Research Committee


Calling for Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest (EOI) are now invited from eligible Level D/E academic staff members who wish to be considered for appointment to the Research Committee as:

For more information, please click on the link above.


The Research Committee of Academic Board is a key governance committee of the University which oversees and reports to the Academic Board on the Academic Governance of research and research training at the University.

The Research Committee will provide assurance (or otherwise) to the Academic Board that processes and structures are established and responsibilities are assigned that collectively:

  • achieve effective academic oversight of the quality of research and research training
  • set and monitor institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes
  • establish and maintain academic leadership at an institutional level, consistent with the types and levels of higher education offered, and
  • provide competent advice to the Academic Board and management on academic matters, including advice on academic outcomes, policies and practices.

The Research Committee will provide assurance (or otherwise) to the Academic Board that academic oversight assures the quality of research and research training effectively, including by:

  • developing, monitoring and reviewing academic policies and their effectiveness
  • confirming that delegations of academic authority are implemented
  • critically scrutinising, approving and accrediting or advising on approving and accrediting, courses of study and their associated qualifications
  • maintaining oversight of academic and research integrity, including monitoring of potential risks
  • monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes
  • critically evaluating the quality and effectiveness of educational innovations or proposals for innovations
  • evaluating the effectiveness of institutional monitoring, review and improvement of academic activities, and
  • monitoring and reporting to the Academic Board on the quality of research and research training.

To the extent it relates to research or research training, the Research Committee will provide assurance (or otherwise) to the Academic Board that Students have opportunities to participate in Academic Governance.

The Research Committee will consider new University rules and policies that are developed in relation to research or research training, and any replacement or major changes to them. If the rule or policy is considered to be in order then the Research Committee will recommend it to the Academic Board for endorsement.

The Research Committee may exercise such other authority as may be delegated to Research Committee in a University Rule.

The terms of reference for the Research Committee provides further information on the membership, functions and focus of the committee.

Membership

Member

Name

Process

Timeframe

Chair (D/E academic staff)

Associate Professor Jennifer McDonell (interim)

Appointed by Chair Academic Board

2 year term

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor Chris Armstrong

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Deputy Chair of Academic Board (or Chair of Academic Board nominee)

Professor Ljiljana Brankovic

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of Academic Board (or nominee)

Associate Professor Jennifer McDonell

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of University’s ethics committees

Associate Professor Adam Hamlin (Animal Ethics)

Dr Induwara (Indu) Gunarathne (Human Research Ethics)

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of the SABL Faculty Research Committee (FRC)

Professor Amir Karton

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of the HASSE Faculty Research Committee (FRC)

Professor Sue Saltmarsh

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of the Medicine & Health (M&H) Faculty Research Committee (FRC)

Professor Kim Usher (acting)

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Chair of Graduate Research Committee

Professor Jane Stadler

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Director of Research ServicesDr Faraz Hasan

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

University Librarian (or nominee)

Mr Ben Gooley (acting)

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Director of Education QualityProfessor Brenda Wolodko

ex officio

for the period they hold the ex officio role

Research centre Director

Professor Tamsyn Crowley (PoultryHub)

Appointed by DVCR

until February 2026

HASSE Faculty academic staff representative

Associate Professor Melissa Parsons

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until April 2025

M&H Faculty academic staff representative

Professor Myfanwy Maple

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until April 2025

SABL Faculty academic staff representative

Dr Tanveer Hussain

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until April 2025

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff member or HDR current student

Ms Vanessa Sewell

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until December 2026

Early career researcher

Associate Professor Suzie Cosh

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until July 2024

HDR current student

Ms Patricia Vagg

Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest

until December 2026

Meeting Dates

Research Committee meetings are usually held in Council Room, Booloominbah and also via videoconference (Zoom) from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Meeting Dates and Report Submission Schedule for Research Committee meetings in 2024.