Progress continues towards the development of a research plan for Memorial with the release of a comprehensive background report highlighting the history and current status of research at the university.

The document, entitled Background Report to the Development of the Memorial University Research Plan, provides an external scan of key partners and sources of support for research from outside the university. It also includes an overview of some research priorities of community, business and regional partners from across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The report was released on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

In November 2009, Memorial announced its intent to develop a new research plan capturing the university’s research strengths, activities and future goals.

The background report will inform consultations across the university, as well as discussions with key stakeholders (business, industry and community organizations and government). Those consultations will begin shortly.

“We want to explore how our needs and opportunities align with those of our stakeholders,” said Dr. Christopher W. Loomis, president and vice-chancellor pro tempore of Memorial.

“It is critical that we seek the input of the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as our research partners here and beyond in this process.”

An online survey was also launched to capture the thoughts and ideas of interested individuals and groups.

The survey, along with a PDF version of the background report, and templates already completed by each university faculty, school and research centre are available on the research plan website.

The templates provide information on research supports and needs across all units, areas of current research strength identified by the units, and areas they believe offer the potential to become strengths.

The development of a new university-wide research plan flows from Memorial’s Strategic Plan which was released in 2007. Research, creative activity and scholarship represent an important pillar of that document.

The research plan is being led by Dr. Ray Gosine, Memorial’s vice-president (research) pro tempore, and Dr. Reeta Tremblay, vice-president (academic) pro tempore.  A steering committee made up of academic deans and directors, and an external advisory committee comprised of representatives of the community, governments and industry are also playing a critical role.

The research plan is expected to be completed this summer.