University Secretary's Department Statutes and Regulation

Regulation 5.1.R7 - Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

 

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    1. Establishment
      1. Pursuant to Statute 5.1.5 (2), interdisciplinary institutes (“Institutes”), to promote research linkages and collaboration across the University and to play a lead role in articulating University research to external audiences, are established as listed in the schedule to this regulation.
    2. Common Objectives and Functions of Institutes

      3. In addition to the particular objectives and functions related to their respective fields of operation, Institutes have the following objectives in common:

      1. to respond to societal concerns which require interdisciplinary research approaches;
      2. to increase public awareness of, and debate on, critical issues in their field;
      3. to raise the profile of University research as the basis for various forms of partnerships;
      4. to develop relationships with relevant government departments and instrumentalities, educational institutions, and government and private research agencies, both within Australia and internationally;
      5. to promote, and attract funding for, interdisciplinary research in a recognised area of strength of the University;
      6. to encourage, design and consider proposals for research projects, particularly collaborative research projects across the University;
      7. to support research activities in selected priority areas, specific to their respective fields of operation;
      8. to provide a point of contact for University and external parties interested in their field of operation; and
      9. to provide advice to the University on any matter which it considers appropriate relating to the field of operation of the Institute.
    3. Director and Staff
      1. The director of an Institute is appointed by the vice-chancellor on the recommendation of the deputy vice-chancellor (research) after consultation with the dean of the relevant faculty to which the director is to report on operational matters, as set out in the schedule to this regulation (“custodial dean”). . The director reports to the deputy vice-chancellor (research) on strategic and financial matters. As specified in the schedule to this regulation, the director also reports to a custodial dean on operational matters. The director is responsible to the University through the custodial dean for ensuring that the Institute discharges its academic and administrative functions in accordance with the statutes, regulations, policies and procedures of the University. The director is responsible to the University through the deputy vice-chancellor (research) for ensuring the Institute conforms with policies relevant to Institutes that are established by the deputy vice-chancellor (research) from time to time.
      2. The deputy director (where applicable) of an Institute is appointed by the deputy vice-chancellor (research) on the recommendation of the director. The deputy director reports to the director.
      3. The above positions, and any other appointments in the Institute, are made as appointments of staff holding a primary appointment in some faculty or school of the University
    4. Organisational arrangements
      1. The director of an Institute is responsible for establishing arrangements for the effective operation of the Institute which include:
        1. an appropriate administrative structure, to support the director;
        2. the establishment of a body (which may be termed the Institute Executive), that includes researchers with significant involvement in Institute research activities, and that provides advice to the director on matters such as research development and the quality of Institute research activity;
        3. mechanisms by which academic staff of the University with expertise relevant to the field of operation of the Institute have the opportunity to be engaged with Institute activities; and
        4. the establishment of a body with advisory input to the director and Institute Executive, if applicable (which may be termed the Institute’s Advisory Group), to provide high level advice, and to promote the interests of the Institute.
      2. The composition and terms applicable to the bodies referred to in paragraphs (b) and (d) of sub-section (1) are to be determined by the director and the deputy vice-chancellor (research) from time to time.
      3. The director of an Institute is responsible for ensuring that details of the arrangements in this section 4, including the membership and frequency of meetings of the relevant bodies, are published in a form approved by the university secretary and accessible throughout the University.
      4. In exercising the responsibilities of the role, the director is to have regard to advice and recommendations provided from time to time by the Institute Executive and the Advisory Group, as applicable.
      5. Annually, and within the University planning cycle or as otherwise agreed between the director and the deputy vice-chancellor (research), the strategic directions. Operational arrangements and program of activities of the Institute are to be included in a plan prepared by the director, in consultation with the Institute Executive and the Advisory group, as applicable. That plan is to be approved by the deputy vice-chancellor (research) following consultation
    5. Reporting and review
      1. Each director will report at least annually to Council through the vice-chancellor on the operations of the Institute.
      2. Each director will report to the deputy vice-chancellor (research) and to the custodial dean on operations of the Institute at least every six months, or as otherwise requested by the relevant officer.
      3. Each Institute will be reviewed on a three year cycle, or as otherwise determined by the deputy vice-chancellor (research). The outcome of such a review may be the continuation or the disestablishment of the Institute.

    Schedule to Regulation 5.1.R7

    The Interdisciplinary Research Institutes of the University comprise those named below. The listing also shows the custodial dean to which each Institute director reports on operational matters.

    1
    		 Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society Dean, Melbourne School of Engineering
    2
    		 Melbourne Neuroscience Institute Dean, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences  
    3
    		 Melbourne Energy Institute Dean, Science
    4
    		 Melbourne Materials Institute Dean, Melbourne School of Engineering
    5
    		 Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute Dean, Melbourne School of Land and Environment
    6
    		 Melbourne Social Equity Institute  Dean, Melbourne Graduate School of Education

     

    [Made by Council 7/6/10; schedule item 6 added 8/10/12.]
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