Research Staff Network

What is the purpose of the Research Staff Network?

• To provide a cross-disciplinary social and networking work platform for Research Staff that enables them to contribute positively to the development of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive research and cultural life within University of Galway.  

• To ensure that Research Staff and their views are represented and take part in discussions that are applicable to their career development and employment within the University.  

• To provide feedback to refine the current system of evaluating Research Staff career progression by ensuring the promotion criteria and processes are clear and transparent.  

• To organise social and networking events for Research Staff. 
  
  
• To interact and foster collaborations with the other staff networks within the University such as LGBT+ Staff Network, International Staff Network, University Women’s Network and Athena Swan Champions Network. 

What are the objectives of the Research Staff Network?

The University RSN will work with University Management to achieve the following objectives:  

• To promote and embed research culture at University level.  
• To input into the drafting of the 2025-2030 University Strategic Plan.  
• To support the University of Galway Strategic Goals of promoting decent, high standards of employment and fairness at work (CR07), transparent and equitable access to career development, progression and promotion (CR08) and culture of excellence in research, and as a destination of choice that nurtures, attracts and retains ambitious people (CE03).  
• To ensure that Research Staff members, in addition to all staff members, are treated with respect and are given appropriate recognition for their work and contribution within the University.  
• To ensure that Research Staff are viewed as key stakeholders within the University and are provided with an opportunity to participate in policy and key decision-making processes that indirectly and directly impact their roles as Research Staff.  
• Organize Research Culture Cáfes to enable Research Staff to communicate their views on the current Research Culture within the University and to share their opinions on what the University does well or the areas in which it can improve.  
• To organize social and networking events for Research Staff.  
• To communicate information relevant to Research Staff in a clear and timely manner.  
• To provide feedback to refine the current system of evaluating Research Staff career progression by ensuring the promotion criteria and processes are clear and transparent.  
• To provide increased awareness of the specific policies and practices that are most relevant to Research Staff.  
• To seek to improve the working conditions of Research Staff by exploring sustainable employment arrangements that will enhance job security.  
• To explore with the relevant University departments, mechanisms to promote the retention of Research Staff.  
    

Who is on the Executive Committee of the Research Staff Network?

Ex officio members include;

Research Staff representatives from each college on Academic Council, Research Staff representatives on University Research Committee, and Representative(s) for the Researcher Development Centre. 

How do I become a member of the Research Staff Network? 

Sign up to become a member today.

Membership to the RSN is free and open to all Research Staff* who are interested in the purpose and objectives of the network.  

Membership to the RSN is open to all Research Staff who are on secondment from any public or private body to University of Galway specifically to conduct research and are interested in the purpose and objectives of the network.  

All Research Staff can register to become a member of the RSN by filling in an online form on the RSN website. We aspire that all new Research Staff joining the University will be automatically enrolled as members in the RSN.  

Members can unsubscribe at any time by sending an email to the RSN e-mail inbox.  

*Note: Research Staff are defined as professionals employed within educational institutions primarily tasked with conducting, managing and promoting research. Roles can include Research Assistants, Research Associates, Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows (R2-R4), and University Fellows. This can include Research Programme and Project Managers who manage Networks and infrastructure (generally externally funded). While some may be involved in limited teaching, their main focus is research. This term does not include postgraduate research students (Masters/PhD researchers) registered to the University of Galway. 

Contact Us

email us: rsn@universityofgalway.ie

X (formerly known as Twitter): https://x.com/RSNGalway (@RSNGalway)

Research Staff can join our network by filling in this Microsoft form: https://forms.office.com/e/Ez7Z8EGRTG

Upcoming Events

Research Staff Network Launch

Date: 02 December 2024   

Time: 12-3 pm (GMT)   

Location: Aula Maxima, The Quadrangle, University of Galway

Register to the Research Staff Network Launch event.

What's the background to the Research Staff Network?

There used to be a Research Staff Association in the past in the University, however, this went dormant with Research Staff leaving, and missed continuity. The Researcher Development Centre did a survey in 2019 and found that approx. 90% of respondents were in favour of setting up a Research Staff Network. A subsequent report from University of Galway Academic Council Working Group on Research Staff included the creation of the RSN as one of the 22 recommended actions.  

Recommendation 14: “The establishment of a Research Staff Network is recommended, with institutional support (e.g access to secretariat, meeting facilities) to support the ongoing inclusion of the Research Staff community at University of Galway” 

The Research Staff Network Organising Committee (Dr Mikey Creane, Dr Merve Suzan Zeden, Dr Sandra Galvin, Dr Gustavo Sambrano, Dr Nikita Burke, Dr Noreen Brennan, Dr Petek Eylül Taneri, Aoibhín Keighron and Dr Margaret O’Neill) was formed in July 2023 and met twice per month until the establishment of the network. The organising committee wrote the constitution for RSN and gathered letters of support from colleagues. They identified the funding source of RSN, and submitted an application to the Strategic Research Fund in December 2023. This funding was approved by VP for Research and Innovation in January 2024. This committee also organised the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of RSN and elected the executive committee in May 2024.