1. The purpose of our procedure
This interim procedure sets out the processes and responsibilities for establishing, governing, evaluating and disestablishing Research Institutes and Centres at Adelaide University. It gives effect to the Adelaide University Research Institutes & Centres Policy. This procedure should be read in conjunction with the Adelaide University Research Institutes & Centres Policy.
2. Who our interim procedure applies to
University Research Institutes and Centres. Research Concentrations are also referenced in the procedure.
This interim procedure refers to a number of elements including advisory boards, membership models and Centre tier levels that may not be appropriately defined within existing transitioned structures. It is expected that, over time, Research Institutes and Centres will harmonise with the requirements of this interim procedure (which forms the basis for a subsequent non-interim procedure to be consulted on in 2026). The plan for harmonisation will be a key input to the review process for existing structures (sections 3.1.4 and 3.2.3).
3. Our Interim Research Institutes and Centres Procedure
3.1 Research Institutes
3.1.1 Establishment of Research Institutes
New Research Institutes will not be formed in 2026, except as required in response to major external funding opportunities or institutional requirements as determined by the Vice Chancellor and President on advice of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation (DVC-R&I).
Where new Institutes are considered by the DVC-R&I, a proposal will be prepared in accordance with the University's [Research Institutes Establishment Guidelines]. This will include reference to the membership model for the Institute.
3.1.2 Membership of Research Institutes
Each Institute will be expected during 2026 to revise and develop its membership model, which will be considered as part of a review process.
Employees, honorary title holders, adjuncts and graduate researchers of Adelaide University can be associate or affiliate members of more than one Research Institute (and Centre). However, individuals can only be an Institute Lead or full member of one Institute or one Centre.
Institute Leads in a Research Institute are employees of Adelaide University and will:
- lead selected research programs or major initiatives in the Research Institute that are broader than just their own research group
- focus significant research, engagement and service activities on the activities of the Institute
Full Membership is open to researchers in the Research Institute who are employees of Adelaide University, and who will:
- be advocates and discipline thought leaders for the Research Institute and Adelaide University
- advance Adelaide University’s research reputation and impact through their own research excellence, innovation and translation
- engage productively with research partners and key external stakeholders
- focus significant research and engagement activities on the activities of the Institute
Associate Membership is open to researchers, internal or external to Adelaide University, whose work intersects with the work of an Adelaide University Research Institute but who do not meet the criteria for Full Membership.
This category includes academic staff, graduate researchers, Emeritus academics, professional research staff, honorary title holders, research clinicians and adjuncts.
Associate Members will:
- contribute to selected research programs, major initiatives or external stakeholder partnership activities led by full members of an Adelaide University Research Institute
- participate in relevant capacity-building activities and events, and professional development opportunities offered by the Research Institute
- maintain an active association with the Research Institute and uphold its mission to advance impactful research and foster external engagement
- acknowledge association with an Adelaide University Research Institute in representations connected to their Institute membership, including publications.
Associate Members, including graduate researchers, who demonstrate an interest in aligning their research with the Research Institute priorities and who meet the eligibility criteria may apply to progress to full membership.
Affiliate Membership is open to external researchers, collaborators and professionals who do not meet the criteria for Associate Membership but can support the Research Institute’s broader research priorities and goals.
Affiliate members are valued partners to the University and can extend the reach and impact of a Research Institute through research collaboration, strategic engagement and external influence.
This category includes honorary or adjunct appointees, Emeritus academics, industry partners, collaborators from other academic institutions or sectors, and individuals who can contribute to the development of a Research Institute through support and promotion.
Affiliate Members will:
- engage in collaborative initiatives where appropriate, such as research projects, joint funding applications, or knowledge exchange with full and associate members
- participate periodically in the Research Institute activities, including attendance at events and contribution to external advocacy efforts.
3.1.3 University Research Institute Advisory Boards
University Research Institutes will have an Institute Advisory Board with a Chair appointed by the DVC-R&I on recommendation of the Pro Vice Chancellor Research Performance (PVCRP). Membership of the Institute Advisory Board is approved by the PVCRP on recommendation of the Chair and the Research Institute Director. It is expected that the Institute Advisory Board will have a majority of external members.
