ACT Research Advisory Committee: Terms of Reference

The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) fills an advisory role at ACT. It is not a standing committee of ACT’s Board.

1. Purpose
The purpose of RAC is to advise ACT in developing, implementing and monitoring ACT’s research program.

2. Membership and composition
The RAC will comprise six to 10 members. At least half of the members will be university and community-based researchers, and the remaining members will be staff of ACT.

Each RAC member shall serve initially for a period of two years, and may continue for subsequent one or two-year periods.

To fill vacancies on the RAC, the sitting RAC will draw up a list of potential members whom the Executive Director will invite to join the RAC for an initial two-year period.

ACT’s Director of Research and Program Development will chair the RAC.

3. Work of the Committee
The RAC will perform the following functions:

  1. Advise ACT on the direction and priorities of the research program;
  2. Advise ACT on new or emerging research themes and opportunities;
  3. Assist ACT in identifying resources to support research, and strategies to improve the effectiveness of its research program;
  4. Assist ACT in identifying opportunities for research partnerships;
  5. Where possible, review ACT’s research proposals intended for external funding;
  6. Where possible, review research reports authored or co-authored by ACT staff for external audiences.

4. Meetings
The RAC will meet a minimum of three times a year. Meetings may not normally exceed three hours. The RAC will keep minutes of its meetings.

5. Terms of reference
The RAC will review, adjust and approve the terms of reference annually to ensure that they remain relevant.

Discussed: Dec. 13, 2001
Revised: January 4, 2002
Revised: June 2007