RESEARCH

RESEARCH SERVICES

About Research Services

Research Services is the hub of all research activities at the Academy of Innovative Research, Science & Technological Development (AcIRSTD).

The Academy provides effective support for the delivery, monitoring and oversight of the Research and Impact Strategy across its four pillars:

• Building a World Class research environment
• Growing a global research reputation for AcIRSTD
• Driving Impact and Partnership
• Delivering a sustainable business model for Research

AcIRSTD is passionate about making a positive impact on our local community and beyond. Through collaboration and multi-disciplinary projects, our research contributes to public debate, creates solutions to local, national and global challenges, and preserves and promotes cultural works of international significance. By advancing knowledge, and bringing together excellence and innovation, we challenge perceptions and seek to change the world for the better.

Research Development Specialists (RDS)

The Academy research development encompasses a broad spectrum of strategic, capability, and capacity building activities to sharpen research competitiveness of AcIRSTD in an increasingly competitive grant funding landscape.

Our Research Development Specialists support strategic planning for research centres and institutes and help push research forward. They work with researchers across the research community to guide them through idea creation, project formulation, grant application preparation, and tailored training workshops. The team supports the growth of a strong research culture, facilitating collaboration within the community, and developing strong relationships with funders, academics and partners, catalysing and coordinating activity to prepare and spearhead strategic initiatives at the institutional level.

RDS provides support for activities throughout the research funding lifecycle. These services are delivered as follows:
Providing advice and support on the development and submission of research funding applications. This includes providing costings, liaising with funders, as well as facilitating the internal peer review and approval processes for all applications in which the Academy researchers are involved as a lead or partner.

• Supporting the delivery of quality and impactful research projects through the provision of a dedicated project management service, from contracting through to project close
• Providing project accounting and compliance service to Research, CPD, Consultancy and other externally funded projects within the Academy Group members, which includes monitoring expenditure, timely submission of all the claims/ invoices, contractual compliance, responding to queries from funders/academics, hosting and managing audits.
• Supporting the full life cycle of research projects, from horizon scanning for opportunities, research development of applications through to research project management & delivery (including financial management) and post-project development and reporting
• Deliver an efficient and effective service, with continuous improvement, high levels of staff satisfaction and transparent opportunities for development and the transference of skills across the service

Research Office

The Academy Research Office provides professional support for academics and researchers in funding and bid development, research ethics, research impact, the Research Excellence Support (RES), academic publishing and research events.

The Office is responsible for the monitoring and implementing national research policy and maintaining the academy’s communications about our research, including the Research Excellence Support, Impact and Open Access.

Research Office staff support delivery of the Research and Innovation Strategy and are responsible for research information and systems.