We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Procedure for the Establishment of Research Centres (11.1)
This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.
Approving Authority: Vice President: Research
Original Approval Date: November 8, 2018
Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: October 22, 2019
Office of Accountability: Office of Research Services
Parent Policy: 11.1 Establishment, Operations and Review of Research Centres
1.00 Purpose
A research centre/institute (these terms are used interchangeably) is created to promote and encourage scholarly activity of a basic or applied nature in an area that is not normally restricted to a single academic department. It is expected to offer new areas of research activity which align with the strategic plans and objective of Wilfrid Laurier University. This procedure outlines the process for establishing a new research centre.
2.00 Definitions
2.01 Governance structure: A formal system established to properly manage a research centre and to provide direction for its future growth and development in accordance with 4.05 in Policy 11.1 Establishment, Operations and Review of Research Centres.
2.02 Members: members of a centre actively engage in the work of the centre and contribute to the centre through collaborative research, publishing, mobilization of knowledge, as well as seminars/conferences/workshops organized by the centre. It is expected that members will identify themselves as centre members in publications related to the focus of the centre. Members of a centre are expected to engage in some or any of the following activities:
a. Co-publishing;
b. Co-applications for grants and/or contracts;
c. Co-supervision of students; and/or
d. Co-presentations.
2.03 Faculty research centre: a Faculty research centre reports to the Dean of the Faculty. Faculty research centres should include multiple members from within one faculty at the university. Financial support for a faculty research centre, if any, is at the discretion of the Dean from the faculty of origin, and is subject to budgetary approval.
2.04 University research centre: a University research centre reports to the vice-president, research and is eligible to apply annually for funds from the vice-president: research. Funding is not guaranteed and will only be provided if deemed warranted by the vice-president, research. University research centres should include members from multiple faculties from within the university and may include researchers from outside the university.
3.00 Procedures
3.01 Official recognition and designation of all centres and institutes is at the approval of Senate following review of a proposal and recommendation to Senate by the Senate Committee for Research and Publication (SCRAP).
3.02 Five page proposals are submitted to the vice‐president: research, and are expected to include, identify or address the following:
a. Name of centre/institute (and any sub‐centres/institutes under its 'umbrella').
b. Type of centre. Faculty research centre or University research centre.
c. Overview. Rationale; background; importance and benefit; mission; Director and expected interactions with other positions to be established; scope of activities envisaged, including an indication of opportunities (research; student) that are likely to result.
d. Governance. Objectives; organizational structure, responsibilities and roles of the centre/institute committees and/or board, criteria for and categories of membership, privileges and responsibilities of membership, voting procedures; the terms and conditions of an affiliates program, if any.
e. Management. Each research centre or institute has a central Governing Body, such as a board of directors or a steering committee that serves as its primary executive authority and oversees its activities.
f. Listing of proposed members. Director designate; other members grouped according to category of membership, if applicable (e.g., associate, corporate, affiliate, external community). Abbreviated CVs (last five years) should be provided for each primary member.
g. Research component and objectives. List benefits and opportunities (also, difficulties and challenges); for example: How will creation of the centre/institute advance the frontiers? What is the impact of that advancement expected to be? How will success be measured? Provide examples of specific research topics that will be studied, examples of collaborative (multi‐disciplinary and multi‐institutional) research, who will fund these research projects, who will receive and apply new learning from these studies.
h. Facilities. List available research facilities, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the inventory, future requirements and a proposed strategy for obtaining such facilities.
i. Budget. A detailed three‐year table indicating how the centre/institute will sustain itself financially, and including anticipated income from all sources – University, government, industry, overhead, royalties – and proposed expenditures and disbursements. Note that all University research centres are subject to an annual budgetary process and university support is not guaranteed.
j. Statements of sanction and commitment. Approval and support for the establishment of a centre/institute must be provided and signed by relevant Chairs/Directors and Faculty Deans. Any commitments or agreements to provide space, teaching relief or other resources, including overhead from contract research, should be documented and signed by those authorized to make such commitments.