Research & Academic Advisory Board
The Institute's scholarly engine — safeguarding the quality, rigour and integrity of our research.
Our Advisory Boards bring together leading researchers, practitioners and specialists who share our commitment to advancing the science and practice of learning. Our Advisory Boards are advisory in nature, and distinct from our Board of Trustees: our trustees govern the Institute and are responsible for its decisions; our advisers inform and strengthen our thinking.
These Terms of Reference are adopted by the Board of Trustees, and should be read alongside, the IALM Advisory Board Framework and the Advisers' Code of Conduct.
The Research & Academic Advisory Board is advisory. Its advice is valued but non-binding; the board is not part of the Institute's governance structure and has no delegated decision-making authority. The Board of Trustees retains ultimate responsibility for the Institute's strategy, decisions and resources.
Purpose and Remit
The Research & Academic Advisory Board is the Institute's scholarly engine. It advises on the quality, rigour, integrity and ethics of the Institute's research and the evidence that underpins its work, helping to ensure that what the Institute conducts, commissions, analyses and publishes meets high academic and methodological standards.
Scope
Within Scope
- Research strategy, priorities and questions
- Research design, methodology and standards of evidence
- Research ethics and integrity, including research involving children and young people
- The quality and interpretation of the evidence underpinning the Institute's programmes and public positions
- Academic partnerships and collaboration
Out of Scope
- Decisions binding on the Institute, control of budgets, or direction of staff
- The governance of the Institute, which remains the responsibility of the Board of Trustees
- Individual casework, complaints or operational delivery
- Formal ethics approval or research sponsorship that rests with partner institutions
Chair
Chair (not yet appointed). Appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Membership & Size
Typically four to twelve members. Expertise sought: active researchers and academics in education, psychology and cognitive science; quantitative and qualitative research methods and evidence synthesis; and research ethics and integrity.
Term of Office
Three years, renewable by agreement. Voluntary and unpaid; reasonable, pre-agreed expenses may be reimbursed.
Meetings
On average two meetings per year, held remotely or in a hybrid format, with additional input sought between meetings as required.
How Advice is Provided
Through discussion at meetings; written input; review of materials; and responses to occasional requests from the Institute.
Reporting
To the Board of Trustees, via the Executive Director.
Conflicts of Interest
Members must declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest as soon as it arises. All conflicts are declared and managed under the IALM Conflicts of Interest Policy.
Confidentiality and Data
Members keep confidential information confidential, use it only for the purposes of their role, and handle personal data in accordance with the IALM Privacy Policy and data protection law.