Research Chairs

Introduction

The University establishes Research Chairs to enrich the institutional research environment, acknowledge the Chairholder as an expert in their area of research, and bring prestige to the University. A Research Chair is understood to refer to a position that provides for the appointment of an individual who has achieved excellence in their academic field.

This policy pertains to academic appointments where appointees are selected by an appointment process that is internal to and determined by the University. Canada Research Chairs are funded by the Tri-Agency and are nominated according to the guidelines established by the Canada Research Chairs program and are therefore outside the scope of this policy

Research Chairs who do not hold the title “Canada Research Chair” may have an alternate Research Chair title that would be normally established under the authority of the Vice-President Research, with philanthropic guidance provided by the Office of University Advancement.

There are two main types of Contracted Research Chairs:
(a) Endowed Chairs, which are funded by way of an endowment.
(b) Term-Limited Chairs, which are funded through a schedule of annual expendable gifts for a defined period normally not less than three years.

Research Chairs build on existing strengths or enhance emerging areas of strategic importance. They provide an enhanced training environment for students and postdoctoral fellows by exposing them to important research challenges and opportunities. The role played by Research Chairs in creating and mobilizing knowledge through research excellence is highly valued by the University of Regina. The University is committed to ensuring the highest standards of research in its community as may be recognized through the creation and renewal of Research Chairs.

This policy supports strategic, coherent, and principled selection of candidates and research areas that advance the strategic priorities of the University.

Definitions

• Chairholder – the incumbent research chair
• Research Chair – A position that provides for the appointment of an individual who has achieved excellence in their academic field.
• Tri-Agency – the three Canadian government research funding agencies: CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada), and SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada)

Policy

Research Chairs will enhance specific areas of research activity. The areas of research investment will be aligned with the overarching goals and objectives of the University and will contribute to the potential for research achievement without compromising the academic freedom of the chairholder. Contracted Research Chair appointments enable the university to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of chairholders, as well as recognize the commitment and generosity of those who provide funds to the University to support research.

A Chairholder’s academic freedom is not affected by holding a Research Chair and will be upheld by the University in the same manner as for all academic staff of the University.

The principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion must be considered in all aspects of the establishment, allocation, recruitment, and evaluation of Research Chairs.

 

Establishment and Allocation of Research Chairs

1. A Canada Research Chair is established through a competitive recruitment process.
2. Contracted Research Chairs will be recommended by the Council Committee on Research and approved by Executive of Council and the Board of Governors.
3. When an existing Contracted Research Chair becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice President (Research) will determine the general research area of the Chair in consultation with the Provost and Vice President (Academic) and the relevant Dean(s), based on the strategic priorities of the University.
4. An externally funded Contracted Research Chair is not permanently allocated to a specific research area, Faculty, Academic Unit, or Research Centre/Institute at the University unless such condition has been clearly stipulated by the external sponsor at the time of establishment of the Research Chair.
5. Operating funds will not generally be used to establish Research Chairs. The funding for a Contracted Research Chair normally provides an appropriate level of research/scholarly support. Where funding is directed to specific activities or outcomes, this must be reflected in a research contract. Where funding is unrestricted, this is reflected in a gift agreement in accordance with the Donation and Gift Acceptance policy.
6. Research Chairs should be filled in a timely manner. Once allocated, a candidate should be put forward by the nominating area within 12 months. Beyond 12 months, the Vice-President (Research) will assess whether the research area of the Chair should be reallocated.
 

Nomination and Appointment of Research Chairs

7. Nomination of an external candidate to a Research Chair will involve the recruitment of the candidate to the University following University policies and processes. In the recruitment process, all interested candidates will be notified that the position is related to a Research Chair and all conditions related to the Research Chair position and nomination process will be clearly outlined. A Chairholder will normally hold a full-time tenured or tenure track appointment at the University while the Research Chair designation is in effect. Chairholders are responsible to their Department Head and/or Dean for the performance of their University duties.
8. In the case of a Research Chair allocated to a research area that crosses Departments or Faculties, the individual must receive a primary appointment in one academic unit.

