Research committees

Introduction

The University Research Committee (URC) is a formally constituted committee of Academic Senate. The Committee is responsible, within the University’s governance framework, for providing leadership in academic governance through oversight and quality assurance of all matters related to research and research training, research integrity and risk.

The academic governance framework of the University is consistent with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards)

The URC will support the UOW Strategic Plan, in working toward a position in the top 1% of world universities, by building an outstanding research community that values emerging researchers and supports research-active staff to achieve the highest quality results and disseminate their benefits to user communities.

Responsibilities

• The URC shall:
  In accordance with the HESF (Threshold Standards), provide assurance and advice to Academic Senate and the Vice-Chancellor as to whether and how:
• research and research training activities are conducted in accordance with a research policy framework that is designed to achieve:
  1. ethical conduct of research and responsible research practice;
  2. clarification of ownership and management of intellectual property;
  3. successful management of research partnerships;
  4. clarification of requirements for publication and authorship, and
  5. resolution of allegations of misconduct in research.
• research is conducted, or overseen, by staff with qualifications, research experience and skills relevant to the type of research undertaken and their role.
• a system for accurate and up-to-date recording of the research outputs of staff and research students is maintained.
• research training is guided by and undertaken in accordance with the University’s approved policy framework and occurs in an environment of research/scholarly/creative activity with adequate resources and with competent continuing supervisory arrangements.
• Develop, monitor and review policies within the University’s research policy framework relating to the University’s research activities, including research and research training and internationalisation, and ensure their compliance with State and Commonwealth legislation, and other relevant codes and standards.

• Provide effective oversight, through monitoring, reviewing and endorsing the activities of its sub-committees.

• Guide the development of the University’s strategic research priorities and objectives and provide oversight of research performance within the framework of the University’s Strategic Planning process.

• Review guidelines for the formation and/or continuation of University Research Institutes and Faculty Research Centres.

• Review and monitor the University’s Global Challenges Program and other mechanisms that encourage interdisciplinary research within the University.

• Provide leadership and advice on mechanisms to improve monitoring, benchmarking and reporting of the University’s research performance.

• Facilitate the effective exchange and dissemination of information concerning research and research training issues to the broader research community through robust communication processes.

• Inform and advise the Academic Senate and the Vice-Chancellor on research and research training matters as they arise.

The URC and its sub-committees complement and support the following roles and functions responsible for managing or running the various research activities of the University:

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
• The Dean of Graduate Research
• Research & Innovation Division (RAID)
• Faculty Research Committees
• University Research Institutes
• UOW Global Challenges

Membership

The URC shall consist of:

• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) (DVC(R&I)) (Chair)
• The Dean of Graduate Research (Deputy Chair)
• The Chair, Academic Senate (or delegate)
• All Associate Deans (Research)
• The Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation
• The Dean(s) of Researcher Development and Integrity
• An Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)
• The Executive Directors of AIIM, Early Start, IHMRI and SMART (or delegate)
• Up to six Research Leaders invited by the DVC(R&I)
• Up to three additional members, including an Early Career Researcher, invited by the DVC(R&I)
• UOW Global Enterprises representative invited by the DVC(R&I)
• A Higher Degree Research (HDR) student representative (invited by the DVC(R&I))
• Director, Research Services Office
• Director, iAccelerate Research
• Senior Manager, Innovation and Commercial Research
• Director, Graduate Research School
• UOW Dubai Representative as invited by the DVC(R&I)

University Research Committee Membership

The DVC(R&I) will appoint members to the URC for a term of two years and will consider disciplinary balance and spread, when inviting additional members.

Both genders are to be represented on the URC and all URC sub-committees, and if necessary additional members will be co-opted to meet this requirement.

Executive Secretary, Director, Research Services Office

Minutes Secretary, Executive Assistant to the Director, Research Services Office

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 than one half of the total number of members of the Committee.

Meeting Frequency

The URC will meet up to four times per year.

URC Sub-committees

The following sub-committees support the URC:

• Graduate Research Committee
• Research Integrity Committee
• Research IT & Systems Committee
• Research Infrastructure Advisory Group
• Faculty Research Committees

2023 meetings

Meeting minutes

2023:

• Meeting 01/2023 held 9 March 2023
• Meeting 02/2023 held 11 May 2023

2022:

• Meeting 01/2022 held 9 February 2022
• Meeting 02/2022 held 28 April 2022
• Meeting 03/2022 held 1 June 2022
• Meeting 04/2022 held 24 August 2022
• Meeting 5/2022 held 26 October 2022

2021:

• Meeting 01/21 held 18 February 2021
• Meeting 02/21 held 9 June 2021
• Meeting 03/21 held 1 September 2021
• Meeting 04/2021 held 2 November 2021
• Special URC Meeting held on 6 September 2021

2020: 

• Meeting 01/20 held 3 March 2020
• Meeting 02/20 held 14 May 2020
• Meeting 03/20 held 29 July 2020
• Meeting 04/20 held 21 October 2020

Introduction

The Graduate Research Committee (GRC), chaired by the Dean of Graduate Research, reports to the University Research Committee. It has oversight of the trends, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines and quality assurance relating to Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs, candidates and supervisors.
Responsibilities.

