Management of research
Research funding
In some instances information will be exempt from disclosure where it contains personal information, or information which if released, may substantially prejudice the commercial interests of any person, endanger the physical or mental health or the safety of any individual, susbstantially prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, or consititute an actionable breach of confidence.
Statistical information on the major sources of UHI's research funding:
SFC main quality research grant (MQRG)
- 2007-08 - £553,000
- 2008-09 - £610,000
SFC research excellence grant (REG)
- 2009-10 - £1,590,000
SFC research development foundation grant (RDFG)
- 2007-08 - £677,000
- 2008-09 - £993,000
SFC research postgraduate grant
- 2007-08 - £323,000
- 2008-09 - £476,000
- 2009-10 - £457,000
Research quality
UHI submitted to 8 UoAs in the RAE 2008.
Research strategies
UHI's research focus remains the further advancement of existing research strengths coupled with the development of research in strategically important niche areas and the promotion of research of regional environmental and socio-economic benefit. This will be realised through:
- investment in research quality
- expansion of applied and contract research
- building of research and scholarly capacity
- development of niche specialisms
- promotion of knowledge transfer and commercialisation
- expansion of research student numbers
(see UHI's strategic plan 2012-17)
Research management structures
Research activity is managed through:
Research Committee - a sub-committee of Academic Council, also reports to Academic Planning Committee
Research Degrees Committee - reports to Research Committee
Research Ethics Committee - reports to Academic Council
Research support arrangements
Research within UHI is supported by the Research Office, which includes the following members of staff:
- Dr Jeff Howarth, Vice Principal, Research and Enterprise
- Fiona MacKay, PA to the Vice Principal, Research Enterprise
Research support
Shirley Leckie, Research Data Manager
Knowledge Transfer team
Dr Joe Irvine, Head of Knowledge Transfer
Development and Enterprise
James Gibbs, Director of Development and Enterprise
Catherine Pearks, Contracts Administrator
Karen Furness, Grants and Contracts Manager
Gayle Riddoch, Contracts Administrator
Judith Wainwright, Grants and Contracts Officer
Graduate School
Dr Lois Calder, Head of Graduate School
Catherine Sneddon, Graduate School Manager
Janis Mackay, Graduate School Registry Officer
Val Cooper, Graduate School Training Officer
Energy Research Group
Dr Mike Weston, Head of Energy Research Group
Damian Collins, Business Development Manager (Energy)
Iona MacDonald, Energy Research Administrator
Stuart Knight, Project Communication Officer
European Development
Linda Stewart, Head of European Development
Research ethics
UHI's policies and codes of practice are available in the research policies section of this website.
Research staff
No research staff are currently employed by UHI. Further information available in individual academic partners' publication schemes.
Research students
Policies and procedures of the University of the Highlands and Islands for supervising and examining research students are overseen by the Research Degrees Subcommittee. UHI's Code of Practice for Research Students, Supervisors and Academic Partners (currently under review) sets out the responsibilities of supervisors and students, student rights, good supervisory arrangements and practice, and Academic Partner responsibilities. The regulations governing research postgraduate study are those of the awarding bodies (the Open University and the University of Aberdeen). A UHI Research Students' Complaints Procedure is available for students of the Open University (PDF) and also for students of the University of Aberdeen (PDF).
Material relating to research components in taught postgraduate programmes is available from relevant course leaders; regulations governing taught postgraduate programmes are included in the Academic Standards and Quality Regulations.
