LSE’s research strategy forms one of the key pillars of the School’s strategic plan. The School protects and encourages theoretical and 'blue skies' research while promoting dynamic engagement with wider society. Find out more about LSE's Research for the World strategy

Research and Innovation is the School's central administrative body that:

• supports research funding applications to external funding agencies within the UK or overseas
• coordinates the School’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission process
• gives advice on knowledge exchange and impact
• administers the research ethics policy and the committee
• manages financial aspects of awarded projects

PaGE can help in sourcing funding from philanthropic sources, including trusts and foundations, and individual alumni. For more information, visit PaGE

Code of Research Conduct

Governance of research

Research ethics

Research integrity

Informed consent

Research Data Management Policy

GDPR: guidance, policies and presentations

There has been an increased focus on national security involving research, engagement and research collaborations in the United Kingdom and abroad due to its risks. The UK Government has become increasingly aware of, and responsive to, the security risks around international collaboration, engagement and research, in particular where there are economic and security consequences.  In response to these risks and challenges, there have been several new statutory and policy regimes introduced in the UK: the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the NS&I), UKRI’s Trusted Research and Innovation Principles 2021 (Trusted Research) and the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).  

In line with LSE’s Research for the World strategy, we have created guidance that aims to ensure that our research and the way in which researchers operate is conducted to the highest professional standards and meets regulatory requirements, to facilitate external research collaboration to strengthen research excellence and partnership opportunities. Read the full guidance

Your department might have its own research committee set up for fostering research initiatives, discussing research funding proposals, and developing research clusters and a research culture within the department.

Whilst at LSE you will come across a number of research-related committees at School level whose policies and decisions could have an impact on your research activity or external funding applications. Below is a selected list of LSE's major committees. 

Academic Board

The Academic Board is the highest and the broadest membership committee at LSE addressing all major issues of general policy that affect the academic life of the School and its development. It is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the academic standard of the School and for regulating teaching. Among others, eligible voter members include the President and Vice Chancellor of the LSE (chair), all full-time and part-time academics, and all research staff from a research officer role to professorial research fellows. Membership and function of the Academic Board

Research Committee

Research Committee reports to the Academic Board, and has overall responsibility for ensuring that LSE research is conducted in accordance with School policies on research ethics and research misconduct. The committee:

• develops the research strategy of the School and approves internal research funding applications
• makes recommendations to the LSE President and Vice Chancellor about external research funding applications by members of staff
• oversees the Research Excellence Framework (REF) Strategy Committee and knowledge exchange activity
• facilitates the School’s strategies in relation to postgraduate research student activity. However, operational responsibility for research ethics lies with the School’s Research Ethics Committee. 
• Research Committee terms of reference

Research Development Panel (RDP)

The Research Development Panel exists primarily to:

• consider external research funding opportunities
• encourage appropriate individuals and groups of staff to apply and assist in the applications process
• provide academic guidance to the Research Development Team in Research and Innovation, acting informally as its advisory board by providing academic input to the team’s plans and lend academic weight to the implementation of the team’s plans
• Research Development Panel membership and terms of reference

Research Ethics Committee

Reports to Research Committee. It has overall responsibility for making decisions on applications for ethical approval that have been submitted by members of staff across the School. In particular, the Committee ensures that the School complies with the LSE Research Ethics Policy. Research Ethics Committee terms of reference

Research Staff Committee

A sub-unit of the Appointments Committee. The Research Staff Committee is responsible for implementing the School’s strategy for managing and supporting researchers in accordance with the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. 
Research Staff Committee terms of reference

Knowledge Exchange Framework Strategy Committee (KEFSC)

KEFSC is a sub-committee of Research Committee, whose primary responsibility is to make awards from the School’s HEIF allocation (Higher Education Innovation Fund). KEFSC intends to support and develop knowledge-based interactions between universities and the wider world, resulting in economic and social benefit to the UK. KEFSC terms of reference

Research Excellence Framework Strategy Committee (REFSC)

The Research Excellence Framework Strategy Committee (REFSC) is responsible for overseeing the School’s preparations for, and submission to, the Research Excellence Framework (REF). It aims to optimise the submission that the School makes to the REF. REFSC terms of reference

Research Staff Association

Representing around 200 research staff members from research assistants up to professorial research fellows, the Research Staff Association was established in May 2012. Its three key purposes are to:

• provide a means by which research staff can discuss a range of issues and communicate their views back to the School
• enable the School to communicate more effectively with its research staff about policy developments and improve awareness of the significant range of career and professional development courses on offer to staff
• create a greater sense of community amongst research staff members in the School.

To get involved or discuss an issue, please contact the Chair, Kath Scanlon, at k.j.scanlon@lse.ac.uk. See LSE Research Staff Association.

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