Responsibilities

The GRC shall:

• Oversee that graduate research and research training activities are conducted in accordance with the University’s policy framework and national standards for graduate research;
• Oversee that graduate research supervision is conducted by academic staff with appropriate qualifications, research experience and skills relevant to their role;
• Oversee the work and quality of the Thesis Examination Committee (TEC);
• Develop, monitor and review policies within the University’s research policy framework relating to the University’s Graduate Research portfolio;
• Guide the development of strategic graduate research priorities and objectives and provide oversight of graduate research performance;
• Oversee the allocation of postgraduate research scholarships including, but not limited to, Research Training Program (RTP) and University Postgraduate Award (UPA) scholarships.
• Provide leadership and advice on mechanisms to improve monitoring, benchmarking and reporting of graduate research performance;
• Oversee the effective exchange and dissemination of information concerning graduate research and research training issues to the broader research community through robust communication processes; and
• Inform and advise the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) and the Academic Senate on graduate research and research training matters as they arise.

Membership

The Dean of Graduate Research will appoint members to the GRC for a term of two years and will consider disciplinary balance and spread, when inviting additional members. For the purposes of gender balance, additional members will be co-opted to meet this requirement.

The GRC shall consist of:

• Dean of Graduate Research (Chair)
• Deputy Dean of Graduate Research
• Associate Deans (Higher Degree Research) and Associate Dean (Research) AIIM
• Director, Graduate Research School
• Chair of Thesis Examination Committee (TEC)
• Head of Postgraduate Studies representatives (one per Faculty/AIIM)
• Two HDR candidate representatives with one being international and the other domestic

Secretary to the GRC will be the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Graduate Research.

Meeting Frequency

The GRC will meet up to 10 times per year.

Quorum

The quorum for the GRC is one half plus one of the number of committee members.

Terms of Reference

The Research Integrity Committee (RIC) is a formally constituted Sub-Committee of the University Research Committee (URC). The Committee is responsible, within the University’s governance framework, for the promotion of research excellence by and driving the principles developed for responsible research conduct that provides a foundation for high-quality research, credibility and community trust in the research profession as required by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the “Code”). The Legal and Operational Framework for Research Integrity at UOW (PDF) guideline lists other legislation and codes that apply.

Responsibilities

The RIC will drive a culture of responsible conduct of research as an integral part of all research behaviours, to promote research excellence at UOW.

The RIC will:

• Actively promote the responsible conduct of research and ensure that UOW has the policies and processes in place to meet the requirements of the Code. The RIC will assist in the development and review of key research policies and provide advice to the URC.
• Actively promote and monitor compliance with appropriate legislation and codes governing research integrity including monitoring UOW policies, procedures and guidelines in response to new or changed legislation and implementing appropriate compliance programs.
• Actively engage in the planning, implementation and monitoring of educational and training programs as well as other resources to ensure University staff, students and affiliated researchers are aware of compliance and accountability requirements related to the Code and other legislation impacting on the responsible conduct of research.
• Actively provide advice and guidance on all UOW research integrity related processes such as ethics and research misconduct, including: identifying ways to streamline processes and forms between systems, continuous improvement of legislative compliance programs and reviewing anonymised allegations or aggregated data on research misconduct in order to identify common issues and develop mechanisms to prevent reoccurrence.

This RIC will provide coherence to research integrity activities and effectively create links between relevant areas within the University. The Committee will therefore also serve as an advisory body on research-related integrity matters to other UOW operational committees (See Legal and Operational Framework for Research Integrity at UOW (PDF)).

Membership

The RIC shall consist of:

• Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity, or a senior academic appointed by the DVC(R&I) (Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Research (or nominee)
• Associate Dean, Research (or nominee) from each Faculty
• Research Integrity Advisor Network representative *
• Director, Research Services Office (or nominee)
• Director, Governance Unit (or nominee)
• Associate Director, Research Integrity and Ethics (or nominee)
• HDR Student representative *
• Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Health & Medical)
• Chair, UOW/ISLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (Social Sciences)
• Chair, Animal Ethics Committee
• Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Up to three (3) additional academic staff members * may be appointed by the Chair
• Executive Officer: Research Integrity Officer, Research Integrity and Ethics.

