D/4.3 Faculty-based research centres (Tier 3)

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4.3.1 Policy on faculty-based research centres
4.3.2 Awarding of status
4.3.3 Selection criteria
4.3.4 Application procedure
4.3.5 Powers
4.3.6 Tier 3 Research centre structures
4.3.7 Reporting
4.3.8 Funding
4.3.9 Review process
4.3.10 Changes to name, mission, objectives or structure
4.3.11 Closure of a Tier 3 research centre
4.3.12 Property
Modification History

4.3.1 Policy on faculty-based research centres

Research centres are established in faculties to provide a focus for research consistent with the strategic plan for research management of those faculties involved and to strengthen QUT's reputation for high quality and high impact research. These centres form the third tier of research structures within the University (see D/1.2 ).

Tier 3 research centres should have as their primary focus the conduct of research, commercial research, and research training, although they may also engage in consulting activities, continuing education, and the provision of other services to the general community related to, or deriving from, their research activities.

Tier 3 research centres normally contain a minimum of three research programs. Tier 3 research centres may be school-based, but are usually established in faculties which aim to provide higher levels of research collaboration between schools. Tier 3 research centres which draw their membership from more than one faculty are encouraged. Tier 3 research centres may evolve into externally funded centres (Tier 2) (see D/4.2 ).

Institutes do not establish Tier 3 centres; however, relevant institutes should be consulted by faculties seeking to establish Tier 3 centres. (Note: Institutes may initiate proposals for Tier 2 centres.)

In addition to Tier 3 research centres based in faculties, a faculty or institute may recognise and recommend smaller groupings of focused research activity or emerging research strengths. See D/4.4 for further details relating to these research groupings.

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4.3.2 Awarding of status

Proposals to form Tier 3 research centres should be discussed at an early stage with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) and relevant institute directors . The proposal will be assessed by University Research and Innovation Committee for recommendation to University Academic Board, which recommends to Council.

Those proposing formation of a Tier 3 research centre must prepare a proposal including the application proforma available on the Office of Research web site, and addressing the selection criteria in D/4.3.3 below.

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4.3.3 Selection criteria

Applications for Tier 3 research centre status will be assessed on merit according to the following guidelines:

1. Principally, the degree to which the proposed centre has the capacity and potential to undertake research and postgraduate training, which is strategically significant as measured against national and state research priorities, as well as competitive and comparable with international performance standards for the area, and contributes to the University's positioning within its total research strategy.
2. Evidence of the centre's international standing in research and postgraduate training will be based on external referees' comments and the most recent ratings within the relevant Commonwealth research quality assessment frameworks eg Research Quality Framework.
3. The proposed centre's existing and projected contribution to QUT's performance in Commonwealth research assessment frameworks (eg IGS, RTS, RQF) must be substantial, with due consideration of different benchmarks that apply to disciplinary fields The performance indicators will include the quality and quantity of externally funded research, commercial R & D and consultancy income, publications, and research higher degree load and completions.
4. The extent to which the centre's research focus and activities are complemented by the teaching programs at postgraduate level. For example, a Tier 3 research centre would normally have a minimum of 15 PhD and masters by research students (approximately 10 EFTSL) associated with it, and an average of 4 completions per annum over three years. Particular emphasis will be given to the centre's achievements and strategies to enhance the quality of postgraduate research training with particular reference to research higher degree load, completions, scholarships, and supervision.
5. The quality and impact of the research outputs of the centre including international comparisons.

Where a proposed Tier 3 research centre supports the faculty's strategic plan but does not currently satisfy these guidelines, the faculty may make a recommendation for consideration for Tier 3 research centre status based on the strategic significance of the proposed centre to the faculty's management of research performance.

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4.3.4 Application procedure

Faculties would normally generate a recommendation for Tier 3 research centre status within the annual planning cycle (ie by 1 June for commencement early in the following calendar year).

By mid-July annually, University Research and Innovation Committee shall assess faculty recommendations on the establishment of Tier 3 research centres.

University Research and Innovation Committee may recommend to award, not award, or award with conditions, Tier 3 research centre status.

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4.3.5 Powers

Tier 3 research centres shall have the power, subject to reporting procedures, to initiate applications for research grants in accordance with normal University procedures, seek support from industry, commerce and the community, and train postgraduate students.

Tier 3 research centres can initiate, but cannot in their own right authorise:

• appointment of staff,
• entering into agreements which bind QUT,
• higher degree programs, or
• dealing with any property of QUT.

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4.3.6 Tier 3 Research centre structures

Each Tier 3 research centre shall have a director and an appropriate management and governance structure.

For details of the appointment, responsibilities and review of centre directors see D/4.5 .

Cross-faculty centres may have a physical location in one or more of the participating faculties and would report, through a nominated faculty, by agreement between the relevant executive deans of faculty.

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4.3.7 Reporting

Tier 3 research centres report through the centre director to the executive dean of faculty or nominee on day-to-day management and academic activities.

Tier 3 research centres must submit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) an annual report in accordance with the reporting processes established by the faculty. An annual report proforma is available from the Office of Research web page.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) will forward a report on issues arising from the annual report and any recommendations to University Research and Innovation Committee for consideration and forwarding, as appropriate, to University Academic Board.

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4.3.8 Funding

Faculties are responsible for Tier 3 centre funding. Members of Tier 3 research centres will also be eligible to apply for additional funding, awarded competitively from the University Research Budget, for particular research projects.

Normally, the majority of earned income for Tier 3 research centres will be from sources external to QUT

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4.3.9 Review process

Tier 3 research centres will be reviewed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) every five years with a view to their continuing status.

Normally, reviews are undertaken by July in the review year so that the outcome of the review can be incorporated into budgetary and other policy decisions.

A review submission proforma is available on the Office of Research web page.

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4.3.10 Changes to name, mission, objectives or structure

Centres can seek to change their title, mission, objectives or structure within the context of their annual reporting cycle.

Applications by Tier 3 research centres for a change of title are considered by the executive dean of faculty, who recommends to University Research and Innovation Committee, which resolves whether to approve the proposal.

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4.3.11 Closure of a Tier 3 research centre

Just as the creation of a Tier 3 research centre is the outcome of a faculty recommendation to University Research and Innovation Committee, so too the recommendation to wind up a centre is normally initiated by the faculty, either following a review, or at a time judged appropriate by the faculty. A centre may be wound up when the purpose for which it was established has been fulfilled or is no longer a strategic priority for the faculty. A centre which does not meet the guidelines established by the University would normally be closed.

University Academic Board, on the recommendation of the faculty, through University Research and Innovation Committee, may close a Tier 3 research centre when:

• the centre has ceased to be active for a period of one year;
• the centre is no longer fulfilling its objectives (normally to be determined within the context of a centre's annual reporting cycle); or
• the centre's contribution to the University's research quality profile and external earnings is substantially lower than the benchmark applied at the point of its establishment.

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4.3.12 Property

All equipment and consumables purchased with the funds of a Tier 3 research centre are the property of QUT and are under the control of the executive dean of faculty, except in cases where specific arrangements to the contrary have been formally agreed by all parties in accordance with relevant QUT policy. If more than one faculty is a partner in the operation of a centre, the property will be apportioned among the respective faculties by mutual agreement as stated in writing at the time of purchase. This does not preclude the subsequent authorised sale and transfer of physical assets to any incorporated body (into which the centre may evolve).

If a Tier 3 research centre seeks to become an established entity independent of QUT, all parties may agree upon the transfer of ownership of relevant intellectual property from the centre to the separate entity.

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Modification History

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