Research Chairs are awarded in support of research excellence and recognize outstanding research accomplishments in engineering, the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The Research Chairs Evaluation Committee (RCEC) is a multidisciplinary committee responsible for the thorough assessment of research excellence as it relates to Research Chair nominations at uOttawa.
The RCEC has a mandate to evaluate new and renewal nominations/applications submitted for the following main categories of Research Chairs: Canada Research Chairs (Tier 1 and Tier 2); University Research Chairs; Distinguished Research Chairs, and Chaires de recherche sur le Monde Francophone. The committee undertakes the highest level of evaluation in line with best practices in evaluating research excellence and as required by the federal granting agencies. For new Chair nominations, this committee examines applications in accordance with recommendations put forth by an initial selection committee (e.g., within a specific faculty, domain or program-specific). For Chair renewals, and emergency retention nominations through the University Research Chair program, the committee evaluates applications without an initial selection committee component.
The Chair informs members of new guidelines and requirements from the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program that may affect the committee’s mandate or responsibilities, as well as updates and new decisions that may affect internal Research Chair programs coming from governance bodies at uOttawa or the Research Commission. The Chair also informs the committee members on the institution’s commitment and strategy for meeting (or sustaining) its CRC Program’s equity targets and any gaps regarding the four designated groups in Canada: Women and gender equity-seeking groups, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities.