* Positions not filled ex officio have a term of two (2) years and will be appointed by the Chair.

The Chair may choose to invite experts to the meeting to provide advice to the Committee.

Both genders are to be represented on the RIC sub-committees, and if necessary additional members will be co-opted to meet this requirement.

Current RIC members

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.

The total number of members, for the purposes of the quorum, shall exclude the Chairs of the Ethics (Human and Animal) and Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Meeting frequency

The RIC will meet at least four (4) times per year.

The Committee may also establish working parties for specific projects. Expert advisors and appointees to working parties do not need to be permanent members of the Committee. Working parties shall report to the Committee.

RIC sub-committees

The following Sub-Committees support the RIC:

• Human Research Ethics Committee (Health and Medical);
• Human Research Ethics Committee (Social Sciences);
• Animal Ethics Committee;
• Institutional Biosafety Committee.

2022 - 2023 meetings

Agenda deadlines are the dates by which items and papers must be received by the uow-researchintegrity@uow.edu.au.

Terms of Reference

The Research Information Technology and Systems Committee is responsible for the development and execution of strategy in support of the URC and the wider UOW community. These responsibilities include:

• Governance of research IT projects
• Research Data Management
• High Performance Computing
• Specialised research IT
• Research performance reporting
• External partnerships (such as ARDC, NCI and Cloudstor)
• Other strategic initiatives

The Committee meetings will facilitate:

• Cross-divisional information sharing and discussion
• Senior Executive briefings
• Programme and project status reporting against the Research Systems Roadmap
• Research community consultation
• Discussion, development and review of research IT strategy
• Development and maintenance of relevant policy instruments

Structure/reporting lines

The RITAS Committee shall report directly to the University Research Committee.

Roles and responsibilities of members

Members of this Committee represent key decision makers and stakeholders in UOW Research IT. Each member may wish to delegate the responsibility to a more appropriate staff member in the area.

The RITAS Committee shall consist of the following members:

• Associate Director, Research Analytics, Systems and Support, RSO (Chair)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research andSustainable Futures)
• Director, Research Services Office (Deputy Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Research
• Director, Graduate Research School
• Associate Director, Research and Learning, Library
• Associate Director, Infrastructure Services, IMTS
• Portfolio Manager, Infrastructure, Research and Library, IMTS
• Senior Manager, Innovation and Commercial Research Unit
• System, Reports and Analytics Coordinator, GRS
• A Research Institute/Centre Director invited by the DVC(R&SF)
• A researcher with advanced computing needs & interest nominated by DVC(R&SF)
• The Chair of the HPC Steering Committee
• The Chair of the UOW Scholars Steering Committee
• The Chair of the Research Data Storage and Management Working Group
• Up to two additional members invited by the DVC(R&SF)

Additional members may be co-opted to the Committee in an advisory capacity on the basis of their expertise in particular areas.

The DVC(R&SF) will appoint members to the Committee for a term of two years.

Current RITAS members

Working groups

The Research IT and Systems Committee shall establish working groups for specific projects. Appointees do not need to be members of the Committee.

Working Groups supporting and reporting to the Committee include:

• High Performance Computing (HPC) Steering Committee
• UOW Scholars Steering Committee
• Research Data Storage and Management (RDSM) Working Group
• Project Control Groups (as required to govern and direct individual projects)

Updates will be provided by Working Groups and sub-committees at each Committee meeting.

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least six times per year.

Minutes Secretary

Research Systems Analyst, Research Services Office

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.

2023 meetings

Terms of Reference

The Research Infrastructure Advisory Group (RIAG) provides advice and recommendations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) for the provision of physical and digital resources to support University research, in alignment with the 2020-2025 Research and Innovation Strategy.

An intentional approach to the planning, acquisition, management, development, sustainability, and disposal of such infrastructure investments will boost the University’s research capability. RIAG will assist by focussing on current and emerging infrastructure needs aligned with UOW’s strengths and future opportunities.

An initial objective of RIAG will be to develop a Research Infrastructure Management (RIM) plan and conduct an audit of current major equipment and infrastructure (with input from relevant Faculties, Research Centres and Institutes). The RIM plan will outline priorities for new or replacement equipment and infrastructure over the next five years. It is expected that major equipment and infrastructure applications will refer to and align with the RIM plan, which will be updated annually ahead of equipment and infrastructure funding requests.

Responsibilities

RIAG will monitor the utilisation, capacity, maintenance and planning of shared major research equipment and infrastructure (including):

OPERATIONAL

1. Location, access arrangements and space requirements;
2. Technology requirements, including hardware, software, High Performance Computing (HPC), network infrastructure and cloud computing resources.

