Establishing a new Research Relationship Oversight Group
26 Mar 2021
Message from Professor Nalin Thakkar and Dr Andrew Walsh
The University has established a new governance group which will review and assess the suitability of our research relationships with external organisations.
The new Research Relationship Oversight Group (RROG) will be aligned substantially in membership and operation to our existing Gift Oversight Group (GOG) which has a similar function in respect of proposed philanthropic donors.
The purpose of a RROG review will be to provide greater assurance that our research relationships are consistent with our guiding principles, values, mission, and goals, including that of academic freedom, and to ensure that these relationships are unlikely to have a significant negative impact upon the reputation of our University.
RROG review may be undertaken for any externally funded research and research-aligned proposals, however informal or speculative, though the focus is expected to be on higher-value grants and contracts.
In the first phase of its operation, due diligence and RROG review will be required for new awards above certain financial thresholds unless the proposed relationship is with one of a modest number of organisations with which we have very well-established relationships (for instance, with UKRI, HMG and major charitable funders of research).
Our Directorate of Research and Business Engagement (RBE) will be operationally responsible for the collation, research, dissemination and management of information being brought to the Group. In turn, the Group will report to our Board of Governors.