Support for research
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The RCA offers a supportive and inclusive research environment, access to high-quality resources and facilities, and a professional research and knowledge exchange team, to enable our academic staff and research students to undertake world-leading art and design research that makes a difference in the world.
RCA staff and research students specialise in high-quality research in art and design that has substantial impact – in creative, cultural, social and economic terms – and global reach. We attract millions of pounds of funding each year in research grants and in collaborations with business, industry, public sector and community partners.
The RCA Research, Knowledge Exchange & Innovation (RKEI) Office provides support for researchers throughout the entire research and knowledge exchange lifecycle, from preparing a grant proposal or drawing up a contract (pre-award stage) to managing and reporting on a funded project (post-award stage). It leads the College’s preparation for REF, KEF and HEBCI submissions and other formal reporting.
The RKEI Office provides support and access to training for research career development, public engagement with research, research ethics, and research impact, as well as training for doctoral supervisors.It also administers the College’s internal peer review process, its open access and research data management policies and processes, and its research integrity and research ethics policies and approval processes, as well as supporting online research ethics training for staff and research students. RKE Office staff also administer the RCA’s UKRI studentship funding, including those from AHRC-funded doctoral training consortia of which the RCA is a member: the London Arts & Humanities Partnership (LAHP) and TECHN.
Academic and research staff are able to apply to the RKEI Office for access to internal funding for pump-priming research projects and preparing REF outputs and impact case studies, while both staff and research students can receive support for travel to academic and professional conferences.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation has oversight of the RCA’s research, knowledge exchange and innovation strategy and activity, including the work of the RKE Office, Research Centres including the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the HEFCE-funded HELIX Centre, and InnovationRCA.
The RKEI office is supported by cross-College committees
Research & Innovation Committee
Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, this committee provides assurance to Council and Senate about the quality of the College’s Research Knowledge Exchange and Innovation environment, activity and strategy. The committee also monitors, reviews and supports the activities of RKEI.
REF Strategy Committee
Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, this committee is responsible for leading the College’s REF strategy and preparations.
Find out more about our research strategy:
RCA Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Strategy, 2016–21
Ethics Committee
Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation and the Director of Academic Development, responsible for strategic oversight of the College’s research ethics policies and processes, and its research integrity management.
Find out more about our research strategy and ethics:
Commitment to Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
The RCA fully supports the Principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and we intend to uphold our obligations and responsibilities as a signatory. As the RCA’s research profile continues to expand through the activities of academic and research staff across its Schools and growing number of Research Centres, we are committed to providing a high-quality research environment that supports the career development of our researchers at all stages. The senior manager responsible for championing the Concordat and its principles across the RCA is Dr Emma Wakelin, Director of Research & Innovation, working with the College’s Research, KE & Innovation (RKEI) Strategy Committee. The RCA will work collectively and engage with initiatives to address systemic challenges in progressing towards a UK research system where researchers work in healthy and supportive environments. The RCA believes that researchers should be recognised and valued for their contributions in research and beyond, supported in their professional and career development, and equipped and empowered to succeed in their chosen careers.
More about the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
Staff
Susan Hamilton
Head of Development Manager
Aoife Shanley
Head of Research Centres
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Get in touch if you'd like to find our more about our research activities at the RCA.
rke@rca.ac.uk