University Research Standing Committee (URSC)

Terms of Reference

In concert with and in response to advice from the URC, the URSC shall:

• Develop, implement, monitor and review policies, guidelines and procedures for establishing, servicing and strengthening the University’s key research objectives and advise faculties on developing and maintaining research performance through the faculty planning process.
• Advise the URC in the development of policies and guidelines for the allocation of URC funds.
• Allocate research grants and research-related funds (including, but not limited to, competitive URC grant schemes, ARC funds devolved to the University for competitive allocation, equipment funds and annual block allocations to research units) within the context of policies determined by the URC.
• Develop, implement and monitor the processes for allocation of APA and UPA scholarships in concert with the Director of the Research Student Centre.
• Review annual reports of research units and of progress/final reports for competitive URC schemes, devolved ARC schemes and equipment funds.
• Review outcomes of URC funding schemes and performance-based allocations to research units and consequently to provide recommendations to the URC when a need for substantial changes in policy or procedures is indicated.

Determinations made by the URSC are final and referred to the URC for information only, not review.

URSC Membership

Roles and responsibilities of members

Members are expected to report back on URSC business to their constituents (in faculties, research units, other committees), as well as participating in Committee discussions and decision making.

The URSC shall consist of:

• The Dean of Research (Chair)
• The Deputy Chair (appointed by the Chair for a term of two years)
• The Chairs of each Faculty Research Committee
• Chair of the Thesis Examination Committee
  

Executive Secretary, Grants Manager, Research Services Office
Minutes Secretary, Grants Assistant, Research Services Office

Some members may be coopted to the Committee in an advisory capacity on the basis of their expertise in particular areas. The URSC shall establish working parties for specific projects. Appointees to working parties do not need to be members of the URSC. These Working Parties shall report to the URSC.

The Dean of Research will appoint members to the URSC for a term of two years.

Meetings

The Committee shall meet every six weeks, with additional meetings as necessary. 
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Quorum

The Committee shall have a quorum which is equal to one half or, where one half is not a whole number, the whole number next higher to one half of the total number of members of the Committee.

Appeals

URSC Decisions

Individuals have the right to appeal the outcomes of URSC decisions on the basis of failure to follow due process. Should any individual wish to appeal the outcome of any URSC decision they must notify the Director, Research Services Office in writing of their intention to appeal within 14 days of the receipt of the advice of the decision.

The Director, Research Services Office will refer the matter to the DVC(R) for consideration. If the DVC(R) determines there are grounds for appeal then s/he will convene a meeting of a URC Appeals Committee.

A URC Appeals Committee will comprise:

• The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)
• The Dean of the relevant Faculty
• A senior academic who is a member of Senate but not a member of the relevant Faculty, nominated by the Chair of Academic Senate.

Any individual who has concerns about the academic merit of an adverse decision of the URSC should discuss the matter with the Chair of the relevant FRC in the first instance.

Other URC sub-committees

Procedures for appeals in relation to other committees are set out in the terms of reference of individual ethics committees, Academic Grievance Procedures (HDR Students) and Appeals Policy for HDR Thesis examination outcomes.