STRATEGIC

1. Assessing existing and future research infrastructure needs at UOW;
2. Overseeing UOW’s high-level infrastructure and asset management plans, including relevant information technology infrastructure and assets;
3. Reviewing the business cases and risk management documentation relating to major research infrastructure; and
4. Reviewing research infrastructure funding applications to ensure they align with the RIM plan and UOW’s overarching infrastructure This includes (but is not limited to):

a. UOW Major Equipment Grants (MEG),
b. ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) grants; and
c. National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) submissions.

RIAG will also oversee identification and coordination of: 

1. Opportunities for enhanced sharing of significant existing resources (including external collaborative and commercial access);
2. Opportunities to access external funding to develop University research infrastructure (including in partnership with external organisations);
3. Emerging plans and future needs for the acquisition of research infrastructure (whilst minimising duplication); and
4. Opportunities to maximise research collaboration through the use of research infrastructure.

Governance

1. RIAG is a sub-committee of the University Research Committee (URC), and will provide regular reports to both the URC and the People and Culture, Finance and Infrastructure Committee (PaCFIC).
2. There is no formal requirement for a quorum.
3. RIAG will meet quarterly at a minimum. Additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary.

Membership

Members of RIAG represent key decision makers and stakeholders in research infrastructure at UOW and include:

• Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation (Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Research or delegate
• Director of the Research Services Office or delegate
• Executive Directors / Directors of Research Centres and Institutes with major infrastructure requirements
• Associate Deans of Research
• Information Management and Technology Services (IMTS) Representative
• Finance Representative
• Facilities Management Division (FMD) Representative
• Library Representative
• A representative from the Finance and Infrastructure Committee (FIC)
• Other UOW staff (by invitation) with relevant expertise and experience

Additional members may be co-opted to the Group in an advisory capacity based on their expertise in relevant areas.

Executive support will be provided by the Office of the Dean RKET.

Membership of RIAG will be reviewed annually.

Current RIAG Members

2023 Meetings

Terms of Reference

The Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) looks at higher degree research thesis examination and policy and is a subcommittee of the Graduate Research Committee. The Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) shall:

• Oversee the processes and policies governing UOW Higher Degree Research (HDR) thesis examination;
• Consider reports from examiners of Doctoral by Research and Masters by Research theses, determine a resolution based on those reports and the report from the Head of Postgraduate Studies;
• Consider submissions of theses for examination as Higher Doctoral Degrees, determine appropriateness for examination and approve final examiners;
• Monitor the thesis examination progress of all candidates and take appropriate action where unreasonable delays are encountered;
• Ratify all “straightforward matters” accepted by two TEC representatives, one being the Chair or Deputy Chair;
• Respond to any miscellaneous matters relating to thesis examination; and
• Liaise with the Graduate Research School to ensure thesis examination practices and policies are appropriately managed and promoted across the University.

Roles and responsibilities of members 

The TEC shall consist of:

• A Chair
• Five faculty/Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) representatives. Up to four additional members appointed by the GRC Chair 

The Dean of Graduate Research will nominate the Chair and any additional Committee members, whilst the Executive Deans/AIIM Executive Director will nominate their Faculty representatives. Additional TEC members shall be appointed, if needed, to ensure that the TEC has a suitably wide range of disciplinary expertise. The Dean of Graduate Research shall also appoint one of the Faculty/AIIM representatives as Deputy Chair. The TEC Executive Secretary is the Scholarships and Progressions Coordinator Graduate Research School.

All TEC members shall be academic staff and the Chair will be a senior academic, with an appointment as Professor or Associate Professor.

All TEC members will be appointed for a term of two years.

Meetings

The TEC meets at least 11 times per year.

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.

•  2022 Thesis Examination (TEC) Meetings
• 2023 Thesis Examination (TEC) Meetings

2022 Meeting Dates

2023 Meeting Dates

Terms of Reference

The University of Wollongong’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan 2019–2021 (RAP) aims to establish UOW as an organisation where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, cultures and values are respected and are reflected in our teachings and the attributes of all our graduates.

To support activities that continuously develop and enhance the growth and development of Indigenous led research as recommended in the RAP, a UOW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy will be developed. The Strategy will aim to:

• Ensure appropriate support and development opportunities are provided to Indigenous researchers;
• Attract and retain Indigenous researchers at the University;
• Broaden the scope of research conducted by Indigenous researchers;
• Raise the profile of Indigenous researchers at the University of Wollongong; and
• Build our Indigenous research strength.

A University Research Committee (URC) Committee has been established to facilitate the Strategy and associated action items allocated to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) portfolio under the RAP. The proposed Program of Work for the activities of the Committee (previously the Working Party) is provided at Attachment 1.

