Research Strategy Group

In 2024/25 Research Strategy Group will meet six times to discuss University-wide research policy issue.

The principal areas of Strategic Responsibility for the Research Strategy Group (RSG) are:

Development of the University’s Research & Innovation strategy and monitoring of progress against delivery milestones.
Monitoring progress against the Research Cultures Action plan.

View information on the University's Research and Innovation Strategy

View the University's Research Cultures Action Plan

Research Strategy Group Terms of Reference and Membership (377.28 KB / PDF)

Through its subgroups, Research Strategy Group will address issues relating to:

research ethics and integrity
trusted research
research culture
research sustainability
research information governance

Via the Doctoral College Management Group, RSG will consider matters relating to postgraduate research from a research perspective rather than the administration of their studies. RSG also convenes short life working groups tasking with a specific project. RSG reports to University Executive and provides reports to Senate at key points during the year.

Through its Major Initiative Group, RSG manages cross-College activities and promotes interdisciplinary research but does not interfere with research issues that are more properly handled within the Colleges. RSG does not hold a budget and makes recommendations for University Executive.

Research Strategy Group - governance of REF2029 preparations

The REF2029 Board (an expanded Research Strategy Group) has delegated responsibility from RSG to formulate the University’s REF2029 submission strategy, recommend for approval the Codes of Practice and carry out a series of REF submission review and refinement rounds. The University was rated fourth in the UK in terms of Research Power (Size x quality) in REF2021 repeating its success of REF2014. The REF2029 board supported by the University’s REF Operations Group which is responsible for policy implementation.

University staff can find more by accessing the University of Edinburgh REF2029 site:

University of Edinburgh REF 2029 site (UoE access only)

Research Policy - governance of Research Integrity and Ethics

RSG has oversight of good research practice and stewardship of university-wide research policies that relate to research ethics and integrity. Via its subcommittee, the Research Ethics and Integrity Review Group (REIRG), RSG ensures the University meets its obligations under the UUK Research Integrity Concordat. RSG considers reports from REIRG at its meetings including the University's Annual Research Ethics and Integrity report. As required by law the University has separate arrangements for the approval and monitoring of the conduct of scientific programmes involving animals and the participation of volunteers in clinical trials.

View Research Ethics & Integrity information (UoE access only)

Meetings

Minutes are uploaded after they have been formally confirmed as an accurate record by members. Agenda and minutes of meetings prior to 2016/17 have been archived and are available on request.