Research Strategy Framework
Endorsed by Senate, September 13, 2011
VISION
Memorial University is a leading knowledge community where research excellence is valued and promoted for its contributions to the advancement of knowledge, to the professional and personal development of students and researchers, and to the wellbeing of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the world.
MISSION
We will build upon Memorial University's vibrant culture of creativity, innovation, and research excellence to create, transform, interpret, share, and apply knowledge with integrity, excitement, vigor and purpose.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Valuing and supporting the freedom of researchers to pursue research excellence that is based on their individual and collective intelligence, curiosity, ingenuity and creativity.
- Valuing and supporting all aspects of research including scholarship and creative activities, as well as the translation of knowledge into products, practices and policies, and other forms of community engagement.
- Valuing and supporting Memorial's special obligation to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador by supporting and building capacity for research excellence that:
- Addresses needs and opportunities for our province,
- Engages our researchers on matters of national and international significance,
- Contributes to Memorial's teaching and learning environment through academic programs of national and international caliber.
- Valuing and supporting overarching research themes that cut across academic units and address significant opportunities and challenges for which Memorial is particularly well-positioned to build nationally and internationally recognized research capacity.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: Attract, retain, support and celebrate people engaged in and supporting research
Objectives associated with Goal 1:
1.1 Place high value on research success and excellence.
1.2 Promote Memorial's research opportunities.
1.3 Consider the prospect for research success and excellence in Memorial's research environment when recruiting.
1.4 Support faculty, students and research fellows and trainees to achieve excellence in research.
1.5 Support non-faculty researchers and research support staff.
1.6 Encourage mentoring for researchers.
1.7 Celebrate the achievements of researchers and research teams.
Goal 2: Support an environment of research excellence
Objectives associated with Goal 2:
2.1 Increase coordination, communication and responsiveness of administrative supports for research.
2.2 Foster interdisciplinary collaborations and research.
2.3 Maximize the impact of research chairs.
2.4 Enhance supports for researchers to obtain and manage funding.
2.5 Develop and maintain top-quality research infrastructure, space, equipment, and support technologies.
2.6 Implement integrated systems for tracking and reporting research activities and outputs.
2.7 Increase supports for sharing research findings and outputs, including across campuses.
Goal 3: Engage with community partners and collaborators locally, nationally and internationally to create, share and apply research
Objectives associated with Goal 3:
3.1 Place high value on research collaborations and sharing of research findings with external partners and collaborators.
3.2 Facilitate external engagement activities.
3.3 Encourage local, national and international research collaborations.
Goal 4: Support fundamental and applied research excellence in areas of strategic opportunity
Objectives associated with Goal 4:
4.1 Track and assess the outcomes and impacts related to the Strategic Research Themes.
4.2 Support research excellence within the Strategic Research Themes through hiring and funding practices.
4.3 Increase opportunities for Memorial researchers to communicate and collaborate with one another and with external partners and collaborators on research related to the Strategic Research Themes.
4.4 Secure funding in support of initiatives that advance the Strategic Research Themes.
4.5 Establish mechanisms to facilitate communication and collaboration across the Strategic Research Themes.
STRATEGIC RESEARCH THEMES
Introduction to Strategic Research Themes
The Strategic Research Themes identify both new areas of significant research opportunity for which Memorial is strategically positioned to achieve research excellence and existing areas of research strength which hold considerable potential for expansion of expertise, resources and contributions from our researchers in areas that offer potential to grow.
The themes identify Memorial's research priorities to other funders and partners, in areas where we have strengths to build on, where we see opportunity for growth. They also include research areas where there is a need for fundamental and applied research in our province. The titles of the themes reflect issues and opportunities for research growth across multiple units at Memorial. The descriptions of each theme capture our current strengths, how these cut across the university, and where we see potential for growth. While the planning process identified 10 Strategic Research Themes, it is recognized that there will be opportunities for researchers to address issues and opportunities outside of these thematic areas.
The Strategic Research Themes, in alphabetical order, include:
(Descriptions of each Strategic Research Theme can be found by clicking the links below)
- Aboriginal Peoples
- Arctic and Northern Regions
- Community, Regional and Enterprise Development
- Creative Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Environment, Energy and Natural Resources
- Governance and Public Policy
- Information and Communication Technology
- Oceans, Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Social Justice
- Wellbeing, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Strengths and Opportunities Across Strategic Research Themes
Memorial University has research strengths in all of the Strategic Research Themes that span the research spectrum -- from fundamental to applied research, including creative activity and scholarship. The Strategic Research Themes also span geographies and in each theme, Memorial has research strengths in addressing provincial, national and international contexts. In further developing the Strategic Research Themes, Memorial will continue to support the broad array of research activities and localities.
Much of the research associated with the Strategic Research Themes is not limited to any one theme; the inter-connectedness among the Strategic Research Themes is as important as the classification of work under each. Implementation of the Research Strategy will foster cross-theme collaborations as a key part of building strength in these areas.
Partnerships Across Strategic Research Themes
External engagement (i.e. sharing research findings and partnering on research activity with communities, governments, organizations, and the private sector) and inter-disciplinary collaboration are vitally important to realizing the significant opportunities presented through the Themes. Memorial researchers working in the themes are internationally recognized for their achievements in engagement and sharing with Newfoundland and Labrador communities, nationally and internationally. However, participants of Research Plan consultations on the themes repeatedly stressed that there is need for more dedication to building and maintaining connectivity with communities and other partners outside the university. The importance of developing Memorial's institutional recognition of external engagement activities and achievements (including the investments required to build relationships and share findings in innovative and effective ways) was emphasized.
Consultations on the themes also revealed that increased collaboration across disciplines offers significant potential for researchers to benefit from one another's work. Implementation of the Research Strategy will include support for communication and coordination of research activities and the sharing of research across the Research Themes and academic disciplines at Memorial. Additionally, greater interaction across Memorial's campuses will be encouraged and supported.