The RAP will be integrated into the refreshed University’s Planning and Reporting Framework and will inform University-wide strategies, performance indicators, plans and operations. Consequently, the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy Committee is of strategic significance to the University.

Responsibilities

In order to align the activities of the University with the commitment to support and grow Indigenous research student and staff capacity at UOW, the Committee shall:

• Advocate for a whole of institution approach to grow the critical mass of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR students and researchers at UOW;
• Create networking opportunities across the university sector more broadly to support and advance Indigenous HDR completions at UOW;
• Encourage and assist Faculties to identify potential research students during their undergraduate years and provide support, mentoring and relevant research opportunities;
• Develop pathways and support structures for Indigenous students to undertake research training, doctoral degrees and postdoctoral fellowships, in order to progress to teaching and research academic roles at UOW;
• Develop a more systematic approach to attracting and supporting potential Indigenous HDR students across all disciplines;
• Review and refine research-related scholarship and support programs for Indigenous students;
• Develop mechanisms for funding top-ups, introduce shared funding models between the Graduate Research School and Faculties and provide funding for research training degrees such as Honours and Masters of Research;
• Explore relationships with industry, government, Aboriginal corporations and the community; and
• Develop effective and appropriate guidelines for research related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Contact: Karen Lovasz
Email: klovasz@uow.edu.au
Phone (02) 4252 8218

There are two Human Research Ethics Committees, the Social Sciences HREC and the Health and Medical HREC. Research involving children, vulnerable groups, overseas participants, invasive procedures or a sensitive topic must be reviewed by a meeting of a full HREC. On average, the review process takes six weeks from date of submission; you should allow eight weeks for the process.

Low risk research is normally reviewed by the Executive Committees of the HRECs. The Executive Committees meet weekly and the agenda deadline for this meeting is Friday 12 pm. On average, the review process takes 2-3 weeks from date of submission; you should allow six weeks for the process.

If you are still unsure, please contact the Ethics Unit on 4221 3386 or uow-humanethics@uow.edu.au.

Applications must be received by the Ethics Unit by the Agenda Deadline.  All agenda deadlines close at 12 pm.

Please note, when pressing submit, this is submitting the application for the electronic sign-off process. It is only once all signatures required have been actioned that the application is received in our office for processing. For this reason, please ensure you allow enough time for this to be completed before the agenda deadline.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the Social Sciences Full HREC agenda deadline dates have been changed from the dates that were published at the beginning of 2023.  This change is due to the Ethics Office receiving an unsustainable number of late applications requesting special consideration to be included as late items on the meeting agenda.  Researchers are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient time for all co-investigators and the Head of School to ‘sign off’ on the application in IRMA: it is recommended that applications are ‘submitted’ in the system 1 week before the agenda deadline.  If you have any questions about this, you can contact the Human Ethics team on uow-humanethics@uow.edu.au or call the Ethics Officer, Zoe Wulff, on 02 4239 2191.

This information has been communicated with all Heads of School.  Thank you.

Terms of Reference

Social Sciences Full HREC

Time: 12.30pm

2023 Meeting Dates

Social Sciences HREC members

Health & Medical Full HREC

Time: 12.30pm

2023 Meeting Dates

Health and Medical HREC members

2023 meetings

Animal Ethics Committee:

Meeting time: 12:30pm. Venue: RSO Presentation Room 20.109 

* Agenda deadlines are the dates by which fully signed applications must be received by the Animal Ethics Officer. Investigators submitting new applications need to “submit” their online application well in advance of this date so that it can progress through the electronic “sign-off” process.  For more information please see the Animal Ethics Application user manual.

2023 sub-committee:

Meeting time: 12:30pm. Venue: Zoom

*Agenda deadlines are the dates by which amendment requests must be received at the Research Services Office by the Ethics Unit (Note: applications may only be considered at a full committee meeting.

The University of Wollongong has established the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to review the ethical aspects of research and teaching for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

The purpose of the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is to review the ethical aspects of research and teaching for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

Membership

The University of Wollongong Animal Ethics Committee is constituted according to the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition 2013. The membership comprises at least one person from each of the following categories, and Categories C and D must together represent at least one-third of the Animal Ethics Committee membership.

• Chair
• Category A - Veterinarian: A person with qualifications in veterinary science that are recognised for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia, and with experience relevant to the institution's activities or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge.
• Category B - Animal Researcher: A suitably qualified person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals for scientific purposes relevant to the institution and the business of the Animal Ethics Committee.  This must include possession of a higher degree in research or equivalent experience.
• Category C - Animal Welfare Member; A person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who is not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The person should, where possible, be selected on basis of active membership of, and endorsement by, such an organisation.
• Category D - Lay Person: A person not employed by, or otherwise associated with, the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education.
• Animal Welfare Officer
• Ethicist

Before conducting or commencing any research investigation involving animals, staff and students of the University are required to submit a research ethics application to the AEC and obtain approval to ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

Terms of Reference

Contact

E: uow-animalethics@uow.edu.au 

The Institutional Biosafety Committee was established in 2019, replacing the former Gene Technology Review Committee.

