panel members are recommended by the relevant Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President. The Review Panel (“the Panel”) will consist of no more than four members, including:

  • an external chair as nominated by the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation);
  • at least two external experts from a relevant industry group;
  • at least one external member that has high international esteem in the relevant field

Relevant Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President

2. Preparation of supporting documentation

The Research Centre shall collate and prepare documentation for the Panel. This documentation should include:

  • the Research Centre’s original Three Year Plan (refer section 1 - Establishment of Research Centres Procedure);
  • annual reports and updated three year plans for each of the years under review (refer section 5 - Establishment of Research Centres Procedure);
  • supplementary material as requested by the Panel

Centre Director

3. The Review Process

3.1 The Panel should review the documentation provided and, if necessary, interview the Centre Director.

3.2 The Panel is required to assess and advise on:

  • the Research Centre’s achievements against performance measures identified in the Research Centre’s original proposal and Three Year Plan;
  • the appropriateness of the Research Centre’s activities and performance to the RMIT Research and Innovation Plan;
  • the Research Centre’s contribution to the overall research activity of the University;
  • any difficulties facing the Research Centre which may affect its future operation, including recommendations to address such difficulties.

3.3 It is expected the review of documentation and development of a report will normally be completed within a one month period.


Panel Chair

3.4 If a Research Centre fails to comply with the Three-Year Review process within 3.25 years, the Research Centre will be closed by default (refer section 6 – Establishment of Research Centres Procedure).

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President

4. Preparation of the review panel report

4.1 The Panel shall prepare a report on its review of the Research Centre (refer Research Centre Review Panel Report template).

4.2 The Report should include one of the following recommendations:

a) that the Research Centre be renewed for a period of up to three years;

b) that the Research Centre be reconstituted to better reflect changes in the field and/or to better support RMIT’s Research and Innovation Plan;

c) that the Research Centre be closed (refer section 6 – Establishment of Research Centres Procedure).


Panel Chair

5. Tabling of the review panel report

The Review Panel Report shall be presented to:

a) the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for endorsement;

b) the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President for approval of Review Panel recommendations; and

c) via the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President to the RMIT Research Committee for noting.


Panel Chair, relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President, RMIT Research Committee

6. Outcome of the review

6.1 Once the Review Panel Report has been viewed as set out in section 5 above, the outcome of the review should be communicated to key stakeholders, including College Research Committees, College and School leaders, and the RMIT community at large.


Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President

6.2 If the Research Centre has approval for continuation, the Centre’s next Annual Report will address how Review Panel recommendations have been implemented (see Research Structures Annual Report template).

Centre Director

[Next: Supporting documents and information]