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
- 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) | Professor Brian Wilson | Appointed by Chair Academic Board | until April 2026 |
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 Services | Dr 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 Quality | Professor 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.