Terms of Reference for Stakeholder Consultative Groups

Purpose

The purpose of the Stakeholder Consultative Groups is to provide advice and guidance to the research teams to ensure that their strategic research is tailored to end-user needs, and the opportunities for co-operative working, knowledge exchange and dissemination are maximised.

Core Functions

1. To raise awareness of the research programme and its outputs with the relevant
   stakeholders
2. To enable dialogue/knowledge exchange and identify tactical opportunities for “synergies” (e.g. ensuring that field sites are chosen which complement other interests; awareness and integration with other initiatives) in other words to advise on the planning and delivery of the required research outputs.
3. To provide a forum to discuss end user needs and facilitate technology transfer and wider stakeholder engagement and dissemination.
4. To provide information on the effectiveness of the communications from/to the research teams and evidence of where and how this has influenced stakeholder behaviour (e.g. in policy development terms; management practice).
   

Limitations

The overall strategic direction of the RERAD research programmes has been set by RERAD. An overall advisory stakeholder Group (P3G) has been established to provide independent advice and help to the Programme Co-ordinator (Prof. Steve Albon) and the Director/CEO of the Main Research Providers involved in delivering the required outputs specified by RERAD for the Programme. The P3G is chaired by Prof Michael Usher. The P3 Consultative Groups nest within this overall structure and are intended to provide more tactical inputs to ensure the effective delivery of the required outputs, and to maximise their potential benefits to the relevant end-user communities. Neither the P3G nor the individual Consultative Groups have responsibility for steering the research programme. This responsibility resides with the commissioning body, RERAD.