 

Renewal

9. Where the terms and conditions of a Research Chair allow for renewal, the Chairholder will normally be given the right to be considered for renewal. However, the University may determine that the area of a research chair needs to be changed to better align with strategic priorities or that a different candidate should be nominated because of principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Terms, Conditions, and Support

10. Research Chairs are subject to the terms and conditions of their awards as defined by the external or internal sponsor. These terms and conditions will be reviewed by the Office of Research Services before a Chair is established and during the nomination process. Terms and conditions of Research Chairs should be consistent with University policy and the Collective Agreement.
11. Normally, the University will support a request to extend the term of Research Chairs for Chairholders who take a leave (other than a sabbatical) from the University.
12. Determination of budgets for Research Chairs is negotiated between the respective Dean and Chairholder per research funding and supports, and subject to sponsor guidelines. A copy of the agreed-upon budget must be on record with the Office of the Vice-President (Research).

 

Naming Conventions

13. Contracted Research Chairs may be named as requested by a donor who has contributed the majority of the funds to establish the honorific title; and will normally include “University of Regina” and the field of interest in the name. The University reserves the right to approve or rescind any name at its sole discretion. For more information, please see the Naming Recognition policy.

Discontinuation and Termination

14. Research Chairs may be discontinued by agreement between the University ( with the approval of Executive of Council and the Board of Governors) and the Sponsor, whether internal or external. In such cases, the Faculty Dean, Vice President (Research) and Provost and Vice President (Academic) will discuss a plan for the phasing out of the Research Chair with the Chairholder. Special consideration will be given to the implications for students and the highly qualified personnel involved in the Chairholder’s activities.
15. The position of Research Chair is also discontinued when the funding for the Research Chair is fully expended or no longer available.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

Vice President (Research)

The Vice President (Research) is responsible for identifying opportunities and making recommendations to the Council Committee on Research for approval of establishment and allocation, nomination, designation, evaluation and renewal, and discontinuation of Research Chairs in consultation with the Provost and Vice President (Academic) to the President and Vice Chancellor.

Provost and Vice President (Academic)

The Provost and Vice President (Academic) works collaboratively with the Vice President (Research) to identify the general disciplinary focus of new Research Chairs and is responsible for outlining required academic credentials and accomplishments required for candidates to be considered.

Office of Research Partnerships and Innovation

The Office of Research Partnerships and Innovation may be invited to provide support and advice based on best practices, legislation, and contractual agreements at the discretion of the Vice-President (Research). Terms governing the requirements for externally funded Contracted Research Chairs are normally recorded within a research contract.

Office of Research Services

The Office of Research Services supports the Vice President (Research) and provides guidance on matters related to Research Chairs, particularly in relation to federally funded chair programs including, but not limited to, Canada Research Chairs.

University Advancement

University Advancement provides support and identifies external opportunities for the creation and allocation of Contracted Research Chairs. Staff work collaboratively with the Offices of the Vice President (Research) and others to build relationships with potential external sponsors and in the development of sponsorship agreements. Terms governing the establishment, appointment, renewal, reporting and termination requirements for unrestricted, externally funded Contracted Research Chairs are normally recorded within a gift agreement. For more information, please see the Donation and Gift Acceptance policy.

Deans

In the case of Contracted Research Chairs funded through donations from an external organization, Deans may be responsible for managing the relationship with the donor, in cooperation with University Advancement.

Chairholders

Chairholders are responsible for understanding and complying with this policy, complying with any specific conditions under which the Chair has been established, and taking responsibility for their research, meeting performance criteria, and submitting all reports required for review, renewal, and completion of terms. Chairholders report directly to the Dean of the Faculty who hold oversight for any reporting requirements.

Processes

Related Information

• GOV-020-005 Naming Recognition
• GOV-030-005 Donation and Gift Acceptance
• GOV-022-025 – Research and Scholarly Integrity
• RCH-020-005 – Care and Use of Animals
• RCH-020-010 – Ethics – Research with Humans
• GOV-022-010 – Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment
• EMP-010-010 - Employment Equity and Diversity
• Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research
• Canada Research Chairs Secretariat