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RCH-010-010 Research Chairs

University of Regina Policy

Research Chairs

Category:Research

Number:RCH-010-010

Audience:All members of the University research community

Issued:March 08, 2016

Revised:July 10, 2020

Owner(s):Provost and Vice-President (Academic), VP (Research)

Approved by:Board of Governors

Contact:Vice-President (Research) - 306-585-5184

Introduction

The University establishes Research Chairs to enrich the institutional research environment, acknowledge the Chairholder as an expert in their area of research, and bring prestige to the University.

Research Chairs build on existing strengths or enhance emerging areas of strategic importance. They provide an enhanced training environment for students and postdoctoral fellows by exposing them to important research challenges and opportunities. The role played by Research Chairs in creating and mobilizing knowledge through research excellence is highly valued by the University of Regina. The University is committed to ensuring the highest standards of research in its community as may be recognized through the creation and renewal of Research Chairs.

This policy supports strategic, coherent, and principled selection of candidates and research areas that advance the strategic priorities of the University.

Definitions

Research record – data, results, publications, performances, exhibitions, or related facts that are a result of academic inquiry (research); includes, but is not limited to, research proposals, notes, laboratory and primary data records (electronic and physical); abstracts; theses; progress reports; internal reports; presentation and conference materials; peer-reviewed journal articles; performances; and exhibitions.

Tri-Agency – CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), and SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada).

Policy

A Chairholder’s academic freedom is not affected by holding a Research Chair and will be upheld by the University in the same manner as for all academic staff of the University.

The principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion must be considered in all aspects of the establishment, allocation, recruitment, and evaluation of Research Chairs.

Establishment and Allocation of Research Chairs

1. A Research Chair will be established with the authorization of Senate on the recommendation of Council with approval of the Board of Governors when funding for the Research Chair is made available from external or internal sources.

2. When an existing Research Chair becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice President (Research) will determine the general research area of the Chair in consultation with the Provost and Vice President (Academic) and the relevant Dean(s), based on the strategic priorities of the University and, in the case of Canada Research Chairs, the Tri-Agency funding and training capacity of a research area.

3. An externally funded Research Chair is not permanently allocated to a specific research area, Faculty, Academic Unit, or Research Centre/Institute at the University unless such condition has been clearly stipulated by the external sponsor at the time of establishment of the Research Chair, and that stipulation has been agreed to by the Senate on the recommendation of Council with approval of the Board of Governors.

4. Research Chairs should be filled in a timely manner. Once allocated, a candidate should be put forward by the nominating area within 12 months. Past 12 months, the Vice-President (Research) will assess whether the research area of the Chair should be reallocated.

Nomination and Appointment of Research Chairs

5. Nomination of an external candidate to a Research Chair will involve the recruitment of the candidate to the University following University policies and processes. In the recruitment process, all interested candidates will be notified that the position is related to a Research Chair and all conditions related to the Research Chair position and nomination process will be clearly outlined. A Chairholder will normally hold a full-time tenured or tenure track appointment at the University while the Research Chair designation is in effect. Chairholders are responsible to their Department Head and/or Dean for the performance of their University duties.

6. In the case of a Research Chair allocated to a research area that crosses Departments or Faculties, the individual must receive a primary appointment in one academic unit.

Renewal

7. Where the terms and conditions of a Research Chair allow for renewal, the Chairholder will normally be given the right to be considered for renewal. However, the University may determine that the area of a research chair needs to be changed to better align with strategic priorities or that a different candidate should be nominated because of principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Terms, Conditions, and Support

8. Research Chairs are subject to the terms and conditions of their awards as defined by the external or internal sponsor. These terms and conditions will be reviewed by the Research Office before a Chair is established and during the nomination process. Terms and conditions of Research Chairs should be consistent with University policy and the Collective Agreement.

9. Normally, the University will support a request to extend the term of Research Chairs for Chairholders who take a leave (other than a sabbatical) from the University.

10. Determination of budgets for Research Chairs is negotiated between the respective Dean and Chairholder per research funding and supports, and subject to sponsor guidelines. A copy of the agreed-upon budget must be on record with the Research Office.

Discontinuation and Termination

11. Research Chairs may be discontinued by agreement between the University (upon authorization of Senate on the recommendation of Council with approval of the Board of Governors) and the Sponsor, whether internal or external. In such cases, the Faculty Dean, Vice President (Research) and Provost and Vice President (Academic) will discuss a plan for the phasing out of the Research Chair with the Chairholder. Special consideration will be given to the implications for students and the highly qualified personnel involved in the Chairholder's activities.

12. The position of Research Chair is also discontinued when the funding for the Research Chair is fully expended or no longer available.

Roles and Responsibilities

Vice President (Research)

The Vice President (Research) is responsible for identifying opportunities and making recommendations to the Council Committee on Research for approval of establishment and allocation, nomination, designation, evaluation and renewal, and discontinuation of Research Chairs in consultation with the Provost and Vice President (Academic) to the President and Vice Chancellor.

Provost and Vice President (Academic)

The Provost and Vice President (Academic) works collaboratively with the Vice President (Research) to identify the general disciplinary focus of new Research Chairs and is responsible for outlining required academic credentials and accomplishments required for candidates to be considered.

Research Office

The Research Office provides support and advice based on best practices, legislation, and contractual agreements. The Research Office supports the Vice President (Research) and provides guidance on matters related to Research Chairs.

University Advancement and Communications

University Advancement and Communication provides support and identifies external opportunities for the creation and allocation of Research Chairs. Staff work collaboratively with the Vice President (Research) and the Research Office to build relationships with potential external sponsors and in the development of sponsorship agreements.

Deans

In the case of Research Chairs funded through donations from an external organization, Deans are responsible for managing the relationship with the donor.

Chairholders

Chairholders are responsible for understanding and complying with this policy, complying with any specific conditions under which the Chair has been established, and taking responsibility for their research, meeting performance criteria, and submitting all reports required for review, renewal, and completion of terms. Chairholders report directly to the Dean of the Faculty who hold oversight on any reporting requirements.