15 Research Centres
In this section:
15.1 What are research centres and institutes?
15.2 Who do I contact if I have a question about the Research Centre program?
15.3 How are Centres established?
15.4 How do I join a Centre or Institute?
15.5 How are Centres funded?
15.6 Is there training for Centre directors?
15.7 How do I formally recognize external collaborators of my Centre?
15.8 How are centres reviewed?
15.9 How do I create a website for my Centre?
15.10 How do I create a webpage for a conference or workshop my Centre is hosting?
15.11 How do I create a logo for my research centre
15.12 How do I promote my research centre’s scholarly outputs and events?
15.13 How do I develop a social media strategy for my Centre?
15.14 How do I get permission to access the Centre’s operating index in millennium and shopLaurier?
15.15 How do I hire using my Centre operating funds
15.16How do I recognize external collaborators as members of a Research Centre?
15.17 How do I set up a Laurier network and email account for my new Centre administrator or research associate?
15.18 How do I close my research centre?
If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for in this section, please contact us here.
15.1 What are research centres and institutes?
Research centres/institutes at Laurier promote and encourage scholarly activity of a basic or applied nature in an area that is not normally restricted to a single academic department. Centres/institute are expected to offer new areas of research activity which align with the strategic plans and objectives of Laurier.
Whether in science, business, arts, music, education, social work or any of our other disciplines, Laurier researchers tackle local and global challenges through nearly two dozen research centres and institutes – often combining disciplines to explore problems from multiple angles.
15.2 Who do I contact if I have a question about the Research Centre program?
You can research out to John Paul Glaves with any questions you may have about the Research Centre program.
15.3 How are Centres established?
The establishment of research centres/institutes (these terms are used interchangeably) is governed by policy 11.1 Establishment, Operations and Review of Research Centres. This policy applies to all research centres with activities including (but not limited to) establishing links inside and outside the university, organizing seminars, symposia and conferences, and soliciting external funds for research or the dissemination of scholarly information. All research centres must be approved by the Senate, via recommendation by the Senate Committee on Research and Publications. The process for establishing a research centre/institute is outlined in the Procedure for the Establishment of Research Centres (11.1).
15.4 How do I join a Centre or Institute?
If you are interested in collaborative research opportunities you are encouraged to join existing research centres as members. In fact, many faculty and researchers with interdisciplinary interests are members of multiple research centres. Contact the Centre Director(s) for more information.
15.5 How are Centres funded?
University Research Centres and Institutes report to the Vice-President: Research, while Faculty Research Centres and Institutes report to a Faculty Dean. University Research Centres/Institutes are eligible to apply annually for funds, in accordance with Policy 11.1 Establishment, Operations and Review of Research Centres. These funds are intended to support the operation of Univeristy Research Centres and Institutes, in alignment with the Strategic Research Plan and the overarching objectives of Laurier. There is no formal mechanism for Faculty Research Centres to request funding from a Dean, however Deans may consider funding requests at their discretion.
Funding is not guaranteed for University Research Centres and will only be provided if deemed warranted by the Vice President: Research. The decision to provide operating support is based on the review of a detailed budget projection for the fiscal year, in combination with an annual report of prior year activities and spending. In addition, University Research Centres and Institutes that receive operating funds are expected to actively engage in inter- and intra-institutional collaborations, offering new areas of research activity, beyond what is normally found in a single academic department.
Operating support for the following fiscal year may be withdrawn at the discretion of the Vice President, Research, subject to an appropriate review and upon provision of written notice.