Terms of Reference

• Terms of Reference (PDF)

Meetings

The IBC meets five times a year on a Thursday from 12:30pm – 3pm.

The meetings are held in Building 20, Level 1, Room 109 (Research Services Office Meeting Room) and on Zoom.

Agenda deadlines and meeting dates

*Agenda items must be submitted to: uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au by 12 noon on the deadline day. Items received after this date and time will be placed on the papers of the next meeting.

Members

• Associate Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith, Chair
• Ms Katie Cicero, Deputy Chair
• Professor Nicholas Dixon
• Professor Chao Deng
• Professor Jeremy Crook
• Associate Prof Guangming Jiang
• Dr Kara Vine-Perrow
• WHS Representative
• Mr Mark Stephenson
• Dr Eva Tomaskovic-Crook
• Mr Mark Webb (External)
• Ms Rochelle Waren, Executive Officer

All correspondence for the IBC is to be sent to: uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au

The UOW High Performance Computing (HPC) Steering Committee addresses key strategic issues surrounding the governance, support and utilisation of the University’s High Performance Computing resources. The Committee currently meets on a quarterly basis and is facilitated by the Research Services Office.

The objectives of the HPC Steering Committee are:

• To develop a strategy guiding the use, provision and support of HPC at UOW
• To ensure resource allocations provide equity, sustainability and the efficient use of high-value HPC assets
• To realise the greatest possible benefit from UOW’s investment into HPC resources and services

It is intended that the HPC Steering Committee will deliver:

• A documented strategy for the use, support and management of HPC at the University of Wollongong
• A prioritisation framework for UOW’s HPC resources
• Guidelines for researchers regarding the access and use of UOW’s HPC resources. These guidelines shall provide a practical interpretation of the UOW HPC strategy and methods of accessing HPC resources

The HPC Steering Committee makes recommendations to the RITAS Committee regarding UOW’s use of and ongoing support for HPC for research purposes.

Membership

The HPC Steering Committee is intended to be an open and inclusive network of advanced computing stakeholders. The current members of the Committee are:

• Chair: Professor Haibo Yu, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience
• Mr Jason Andrade, Research IT, IMTS
• Dr David Bolst, School of Physics
• Dr Simon Brown, Molecular Horizons
• Associate Professor Rodney Clarke, School of Management Operations and Marketing
• Dr Nana Wang, Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials
• Dr David Cortie, Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials
• Mr Christopher Dunn, SMART Infrastructure Facility
• Associate Professor Nicolas Flament, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences
• Associate Professor Markus Hagenbuchner, School of Computing and Information Technology
• Ms Ann Hollifield, Research Business Applications Manager, RSO
• Mr Craig Muller, Information Management and Technology Services
• Dr Mark Schira, School of Psychology
• Associate Professor Hongtao Zhu, School of Mechanical, Materials & Mechatronics Engineering

2023 meetings

• 2023.01 | Wednesday, 8 February, 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am 
• 2023.02 | Thursday 27, April, 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am 
• 2023.03 | Wednesday, 13 September, 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am 
• 2023.04 | Thursday, 9 November, 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am 

Meetings are held via Zoom. Send apologies and agenda items to hpc_admin@uow.edu.au prior to the meeting.

Terms of Reference

The Research Data Management (RDM) Working Group is responsible for addressing strategic issues in relation to the governance, organisational support, skills development and technology implications surrounding the maintenance and management of the University’s research data assets and processes.

The key functions and responsibilities of the RDM Working Group are to:

• Provide guidance and recommendations to improve the accessibility, visibility, re-use, integrity, planning, storage and security of institutional research data assets and processes;
• Provide high level input into the identification and development of appropriate RDM training programs;
• Provide a channel for communication and consultation throughout UOW regarding significant RDM project matters; and
• Test and provide feedback on tools and training to support RDM.

The deliverables of the RDM Working Group are to:

• Make informed recommendations regarding RDM systems, tools and training, based on advice from subject-matter experts;
• Establish and maintain communications channels for RDM-related information across the UOW research community;
• Propose processes for monitoring compliance with the University Research Data Management Policy and recommendations on how these processes can be integrated with RDM technology solutions (e.g. ReDBox); and
• Review and provide feedback on the UOW Research Data Management Policy and Guidelines in accordance with timeframes specified in relevant review schedules.

