University Research Committee

Remit

The University Research Committee (URC) is established to provide strategic oversight, monitoring and guidance of research and impact activities at the University of Dundee. Key responsibilities and objectives of the URC include:

1. Strategy Development and Resource Implications

• Develop coordinated strategies for research and impact activities.
• Make recommendations on resource allocation to support the strategies.

2. Strategy Implementation

• Lead and monitor the implementation of Research with Impact Strategy within Schools and the broader university community tracking key targets for research and impact. 

3. Performance Review and Quality Improvement

• Recommend performance indicators to track university performance in research and impact. 
• Review and assess research and impact performance across the university.
• Identify and recommend actions to enhance the quality and volume of research and impact activities. 

4. Research Excellence Framework (REF) and other research reporting and audit activities

• To monitor and consider implications for University research and impact development, support and performance monitoring activities of the REF and other research reporting frameworks including the Scottish Funding Council. 

5. Policy Oversight, Governance & Compliance (Through the Research Policy & Governance Sub-Committee) 

• Oversee research governance and policy for research integrity, trusted research and open research to ensure compliance and manage risk. 
• Ensure compliance with agreements, concordats and protocols related to research and impact. 

6. Research People, Culture and Environment  (Through the Research People, Culture and Environment Sub-Committee) 

• Oversee programs of activity designed to produce a supportive and high-quality, research-intensive environment. 
• Ensure compliance with agreements, concordats and protocols related to research people, culture and environment.

7. Doctoral Academy & Postgraduate Researchers (Through the Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee)

• Oversee and review the performance of the Doctoral Academy.
• Oversee and review processes related to the recruitment, admission, and progression of Postgraduate Researchers and the quality assurance of programmes and partnerships.

8. Strategic Relationships, Partnerships and External Influences

• Stimulate and promote the creation of strategic relationships with academic and policy, nationally and internationally.
• Monitor external influences on research with impact strategy, policy, and practice.
• Consider influences from entities such as Scottish Funding Council, UK Research and Innovation, and international funding bodies and frameworks.
• Oversee and monitor the Universities activities and success in large strategic funding streams for research with impact.

9. Collaboration and Working Groups

• Coordinate with other University Committees on matters of mutual interest.
• Form and oversee working and steering groups on significant matters.

Committee Membership 2024/25

Convener: Professor Lisanne Gibson, Vice-Principal, Research

• Professor Michael Gratzke, Director, Doctoral Academy
• Dr David McBeth, Vice-Principal, Enterprise & Economic Transformation
• Hannah Whaley, Director, Library Academic & Culture, University Librarian
• Dr Clive Randall, Head of Research Excellence Policy & Governance
• Jules McMenigall, Head of Research Finance Services
• Anna Grey, Director, RIS
• Josine Opmeer, Assistant Director, Research
• Dr Lisa Anderson, Head of Talent & Development
• Inke Näthke, Convener, Research Governance & Policy Sub-Committee
• Professor Isla Mackenzie, Associate Dean, Research, MED
• Professor Claire Halpin, Associate Dean, Research, LS
• Professor Natasha Lushetich, Associate Dean, Research, DJCAD
• Dr Nicola Gray, Associate Dean, Research, HS
• Professor Graeme Morton, Associate Dean, Research, HSSL
• Dr Thomas Anker, Associate Dean, Research, BUS
• Professor Mike MacDonald, Associate Dean, Research, SCEN
• Dr Ian Ellis, Associate Dean, Research, DENT

Committee Secretary: Dr Martin Glover

This Committee reports to the Senatus.