Our research and innovation strategy
As a research-intensive university, we aim to carry out excellent research that changes our understanding of the world past, present and future; promotes innovation; and tackles current and future challenges facing societies. To that end, we will support an environment and culture that enables excellent research and will make best use of our resources, our strengths, our location and our partnerships at local, national and global levels.
Five interconnected objectives guide our work:
- Strengthen the quality of our research by building individual and collective research leadership
- Strengthen the impact of our research locally, nationally, and internationally
- Enhance collaborations across disciplinary, geographic and professional borders
- Conduct research ethically, and with integrity and transparency
- Sustainably resource research activities and the development of our research infrastructure.
- Progress towards the Strategy is monitored against a number of high-level indicators and a set of indicators for each objective, at both the institutional and research division level.
Download the University of Reading research and innovation strategy 2019
Knowledge is key to changing the way we understand and interpret the world around us. Driving the generation and synthesis of new knowledge, and facilitating collaborative sharing of knowledge, is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world.
governance of research
Research at the University is led by the Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Research and Innovation, Parveen Yaqoob and Dominik Zaum. They are supported in this by the four Research Deans and sit with them on the University Committee for Research and Innovation together with the Head of Planning and Reporting and the Project Manager for Research Strategy.
The University Board for Research and Innovation provides governance and oversight of all research-related activity. It oversees the work of all research committees, and reports to Senate on all research matters.
The University’s research governance is informed by four key principles: accountability, leadership, effectiveness and inclusiveness. Committee members include research leaders, staff from professional services, and researchers appointed through an open process. All colleagues are able to put forward proposals to any of the committees and committee minutes are shared with all staff.
A summary chart provides an overview of the University’s research governance structure. Key committees are:
- University Board for Research and Innovation (UBRI)
- University Committee for Research and Innovation (UCRI)
- Committee for Researcher Development and Postgraduate Studies (CRDPS)
- Committee for Open Research and Research Integrity (CORRI)
- Committee for Research Infrastructure (CRI)
- University Committee for Impact, Partnerships, and Engagement (UCIPE)
- REF Planning Group
- GCRF Steering Group