Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Committee Reports

FOR INFORMATION ONLY

PRESENTED BY: Rob Pywell, Chair

DATE OF MEETING: February 23, 2006

SUBJECT: Canada Research Chairs Strategic Research Plan and Summary (2006-09)

COUNCIL ACTION: For information only

ORIGIN OF REQUEST AND ADVANCED CONSULTATION:

Each university must prepare a Strategic Research Plan and Strategic Research Plan Summary every three years to provide both a guide to the way in which the university intends to utilize the Canada Research Chairs program, and to demonstrate how funding from the Chairs will be used to attract and retain world-class experts. In 2003, the University's Canada Research Chairs SRP and SRP Summary documents were approved by the Planning Committee and reported to Council with the recommendation that the ongoing review and updating of the Strategic Research Plan be discussed and approved by the Committee on Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work.

In October 2005, a subcommittee comprised of members of the RSAW and the Office of the Vice-President Research was constituted to undertake drafting the University's 2006 SRP and SRP Summary. Members included Jim Basinger, Subcommittee Chair, Carey Simonson, Valerie Korinek, Rob Pywell, Karen Chad, Bruce Waygood, Amit Shukla, and Sandra Calver, Secretary. In addition to the RSAW Committee, consultation of the draft document included review by the Planning Committee, the Associate Deans Research Forum, and Deans' Council. On January 27, 2006, the Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Committee approved the release of the research plan to the CRC Oversight Committee. Final approval and submission of the SRP is the responsibility of the University President, and on February 13, 2006, the SRP and SRP Summary documents were submitted under the authority of the President to the CRC Secretariat.

DISCUSSION SUMMARY:

The SRP and SRP Summary documents follow the template provided by the Canada Research Chairs program, which is much more specific in nature than previously requested, requiring details of the University's current and past practices with respect to management of the Chairs program. The Chair allocations within the Research Plan are provided as specifically requested by the CRC Secretariat in Ottawa. These represent our best estimate of where Chairs might be allocated over the period of time covered by the document. This allocation takes into account potential retirements, resignations, and the award of new chairs as a result of the University's improved tri-council funding performance; however, the allocation is not binding, and the University can exercise flexibility to re-allocate chairs.

Significant changes within the 2006 SRP are the updating of the research theme and sub theme areas to reflect the areas identified in the development of the Research, Scholarly and Artistic Landscape of the University of Saskatchewan and the identification of broad consultation with members of the university community and senior university administration to provide the Oversight Committee with expert advice with respect to chair allocations. The specificity of the assessment criteria within the document reflects the criteria developed for the University's Chairs renewal process, with the first of the University's CRC Chairs coming up for renewal in 2005/06.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. U of S Canada Research Chairs Strategic Research Plan (2006-09)
2. U of S Canada Research Chairs Strategic Research Plan Summary (2006-09)
3. The Canada Research Chairs Strategic Research Plan Template can be found at: http://www.chairs.gc.ca/web/program/srp/srp_instructions_e.asp
4. The 2003 U of S CRC Strategic Research Plan and Summary documents can be found at: http://www.usask.ca/crc/policy/