Irish Research Council signs memorandum of understanding with Irish Universities Association for second phase of work on ‘Engaged Research’
Posted: 6 July, 2017
The Irish Research Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Irish Universities Association to underpin a new phase of partnership with Campus Engage, building on the launch of the Engaged Research Report in January 2017.
The widely welcomed report, which was funded by the Council, provides a framework for engagement between civic and civil society, industry and professionals in research at higher education institutions, and a series of recommendations on the promotion of engaged research.
The renewed agreement between the Council and Campus Engage will address the implementation of key recommendations in the report as part of the next phase of development of engaged research in Ireland.
Commenting on the new agreement, Peter Brown, Interim Director of the Irish Research Council said: “Good practice in engaged research is extremely important in developing informed research outputs that effectively respond to the needs of society and address issues of concern to stakeholders.
The Council, through a number of specific funding actions, strongly promotes engagement as part of the research process and as part of this commitment we are very pleased to support the roll-out of a number of important measures which will help to embed good practice for engaged research.”
Speaking following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Lewis Purser, Director of Academic Affairs in the Irish Universities Association said: “there is a strong commitment to engaged research in our research institutions and among researchers, as evidenced by the breadth of institutions that are members of Campus Engage. The Engaged Research report identifies a number of key actions we can take to move forward and the MOU between IUA and the Irish Research Council reflects a shared commitment to make these happen.”
Engaged Research emphasises the active involvement of ‘end-users’, members of the public and other stakeholders in the research process. The collaborative approach promotes better research outcomes and increased capacity to effectively address societal challenges, harness impact and implement workable solutions.
