Research structures establishment guidelines (Research Groups and Research Centres)

Guidelines

Table 1 provides an overview of the criteria and minimum thresholds required for the establishment of a Research Group or Research Centre. Each Research Group or Research Centre is normally expected to meet the minimum performance thresholds for all criteria. Recognised Research Groups and Research Centres are publicised on the R and I web page and relevant university research reports.

Table 1

Criteria

Performance Threshold - Research Group (Note 2)

Performance Threshold - Research Centre (Note 3)

Strategic alignment

Alignment of the Research Group’s activities to a) RMIT’s five “Research Focus Areas” and/or b) the aspirations outlined in Research & Innovation Plan 2011-2015

Alignment of the Research Centre’s activities to a) RMIT’s five “Research Focus Areas” and/or b) the aspirations outlined in Research & Innovation Plan 2011-2015

and

and

Scale (headcount) (Note 1)

Minimum of 3 members (headcount) who are RMIT academic staff

Minimum of 6 Members (headcount) who are RMIT academic staff

and

and

HERDC recognised research income

Each Group in science, engineering & health disciplines must have at least $300k in external research income over the previous 3 years

Each Group in business, social science, humanities, design and creative arts fields must have at least $150k in external research income over the previous 3 years

Each Centre in science, engineering & health disciplines must have at least $600k in external research income over the previous 3 years

Each Centre in business, social science, humanities, design and creative arts fields should have at least $300k in external research income over the previous 3 years

and

and

ERA recognised research outputs (including publications and creative works)

Each Group must have produced at least 15 ERA recognised research outputs over the previous 3 years

Each Centre must have produced 40 ERA recognised research outputs over the previous 3 years

and

and

HDR supervision

Normally a minimum of 1 EFTSU HDR supervision per member

Normally a minimum of 1.5 EFTSU HDR supervisions per member

Note 1 – Scale is determined using headcount of academic staff who are members of the Research Group and Research Centre. Although academic staff may be a member of more than one research structure, Groups and Centres must be able to demonstrate how the research work of each proposed member supports the activities of the Group or Centre.

Note 2 – As per Section 6 of the Establishment of Research Groups Procedure, a Research Group may be closed at any time if “the Research Group is deemed to no longer be adequately meeting the criteria by which it was first established” (See Establishment of Research Groups Procedure for further details).

Note 3 – As per Section 6 of the Establishment of Research Centres Procedure, a Research Centre may be closed at any time if “the Research Centre is deemed, during the annual reporting process, to no longer be adequately meeting the criteria by which it was first established” (See Establishment of Research Centre Procedure for further details).

Research Institutes are University-level entities that bring together multidisciplinary teams of academics to undertake high-impact, industry-focused research to solve complex research questions of national and global significance.

As outlined in the Establishment of Research Institutes Procedure, individuals or groups cannot simply apply for recognition as a Research Institute. Instead the Vice Chancellors Executive (VCE) will consider which areas that a new Research Institute ought to be established.

In determining which areas to develop new Research Institutes, VCE will take into consideration:

  • Alignment with RMIT strategic direction
  • Multidisciplinary nature of the research projects/programs
  • Research capacity/past performance of Institute members, including research income, quality and volume of research outputs and HDR supervision/completions
  • Viability and potential to generate substantial research income

Once VCE has agreed on an area in which to establish a new Research Institute they will invite one or more senior member(s) of academic staff who work in that particular area to prepare an application in accordance with the process outlined in the Establishment of Research Institutes Procedure.

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