University Research Committee Terms of Reference
Purpose and function
To advise the Academic Board and the Vice-Chancellor on research objectives and strategies, the University’s research performance, research and research training policy and practice and research degree programs.
Terms of Reference
1.	To provide advice to Academic Board to assist it to meet its statutory responsibilities for the identification of research objectives and strategies of the University, and the encouragement and development of research within these objectives and strategies.
2.	To monitor the implementation of the Research Foundation Plan and the research components of the strategic plan. 
3.	To make recommendations to Academic Board on policies and procedures relating to the:
•	management of research 
•	research training and candidature of higher degree by research (HDR) students;
•	research integrity and compliance; and,
•	researcher development
4.	To monitor research performance, especially key performance indicators and goals established in the university strategic plan.
5.	To oversee allocation of scholarships and grants to HDR students.
6.	To provide advice to the University Education Committee on the development of courses that involve research training.
7.	To provide advice on implementation of Academic Board policies and procedures relating to research and research training. 
8.	To provide advice to Academic Board regarding the establishment of Research Institutes or Centres to support research development and capacity building.
9.	To monitor and recommend improvements for research and HDR support services.
10.	To advise on other matters referred to it by Academic Board and/or the Vice-Chancellor.
Membership
•	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (1 member)
•	Associate Deans (Research) or Deans’ nominees (4 members)
•	Directors of University Research Centres (4 members)
•	One member who is also a member of Academic Board (1 member)
•	One member who is also a member of academic staff (1 member)
•	Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee or nominee (1 member)
•	Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee or nominee (1 member)
•	Vice President Operations or nominee (1 member) 
•	Director of the Research Services Office (1 member)
•	Director of the Graduate Research Office (1 member)
•	One student representative who is a currently enrolled postgraduate research student of the University (1 member)
Total - 16 members
(Except as specified above the Committee may not make arrangements for alternates but may make co-option arrangements for members with specific expertise).
Chair
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) ex officio
Deputy Chair
Director of the Research Services Office (ex-officio)
Method of appointment
•	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) - ex officio
•	Associate Deans (Research) - ex officio
•	Directors of University Research Institutes – ex officio
•	One member who is also a member of Academic Board - selected by the members of Academic Board
•	One member is also a member of academic staff - elected by the academic staff of the University
•	Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee - ex officio or nominee
•	Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee - ex officio or nominee
•	Director of the Research Services Office - ex officio
•	Director of the Graduate Research Office - ex officio
•	One postgraduate research student representative - nominated by Students’ Association
Period of office
Representatives of Academic Board and the academic staff will be appointed for two years. The student representative will be appointed for one year. Selected/elected members can be re-appointed for one additional year.
Secretariat arrangements
Secretary provided by the Office of the DVCR.
The Secretary should maintain minutes of meetings of the Committee and a record of reports and associated material as part of the official University records.

Links
Liaison with:
•	Academic Board (including provision of an annual report) via the Chair and Secretary
•	Deans via the Associate Deans (Research)
•	Faculty Boards and other Faculty/URC committees via the Associate Deans (Research)/Directors
•	Human Research Ethics Committee, Animal Ethics Committee, Biosafety Committee and Graduate Research Committee via the Chairs of the respective committees
•	Faculty/URC staff via the Associate Deans (Research)/Directors
•	Students’ Association via the student representative on the Committee
•	University Education Committee via Chair and Secretary
•	Vice-Chancellor’s Group via the Chair and Secretary
•	Other University or Academic Board committees via the Secretary
•	Implementation agencies via the Secretary
Quorum
A quorum consists of a majority of members.
Where there is no quorum, the Committee may still meet to ensure that the work of Committee continues. Any recommendations made at such meetings would need to be endorsed by a subsequent meeting where a quorum was present.
Schedule of meetings
Normally meets between five to six times per year.
The Committee should not meet unless there is sufficient business to warrant a meeting being held.
Subcommittees
•	Human Research Ethics Committee - established by the University to comply with the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ‘National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research’.
•	Animal Ethics Committee - established by the University to comply with the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ‘Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes’.
•	Biosafety Committee – established by the university to comply with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator requirements.
•	Graduate Research Committee - established to advise the Graduate Research Office, the University Research Committee and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on research training issues.
•	HDR Scholarships Committee – established to allocated all competitive scholarships for HDR students.
Notes
The Committee may establish sub-committees to assist its work. Academic Board should be advised where the Committee establishes sub-committees.
The Committee may establish working parties to consider specific issues.