Terms of Reference will be approved by the DVCRI and will guide the roles and responsibilities of the Institute Advisory Board. These include ensuring the Institute’s activities align with the University’s strategic priorities, Research Strategy, Signature Research Themes (SRTs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy, and the [Adelaide University Governance Policy].
3.1.4 Evaluation of University Research Institutes
All existing Research Institutes will undergo a review during the term of this interim procedure. These reviews will help inform development of the subsequent procedure beyond the interim period.
Details of the review will be released prior to commencement of the review process. Institutes will be required to prepare documentation to demonstrate alignment with strategic priorities and plans to harmonise with the requirements of this interim procedure, with submissions to include the following:
- an ‘at a glance’ section about the Institute e.g. mission, objectives, highlights
- achievements against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- any awards, prizes, etc., with a link to the research promoted by the Institute
- impact and engagement stories, including major collaborations
- membership
- Institute Advisory Board memberships and terms of reference
An evaluation panel will be convened for each Institute comprising internal and external members agreed between the DVC-R&I and the Provost and DVC. Results of evaluations will be considered by the Research Performance Committee reporting to the University Research Committee.
Thereafter, annual research activity reports will be prepared in accordance with the University [Research Institute Annual Report Guidelines] and submitted at the end of the financial year.
An annual performance review will be convened by the Research Performance Committee. The Institute Director will report on the progress against strategic priorities and KPIs, the Institute’s budget expenditure and the detailed budget proposal for the next financial year.
3.2 Research Centres
3.2.1 Establishment of Research Centres
New Research Centres will not be formed in 2026, except as required in response to major external funding opportunities or Institutional requirements as determined by the Vice Chancellor and President and on advice of the DVC-R&I.
Where new Centres are considered by the DVC-R&I or Provost and DVC, a proposal will be prepared in accordance with the University's [Research Centres Establishment Guidelines]. This will include reference to the Tier level and membership model for the Centre.
New Centres will be categorised as Tier One and Tier Two Research Centres. Existing Research Centres will be asked to consider their preferred Tier level, based on objective analysis, as part of the review process.
A Tier One University Research Centre will have a term of 3-5 years, contribute to the strategic goals of at least one Adelaide University SRT or the Adelaide University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy and:
- Build interdisciplinary research capacity and capability at scale in multiple targeted areas, accelerating innovation and translation
- Comprise a core team of interdisciplinary researchers who have strong collective potential to secure external funding at scale and achieve national recognition for research excellence and impact
- Develop strategic partnerships with external stakeholders and end-users
- Lead national and/or international research collaborations with multiple partners.
A Tier Two University Research Centre will have a term of up to 3 years, contribute to the strategic goals of one Adelaide University SRT or the Adelaide University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy and:
- Comprise a core team of discipline-focused researchers who have strong collective potential to secure external funding and achieve national recognition for research excellence and impact
- Participate in national and/or international research collaborations and major initiatives.
The PVCRP will have strategic oversight of Tier One Research Centres in collaboration with the relevant College PVCs and Deans, Research, whereas the College PVCs and Deans, Research will oversee Tier Two Research Centres.
3.2.2 Membership of Research Centres
Employees, honorary title holders, adjuncts and graduate researchers of Adelaide University can be associate or affiliate members of multiple Research Centres (and Institutes). However, individuals can only be a Centre Lead or full member of one Centre or one Institute.
Centre Leads in a Research Centre are employees of Adelaide University and will:
- Lead selected research programs or major initiatives in the Research Centre, broader than their own research group
- Engage with research partners and key external stakeholders
- Focus significant research, engagement and service activities within the Centre
- Full Membership is open to employees of Adelaide University and graduate researchers, and will:
- Advance Adelaide University’s research reputation and impact through their own research activities
- Focus significant research and engagement activities within the Centre
Associate Membership is open to researchers, internal or external to Adelaide University, whose work intersects with the work of an Adelaide University Research Centre but who do not meet the criteria for Full Membership.
This category includes academic staff, Emeritus academics, graduate researchers, professional research staff, research clinicians, honorary title holders and adjuncts.
