The Dementia Association of Western Australia 

Research and Innovation Subcommittee Charter

The Research and Innovation Subcommittee (the Committee) is established as a standing subcommittee of The Dementia Association of Western Australia’s (DAWA) Board.

The Committee will provide strategic oversight including governance and direction for the research, innovation and continuing development of activities that support the establishment of a credible and internationally recognised applied social science research centre.

The Committee will promote academic collaboration and the development of evidence based knowledge that advances the understanding of dementia and improves the lives of people affected by such neurodegenerative conditions.

Strategic Objectives

The Committee will oversee the development of the DAWA’s Research Centre and its contribution to the Road to 2030 strategy.

The Committee’s principal objectives are to:

1. Establish an academically credible research capability specialising in dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions, with particular emphasis on young onset dementia;
2. Lead the strategic development and scientific validation of dementia specific Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs). These are to be suitable for application across Australia’s NDIS and Aaged Care sectors;
3. Advance applied social science research including psychosocial wellbeing, community participation, workforce development, continuity of care and supports, health economics, social policy and service innovation;
4. Develop partnerships with universities, research institutions, industry specialists and international research networks;
5. Support the generation of original, peer reviewed research and longitudinal evidence that contributes to overall national and international scientific knowledge;
6. Establish a sustainable research funding model through grants, philanthropic investment, academic partnerships and other appropriate funding opportunities.

Authority and Accountability

The Committee operates under authority delegated by the Board and remains accountable to the Board for its activities and recommendations.

The Committee may:

• Review and recommend research strategies, priorities, policies and investment proposals;
• Invite external academics, researchers and subject matter specialists to participate in Committee activities;
• Request information and reports from management relevant to its responsibilities;
• Recommend research partnerships, funding applications and collaborative agreements;
• Seek external professional or scientific advice, subject to approved budgets and delegated authority;
• Participate in external and public events that represent DAWA.

The Committee does not have authority to commit DAWA to expenditure, contractual obligations or research partnerships beyond the limits expressly delegated by the DAWA Board.

Operational management remains the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer of DAWA and authorised management personnel.

Membership and Composition

The Committee will comprise a combination of DAWA Board representatives and appropriately qualified members.

The composition is:

• Committee Chair: Initially the Executive Chair of DAWA (First 12 months)
• Board representative: At least one additional DAWA Director.
• External academic representatives: Individuals with expertise in dementia research, social science, research methodology or related disciplines.
• Specialist advisers: Individuals with expertise in health economics, outcomes measurement, workforce development, research ethics or relevant policy areas. This may include an internal Research Officer in the first 12 months.
• Lived experience representation: A person living with dementia or an appropriate representative with direct lived experience.

External committee members will be appointed by the DAWA Board for terms no greater than 12 months.

The DAWA Chief Executive Officer may attend meetings in an advisory and reporting capacity without voting rights unless separately appointed as members.

The Research Officer will ordinarily provide secretariat and coordination support subject to management arrangements and the available capacity. Within the first 12 months The Research Officer will be a representative of the Committee.

The Board may appoint additional members where specialist expertise is required.

Responsibilities

Research Strategy and Priorities

• Develop and periodically review the DAWA’s research strategy;
• Identify priority research questions aligned with the DAWA’s mission and strategic objectives;
• Oversee the establishment and progressive development of the Research Centre;
• Review the research portfolio and recommend priorities for investment.

PROM and PREM Development

• Oversee the progressive development of dementia specific outcome and experience measurement frameworks;
• Support appropriate research methodologies including longitudinal evaluations;
• Encourage the participation of people living with dementia, families, carers and relevant professionals in content development;
• Establish academic partnerships to support independent evaluation and industry credibility.

Quality and Research Governance

• Promote rigorous, ethical and transparent research practices;
• Review proposed research methodologies and quality assurance arrangements;
• Ensure appropriate processes exist for ethics review, informed consent, privacy, data protection and research integrity;
• Monitor conflicts of interest and independence;
• Encourage peer reviewed publication and appropriate academic scrutiny.

The Committee does not replace an accredited Research Ethics Committee or other required independent ethics review.

Academic and Research Partnerships

• Identify and support relationships with universities and research institutions either in Western Australia or across Australia;
• Encourage collaborative research projects and access to specialist expertise;
• Support participation in national and international research networks;
• Review proposed research collaboration arrangements and associated risks.

Research Funding and Sustainability

• Oversee the development of a sustainable research funding strategy;
• Review the research funding pipeline in collaboration with the DAWA’s Grants team;
• Monitor expenditure against any approved budgets;
• Review the sustainability of research positions and funded programs;
• Recommend future research investment priorities to the Board.

Workforce Research and Development

• Oversee research into workforce capability, training effectiveness, student placement outcomes and models of dementia support;
• Support the development of industry based workforce evaluation frameworks;

Meetings and Quorum

The Committee will meet at least quarterly with additional meetings convened by the Chair as required.

Meeting agendas and supporting papers should be circulated at least five business days before each meeting.

A quorum will comprise a majority of appointed voting members, including at least one DAWA director.

Decisions will ordinarily be reached by consensus. Where a vote is necessary, decisions will be determined by a simple majority of voting members present.

The Chair will have a deliberative vote but no additional casting vote. Tied motions will not be carried.

Minutes will be maintained and made available to the DAWA Board.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee will report to the Board following each formal meeting.

Reporting will include:

• Progress against the research strategy and approved priorities;
• Development and validation milestones for PROMs and PREMs;
• Research partnerships, publications and any other public facing engagements;
• Funding applications and ongoing financial sustainability;
• Material risks being identified;
• Matters requiring Board consideration or approval.

The Committee will prepare an annual review of its effectiveness and strategic priorities each year.

Conflicts of Interest and Independence

All members must disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Conflicts will be recorded and managed in accordance with DAWA’s governance policies.

Research findings must not be influenced by commercial interests.

Confidentiality and Research Integrity

Committee members must maintain the confidentiality of information obtained through their appointment.

Research involving participants, employees, clients or organisational data must comply with applicable legislation, privacy obligations, ethical standards and approved research protocols.

The Committee will promote research integrity, transparent reporting and responsible management of research data.

Approval

This Charter takes effect upon approval by the Board of The Dementia Association of Western Australia and remains in force until amended or revoked by Board resolution.