The RDM Working Group may also make recommendations to enhance broader research data management practices at UOW. This may include:

• The use of specific tools, software and resources to improve research data management and governance;
• The use of research data management services (either new or existing);
• Researchers’ access to training, education and/or consultative services;
• The use of external third-party services in relation to research data (such as cloud storage or computing solutions); and
• Guidelines on the legal and ethical implications for international data storage and custodianship.

Structure/reporting lines

The RDM Working Group reports to the Research Information Technology and Systems (RITAS) Committee. The RDM Working Group Chair and the Associate Director, Infrastructure Services (IMTS), will report on RDM activities at each RITAS meeting.

Roles and responsibilities of members

Members of this Working Group represent key decision makers and stakeholders in research data management at UOW. Members have a responsibility to disseminate key messages to their respective business units, faculties or institutes. Members shall be available to staff in their areas as points of contact for feedback on RDM-related matters and to provide guidance where necessary.

The RDM Working Group shall consist of:

• At least two (but no more than 4) representatives from each Faculty where at least one of these holds an academic position
• One representative from each of the following institutes: Molecular Horizons, AIIM, AHSRI, Early Start, NIASRA and SMART
• Application Support Analyst (Research), IMTS
• Associate Director, Infrastructure and Communications (IMTS)
• Portfolio Manager, Infrastructure, Research & Library, IMTS
• Research Services Coordinator, Library
• Team Leader, Scholarly Content, Library
• Associate Director, Research Analytics & Systems, RSO
• Research Analytics and Reporting Manager, RSO
• Research Business Applications Manager, RSO
• Associate Director, Research Ethics and Integrity, RAID
• Senior Manager, Information Compliance, ICU

Members may delegate their responsibilities to a more appropriate staff member in their area.

Additional members may be co-opted to the Committee in an advisory capacity based on their expertise in particular areas.

The DVC(R&SF) will appoint members to the Committee for a term of two years. This appointment task may be delegated to Faculty and Research Institute leaders (e.g., Deans, ADRs and Research Institute Heads).

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least four times per year.

2023 meeting dates

• 2023.01 - Wednesday, 15 February, 2023
• 2023.02 - Wednesday, 3 May, 2023
• 2023.03 - Wednesday, 12 July, 2023
• 2023.04 - Wednesday, 20 September, 2023
• 2023.05 - Wednesday, 29 November, 2023

Time: 10.30am - 11:30am

Minutes secretary

Research Services Coordinator, University Library

Quorum

There is no formal requirement for a quorum.

The purpose of the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Disruption Committee (EC-DC) is to connect, support and champion ECRs at UOW.

The EC-DC provides a voice for all ECRs, direct to the DVC(R&SF). 

Terms of Reference

• Terms of Reference (PDF 504kb)

Meetings

• The EC-DC meets approximately once a month. The meetings are usually held via Zoom.
• The EC-DC Chair will meet with the DVC(R&SF) on a monthly basis to provide advice and suggestions from the Committee.
• Minutes and action items will be recorded by the Secretariat. (contact: Lia Sherwood, lia_sherwood@uow.edu.au).

Agenda deadlines and meeting dates

*Agenda items must be submitted to: lia_sherwood@uow.edu.au by 12 noon on the deadline day. Items received after this date and time will be placed on the papers of the next meeting.

Current committee members

UOW is a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Institution Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) in 2018, which recognises our commitment to advancing women’s careers in the traditionally male-dominated disciplines of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). The SAGE initiative was established to pilot the UK’s Athena SWAN Charter in Australia, aimed at improving gender equality and diversity in STEMM, in the Australian higher education and research sector.

More information about the SAGE Athena Swan committee

Terms of Reference

Faculty Research Committee plays a key role in research management at the University, and shall:

• Serve as the primary link between the URC and its sub-committees and the research and research training activities within the faculties. 
• Interpret, disseminate and implement URC policies and procedures concerning research and HDR supervision and the selection mechanisms for URC research and research training awards to members of the faculty.
• Act within faculties to promote and develop research excellence.
• Ensure that mechanisms for the support, mentoring and funding of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are established (via the URC Faculty Research Grant and/or Research Strength support).
• Recommend ranking of faculty candidates for URC research and research training awards.
• Review and implement the Faculty Research Plan.
• Further the promotion and development of research activities and research excellence within the faculty.
• Serve as a forum for the discussion of ideas, issues and opportunities that concern research within the faculty.
• Have carriage of Faculty-based research initiatives.
• Oversee research governance processes to ensure compliance with relevant government guidelines, e.g., Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

The Faculty Research Committee is responsible for the broad oversight of matters concerning HDR students and ensuring that Faculty arrangements for HDR student supervision meet UOW Code of Practice, Supervision requirements. The FRC, through the Faculty Research Grant and/or URC Research Strength support, ensures the provision of research funds and adequate infrastructure for HDR students. The FRC must report annually in the Faculty Research Report to the URC on HDR support.