Associate Members will:
- Contribute to selected research programs, major initiatives or external stakeholder partnership activities led by full members of an Adelaide University Research Centre
- Maintain an active association with the Research Centre and uphold its mission to advance impactful research and foster external engagement
Affiliate Membership is open to external researchers, collaborators and professionals who do not meet the criteria for Associate Membership but can support the Research Centre’s broader research priorities and goals. Affiliate members are valued partners to the University and can extend the reach and impact of a Research Centre through strategic engagement and external influence.
Affiliate Members will:
- Engage in collaborative initiatives where appropriate, such as research projects, joint funding applications, or knowledge exchange with full and associate members
- Participate periodically in the Research Centre activities, including attendance at events and contribution to external advocacy efforts
3.2.3 Evaluation of Research Centres
All existing Research Centres will undergo an internal review during the term of this interim procedure.
Details of the review will be released prior to commencement of the review process. Broadly, Research Centres will be required to prepare documentation to demonstrate ongoing alignment with strategic priorities, and include the following:
- an ‘at a glance’ section about the Centre e.g. mission, objectives, highlights
- achievements against KPIs
- any awards, prizes, etc., with a link to the research promoted by the Centre
- impact and engagement stories, including major collaborations
- membership
Thereafter, ongoing alignment with strategic priorities, performance against KPIs, and if required, the Centre’s budget expenditure and revenue generation against expenditure, and the budget request for the next financial year will be reviewed annually by the PVCRP (Tier 1 Research Centres) and College Dean(s), Research (Tier 2 Research Centres).
Annual research activity reports will be prepared in accordance with the University [Research Centre Annual Report Guidelines] and an annual performance review will be convened by the Research Performance Committee.
3.3 Research Concentrations
New Research Concentrations will not be formed in 2026.
All existing Research Concentrations will undergo an internal review during the term of this Interim procedure. These reviews will help inform development of the subsequent procedure beyond the interim period.
Details of the review will be released prior to commencement of the review process, Broadly, Research Concentrations will be required to prepare documentation to demonstrate ongoing alignment with strategic priorities, and include the following:
- a summary of the Concentration’s mission, objectives, highlights
- achievement against KPIs
- any awards, prizes, etc., with a link to the research promoted by the Concentration
- impact and engagement stories, including major collaborations
- membership
3.4 University Research Institute, Centre and Concentration Term
University Research Institutes and Centres will have an initial term of up to five years. Research Concentrations will have an initial term of up to three years.
Procedures for renewal of Research Institutes, Centres and Concentrations will form part of the subsequent procedure beyond the interim period.
3.5. Disestablishment of a Research Institute, Centre or Concentration
Under this interim procedure, University Research Institutes, Centres and Concentrations may be disestablished following review recommendation or following recommendation by the DVC-R&I and the Provost and DVC to the Vice Chancellor and President (VCP).
4. Definitions used in our procedure
Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.
A University Research Institute directly supports the vision and research ambitions of the Adelaide University Research Strategy and/or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy and:
- operates with significant breadth and scale across Colleges and Schools to advance research innovation and translation
- leads interdisciplinary research aligned with South Australia’s and the nation’s socioeconomic priorities
- accelerates and delivers research outcomes of national and global significance
- engages end-users and external stakeholders through discipline advocacy and thought leadership
- maintains an appropriate/sufficient number and mix of high-performing researchers with sustained and significant external research funding to support activities and reputation
- is nationally leading and recognised internationally for research excellence
A University Research Centre will contribute to the strategic goals of at least one Signature Research Theme (SRT) or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy in alignment with the Adelaide University Research Strategy and:
- build interdisciplinary research capacity and capability in targeted areas at scale, accelerating innovation and translation
- comprise a core team of researchers who have a strong collective potential to secure external funding at scale, and achieve national recognition for research excellence and impact
- develop strategic partnerships with external stakeholders and end-users and/or participate in national and international research collaborations and major research initiatives.
A Research Concentration is a structure that has been approved to transition as a Research Concentration from the foundation universities.
5. How our procedure is governed
This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.
| Parent policy | Research Institutes and Centres Policy |
|---|---|
Policy category | Academic |
Policy owner | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation |
Procedure owner | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation |
Approving authority | co-Vice Chancellors/Vice Chancellor and President |
Responsible Officer | Pro Vice Chancellor, Research Performance |
Effective from | 1 January 2026 |
Review date | 2 years after date this version is approved |
Enquiries | Interim Central Policy Unit |
Replaced documents | None |