Research policy and organisation
Research policy
Strategic Spearheads of Research
Because of the increasing international competition and globalisation of the Higher Education sector, universities will be forced not only to respond to this changing environment, but also to take advantage of it in order to continue to excel as a top-level institution in the fields of research, training and innovation. An important development in the field of research policy is the strive for excellence by focussing on niche areas and prioritising certain fields.
In the context of this ambition, Ghent University’s Board of Governors approved a strategic research objective to steer the university’s growth, and to prioritise quality objectives in this growth path.
- First, each faculty is expected to draw up a global research plan
- Second, the university will invest in about five multidisciplinary research partnerships
- Third, a number of individuals will be awarded an excellence label and a prominent position in Ghent University’s corporate communication
Research Policy Plan
The Research Policy Plan forms an integral part of the general strategic plan of Ghent University. The goals of the Research Policy Plan are to further develop the UGent’s mission, its general educational, research and service ambitions and its strategic goals for research and research policy.
The research policy (1) aims at excellence in research. However, a (2) number of balances must be respected in this pursuit because a good equilibrium guarantees the continuity of dynamic, ever innovative research. This pursuit of excellence and the right balance create a suitable research environment. Through the pursuit of excellence and balance, that same research environment is transformed into a yet better, more efficient and more agreeable work environment.
The pursuit of excellence, respect of balances and the general research environment are determined by a number of values:
- academic freedom
- ambition
- involvement
- integrity
- openness
The Research Policy Plan formulates seven strategic goals, which will form the basis for an annual operational action plan:
- UGent must maximise its research capacity
- UGent must increase its research effectiveness from an academic, societal and economic standpoint
- UGent must improve its research efficiency
- UGent must ensure an acttractive HR management policy for researchers
- The research structures in and around UGent must support research performance
- An effective quality assurance system in research must serve to position, motivate and, if necessary, sanction
- UGent must use effective tools for research management
Full text of the Research Policy Plan 2012-2016
Publication policy
Investing in and for research excellence through:
- incentives to publish the results of scientific research in excellent scientific media (internal allocation model, PhD bonus, regular bibliometrical evaluations, ...)
- guidelines for the UGent Academic Bibliography (mandatory registration in Biblio, mandatory upload as open access publication in UGent Repository, correct use of UGent affiliation)
Full text of the Publication Policy
Detailed information
Research support
The Research Coordination Office plays an important role in the dissemination of information on funding, procedures and regulations. Its staff members follow up on national and European policy initiatives, and actively engage in policy research. They also provide support to the Ghent University Research Council and the Committee for Development Cooperation.
Project administration
All contracts for research projects with external funds or with external partners are negotiated through and dealth with by the Department of Research Affairs. Every project must have a promotor who belongs to the "Autonomous Academic Staff" from Ghent University (i.e. professor, independent investigator) and will as such be coordinated by that person.
On behalf of that person, staff members from the Department of Research Affairs will provide assistance in terms of administration, negotiation, drawing up budget plans, valorisation, etc.
Research Quality Control
At regular instances, the process as well as the product of research are the subject of evaluation.
Mobile researchers
- Financial matters
- Visitor's pass: All researchers spending a term (min. 5 days - max. 90 days) at Ghent University and who dispose of their own financial means, must obtain a visiting card. This must be requested by their Ghent University promoter
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion
A one-stop shop for researchers seeking to advance their careers and personal development by moving to other countries. In addition to the information on training and jobs, this electronic gateway is the entry point to a wealth of practical information on living, working and relaxing in the European countries involved.
