Research planning process
Institutional
UCRI sets out strategic initiatives in specific areas. Current research strategic projects and initiatives in the academic year 2024-25 include:
- Research Culture programme
- Agri-Food scoping project (led by Parveen Yaqoob and Carol Wagstaff)
- REF planning (led by Parveen Yaqoob)
- Open Research and Research Evaluation
- British Museum collaboration (led by Roberta Gilchrist)
- Health Innovation Partnership (partnership with Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust)
- Cine Valley
- European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Research Themes
Associate Pro-Vice Chancellors working with the Research Division Leads, identify priorities for the themes. Revised plans are currently in development and will be published when they become available (password protected):- Agriculture, Food & Health theme
- Environment theme
- Heritage & Creativity theme
- Prosperity & Resilience theme
Research Division Operational Plans
Research Divisions undertake an annual Operational Planning process to set out their priorities and objectives and their plans for the year ahead. The plans also identify their contributions to wider University priorities and how they will make best use of opportunities emerging from Theme/Institutional initiatives.
In addition to help in planning Division activities, they inform how support from Schools, Themes and professional services are planned. RDOPs are prepared by Research Division Leads (RDLs) and Heads of School/Department.
You can download the RDOP template to view.
Individual Researcher Annual Research Plans
Annual Research Plans (ARPs) provide opportunity for individual researchers to reflect on personal research ambitions over the medium term, the steps they want to take to progress towards those ambitions, and how they will make the most of the support available to them. The ARP process can help researchers to identify others to connect with to develop their ideas and reflect on how they can contribute to their Division鈥檚 collective goals. Research Division Leads draw on these plans to inform the Research Division Operational Plans.
The ARP process is completed annually and consists of a discussion between the RDL and the individual, supported by a template. The timing and local arrangements is set by the RDL in discussion with Head of School or Department, to ensure complementarity with other processes, such as Performance Development Review (PDR), in a way that supports local planning.
The institutional ARP template is available to download. Research Divisions may use their own local template. Please check with your RDL for specific Research Division level ARP processes.