APPENDIX B

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

GROUPS, CENTRES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES

1. The Academic Planning Committee, at its meeting on 14 June 1985, indicated that it wished to give further consideration to the appropriate terminology for the designation of various research groupings. In particular, it was felt that some clarification was needed concerning the cases in which it would be appropriate to employ the title of Institute. The purpose of this note is to examine the three terms - Group, Centre and Institute - and to suggest criteria for the employment of these terms.

2. Research Groups :Any number of researchers with a common interest in a subject may form themselves into a Group. This may be a loose, informal arrangement or it may be used to designate areas of activity which in themselves attract very significant external funding. The term ^'Unit' could also be used in this context.

3. Centre: A Centre might satisfy both or either of the following criteria:

i. It might link inter-disciplinary research activities.

ii. It might serve as the organisational structure for an operation which is generating considerable external funding.

4. Institute: This term might be taken to imply a greater degree of permanence and independence. An Institute might also be regarded as having its own (sizeable) budget, that is a high degree of financial independence.

5. Arguing from the above precepts, it follows that the term Centre and, in particular, Institute should be used sparingly. It would not appear to be desirable to accord the title to every incipient Research Group. The way forward might be for a Group or Unit to be established informally at the outset and this could be done freely within or between departments. In due course, if appropriate, a Group might apply for an upgrading of its status to Centre or Institute, if it has a proven research record and it fulfils the criteria listed above. In this situation, Senate and Council should approve the title and the proposed detailed management arrangements.

6. If adopted, it is not suggested that these criteria should have any retrospective effect.