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WIRAD Management FrameworkWales Institute for Research in Art & Design (WIRAD)Organisational Framework for WIRAD
1.1 This paper sets out the governance and organisation of the Wales Institute for Research in Art & Design (WIRAD) jointly set up by University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) and University of Wales Newport (UWN).
1.2 The new Institute initially comprises of the research activities of the Cardiff School of Art & Design (CSAD) and the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) at UWIC, and the School of Art, Media & Design (SAMD) at UWN.
2.1 WIRAD seeks create a greater critical mass of support for research excellence in Art & Design within Wales by sharing expertise across institutions. The Institute will create a significant body of research related to the fields of art, design and media which would be competitive with the research quality and intensity achieved by institutions in Scotland, England & Ireland.
2.2 CSAD, SAMD and PDR have been (in various guises) major contributors to the cultural and creative life of Wales for very many years. All have been home to a number of significant artists and designers and, more recently, nationally and internationally recognised centres of research. Individually, the three Centres undoubtedly represent major forces in research and creative activity within the Higher Education sector in Wales.
2.3 UWIC & UWN have a well-established relationship, with a good exchange of information, mutual respect and much open discussion. In recent years, the two have been engaged in a range of ad-hoc collaborations, ranging from a major funded research programme to working cooperation between individual artists and scholars. Both are highly committed to research within the field and, in turn, are recognised internationally particularly in their lead areas, including photography, animation, product design, performance art, and ceramics.
3.1 WIRAD's vision is to become Wales' premier Art & Design research institution with an international reputation for cutting edge research in the field. The Institute may eventually become a jointly owned independent entity of its own. By so doing, it will not only serve Wales through stimulation to creative and cultural practices, but also make very evident at an international level the high standing of research in Wales.
3.2 WIRAD has been formally established through the means of a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the senior officers of both institutions. The Memorandum of Agreement sets out the respective management and financial responsibilities of the two partner organisations.
3.3 A WIRAD Management Board oversees the management and operation of the Institute. This Board comprises of senior officers of both institutions and would link into the formal academic and management reporting structure of both institutions. A constitution and terms of reference for the Board are attached at Annex A.
4.1 Research (and third mission) activities of WIRAD are cohered through the identification and implementation of research themes. These themes bring together the activities of current groups (and individuals) and seek to develop a collaborative community of practice in each area. To ensure continuity of development, in the short term, the current research groupings within UWIC and UWN are allowed to retain their existence and institutional affiliation.
4.2 The activities of each theme are led by a senior researcher and managed through a mechanism appropriate to the nature of the theme; possibly a theme research committee comprising representatives of the groups whose work contributes to the theme.
4.3 The day-to-day activities of WIRAD are managed and coordinated through a
WIRAD Operational Committee. This committee acts as the main channel of communication between the research activities of the various themess and the WIRAD Management Board as shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: WIRAD: Organisational Framework
4.5 The Committee comprises of the Research Directors of CSAD, SAMD and PDR together with the WIRAD Coordinator, the research leaders of the research themes and co-opted members (for example, senior staff with third mission responsibility) as required. A constitution and terms of reference for the Committee is given at Annex B.
4.6 The number and nature of the research themes would be the subject of discussion among CSAD, SAMD and PDR staff. However, an exemplar theme has already emerged as a result of the collaborative activity arising from an award made jointly by UWIC and UWN from the HEFCW Strategic Support for the RAE allocation. This is the Design Enhanced Human Futures theme comprising the following groups:
Medical Applications (PDR) Synergy (SAMD) MeAT (CSAD)
Other themes that have been identified are Fine Art & Ceramics, Film, Photography & Screen Media, and Design Policy & Practice.
WIRAD Operational Committee
Organisational FrameworkAnnex A
The role of the WIRAD Board is to provide a strategic oversight of the on-going development of WIRAD and a key means of considering and approving the Institute's strategic and business plans. It is also the primary channel for reporting such activities and developments to the partner institutions.
The terms of reference are: Achieved through: Consideration of the five year strategic and business plans and associated annual updates. The plans should cover both research and third mission activities.
Achieved through: Consideration of financial forecasts and other data reports on: research, KTPs, commercial activities etc. RAE performance, Reports on marketing developments, Reports on operational and staffing developments. Achieved through: Presentation of papers on future plans, policies and strategies, Examination of feasibility studies, market evaluations, research findings etc.
4. To make regular reports to partner institutions. Achieved through: Record of discussions and decisions
5. To consider and make recommendations on applications for membership of WIRAD. Achieved through: Application details
In the first instance, the Board comprises of senior research staff and senior officers of both institutions with equal representation from each institution. As membership expands the membership of the Board would need to be kept under review.
The Chair shall be one of the Pro VC members.
Bi-monthly
Annex B
The role of the Operational Committee is to be responsible for the day-to-day management and operational of WIRAD. It is also the primary communication channel between the activities of the research themes and the WIRAD Board.
The terms of reference are: 1. To lead the development of WIRAD strategic and business plans.
WIRAD Coordinator Deans of Research of: Research theme leaders Co-opted members as required. The Chair shall be one of the Deans of Research.
Monthly
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