The 2023-24 contributions to Laurier’s University research centres and institutes, administered by the Office of Research Services, can be found below:
| Centre/Institute | Contribution |
| Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRIE) | $50,000 |
| Cold Regions Research Centre (CRRC) |
$54,000 |
| International Migration Research Centre (IMRC) |
$50,000 |
| Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies (LCMSDS) |
$45,000 |
| Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (LCSFS) |
$25,000 |
| Laurier Centre for Women in Science (WinS) |
$74,000 |
| Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy (LISPOP) |
$30,000 |
| Laurier Institute for Water Science (LIWS) |
$41,000 |
| MS2Discovery Institute (MS2D) |
$25,000 |
| Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa (Tshepo) |
$0 |
| Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS) |
$35,000 |
15.6 Is there training for Centre directors?
The Office of Research Services provides resources and training for Directors to support oversight of Centre operations and management through a certificate program on MyLearningSpace. The program ensures a consistent degree of preparedness for undertaking the research/scientific/academic and administrative leadership of operating a centre amongst Directors, This site includes resources on:
- Policy 11.1 – A Training Presentation
- Research Centre Governance
- Creating a webpage for my research centre/program
- Creating a logo for my research centre
- Promoting my research centre’s scholarly outputs and events
- Frequently asked questions
15.7 How do I formally recognize external collaborators of my Centre?
The Procedure for Formally Recognizing External Collaborators as Members of Research Centres / Institutions (11.1) provides a mechanism to formally recognize external collaborators as members of Laurier’s research centres and institutes, and a framework for institutional oversight of such appointments. External fellows are nominated by research centre Directors using the nomination form.
15.8 How are centres reviewed?
All centres/institutes will be formally reviewed by the Senate Committee on Research and Publications (SCRAP) on rotating three-year cycle, in accordance with Policy 11.1 Establishment, Operations and Review of Research Centres. Notice of the review will be communicated to the Director of the centre/institute by the Office of Research Services at least six months prior to the end of the centre/institute`s term.
As a centre/institute comes up for review, its Director will be asked to prepare a report as outlined in Procedures for the review of Centres (11.1). The report is to be submitted to the SCRAP, via the Office of Research Services, by a date established by the Vice President, Research, for consideration.
Recommendations regarding research centres will be brought from the SCRAP to Senate for final approval. Approval of a research centre does not imply the approval of funding. Funding, if any, is determined by the appropriate budgetary authority (Faculty Dean or Vice President, Research).
15.9 How do I create a website for my Centre?
Web Services has a customizable research centre template available to official Laurier research centres. Web Services will facilitate the initial buildout of the research centre website. Once the initial buildout is completed, the centre’s designated trained website editor(s) will maintain and update the site as necessary. There is no cost for a university or faculty research centre website.
Some example research centre websites (including features available that communicate membership opportunities and activities to internal and external audiences) are found below:
- International Migration Research Centre or IMRC.ca
- IMRC.ca Around the world map
- Centre for Research on Security Practices
- Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa
- Manulife Centre for Community Health Research (especially the community projects list)
The Office of Research Services must initiate the request for a research centre website. To begin the process of setting up your research centre website, contact John Paul Glaves.
Additional Resources for Websites
The following articles may help you maintain your website over time:
- Link to your research centre members’ faculty profiles, instead of sharing their details on the research centre webpage. Encourage research centre members to register for faculty profile training to learn how to keep your profile on wlu.ca up-to-date.
- Request a custom email address for your research centres and workshops. This email address is specific to an initiative and can be accessed by multiple users (i.e. research centre staff and director, conference organizers).
- Laurier’s web style guide helps web page content editors understand Laurier’s writing style. Laurier’s website does not use an academic writing style guide (for example, the Modern Language Association of America style or the American Psychological Association style), rather Laurier follows a slightly modified version of the Canadian Press (CP) style guide for style, tone, formatting, etc.
15.10 How do I create a webpage for a conference or workshop my Centre is hosting?
Information Communications Technology (ICT) can host your Laurier-sponsored conference webpage and provide you with a flexible WordPress template that meets all of Laurier’s brand and accessibility standards. This webpage template is designed to support academic conferences, workshops or other events held at Laurier. This template includes customized templates for accommodation, submission of abstracts and travel information. There is also an ability to add plug-ins pending software licensing and security review. There is a $400 fee for set up of the site and three hours of IT support provided, with no ongoing monthly costs. It is recommended that the Centre Director purchase a domain name for this site and set up forwarding to the site hosted on conferences.wlu.ca. Hosting is available for up to 18 months. To request an alias for your web page, please use this form.
