UCL Research Coordination teams and UCLH/UCL Joint Research Office join RIS

The LMS, BEAMS and LASH/IOE Research Coordination teams have joined RIS Planning, Insight and Improvement whilst the JRO now has a formal reporting line into RIS.

Why have these changes been made?

The vision, as set out by the Vice-Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement (VP RIGE), is to create a fully integrated and high-performing research and innovation facilitation environment, in line with the UCL strategy and needs of the university’s research community.

This vision aligns with the rapid growth of UCL’s research and innovation portfolio in recent years and following the organisational restructure for RIS in 2022. Our expanded remit includes strategic guidance and policy development against a backdrop of high-trust relationships and collaborative ways of working with other services, faculties, and their departments.

The JRO and Research Coordination teams bring expert knowledge, capabilities and strategic insight which will strongly complement our work in RIS. Our current focus is on transitioning the three Research Coordination teams for LMS, BEAMS and LASH/IOE and the JRO to RIS.

The Research Coordination teams led by Matt Wakelin (LMS), Matt Davis (BEAMS), and Henriette Bruun (LASH/IOE) support and promote cross-disciplinary communities and collaborations, working closely with UCL’s academic community on strategic bids and helping to identify potential funding sources for their research, developing strong applications with the best possible chances of success. The teams will continue to be aligned with their current faculties, working closely with colleagues in RIS and VP RIGE to support UCL’s research and innovation community, and will maintain a flexible approach to faculties and funders as needed.

Sometimes referred to as the Clinical Research Support Centre, the JRO, led by Nick McNally, supports researchers at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundations Trust (UCLH) in the set-up and oversight of clinical research studies. The integration of the JRO into RIS brings opportunities to align our work, enabling us to provide a more seamless end-to-end service for UCL’s clinical research community. 

Further information

• Provost's announcement in UCL News, September 2023: Changes to senior leadership team responsibilities
• LMS Research Coordination Office website
• BEAMS Research Coordination Office website (UCL login required)
• LASH/IOE Research Coordination Office website (UCL login required)
• UCLH/UCL Joint Research Office website