University Research Committee

Terms of Reference

To formulate and advise on research strategy and policy throughout the University and assist where appropriate in the preparation of the submission for Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).
To stimulate research effort throughout the University and to provide the quality assurance and monitoring processes for ensuring high calibre research performance. To seek and to stimulate research that underpins course development, impacts upon the curriculum, and leads to contractual arrangements with industry, commerce and the professions.
Through its own functions and those of its sub-committees, to ensure that the Regulations of the University relating to the award of its research degrees are complied with and that the standards of the awards and the interests of students are ensured.
To review and, where necessary, revise the regulations for the award of the University’s research degrees.
To have the following powers, relating to the examination and assessment for and conferment of degrees, to act on behalf of the University:
to approve the appointment of internal and external examiners for research degrees;
to make decisions, based upon consideration of the reports and recommendations of the examiners, with regard to the conferment of a Research Degree;
to appoint a review panel in instances where a prima facie case for the review of an examination decision is deemed to exist.
To scrutinise, via a purposely appointed sub-committee of experienced researchers, applications for the award of Higher Doctorates and to administer procedures for the examination and conferment of such degrees.
To authorise the Chairperson to act on its behalf in appropriate circumstances.

URC Meeting Schedule and Minutes 2012-2013

Only confirmed minutes appear here. For the availability of unconfirmed minutes, please consult the Committee Officer.

15th October 2012
9th January 2013
13^th March 2013
12^th June 2013

All meetings take place at 9.30 am in the Council Room

University Research Committee Membership

Prof Ian Oakes (Chair)
Sabrina Mall (Officer)
Karen Bill (SSPAL)
Dr Penny Brooker (LSSC)
Dr John Buckley (LSSC)
Prof Glynis Cousin (Director ILE - Chair 'Women in Research')
Prof John Darling (Director of Research)
Patricia Fouracres (LIS)
Prof Dariuz Galasinski (Chair of Professoriate)
Prof Dew Harrison (SAD)
Glyn Hambrook (LSSC)
Prof Andrew Haynes (LSSC)
Dr Sarah Jones (PostDoc Representative)
Dr Silke Machold (UWBS)
Dr Debra Mcgregor
Prof Ken Manktelow (SAS)
Prof Ruslan Mitkov (RIILP)
Prof Robert Newman (STech)
Heather Robinson (REF Administrator)
Prof Laura Serrant-Green (SHaW)
Prof Ian Sillitoe (Head of Postgraduate Research)
Prof Michael Thelwall (RIILP)
Kasia Warpas (PG Research Representative)

Research Degree Sub Committee

Terms of Reference

Accordingly, the following Terms of Reference are formally delegated to the URC's Research Degrees Sub-committee :

To monitor the practices of Student Management Boards through regular scrutiny of the minutes, to notify URC of any matters of significance, and to disseminate examples of good practice.
To maintain an overview, on behalf of the University Research Committee, of annual student monitoring and recommendations to progress/withdraw
(i) To approve the appointment of internal and external examiners for research degrees;
(ii) to make decisions, based upon consideration of the reports and recommendations of the examiners, with regard to the conferment of a Research Degree.
To bring to the attention of the University Research Committee any matters of policy or regulatory review that arise from its powers of scrutiny.
To carry out, on behalf of the University Research Committee, any investigations into matters of practice concerning postgraduate research degrees, as directed by said committee.

Meeting dates 2012-13

9th January 2013
13^th Feb 2013
6^th March 2013
10^th April 2013
8^th May 2013
5^th June 2013
10^th July 2013

Research Degree Sub Committee Membership

Prof I Sillitoe (Head of Postgraduate Research, Chair)
Prof Mark Hadfield (CeDARE)
Prof Dew Harrison (CADRE)
Prof Kenneth Manktelow (RIHS/SAS)
Prof Michael Haynes (MRC)
Prof Robert Newman (STech)
Prof Michael Thelwall (RIILP)
Prof Andrew Haynes (LSSC)
Karen Bill (RCSEP)
Sabrina Mall (Officer)

Please note that for confidentiality reasons and data protection, Research Degree Sub Committee minutes are not publicly available. For further information please contact the officer.