15.10.1 How do I collect fees for a conference or workshop my Centre is hosting?
Laurier has an institutional EventBrite account for event registration and payment collection. To request event registration/payment facilitation through EventBrite, fill out this form: Permissions Request Form.
All Laurier websites are governed by the Procedure for Fulfilling Enterprise-Level Standards for Web Properties (3.3). These guidelines apply to all web properties conducting university business and commit websites to upholding these standards including AODA compliance, security compliance, and content, style and branding.
15.11 How do I create a logo for my research centre?
The Laurier style guide outlines specific standards and guidelines to successfully implement Laurier’s visual identity across all forms of communications, including research centre communications. Adhering to this style guide will ensure a consistent, effective visual presentation of Laurier to our internal and external audiences. Research Centre logos should keep these brand standards in mind. The style guide provides information on the following:
- which Laurier institutional logo to use and how to use them
- which fonts to use
- what primary and secondary colours to use in logos and presentations
To request a logo for your research centre, complete and submit a Creative Services Project Initiation Form.
If you prefer to have your logo designed externally, please use the Design Brief document to inform your logo design. Please keep the Laurier style guidelines in mind when you begin thinking about your desired logo.
15.12 How do I promote my research centre’s scholarly outputs and events?
Research centres are encouraged to seek guidance, support, and services from Laurier’s Knowledge Mobilization and Research Communication teams to determine the best strategies for engaging key audiences and making research results clear, accessible, relevant, and impactful within broader society.
Review the Office of Research Services Knowledge Mobilization and Research Communication pages for opportunities.
Request social media promotion of events, research, and expertise through the institutional social media accounts.
Request an Instagram story Takeover of Laurier’s accounts for an upcoming date.
Email Nick Skinner to have your event included in the VP Research weekly newsletter.
To promote your event specifically to Laurier Alumni: complete the online form found here: Laurier Alumni - Event/Program Inclusion in Laurier Lineup. This form will go directly to the Alumni Communications team for implementation. Typically, the Laurier Lineup is sent out the first full week of each month and submissions are due by the 15th of the month before deployment (e.g. for inclusion in February’s Laurier Lineup, requests must be received by January 15th). Please submit events with a live registration link rather than a “save the date”.
15.14 How do I get permission to access the Centre’s operating index in millennium and shopLaurier?
Completion of the Banner Account Request Form is required to gain Requisitioner or Approver access in shopLaurier; completion of this form is also required to gain Requisitioner or Approver permissions for additional Index codes.
Part I of the form will be automatically populated with an individual’s information when logging in via Connect.
In Part II of the form, Directors need to enter the index code (provided by the ORS) and check off the access categories that are required: shopLaurier Requisitioner, Research Fund Viewing, and Millennium Finance Reporting (under FINANCE). If student stipends out of the index, Time Sheet Entry (under HR/Payroll) should also be checked.
In Part III of the form, the Assistant Vice-President: Research should be listed as the Approver.
It is suggested that in the Part III comments, Directors enter “Same permissions as the previous Director (provide the name) for the research centre/institute” which will allow those involved in the setup the ability to copy/paste or look up existing access so that any access that was established for the Director will remain the same.
15.15 How do I hire using my Centre operating funds?
Laurier’s Human Resources team has outlined the processes for hiring all of the positions and appointments on the Recruitment and Hiring Resources webpage. If using research grant funding to hire, step-by-step instructions can be found on the Hiring under a research grant webpage.
15.16 How do I recognize external collaborators as members of a Research Centre?
The process for recognizing external collaborators formally in your centre can be found here.
15.17 How do I set up a Laurier network and email account for my new Centre administrator or research associate?
This form should be completed to obtain a Laurier network and email account when an individual requires access for more than 5 days.
15.18 How do I close my research centre?
The Procedure for Formal Voluntary Closure of Research Centres / Institutes (11.1) provides a mechanism formally recognize the closure of University and Faculty Research Centres/Institutes, outside of the three-year cyclical review process.