Research Policy

In accordance with its mission statement, Mary Immaculate College fosters a diversity of research traditions, paradigms and methodologies in which an inclusive and focused research community embraces scholars of theory and practice in a range of disciplines in contemporary higher education.

All research is premised on critical and inquiring approaches to new knowledge and frames of understanding across a number of research fields and professional and public constituencies.

This policy statement articulates a College charter for focused progress as a centre of learning, where high quality research informs and strengthens the educational and service functions of the institution.

The College Research Policy:

Promotes a research ethos which is dedicated to the pursuit and publication of knowledge in fields within which College faculty have a track record of research strengths and activities.

Advances an institutional research agenda with clear policies and review procedures to support the continuing renewal and development of individual and group research.

Encourages initiatives and innovations which require accountability from researchers, and which ensure responsible stewardship in all aspects of the College's research endeavours.

Upholds College frames of assistance and due recognition for research undertaken at the initiative of the individual as well as research undertaken as a consequence of targeted or strategic agendas.

Supports a community of researchers advancing agendas which synergistically reinforce recursive roles and relationships among research, teaching and service to the broader community.

Provides for the generation and diffusion of programmatic policy-oriented research in line with the highest standards for ethical conduct and responsibility to academic, professional and public organisations.

Endorses active research partnerships with corporate, governmental, educational and philanthropic agencies in order to project, analyse and respond to changing national, regional and local needs, supporting socio-economic and cultural development.

Underpins institutional procedures which enable faculty to conceptualise, plan, prepare, conduct and publish research, work as exchange scholars, co-ordinate national/international research fora, pursue leaves of absence for research and any additional work that requires significant release time from other duties and responsibilities.

Supports the development of research structures, including a mentoring programme which matches seasoned and novice researchers in collaborative projects that are fair and equitable in terms of time, effort, recognition and reward.

Advocates the highest standards for quality teaching and supervision of research across doctoral, master’s and diploma levels for high calibre postgraduate students from home and abroad.