Research Committee
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, 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,
- monitoring and reporting to the Academic Board on 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
- provide competent advice to the Academic Board and management on academic matters, including advice on research outcomes, policies and practices
- provide students with 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) | Professor Brian Wilson | Appointed by Chair Academic Board | until 31 March 2028 |
| Deputy Chairs | Associate Professor Induwara (Indu) Gunarathne Associate Professor Shahid Islam | Appointed by Chair Academic Board | until June 2028 until July 2028 |
| Chair of Academic Board (or delegate) | Professor Adrian Walsh | 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 |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) | Professor Chris Armstrong | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Chair of Animal Ethics Committee | Associate Professor Adam Hamlin | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Chair of Human Research Ethics Committee | Associate Professor Induwara (Indu) Gunarathne | 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 Finex Ndhlovu | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Chair of the Medicine & Health (M&H) Faculty Research Committee (FRC) | Associate Professor Kylie Rice (acting) | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Chair of Graduate Research Committee | Professor David Miron (acting) | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Director, Research Services | Kath Dougall (acting) | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Director, Library Services and University Librarian | Ben Gooley (acting) | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Director, Education Quality | Sue Crew (acting) | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| HDR Candidate from UNE Student Council | vacant | ex officio | for the period they hold the ex officio role |
| Research centre Director (or equivalent) | Dr Steve Miller (AGBU) | Appointed by DVCR | until January 2028 |
| HASSE Faculty academic staff member | Associate Professor Melissa Parsons | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until April 2028 |
| M&H Faculty academic staff member | Associate Professor Shahid Islam | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until April 2028 |
| SABL Faculty academic staff member | Dr Laura Smith-Khan | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until April 2028 |
| Professional staff member (technical support) | Dr Shalanee Weerasinghe | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until September 2027 |
| Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Academic staff member or HDR Candidate | Vanessa Sewell | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until December 2026 |
| Early career researcher | Dr Amy Moss | Appointed by Research Committee after call for expressions of interest | until August 2027 |
| HDR Candidate | 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 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Meeting Dates and Report Submission Schedule for Research Committee meetings in 2026.
