Research Development Groups

The University’s Research Development and Commercialisation Strategies are guided by the institutional objective of increasing inter-subject and multidisciplinary activity. As a research led institution we aim to strive for the highest, internationally recognised, quality in our research (research being the generic term for research, knowledge transfer and commercialisation) . In some priority areas this requires a significant step-change in our capacity to undertake innovative and internationally recognised, research. In support of this an internal Multidisciplinary Research Development Fund (MRDF) has been established to support the work of multidisciplinary research groups identified as being of key strategic importance to QMU. In addition to receiving funding, the Strategic Planning and Research Support Unit (SPRSU) will provide dedicated support for the groups in the form of arranging and supporting meetings; follow up and action; and identifying funding sources and collaborators.

The MRDF groups are defined as those that involve 4 or more investigators from different disciplines that focus different perspectives and capabilities on complex problems that intersect with established and emerging areas of research.

The purpose of the fund is to:

• Bring together groups (minimum of 4 from at least two subject areas/centres) of staff with an interest in a key theme of strategic importance to QMU and externally.

• Facilitate the regular meeting of this group to enable a programme of deliverable outputs, as defined below, to be established.

• Where possible, encourage the active involvement of collaborating external researcher/organisations(s).

Over these pages you can read about the MRDF work that is currently going on within Queen Margaret University.