Research Advisory Committee
The term of office for members of the Committee is 3 years. It is good practice to have a turnover of membership on the committee.
The membership of the Research Advisory Committee currently comprises:
| Role | Name | Institution and position |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Chairman | Professor Gary England | Foundation Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham |
| Researchers and clinicians | Professor Colin Cooper | Chairman of the Section of Molecular Carcinogenesis, the Institute of Cancer Research and Director of the Southern Prostate Cancer Collaborative |
| Professor Malcolm Mason | Cancer Research Wales Professor of Clinical Oncology, Cardiff University | |
| Professor Jessica Corner | Professor of Cancer and Palliative Care, Southampton University. | |
| Professor Noel Clarke | Professor of Urological Surgery, University of Manchester. | |
| Professor Kenneth Muir | Professor of Epidemiology, University of Nottingham. | |
| Professor Mike Kirby | Visiting Professor of General Practice University of Hertfordshire. | |
| Professor Norman Maitland | Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Cancer Research Unit of Yorkshire Cancer Research, University of York. | |
| Charity Trustees | Dr Timothy Walker | |
| Representatives of men affected by prostate cancer | Mr Robert Oldroyd | |
| Vacancy |
1. Introduction
1.1 The Prostate Cancer Charity is committed to ensuring that its investment in research adds the greatest possible value to overall research activity in the field of prostate cancer.
1.2 The Charity will develop explicit, published strategies and policies for research investment, taking into account overall research effort in the United Kingdom and based on the best independent advice.
1.3 The Research Advisory Committee has been established to advise the Board and Chief Executive of the Charity on its research strategies and policies, recommending change and development as appropriate.
1.4 This document sets out the terms of reference and membership of the Committee. The terms of reference are based on the Statement of Values and Principles approved by the Charity's Board on 16th July 2003.
2. Terms of reference
Research investment
2.1 To maintain an overview of prostate cancer research being undertaken within the UK and, where feasible, worldwide, and to identify and make recommendations on the most appropriate areas for research investment by the Charity, either alone or in partnership with other organisations.
2.2 To maintain an overview of the totality of research projects funded by the Charity, including subject areas and research spend.
2.3 To make recommendations on the appropriate balance to be achieved in the Charity's investment in agreed areas of research activity and on whether such activity should be funded by the Charity alone or through a collaborative funding arrangement with another organisation(s).
2.4 To make recommendations on the establishment of effective processes for inviting, and making decisions on, research applications.
2.5 To recommend the areas in which research proposals should be called. To evaluate the results of peer review of individual research applications and to recommend which applications should be supported, within agreed budgetary limits.
2.6 To ensure clear, measurable outcomes form part of the grant awarding process, coupled with evidence of effective timetabling and value for money.
Strategic and policy review
2.7 To keep under review the achievement by the Charity of its agreed research strategy and policies and to recommend changes in direction and emphasis as appropriate.
Accountability and openness
2.8 To recommend, and to assist in achieving, ways of effectively communicating to financial supporters of the Charity, the processes and outcomes of its funded research.
2.9 To make recommendations on arrangements for ensuring that results from Charity-funded research are made available in ‘user friendly' form to the public.
Collaboration
2.10 To review the collaborative working arrangements adopted by researchers funded by the Charity. To recommend mechanisms by which collaboration can be fostered and required.
Peer review
2.11 To make recommendations on the establishment and maintenance of effective, independent peer review arrangements for all research applications considered by the Charity.
2.12 To agree external peer reviewers to undertake evaluations of individual research applications, in accordance with agreed policy.
2.13 To recommend and to keep under review polices for the maintenance of confidentiality in the peer review of research applications, and for the proper declaration of conflicts of interest.
User involvement
2.14 To take fully into account the ‘user voice' in the formulation of recommendations on research strategy, policy and investment. To recommend, as appropriate, mechanisms for strengthening user input.
Integrity
2.15 To assess all research investment processes adopted by the Charity, and the activities of researchers and research institutions funded by the Charity, against the highest standards of current ethical and research practice.
3. Frequency of meetings
3.1 The Research Advisory Committee will meet 3 times a year (unless agreed otherwise) on dates which will facilitate effective reporting to The Prostate Cancer Charity's Board of Trustees.