Establishment of research groups procedure
Procedure
Intent and objectives
This procedure outlines a range of provisions relating to the creation of Research Groups.
Scope
Research Groups
Exclusions
Research Institutes; Research Centres; 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
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Procedure |
Responsibility |
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1. Formation of a Research Group 1.1 Research Groups are located in Schools and undertake research in a specific disciplinary area. Research Groups will be characterised by their ability to:
1.2 The establishment criteria for Research Groups are outlined in RMIT Research structures establishment guidelines. 1.2.1 Research ‘Groups’ that do not qualify under the RMIT Research Structures Establishment Guidelines may operate as informal units, or teams. If, or once, the minimum required performance threshold is attained, the unit or team may apply for formal recognition as an RMIT Research Group by following the procedures set out in the Establishment of research groups procedure. 1.3 Proposals to form a Research Group should be discussed with the relevant Dean/Head of School. 1.4 Formal application for recognition as a Research Group may be made at any time during the year. The application will be prepared by the Leader of the proposed Research Group and consists of a completed Three year plan – research group/centre template (DOC. | Leader of proposed research group |
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2. Endorsement and Approval of a Research Group 2.1 Applications for recognition as a Research Group must be recommended by the relevant Dean/Head of School, and endorsed by the College Research Committee and the relevant Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). | Relevant Dean/Head of School, College Research Committee |
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2.2 If a Research Group is focused on research into pedagogy, teaching and learning then their application for recognition must be additionally endorsed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President. |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President |
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2.3 All applications for recognition as a Research Group must receive approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President. |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and Vice President |
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3. Governance and Structure 3.1 Each Research Group is headed by a Group Leader, who reports to the relevant Dean/Head of School. | Group Leader, Dean/ Head of School |
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3.2 In the event the Group Leader resigns, the relevant Dean/Head of School will be responsible for recommending that (a) a new Group Leader is appointed, or (b) the Research Group is formally closed (refer to section 6 below). Such recommendation must follow the endorsement and approval process set out in section 2 above, and must be submitted within three months of the Group Leader’s resignation. 3.3 Research Group members may include academics from multiple schools who work in the same disciplinary field. | Relevant Dean/Head of School |
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3.4 Where appropriate, Group Leaders and Deans/Heads of School will work together with Research Group members to discuss and agree on individual members’ Work Plans. |
Group Leader, relevant Dean/Head of School, members |
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4. Funding, resources and support 4.1 Research Groups will be supported by the relevant School and College and by external research funding. | Relevant Schools / Colleges |
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4.2 As members of Research Groups are attached to a School and College, administrative support, capital requirements, equipment maintenance and upgrades, research-related travel and other resources associated with Research Group members will be executed through the relevant School or College in accordance with relevant University policies and procedures. |
Relevant Schools / Colleges |
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5. Reporting 5.1 Research Groups will submit an Annual Report and updated Three Year Plan to the relevant College Research Committee for approval in March of every year (see Research structures annual report template (DOC 434 KB, 4p) and Three year plan – research group/centre template (DOC 473 KB, 7p)). 5.1.1 Given that formal application for recognition as a Research Group may be made at any time during the year (refer to section 1.4 above), a newly-formed Research Group must be established for a minimum of nine months before being required to submit the first Annual Report | Group Leader, College Research Committee |
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5.2 If, based on the annual assessment of performance, the Research Group has achieved sufficient growth in members and research performance, the College Research Committee may recommend that the Research Group applies for recognition as a Research Centre (see Establishment of a research centre procedure). |
College Research Committee |
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6. Closure of a research group 6.1 A Research Group may be closed at any time if: a) the purpose for which it was established has been fulfilled; b) the Research Group is deemed to no longer be adequately meeting the criteria by which it was first established; c) the Research Group’s area of focus is no longer a strategic priority for the School or the College; or d) the Group Leader resigns (refer to section 3.2 above). 6.2 Recommendation to close a Research Group must be submitted on a Research structures closure template (DOC 434 KB, 4p) and follow the endorsement and approval processes set down in section 2 above. | Refer to section 2 (above) – Endorsement and Approval of a Research Group. |
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7. Marketing and profile 7.1 Research Groups may develop their own communications and promotional materials (including a webpage on the RMIT University website) in accordance with RMIT’s marketing and website policies, procedures and guidelines. | Group leader, members |