1. To develop and implement staff and student research policy College-wide and to develop the RCA policy with respect to research degree programmes (MPhil and PhD).

2. To advise the Senate on the development of a research strategy which will include:

2.1. The organisation, development and conduct of research and allied activities in the College including strategic planning for the next Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)

2.2. Development of inter-disciplinary and collaborative research

2.3. Development of applied research in collaboration with InnovationRCA

2.4. Development of strategic research initiatives within South Kensington in accordance with the recommendations of the Council Working Parties.

3. To deploy internal research funds from the Research Development Fund and to monitor the outcomes.

4. To encourage the development of sponsored research and to develop external research networks and projects through funding applications to the private as well as to the public sector.

5. To monitor the research carried out by individual members of staff and by research studios and centres within the Royal College of Art and to develop the relationships between:

5.1. Research and learning and teaching

5.2. Research and international strategy

5.3. Research and commerce, business and industry

6. To promote dissemination of RCA research.

7. To advise the Staff Committee on the allocation of research time in staff contracts.

8. To create a programme for staff development and equal opportunities, to include the development of a structure for research staff career development (including supervisor training, accreditation for supervisor training and promotion of good practice in research supervision) and to review the funding and career structure of Research Assistants, Research Fellows and Senior Research Fellows.

9. To advise the Senate on the most effective and economic utilisation of facilities, accommodation and staff for research purposes, including refurbishment and equipment supported by the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF).

10. To maintain a College-wide record and index of research degree activity and to ensure that the provision offered to research students (including supervision resources, space, equipment and other support) is in compliance with good practice as outlined in the HEFCE/QAA Code of Practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education.

11. To advise Academic Standards Committee on the development and annual review of research student policy and strategy and of the Research Methods Course.

12. To review and maintain Royal College of Art research publications including the Research Handbook and the staff and student research pages on the Royal College of Art website and the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

13. To receive reports from the Research Ethics Committee on the discharge of its responsibilities.

Membership:

Professor Jeremy Aynsley

Professor Wendy Dagworthy

Professor Anthony Dunne

Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, Rector

Professor Dan Fern

Hilary French

Professor Sandra Kemp (Chair)

Professor Jeremy Myerson

Professor Olivier Richon

Alan Selby, Registrar

Professor Martin Smith

Professor Hans Stofer

Secretary: Jessica Rana, Research Office

Quorum: one half of the total actual membership