• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Approval Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards
• Section 5 - Tiered Structure
• Research Groups
• Section 6 - Establishment, Approval, Operation and Closure of Research Structures
• Section 7 - Delegations

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy provides principles for the development, establishment, management and closure of research structures. QUT’s research structures framework is based on principles of critical mass, programmatic research and sustainable funding, high quality and impactful research, and strategic international and industry partnerships that enhance the University’s standing and brand.

(2) QUT's strategies and priorities in relation to research, research training and commercialisation are outlined in Connections - the QUT Strategy 2023 to 2027 and supported by QUT and Faculty Academic Plans.

(3) This Policy should be read in conjunction with the QUT Research Structures Criteria and Operating Protocol (QUT staff access only).

Section 2 - Application

(4) This Policy applies to all QUT Research Centres and Research Groups. These structures can reside within or across faculties.

Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Approval Responsibilities

Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards

(5) This Policy complies with Section 4, Research and Research Training, of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, particularly supporting standard 4.1 Research. By aligning with the standards, this policy promotes sustained excellence in research within the university's governance framework.

Section 5 - Tiered Structure

(6) QUT Research Centres support the University’s research goals as outlined in Connections - the QUT Strategy 2023 to 2027 and University Research Strategy by:

1. establishing and building critical mass in single disciplines or across multiple disciplines;
2. enabling targeted capacity building through both internal and external investment;
3. creating an intellectual, physical and virtual environment that enables research quality, translation of outcomes and social, economic and environmental impact;
4. identifying and supporting research leadership;
5. supporting Indigenous researchers and research;
6. supporting aspirations for gender equity in research;
7. aligning with sectoral, thematic or funding priorities (regional, national and international);
8. enhancing the research component of the university’s “real-world” focus to enable the translation of research engagement and outputs into research impact;
9. growing and sustaining investment in research across a variety of funding sources – nationally competitive, industry, government and philanthropic;
10. creating knowledge that contributes to the development of educational programs especially at the intersection of disciplines or in new emerging professions; and
11. promoting engagement with the wider community to establish and build mutually beneficial relations and address "real world" problems.

(7) A QUT Research Centre is established to build and develop high-quality, critical mass in research capabilities that are nationally and internationally leading. A QUT Research Centre will be built on strong multi or inter-disciplinary foundations and is expected to contribute to a significant advance in knowledge at both national and international levels. Centres are a strong focal point and facilitator for impactful research with end-users.

(8) A QUT Research Centre is expected to foster programmatic research that will position the university to attract long-term, sustainable funding and substantial research impact. This will be achieved via collaboration within and between Schools, Faculties, Centres, collaborators and end-users.

Research Groups

(9) Research Groups have the primary purpose of representing a cohesive discipline-based group or multidisciplinary group of researchers to deliver high-quality research of emerging significance, and support the development of QUT’s researchers, including early career researchers.

(10) Compared to QUT Research Centres, Research Groups usually operate at a smaller scale or in more focused research areas. They are established and supported by a faculty according to faculty strategies, plans and requirements.

Section 6 - Establishment, Approval, Operation and Closure of Research Structures

(11) Research structures are approved, established, operated and disestablished in accordance with the roles and responsibilities outlined above, Register of Authorities and Delegations (QUT staff access only), Organisational Structure Policy and the QUT Research Structures Criteria and Operating Protocol (QUT staff access only). The QUT Research Structures Criteria and Operating Protocol outlines the establishment, funding, governance, reporting, review and disestablishment requirements for each tier of research structure.

Section 7 - Delegations

(12) Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (VC075 and C168) (QUT staff access only).