FRC Chairs and Committees are encouraged to expand their promotion of research excellence and management of research and HDR students within their faculty. Such activities should be identified and reported in the Faculty Research Plan. Faculties can request URC funding in the Faculty Research Grant application to partially support innovative activities (e.g. grant editing, mentoring and support for ECRs, research performance awards, and faculty research grant schemes).

Roles and responsibilities of members

FRC membership shall include:

• Associate Dean (Research) (Chair)
• Executive Dean of Faculty (ex officio)
• The Faculty Executive Manager or their nominee
• Not less than three Research Strength Director(s), Global Challenge Academic Leader(s), Research Unit Leader(s) (or delegates) and/or Heads of Schools/Departments (or delegates), appointed by the Executive Dean
• HDR student representative (excluding staff who are also HDR students)
• Such other members as the committee shall determine
• Both genders should be represented on the Committee
• Cross-faculty interests and perspectives on research matters shall be taken into account by the Committee, through cross-faculty representation on the committee or otherwise

All members shall be appointed by the Faculty Executive Dean in consultation with the Associate Dean (Research). Key members of the Research and Innovation Division (e.g. Directors, Senior Manager, Innovation and Commercialisation) may be invited to attend to discuss or clarify specific issues.

FRC membership will vary with each faculty, but should reflect the scope of research activities within the faculty, including representation of research strengths, as well as faculty strategic research areas. Further, because the FRC has carriage of policies and procedures supporting HDR students enrolled in the faculty, the committee may include appropriate representation of Postgraduate Coordinators (or Heads of Postgraduate Studies (HPS)) across the academic units within the faculty and the faculty’s representative to the TEC. 

It is not required that each of the above roles be filled by separate individuals; some individuals may fulfil more than one role (e.g. department heads may be the unit HPS, an Ethics Committee member may also be a Postgraduate Coordinator). With the exception of the HDR student representative and Faculty Executive Manager or their nominee, all FRC members should hold academic or research positions at the university.

Role of the Associate Dean (Research) as FRC Chair

The primary URC role of the Faculty Research Committee Chair is to provide the link between faculty’s research interests and URC business. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Development of research policy and procedures
• Providing faculty input in the selection of URC research and research training awards
• Providing faculty feedback on URC research issues
• Advising the DVC (R&I) and Dean of Research on faculty research issues
• Discussing issues concerning research practice and management at university level

As a member of RAC in matters of ranking and allocation of scholarships and grants, the FRC Chair must act in accord with the best interest of the University as a whole, not solely as an advocate for the Faculty. To accomplish these ends, the FRC Chair attends URC meetings, informal meetings and contributes to working parties as necessary. 

At the faculty level, the FRC Chair is responsible for:

• Interpreting and disseminating information from RAID and URC policies and procedures and should lead in their faculty-based implementation
• Setting agendas and holding regular meetings of the FRC to advance both URC and Faculty research management
• Play a central role in producing the Faculty Research Plan (with the Executive Dean and key researchers in the faculty) and be proactive in its implementation and in monitoring its outcomes through the FRC
• Reporting to the URC on research activity within the faculty and the use of the URC component of the Faculty research budget

Meetings

The FRC Committee will meet at least six times per year.

Quorum - The quorum for the Committee shall be a simple majority of the members of the Committee.

Meetings are supported by the Faculty Research Operations Unit.

Associate Deans (Research)

• Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences: Senior Professor Roger Lewis (x3518)
• Faculty of Business and Law: Senior Professor Simon Ville (x3098)
• Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health: Professor Heath Ecroyd (x3443)
• Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities: Associate Professor Peter Kelly (x2382)
• Australian Institute for Innovative Materials: Professor Peter Innis (x3600)

Associate Deans (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)

• Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM): Senior Professor Jun Chen (jun_chen@uow.edu.au)
• Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS): Professor Madeleine Du Toit
• Faculty of Business and Law (BAL): Associate Professor Shamika Almedia
• Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH): Associate Professor Jenny Fisher
• Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH): Associate Professor Lisa Slater and Senior Professor Gordon Wait

Associate Deans (Higher Degree Research)

• Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM): Vacant
• Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS): Professor Huijun Li
• Faculty of Business and Law (BAL): Associate Professor Corinne Cortese
• Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health (SMAH): Professor Danielle Skropeta
• Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH): Associate Professor Catherine Mac Phail

This group reports to the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Group (VCAG)

THE Impact Rankings WG and QS Employability Task & Finish Group also fall under this advisory committee.

More information coming soon