Research and KE Governance

Strategic Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) Centres and Institute

QMU Research and KE Centres and Institute are key to implementing our Research and KE Strategy 2022-27 and act as the strategic drivers for excellence in Research and KE, including REF 2029.  

They work at the intersection of conventional disciplinary groupings to create innovative approaches to contemporary societal challenges and public discourse and underpin our strategic commitment to an open, positive and healthy research and KE culture. 

QMU Research Culture Group

The QMU Research Culture Group leads on implementation of the actions associated with the UK Research and KE Concordats, as cited in relevant Action Plans, including our support for the National Technicians Statement. 

The Group promotes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in research and KE careers and works directly with staff in Schools, Research Centres, Professional and Technical Services who engage in or support research and KE at QMU to champion an inclusive, positive and healthy research and KE culture. 

REF 2029 Strategy Group

QMU Research Ethics Committee

QMU has well-established regulations, procedures and guidelines for research and KE ethics including: 

• Divisional Research Ethics Committees (DivRECs) to review local research ethics applications.
• University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) that reviews high-risk applications as well as ensuring training, guidance and support.
• NHS ethics. 

The University Ethics panels are responsible for the scrutiny of internal applications for ethical approval for all research projects. UREC also monitors ethical standards in research and advises on the related ethical principles, regulations and procedures. 

QMU Research Strategy Committee (Terms of Reference under review) 

The QMU Research Strategy Committee (RSC) provides strategic leadership on all matters associated with the University’s research endeavour and associated KE activities to establish and review policies, strategies, and procedures that promote best practice in research and doctorate registration, education, supervision and examination, and that ensure that research conducted in the University complies with appropriate ethical standards. 

The RSC has delegated authority to: 

• Develop and evaluate the Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy and agree an annual action plan for its delivery in line with the objectives of the University’s strategic plan to build capacity and capability in areas of niche distinctiveness.
• Develop mechanisms that foster a multidisciplinary research environment and promote the generation of research income and knowledge transfer.
• Review and evaluate School, Institute and Centre research and knowledge exchange performance against strategic objectives and targets. 
• Establish and implement effective mechanisms for the allocation of funds in support of the University’s research and knowledge exchange activities.
• Develop, implement and evaluate Codes of Practice for research and knowledge exchange, including, but not limited to, the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, KE Concordat, Concordat on Open Research Data, Research Degrees Code of Practice, the Framework for Research Governance, the University’s Guidelines on Ethics related to research, and the Researcher Development Concordat.
• Develop and oversee the University’s submission to future frameworks for research assessment.
• Develop and evaluate policies, regulations and procedures that assure and enhance the quality and standard of research degrees and professional doctorates, including the nomination of examiners and the ratification of examiners’ recommendations for award.
• Determine the ethical propriety of such research projects referred to it and provide advice to researchers and supervisors on the ethical propriety of their research; and
• Submit minutes of its meetings and annual performance indicators to Senate. 

Research and KE Governance Steering Group 

QMU Research and KE Governance Steering Group ensures that that the governance and policy context for the undertaking of research and KE within the University is in line with sector requirements and best practice. 

The Group oversees implementation and responds to issues of compliance and non-compliance relating to all external and sector directives. The Group's remit includes: 

• Overseeing governance processes and associated research and KE-related policy and external reporting requirements.
• Ensuring that institutional research and KE governance processes are transparent and inclusive.
• Facilitating dialogue and dissemination of good and consistent practice.
• Reducing the burden of research and KE governance and policy demands on staff proportionate with achieving high levels of internal and external confidence in the University’s processes.
• Monitoring, responding to, addressing and reporting non-compliance and poor practice.